As part of your registration, in order to participate in a Denver Field Ornithologists, Inc. (“DFO”) trip or other activities designated by the Board of Directors, each adult participant and the parent of a minor participant (those under 18 yrs. of age) are required to review and sign (either electronically or manually) a DFO Acknowledgment and Assumption of Risks & Release and Indemnity Agreement (sometimes “Agreement”) Completing this document involves your acceptance of binding contract terms. This online registration system allows you to review and electronically sign the Agreement if you do not have one on file. If you would prefer to manually sign a printable version of the Agreement, you may access it here, and present it to the leader before trip start. If you choose this option, please contact your leader to assure you are signed up for the trip.
Please note: Each person, including each family member choosing to sign the Agreement electronically must login and have a separate account so that the agreement is tied to the individual. If you are having difficulty with multiple logins, please contact us for assistance. *Minors: If participant is a minor, the minor’s parent or legal guardian must print out, review and sign a paper copy of the Agreement and present it to the leader before the trip start. Any minor attending must be accompanied by their parent or legal guardian.
Logged in users who have a signed Agreement on file will have the opportunity to print or save it at any time. Click on the link to the printable copy and use your browser functions to save or print.
Mount Zion Hawk Watch at Windy Saddle Park
—Watch migrating and non-migrant hawks and eagles
(Developing Birder Trip)
9/12/2026
8:30 AM - 12:00 PM
Leader:
Ajit Antony aiantony@earthlink.net or 9144757819
Liza Antony liza.antony15@gmail.com or 9142132869
Trip Difficulty: Moderate
Directions
Meet at Lookout Parking Lot at 2151 Lookout Mountain Rd in Golden.
View Meeting Place on Google Maps
This trip is limited to the first 11 registrations.
This is a trip to the Mount Zion Hawk Watch, the only fall hawk watch in Colorado. We could see red tails, kestrels, Cooper's, broadwings, Osprey, golden eagle and potentially 17 species of raptors. Identifying flying raptors is very different from IDing them when perched. The criteria used are different, with less emphasis on color of different parts and a greater emphasis on structure and flight style. Many of the migrant raptors at this site can be distant but we will focus on those that are nearer and relatively easily findable.
Bring your binoculars, scope if you have one, camera, bird/hawk books, drinks and sunscreen.
There is a 15 minute steep walk up stone steps to the hawk watch site that's why it's rated moderately strenuous, hiking poles are helpful.
You should download the free Raptor ID app from Hawkwatch International available both for Android and iOS.
To view this year's results at the Mount Zion Hawkwatch go to:
https://hawkcount.org/month_summary.php?r=on&rsite=968&go=Go+to+site
You can use the sidebar to switch to August 2026.
In the lulls between seeing Raptors we will discuss the very interesting paleontology and geology of the area.