Rafter J Acorn Woodpecker Colony
The only spot to see Acorn Woodpecker in the state is also an excellent spot to look for other ponderosa pine woodland specialties — Western Bluebird, Lewis’s Woodpecker, Grace’s Warbler, and Pygmy Nuthatch are all reasonably easy to see. Black-throated Gray Warbler can sometimes be found in the areas with pinyon pine and juniper trees. Keep an eye out for Abert’s Squirrel and Wild Turkey on the road into the woodpecker trees.
Restrictions: Respect private property - bird from the road where applicable
County: La Plata
Directions: From downtown Durango go west on US 160 about three miles and turn left (south) on Wildcat Canyon Road (CR 141). Go west on CR 141 for about three miles and look for the Rafter J Subdivision sign on the right. Turn right on Meadow Road and go about two miles to the top of the road. Bear to the right onto a dirt road and continue down the road for about a half mile. Look on the right for a very large, dead Ponderosa behind a mobile home. The woodpeckers are usually in this tree or nearby. Most of the area along this road is private property.
Alternate Directions: From Durango, head west on US160 for 2 miles to CR 141 (Wildcat Canyon Road), and take a left. Go 3 miles to Meadow Road and take a right. Follow Meadow Road for just over 4 miles, to where it turns to a gravel road and starts to go down hill. At this point there are a couple of large dead ponderosa trees; look here for the woodpeckers.
Habitat: Scrub Oak Forest
Dates of Access: Open all year
Hours: Daylight hours
Ownership: Private
Admission or Fees: Free
Parking: Roadside
Lodging: None
Handicapped: No
Handicapped Access: Some viewing from car, including the Acorn Woodpeckers' favorite tree
Delorme: 86 B2-C2
ROC: 146 B1-B2
Latitude: 37.2654398
Longitude: -107.9434324
Additional Resources
Learn more about birds reported at this location at eBird:
https://ebird.org/hotspot/L333079