· Waterfowl

Brighton

Aliases: Veterans Park, Getz Nature Area, Morgan-Smith Nature Area, Ken Mitchell Park, Elmwood Cemetery

Brighton provides the closest facilities to famed birding locations such as Barr Lake, in addition to several nice city parks. The best of these is Veterans Park on the South Platte River, which is contiguous with the Getz and Morgan-Smith Nature Areas. Extensive riparian habitat offers chances at various migrants in season and the usual suite of breeding species, while the river can host waterfowl during the winter (including Common and Hooded Mergansers and Common Goldeneye), as well as flocks of sparrows in the associated scrub. Check the gravel pits at Ken Mitchell Park (ebird hotspot checklist) and adjacent Ergers Pond for diving ducks during the colder months, as Barrow’s Goldeneye and Red-breasted Merganser have been seen here among the more common species.

County: Adams

Directions: Brighton is along US 85, about 20 miles from Denver. To get to Veterans Park from US 85: turn west onto CO 7 and proceed a short distance to the parking lot on the north side, just before the South Platte River. To get to the reservoir in Ken Mitchell Park, from US 85 exit at Bromley Lane and go west. Bromley Lane will curve southwest. At Mockingbird Street go north west, then go west on to Kinglet Court.

Dates of Access: Open all year
Hours: Daylight hours
Ownership: Municipal
Admission: Free

Restrictions: Please obey all rules and regulations

Parking: Varied
Lodging: Hotels in town

Handicapped Access: Limited ADA access to trails in the parks

Latitude: 39.987537
Longitude: -104.829150

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