Nucla
The trees around this charming little town normally have things like Bullock’s Oriole, Eurasian Collared-Dove, passerine migrants during migrations, and finches during the colder months. In this dry part of the state any water tends to attract birds, and Nucla has two ponds that are worth visiting from a birder’s perspective. Nucla Town Reservoir is the larger of the two, and is good for ducks, shorebirds when low, and the occasional gull or tern. The trees around the lake can be good for passerines. The sewage ponds west of town are smaller, but are still good for ducks.
Restrictions: Respect private property; view water from the road
County: Montrose
Directions: To get to the sewage ponds, drive west from Nucla on CR CC. Turn north on CR 27.00 for 1/2 mile. Turn east a short distance to the ponds. To get to the town reservoir, take CR CC east out of Nucla. This is 10th Avenue. Drive for two miles to the end of CR CC. Turn right (south) for 1/2 mile. The reservoir is on the left.
Alternate Directions: Nucla is 5 miles north of Naturita along CO 97.
Habitat: Urban/Suburban, Pond/Lake/Reservoir, Lowland Riparian
Dates of Access: Open all year
Hours: Any
Ownership: Municipal
Admission or Fees: Free
Parking: Roadside
Lodging: Hotels in Naturita
Handicapped: No
Handicapped Access: Some viewing from car
Delorme: 65 B4
ROC: 1.13E+03
Latitude: 38.2694347
Longitude: -108.5478691