Dinosaur Ridge - Denver Field OrnithologistsGolden, Colorado, USA
| Daily Raptor Counts: Aug 21, 2025 |
| Species | Day's Count | Month Total | Season Total |
| Black Vulture | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Turkey Vulture | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Osprey | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Bald Eagle | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Northern Harrier | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Sharp-shinned Hawk | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Cooper's Hawk | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| American Goshawk | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Red-shouldered Hawk | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Broad-winged Hawk | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Red-tailed Hawk | 1 | 2 | 3 |
| Rough-legged Hawk | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Swainson's Hawk | 3 | 18 | 19 |
| Ferruginous Hawk | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Golden Eagle | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| American Kestrel | 0 | 1 | 2 |
| Merlin | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Peregrine Falcon | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Prairie Falcon | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| Mississippi Kite | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Unknown Accipitrine | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Unknown Buteo | 0 | 1 | 1 |
| Unknown Falcon | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Unknown Eagle | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Unknown Raptor | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| Short-eared Owl | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Total: | 5 | 23 | 28 |
| Observation start time: | 07:30:00 |
| Observation end time: | 10:30:00 |
| Total observation time: | 3 hours |
| Official Counter | |
| Observers: | Liza Antony |
Weather:Initially the winds were from the west for the first half hour ( Beaufort
scale2 ) , changing to east winds, level 2 at 8 AM MST. at 10 AM. mST the
winds increased to level 3 from the NE
Initially, the sky is back here with 0% cloud cover. The first thermals (
clouds)
When noted at 8:42 AM MST. starting humidity was 27% gradually increasing
to 30% at the end of the watch.
Raptor Observations:Exploratory fall count 2025. See
https://groups.google.com/g/cobirds/c/Oznn4uc6MBk.
Non-migrating raptors: RT-1,GE-1 Immature, TurkeyVulture-2
Golden Eagle was binoculars only( level 4) It flew from the north but
landed on the east face of Mt. Morrison. The 3 SW were in a loose kettle
in a blue sky.
Non-raptor Observations:Other birds noted: Western Scrub-Jay 6; Northern Flicker 2; Common Raven 1;
White- throated swift 2; Hairy Woodpecker 2;Common Nighthawk1;
House Finch 2; BTHU 2; Bushtit 6; LEGO-1
Report submitted by Official Counter of the day shown above (
dinor...@gmail.com)
Dinosaur Ridge - Denver Field Ornithologists information may be found at:
www.dinosaurridgehawkwatch.orgMore information at
hawkcount.org: [
Site Profile] [
Day Summary] [
Month Summary]
Site DescriptionDinosaur Ridge 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. 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. Birders of any
skill level are always welcome. The hawk watch at Dinosaur Ridge is staffed by
Hawk Counter(s) and volunteers from March through early May.
Directions to site:From exit 259 on I-70 towards Morrison, drive south under freeway and take left
into 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)