This county road outside Pueblo passes through many of Southeast Colorado’s habitats, including cholla grassland, shortgrass prairie, pinyon-juniper forest and Ponderosa Pine forest. The land is private, but birding from the road can be productive. Where the road crosses the Saint Charles River, Black and Eastern Phoebes have nested under the bridge. With luck, it is possible to see all three species of phoebes on this road! turkeys can be seen in agriculture fields and wooded areas along the Saint Charles River.
Greenhorn
Explore the Wet Mountain Valley
In the shadow of Greenhorn Mountain, the beacon peak that anchors the southern end of the Wet Mountain range, this trail highlights a part of Southeast Colorado that is off the beaten path, but not remote. Framed on the west by the dramatic Sangre de Cristo range, and rippled in the east by the lower, gentler peaks of the Wet Mountains, the Wet Mountain Valley area is within easy striking distance of Pueblo and Canon City, but receives far fewer visitors. Pronghorn race across the valley floor, while owls of several species nest in the forests just above. Eagles and hawks are a common sight in the skies above this trail. If you visit, you’ll be surprised that this part of Colorado has escaped attention for as long as it has!
DeWeese Reservoir State Wildlife Area
Admission: A valid hunting or fishing license, or State Wildlife Area pass is required for everyone 16 or older accessing any state wildlife area or state trust lands.
Ownership: Colorado Parks and Wildlife
Colorado City and Rye
Colorado City and Rye are close together and provide access to many exciting bird areas. Lake Beckwith can attract large numbers of waterfowl in migration and often retains open water and therefore birds all winter long. Greenhorn Meadows Park contains an excellent patch of deciduous riparian habitat that can attract migrating warblers and other landbirds. Rye Mountain Park, on the west edge of Rye, contains pine and oak habitat good for flycatchers, Western Tanager and MacGillivray’s Warbler.
Lake Isabel
This small and scenic lake is surrounded by good ponderosa and mixed-conifer woodland. There are also some extensive tracts of willow surrounding the lake, where MacGillivray’s Warbler can be common. The extensive trails away from the campgrounds and picnic areas may provide views of elk, squirrels, raccoons, weasels, and perhaps even bobcat, mountain lion or black bear for the very lucky few.
Greenhorn Peak
The peak of this mountain, one of the most impressive summits on the skyline of the Eastern Plains, can be accessed in summer and fall via a winding forest road that approaches from the north and west. Birding along this road can be great for montane forest birds such as Dusky Grouse, Northern Goshawk and Pine Grosbeak. Even Brown-capped Rosy-Finch has been seen on the peak, but they are irregular in occurance.
Pueblo Mountain Park
This is a Pueblo City Park that is located well outside the city of Pueblo, near the small town of Beulah. It protects a large swath of Ponderosa Pine forest and Gambel Oak scrub, and the higher parts of the park include mixed-conifer forest also. Along the trail you’ll find mountain songbirds and raptors. Look along the stream for American Dipper and in the pines for sapsuckers, nuthatches, Western Tanager, and the scarce Abert’s Squirrel along with deer and elk. The Mountain Park Environmental Center sponsors frequent guided hikes that focus on the natural history of the park. There is now overnight lodging right in the park at the recently renovated historic Horseshoe Lodge, now a eco-lodge and retreat center.
Ophir Creek Road
This road runs through a variety of interesting montane habitats, including aspen groves, high riparian areas, mixed conifer forests and mountain meadows. Look for Dusky Grouse and elk during the day and listen for Flammulated and Saw-whet Owls at night.
Wetmore area
A small town in far northeast Custer county, the area around Wetmore contains some of the only lowland habitat in the area. Most of the habitat is scrub-oak and grassland, but there is some roadside pinyon-juniper and riparian groves. Look especially for Lewis’s Woodpecker and Western Bluebird.
Greenwood area
Greenwood Road, which runs a residential loop off CO 96, is a public road through private land. It is a forested driving route offering some potential songbird viewing through some excellent Ponderosa Pine Forest with Gambel Oak understory, and Narrowleaf Cottonwood along Hardscrabble Creek. Look for species such as Evening Grosbeak and Cassin’s Finch. A spur off this road (FR 388) passes through a good deal more of the same habitat, as well as a recent burn.
Lewis Creek Trail
The inconspicuous road to the Lewis Creek Trailhead (FR 310) runs west through private property, but the trail gets into an area of National Forest with an interesting forest mix, including Ponderosa Pine, White Fir, Blue Spruce, Gambel Oak and pinyon-juniper habitat. Pygmy Nuthatch is abundant, and Band-tailed Pigeon has been seen here; hikers are likely to encounter pine squirrels and chipmunks, and the lucky might even see a bear. In addition, there is a cattail-choked pond on private property about halfway between the highway and the trailhead that is worth a look from the road.
Westcliffe and Silver Cliff
These charming mountain towns barely have a separate identity. Feeders in town should be checked for finches, and Eurasian Collared-Doves can be found. These are good towns from which to base yourself when exploring the area.
DeWeese Reservoir State Wildlife Area
This good-sized reservoir is a must hit spot when in the area. The lake often holds large flocks of both dabblers and divers, and when low, shorebirds. Look for sparrows on the grassy knolls around the lake. Hummingbird feeders in the small town on the south side of the lake can contain up to four species. Mammals may include mule deer, elk and fox.
Lawrence Family Ranch
At the foot of the spectacular Sangre de Cristo Mountains, this 500+ acre private ranch offers birding in habitats from the hay meadows of the Wet Mountain Valley Floor to the alpine tundra of the San Isabel National Forest. Local birds include: Wild Turkey, raptors, jays, Pygmy Nuthatch, Cordilleran Flycatcher, Belted Kingfisher, woodpeckers, and owls. Three creeks, manmade ponds and beaver ponds provide riparian habitat. Rustic cabins and tours are available. This ranch is adjacent to the San Isabel National Forest and the famous Rainbow Trail.
Medano Pass Road
This is a little-traveled road that leads through some very interesting mountain habitats. The first seven miles of the road pass through private property, so you will need to bird from your car, but after that you can explore off the road in the National Forest. The first half mile of the road passes by some excellent cattail marshes where you might find rails or Yellow-headed Blackbirds. Farther west you can scan Creager Reservoir, where coots, grebes and Ruddy Ducks breed. The National Forest has beautiful aspen groves and mixed-conifer forest where you will find a variety of mountain birds, and possibly elk, mule deer, and even bighorn sheep as well. There is free primitive camping along this road inside the National Forest. Those with four-wheel drive can continue down the west side of the pass into the spectacular Great Sand Dunes National Park & Preserve.