Information - Dinosaur Ridge Hawkwatch (CO)
Description
Dinosaur Ridge is the only regularly staffed hawk watch in Colorado and is the best place in the world to see migrating Ferruginous Hawks. Currently managed and staffed by the Denver Field Ornithologists, Dinosaur Ridge is a historic site that has been collecting raptor migration data along the Rocky Mountain Flyway since March 30, 1990. Counts are conducted daily from March through early May. Birders of any skill level are always welcome.
Location
Dinosaur Ridge is a mountaintop watch site with a 360 degree view on the east slope of the south Rocky Mountains, 19km WSW of Denver, Colorado. The habitat is shrub-steppe, pinyon-juniper and prairie. The raptor migration is most pronounced on winds with an easterly component.
Access
From exit 259 on I-70 towards Morrison, drive south under the freeway and take a left into the first parking lot, the Stegosaurus Lot. Follow hawk watch signs from the southwest end of the parking lot to the hawk watch site. The hike starts heading east on an old two-track and quickly turns south onto a trail on the west side of the ridge. When the trail nears the top of the ridge, turn left, and walk to the flat area at the crest of the ridge. (Distance: 0.56 miles, Elevation gain: 259 feet)
Species
Hawk watchers may see 17 species of migrating raptors; and it is an excellent site to see rare dark morph buteos including Broad-winged hawk, Swainson’s hawk, Ferruginous hawk, Rough-legged hawk and Red-tailed Hawk. Other raptors include Golden and Bald Eagles, Northern Harrier, Osprey, Peregrine Falcons, Prairie Falcons, Cooper's and Sharp-shinned Hawks, American Kestrels, Merlin, and Turkey Vultures. American Goshawk is uncommon but also counted each season. Non-raptor species include Rock Wren, Bushtit, Western Bluebird, Sandhill Crane, White-throated Swift, American White Pelican, and Dusky Grouse.
