Dinosaur Ridge probable big day: unofficial

[David Gulbenkian]

Saw 21 hawks from 10:30-noon (9:30-11:00 MST), of which probably no more

than 4 would have been the local Red-tails. The first bird I saw appeared to be 

a Ferruginous, but he was already getting far off to the north when I spotted him.

He was followed immediately by 5 accipiters and a couple of falcons

in less than 20 minutes, flying at high speed just west of the ridge, in spite of a

vicious north or north-west wind.  For some reason, I didn't spot any of them

until they were already going by.

After that, just Red-tails, almost incandescent white because of the reflection off

the snow.  They were still coming when I left, but cruising more normally and 

without the spectacular illumination from below.

I am not one of the official observers, and I was not at the official observation site,

but was about a mile south of that on the ridge.