Dinosaur Ridge Hawk Watch 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. It is the only regularly staffed hawk watch in Colorado and is the best place in the world to see migrating Ferruginous Hawks. 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 we see include Golden and Bald Eagles, Northern harrier, Osprey, Peregrine Falcons, Prairie Falcons, Cooper's and Sharp-shinned Hawks, American Kestrels, Merlin, and Turkey Vultures. Northern 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. Birders of any skill level are always welcome. Migration is most pronounced on winds with an easterly component. The hawk watch at Dinosaur Ridge is staffed by a Hawk Counter and volunteers from 9:30 AM to 5:30 PM from March 1st to May 14th, weather permitting.

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 the signs from the southwest end of the parking lot to the hawk watch site on top of the ridge. 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)

Denver Field Ornithologists is an all-volunteer organization that conducts free field trips each year and welcomes participation and membership by all. Founded as the Colorado Bird Club in 1935, DFO promotes enjoyment of nature and the outdoors, and the preservation of birds and their habitats in greater Denver, Colorado and beyond. In addition to field trips, evening programs and birding workshops, DFO conducts citizen science by organizing spring and fall counts and supporting the annual Christmas bird count. DFO also awards grants to individuals and organizations conducting bird-related research, education, and conservation projects in Colorado. A 501(c)(3) nonprofit, DFO publishes a popular monthly newsletter and maintains a website and social media platforms (Facebook, Instagram) that extend our fellowship nationally and worldwide.

All data displayed on this site are preliminary and have not yet undergone quality control. Written permission is required to use the data.