Prairie Oases Trail

Sites on this Trail

Jackson Lake State Park
Description:
Jackson Reservoir is the king of birding spots in the greater Fort Morgan area, offering a variety of waterfowl and shorebirds to some of the best migrant traps around. Time of year plays an important role here, with spring usually having very high water (and thus less shorebird habitat), and fall offering the best overall variety. The cottonwood groves in the State Park are best for songbird species (especially during spring and fall migration). When the water is low, the dry margins of the lake bed are a good bet for Mountain Plover during early fall migration, and various sparrow species lurk in the emergent growth. Many other species can be found here at all times of year. A State Parks pass is required for entry and hunting occurs at this site, so be sure to check for seasonal restrictions before visiting.

Directions:
From I-76: take exit 66A/CO 39. Head north on CO 39 for just over 7 miles through Goodrich, then go west on CR Y5/10. In just over a mile, the road bends to the north and becomes CR 3; continue on this road past the Jackson Reservoir inlet canal until you reach the entrance station.

Access:
Open all year, 6:00 AM to 10:00 PM
Jackson Lake State Wildlife Area
Description:
Located near the State Park and connected to the same body of water, Jackson Lake State Wildlife Area offers great birding opportunities for shorebirds and waterfowl along the north side of the reservoir. Like the State Park, timing of your visit is important, with spring usually having very high water (and thus less shorebird habitat), and fall offering the best overall variety of species. When the water level is low, you can walk through the small grove of trees (from the parking area) and onto the lake bed itself. There are fishing limitations and hunting occurs on this property, so be sure to check seasonal restrictions before visiting.

Directions:
From I-76: exit at Highway 39. Go north for 7.4 miles to Highway 144. Go northeast for 1 mile to CR 5. Go 3.8 miles north to CR CC and head west for 1 mile to CR 4. Go south for 1/4 mile to the parking lot.

Access:
Open all year, Daylight hours
Andrick Ponds State Wildlife Area
Description:
Located just to the south and west of the better-known Jackson Lake, Andrick Ponds SWA has abundant marshes, small ponds, and some nice hedgerows, and just about any species could show up here. Migration tends to provide the best opportunities, especially during the fall. Wildlife observations are limited from the Saturday before the Memorial Day Holiday through August 31. Hunting occurs at this property so be sure to check for seasonal restrictions before visiting.

Directions:
From I-76: take exit 66A/CO 39. Head north on CO 39 for just over 7 miles through Goodrich, to Highway 144 and Morgan County Road (MCR) Y.5; go 1.5 miles west (left) on MCR Y.5. Turn north (right) on MCR3 for 1.5 miles to MCR AA. Go west (left) on MCR AA just before the entrance to Jackson Lake State Park. The parking lot is about 1/2 mile on the south side of the county road.

Access:
Wildlife viewing only allowed the Saturday before Memorial Day to August 31, Daylight hours
Fort Morgan
Description:
Fort Morgan has the full range of facilities, as well as good access to nearby first-class birding spots, and makes a good base along I-76. For birding in town, check out Riverside Park, which at times can have Snow, Ross's, and Greater White-fronted Geese during migration and winter, as well as the occasional Harris's Sparrow among the sparrow flocks during winter.

Directions:
From Denver: take I-76 east for approximately 85 miles. The town of Fort Morgan is south of I-76 between exits 79 and 81. To get to Riverside Park, take exit 80, CO 52/Main St. and head north, then east into the park. Go a little farther north on CO 52 to reach closer parking to the South Platte River at Curry St.

Access:
Open all year, Daylight hours
Jean K. Tool State Wildlife Area
Description:
With access to the South Platte River and its associated dense and extensive riparian corridor, this SWA is a good place to look for local and uncommon breeders such as Yellow-billed Cuckoo, Red-bellied Woodpecker, and Bell's Vireo, as well as migrants in season. Wild Turkey and Northern Bobwhite are possible all year. Hunting occurs on this property, so be sure to check for seasonal restrictions before visiting.

Directions:
From I-76: take exit 86 and go north on CR-24 for just under a mile to a parking area north of the bridge. Head east along the north side of the river or west along the river's south side.

Access:
Open all year, 3:00 AM to 9:00 PM
Brush Prairie Ponds State Wildlife Area
Description:
This section of prairie habitat is sometimes flooded, primarily in early summer, and attracts ducks and shorebirds during such times. At other times, check for Lark Bunting, Brewer's Sparrow, Lapland Longspur and Horned Lark (during the winter months), and raptors of various stripes at all times of year. Hunting occurs on this property, so be sure to check for seasonal restrictions before visiting.

Directions:
From I-76: exit at Colorado Ave./90A and go south on CO 71 into Brush. At Edison St./US 34, head west for 1 block to Clayton Street/CR 28. Go south on CR28; in 2.5 miles, there will be a parking lot at the southwest corner of the SWA, at the intersection of CR 28 and CR P.

Access:
March 1 to August 31, open only for wildlife viewing and birding in specific areas as posted. Public access is prohibited from 9:00 PM to 3:00 AM daily, except when authorized by a night hunting permit. Public access is restricted to foot traffic only, Daylight hours, except during hunting season with permit
Brush State Wildlife Area
Description:
Some of the best riparian habitat in the area is at Brush SWA, where trails bring you through cottonwood gallery forest and past several wetlands. This SWA is among the premier places in the state to find Northern Bobwhite, and Wild Turkey is regularly encountered. During spring and fall migration, a variety of migrants can be found, and Eastern Screech-Owl is fairly common in the area. Hunting occurs on this property, so be sure to check for seasonal restrictions before visiting.

Directions:
From I-76: exit 90B/CO 71 and go north for 1.5 miles. CO 71 bends sharply to the right at the junction with CR-28; continue north on CR-28 for 1 mile to the parking lot.

Access:
Open all year, public access is prohibited daily from 9:00 PM to 3:00 AM except with a night hunting permit., Daylight hours
Prewitt Reservoir State Wildlife Area
Description:
Prewitt Reservoir is a must-hit stop during migration. Abundant riparian habitat below the dam and along the inlet canal can have just about any regular songbird migrant (and some irregular ones!). The lake, depending on water level, can have thousands of shorebird species and good numbers of waterfowl. Summer and winter tend to be much slower, but could still be worth a check if you’re in the area. An annual permit is required unless you have already purchased a valid fishing or hunting license.

Directions:
From I-76: exit 102/County Road Q and go one mile north to US 6. Head northeast on US 6 for 3-4 miles to the SWA entrance.

Access:
Open all year, Daylight hours
Atwood State Wildlife Area
Description:
This seldom-visited SWA provides good access to stretches of the South Platte River and associated riparian corridor. The best entry point is from the northern parking lot, especially east along the river. Look for sparrow flocks in winter, northeast specialties in summer, and migrants at other seasons. Scanning the river from the bridges may also be worth your while. Hunting occurs on this property, so be sure to check for seasonal restrictions before heading out.

Directions:
From I-76: take CO 63/exit 115 and go north for a little over 3 miles. At US 6, head southeast for just under 3 miles to CR 29.5, on the left. The SWA is along this road about 1/2 mile from US 6.

Access:
Open all year, 4 am to 9 pm
Sterling
Description:
As the largest town in northeastern Colorado, Sterling is the logical base for a trip to the area, and several town parks are worth a visit. The Overland Trail Recreation Area gives access to the South Platte and its associated riparian habitat, while Pioneer Park just to the west of town has the best migrant traps. Both locations could have Mississippi Kites, as well as migrants in season, sparrows in the winter, and others.

Directions:
From Denver: take I-76 east for approximately 130 miles to the town of Sterling. Sterling is located west of I-76 at exit 125/US 6. To reach the Overland Trail Recreation Area, take exit 125/US 6 and go west to CR 370/Riverside Rd. Head north and the Recreation Area is immediately on the west side. To reach Pioneer Park, continue into town on Hwy 6; after the curve, Hwy 6 becomes Chestnut St. At 4th St., go south, then in two blocks go west onto CO 14/Main St. Pioneer Park will be two miles west, on the north side.

Access:
Open all year, Daylight hours
North Sterling State Park
Description:
North Sterling State Park is a large reservoir in northeastern Colorado that includes a variety of habitat types and provides great opportunities to view many of the birds particular to northeastern Colorado. The reservoir can attract various water birds and in the prairie sections of the park, keep an eye out for Lark Bunting, Western Meadowlark, Brewer's Sparrow, and raptors that could include Ferruginous Hawk. A State Parks pass is required for entry.

Directions:
From I-76, take exit 125, (Sterling) and turn west on Hwy 6 (eastbound from Denver, turn left off the exit ramp; westbound from Julesburg, turn right off the exit ramp) Follow Hwy 6 for 2 miles over the bridge. Turn right (north) on N. 3rd St., Take slight left onto Sidney Ave and continue north for 1.5 miles. Turn left onto County Road 34 and continue west for 1 mile., Turn right onto County Road 39, and follow the paved road north for 10 miles.

Access:
Open year round, 6:00 AM to 10:00 PM