It may not look like much, but this tiny reservoir is some of the only water in this dusty corner of Colorado, and when there actually is water in it, it can be quite the oasis. Various species of ducks (both divers and dabblers), shorebirds (when the water level is right for mudflats), and riparian species (such as Yellow-breasted Chat and Lazuli Bunting) are possible. The drive in passes through extensive sage habitat, and Greater Sage-Grouse are sometimes seen here.
Elkhead
The Northwest Passage
Carved out of the extreme northwestern corner of Colorado, Moffat County is a sprawling quadrangle nearly the size of Connecticut with fewer than 15,000 human residents, most of them in the town of Craig. This trail cuts through the heart of it, weaving across a diverse and dramatic landscape of sagebrush steppe sliced through by canyons large and small. It rises as high as the spruce-covered crest of the Elkhead Mountains and drops as low as the lush cottonwood bottomlands along the Yampa River. Three species of lekking grouse in spring, nesting Sandhill Cranes in summer, and one of the state’s densest populations of deer and elk make this an excellent place for wildlife watchers in any season.
Dinosaur National Monument (Deerlodge Park)
Admission: National Parks fee
Ownership: National Park Service
Yampa River State Park (river access points)
Admission: State Parks Pass
Ownership: Colorado Parks and Wildlife
Dinosaur National Monument (Deerlodge Park)
Probably the area of Dinosaur National Monument least visited by birders, Deerlodge Park is mostly used as a rafting launch site for people floating the Yampa. But it also has one of the most extensive riparian patches in northwestern Colorado, as well as abundant pinyon-juniper forest and cliffs. In the riparian areas look for Black-headed Grosbeak, Cooper’s Hawk, Yellow Warbler, Warbling Vireo, Eastern Kingbird, and Downy Woodpecker, while the ‘PJ’ hosts Virginia’s and Black-throated Gray Warblers, Say’s Phoebe, Rock and Canyon Wrens, and Western Scrub-Jay.
Cedar Mountain
If you’re based out of Craig, this mountain just to the north is probably the best place to find pinyon-juniper habitat. A variety of hiking and biking trails crisscross the mountain, and with a 4×4 you can access more remote parts as well. Any of the ‘PJ’ birds are possible, including Pinyon Jay, Juniper Titmouse, and Black-throated Gray Warbler. There are some patches of montane shrubland where Virginia’s Warbler and Lazuli Bunting, among others, can be found.
WFMC Gravel Pit
Just south of Craig, these gravel ponds are among the best waterbird spots in the area. While they are on private property, they can be scanned from the road, and usually have a good variety of dabblers, divers, an occasional loon or grebe, and shorebirds when the water is low. During the late fall and early winter this is a fairly regular spot to look for Barrow’s Goldeneye among the Common Goldeneyes. Bald Eagles are frequent in the area, especially along the Yampa River which borders the ponds to the north.
Craig Station Inlet Pond
Just south of Craig, this pond, while on private property, is viewable from a public road. Being somewhat deep, it is good for diving ducks, loons, and grebes. Even rarer divers such as Canvasback and Barrow’s Goldeneye have been seen here. It is best visited during the late fall and early spring.
Loudy Simpson Park
Welcome to northwestern Colorado’s best migrant trap! Excellent riparian habitat, combined with the island effect of being in the middle of Craig, makes this a superb place to look for a variety of passerine migrants during spring and fall migration. A half-mile loop trail goes through the best habitat, as well as a two-mile trail around the perimeter of the park. Breeding species such as Downy Woodpecker, Yellow-breasted Chat, and even the occasional Least Flycatcher add to the draw. Wintertime is quite a bit slower, but wintering sparrow flocks might be worth a look.
Yampa River State Park (river access points)
This is Colorado’s most wide-flung state park, but only the area around the headquarters is really worth birding. Here an excellent visitor center combines with beautiful riparian habitat and a nice nature trail to make for a good birding location. It is also a good spot to camp near Craig or Hayden. Look for species like Yellow-breasted Chat, Lazuli Bunting, Bullock’s Oriole, Downy Woodpecker, and others. Cooper’s and Red-tailed Hawks nest in the area, and Sandhill Cranes can often be seen in wet fields nearby. Rare riparian species such as Veery or Least Flycatcher are also sometimes seen. The Yampa is one of the most biologically intact rivers in the west, supporting at least four endangered and threatened fish species.
Elkhead Reservoir and State Park
The largest body of water in far northwestern Colorado isn’t always the most productive, but it still can be good for ducks (especially divers, as the water is fairly deep), loons, and grebes. When the water is low there can be extensive mudflats that are good for migrating shorebirds. The lake is surrounded by extensive sage flats that have Sage Thrasher and Brewer’s Sparrow, among others. Willow riparian just to the east of the lake can be a good place to look for Sharp-tailed Grouse during the fall and winter months.
Elkhead Ranch
This private working ranch includes 9,500 scenic acres of pastures, creeks, forests, wetlands and meadows. The ranch has been in operation since 1883 and was designated a state historic site in 1996. Most of the ranch is now protected under conservation easement.
Black Mountain (Elkhead Mountains)
The Elkhead Mountains rise like a dark hulk out of the flatlands north of Craig, providing a welcome bit of coolness during the hot summer months and a way to escape the dry sage flats into dense forest. The main road through the mountains, Moffat CR 27, starts out in sage flats (with species such as Sage Thrasher, Greater Sage-Grouse, Brewer’s Sparrow, and Common Poorwill) and rises up into aspen and coniferous forests (with the likes of Red-naped Sapsucker, Violet-green Swallow, Warbling Vireo, Ruby-crowned Kinglet, and more). As it gets higher, spruce-fir forest starts, and this area can be good for Pine Grosbeak, Gray and Steller’s Jays, American Three-toed Woodpecker, and Golden-crowned Kinglet. At night, listen for Northern Saw-whet and Flammulated Owls. The whole area is excellent for butterflies, including species not easily found elsewhere in the state, such as Hydaspe Fritillary.