Meet This Year's Hawk Watch Counters

Emma Riley, raptor biologist with a degree from Colorado State University in Wildlife Biology, returns in 2024 for her third year counting migrating raptors on Dinosaur Ridge. She has studied Ferruginous Hawks and breeding passerines across Wyoming and Idaho. Emma worked at Hawkwatch International's Manzanos Mountains fall migration site trapping and counting raptors. Her focus is raptor biology, especially migration and movement ecology. Emma is passionate about working at the country's best spot for migrating Ferruginous Hawks, one of her "spark birds".
Ajit returns this year as our official Tuesday counter. He and his wife Liza, also a Dino Ridge volunteer, bring decades of experience with them including counting at the Mount Peter, Hook Mountain, and the I-84 Overlook Hawk Watches. Together they achieved records along the Eastern Flyway for Broad-winged Hawks, Red-Shouldered Hawks, Black Vultures, and Golden Eagles. Ajit is a wonderful volunteer trainer and is excited to share his skills with you for identifying the raptors that migrate along the Central Flyway.
Zachary Haag is pursuing a BS in Biology at the University of Denver. Zach has been an avid birder his entire life and is eager to help add to our understanding of migrating raptors. This will be his first year on the Hawk Watch team, and he is excited to spot raptors at Dinosaur Ridge. Look for Zach on Saturdays beginning in mid-March when he will be working as official observer.
Audrey Anderson is an undergraduate in her final semester at the University of Colorado Boulder, studying Ecology and Evolutionary Biology. A Colorado native and outdoor enthusiast, she is ecstatic to pursue a career in ornithology and conservation. Raptors hold a special place in her heart and are one of the driving factors of her passion. Her most recent experience includes designing and implementing a project involving avian cavity dwellers, addressing urban conflict with the City of Littleton. She can't wait to apply her skills as a member of the 2024 Dinosaur Ridge Hawk Watch team! Look for Audrey on Sundays beginning in mid-March when she will be working as official observer.
Dustin Kohler holds a bachelor's degree in wildlife biology from Missouri State University and will be joining the 2024 Dinosaur Ridge Hawk Watch as Lead Counter. He has lived a life immersed in nature learning about anything and everything. Dustin's ornithology experience includes laboratory research and banding birds since he was three years old; he has helped band over 130 birds most of them raptors. Welcome Dustin to the ridge!