Wray – late March to early April

Greater prairie chickens perform courtship rituals in open grasslands. Males gather in large groups called “leks”, attracting females looking for a potential mate. Performing stunning mating displays to impress females, males produce a wide range of vocalizations and engage in a complex “dance”, raising their feathers, bowing their heads, and rapidly stepping with their feet.

Fruit Growers Reservoir, Delta County – early March to mid April
Each spring, sandhill cranes use this habitat as a rest stop on their northward migration. Members of the Black Canyon Audubon Society organize the event, set up spotting scopes at crane viewing sites, and answer visitors’ questions.

Karval – April 28th-30th

The shortgrass prairies near Kaval, CO are prime foraging sites for mountain plovers. These small birds use Colorado grasslands during the breeding season, where sparse vegetation gives them plenty of room to build nests on the ground.

Cortez – May 17th to 21st

Organized by the Cortez Cultural Center, this festival offers tours and talks given by biologists and wildlife experts. The Cortez area contains a variety of habitats and attracts many species of songbirds, waterfowl, and raptors