Sandsage Trail

Sites on this Trail

Duck Creek State Wildlife Area
Description:
Duck Creek has one of the best migrant trap habitats in the area, but is often neglected in favor of more popular locations nearby. However, it is well worth a visit, especially during spring and fall migration when you never know what could show up! Several of the northeastern specialty breeding species occur here, including Baltimore Oriole, Eastern Kingbird, and Upland Sandpiper (along the entrance road). Hunting occurs on this property, so be sure to check for seasonal restrictions before heading out.

Directions:
From I-76: take exit 149/Crook and go north on CO 55. At the town of Crook, CO 55 turns into 1st St./CR 81. Continue north for about 2 miles to the parking area.

Access:
Open all year, Daylight hours
Tamarack Ranch State Wildlife Area
Description:
As one of the prime places in the state to find local northeastern breeding specialties, Tamarack SWA is best during migration and summer seasons. Look for Bell’s Vireo, Yellow-billed Cuckoo, Northern Bobwhite, Red-bellied Woodpecker and more in the wooded areas to the east of CO 55, and Field Sparrow and other open country species to the west of the highway. Hunting occurs on this property, so be sure to check for seasonal restrictions before heading out.

Directions:
From I-76: take exit 149/Crook and go north on CO 55. In a little over a mile, head east on CR 385 into the parking lot. The western portion of the State Wildlife Area is accessible via a dirt road just north of the parking lot at CR 385.

Access:
Open all year., 4 am to 9 pm
Haxtun Area
Description:
The City Park in the northeast corner of town attracts many birds in spring and fall migration. The wastewater ponds are located just over a mile east of town and are one of the best places in the area to find ducks and geese, mostly in the winter; in spring and fall they can also attract phalaropes and other shorebirds.

Directions:
From Denver: go east on I-76 to exit 125/US 6 at Sterling. Head east on US 6 for 31 miles to the town of Haxtun. To reach City Park, go north on Washington Ave. and then east on Grant St. for 4 blocks to the park, on the north. To reach the wastewater ponds, continue east through Haxtun on US 6 for 1 mile, then go north on CR 7.

Access:
Open all year, Daylight hours
Frenchman Creek State Wildlife Area
Description:
Spring and summer are the best times to visit this mostly dry creek bed, which is lined by sparse cottonwoods, chokecherry, and juniper. East meets west here; both Western and Eastern Kingbirds can be found in summer, and this is a good place to look for Baltimore and Bullock's Orioles and their hybrids. Hunting occurs on this property, so be sure to check for seasonal restrictions before heading out.

Directions:
This SWA is between Holyoke and Haxtun. From Haxtun: go 12.5 miles east on Highway 6 to CR 29, then 0.5 miles south to the parking lot. From Holyoke: go 5 miles west on Highway 6 to CR 29, then go 0.5 miles south to the parking lot.

Access:
Open all year, 4 am to 9 pm
Sand Hills
Description:
The southern portion of Phillips County has some sandsage habitat where Cassin's and Lark Sparrows breed, along with Colorado's state bird, the Lark Bunting. Small numbers of Greater Prairie-Chickens are also present, but unlikely to be seen. Look out for pronghorn, as they are easy to find in the area.

Directions:
From Denver: Holyoke is approximately 170 miles northeast of Denver. Take I-76 east to exit 125/US 6 at Sterling. Head east on US 6 to Holyoke. From Holyoke, go south on US 385 four miles and at CR 14, head west. Go two miles and at CR 35, head south.The Sand Hills start about two miles south of CR 14.

Access:
Open all year, Daylight hours
Holyoke
Description:
The largest town in Phillips County, Holyoke is a good place to see Mississippi Kites in summer. Look for them in the air, or anywhere above town, as they pursue flying insects on the wing. The town and the cemetery can attract spring migrants, while the Lions Club Fishing Hole can have ducks at any season, migrants in spring, and sometimes Bell’s Vireo in summer.

Directions:
From Denver: Holyoke is approximately 170 miles northeast of Denver. Take I-76 east to exit 125/US 6 at Sterling. Go east on US 6 to Holyoke. Holyoke is located at the intersection of US 6 and US 385, 50 miles east of Sterling. The cemetery is south of town on CR 41 and the Fishing Hole is along US 6, east of CR 41.

Access:
Open all year, Daylight hours
Sand Draw State Wildlife Area
Description:
This spot is an oasis of tall trees and dense undergrowth that provides a haven for deer, cottontail rabbits, and various bird species. Listen for the scratchy warbles of Bell's Vireo in summer, along with the complex song of the Brown Thrasher. The denser pines may harbor roosting owls, especially in winter. Hunting occurs on this property, so be sure to check for seasonal restrictions before heading out.

Directions:
From I-76: exit 180 at Julesburg and head south on US 385 for eight miles to CR 16. Go east for two miles to CR 49, then south about a mile to the parking lot.

Access:
Open all year, 4 am to 9 pm
Julesburg
Description:
Lion’s Park (the Julesburg State Wayside) features a Watchable Wildlife Trail along the river where you can see Baltimore and Orchard Orioles, buntings, and warblers in migration. DePoorter Lake, just east of town, is a good place to see ducks and swallows in spring and fall.

Directions:
Julesburg is at I-76 exit 180, approximately 184 miles northeast of Denver at the Colorado/Wyoming border. Lions Park is on the west side of US 385 at the South Platte River, between the interstate and town. DePoorter Lake is a quarter mile farther north, on the east side of US 385.

Access:
Open all year, Daylight hours
Ovid Woods
Description:
A strip of woodlands along the east edge of the town of Ovid, called the 'Ovid Woods,' is private property and cannot be entered, but it is possible to see many birds from the road that runs along it. Breeding birds here include Red-headed and Red-bellied Woodpeckers and Chimney Swift; Northern Cardinal is sometimes seen. Good numbers of migrant warblers and sparrows can be found during migration.

Directions:
Ovid is at I-76 and exit 172, approximately 175 miles northeast from Denver. From I-76: exit 172/CR 27.8, and go north for about two miles to Ovid. To get to the woods, head east on US 138 to 2nd St. The Woods run north and south along 2nd St.

Access:
Open all year, Daylight hours
Jumbo Reservoir State Wildlife Area
Description:
Labeled “Julesburg Reservoir” on some maps, but popularly called “Jumbo,” birding can be excellent here at any time of year. Look for shorebirds in late summer and fall, and numerous species of geese in late fall and winter. Breeding birds in nearby fields include Upland Sandpiper, Burrowing Owl, Dickcissel, and Grasshopper Sparrow. An annual permit is required to access the property unless you have already purchased a valid Colorado fishing or hunting license.

Directions:
From Interstate 76: take exit 155, Red Lion Road/CR 93. Go 3 miles north (left) to Highway 138, then 1 mile northeast (right) to County Road 95, then 2 miles north (left) to the reservoir.

Access:
Open all year, Daylight hours
Red Lion State Wildlife Area
Description:
These smaller lakes adjacent to Jumbo Reservoir are often good for shorebirds and waterfowl during migration. The surrounding prairie should be checked for Upland Sandpiper during the summer and various raptors at all times of year. There are also some marshes in the area that could host any of the usual marsh birds. Hunting occurs on this property, so be sure to check for seasonal restrictions before heading out.

Directions:
From I-76: take exit 155, Red Lion Road/CR 93 and go north a little over two miles to US 138 and head east. In one mile, go north onto CR 95. Red Lion SWA is 0.25 miles north of US 138 and continues all the way to Jumbo Reservoir SWA.

Access:
Open all year, Daylight hours