Rafter J Acorn Woodpecker Colony

· La Plata

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.

County: La Plata

Habitat: Scrub Oak Forest

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.

Delorme: 86 B2-C2
Roads of Colorado: 146 B1-B2

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

Restrictions: Respect private property - bird from the road where applicable

Parking: Roadside
Lodging: None

Handicapped: No
Handicapped Access: Some viewing from car, including the Acorn Woodpeckers' favorite tree

Latitude: 37.2654398
Longitude: -107.9434324

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Amenities

RestroomsNo
Drinking FountainNo
Gravel TrailsNo
Paved TrailsNo
Platform/BlindNo
BoardwalkNo
ConcessionNo
Visitor CenterNo
Gift ShopNo
PrimitiveYes
CampingNo
PicnicNo
HuntingNo
FishingNo
2021-10-12T22:16:49-06:00

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