Limon is a major population center in east-central Colorado, with all the basic services. You might find some migrant landbirds in the trees around town, especially the patch just behind (north of) the Events Center. However, the highlight of birding in Limon is the Limon Wetlands, which are reached via the Doug Kissel Fishing Ponds. A paved trail extends south half a mile to an interpretive kiosk and gazebo overlooking the wetlands, which in summer host Sora, Virginia Rail, Belted Kingfisher, Yellow-headed Blackbird, Great-tailed Grackle and Ruddy Duck, not to mention muskrats and various amphibians and reptiles. The fortunate might encounter an Ornate Box Turtle crossing the bike trail in summer, or see coyotes or deer along the path.
Kingbird
Birding the Black Forest
Those visiting Denver with a hankering to experience the high plains need look no farther. These rolling grasslands and treeless horizons are home to coyotes, badgers, swift foxes, pronghorns, Golden Eagles, Mountain Plovers–and kingbirds, three species of which fiercely defend territories along this trail. It’s not all treeless, however–the western portion of this trail runs through the Black Forest region, where Ponderosa Pines tower proudly over the plains atop eroded bluffs and ridges, and Red Squirrels chide Steller’s Jays and bluebirds for imaginary offenses. This trail is full of fresh air from start to finish.
Admission: $5/person day pass; $10 tent camping; $15 rustic accommodations; $60 in-house bed and breakfast
Ownership: Private
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
Admission: $10/person/day (more for tours and additional services)
Ownership: Private
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
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
Kinney State Wildlife Area (Kinney Tract)
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
Calkum Ranch
Located only an hour from metro Denver, the Calkum Ranch offers a unique and quick getaway from the hustle and bustle of the Front Range. The Calkum Ranch lies just west of Limon and north of Interstate 70 in an area of juniper breaks; the park-like setting of the juniper trees and sandstone formations makes the ranch an ideal escape for birders and rockhounds alike. The vistas from atop the breaks alone make the trip worthwhile, while the abundance of various habitats makes it an outstanding birding site, particularly during spring and fall migration. Horseback riders are welcome with their own horse.
Ridge Road (CR 99 and CR 101)
This scenic road is an excellent place to look for Cassin’s Kingbird, as well as other grassland species amid the yucca covered hills. Some ponderosa groves can provide Mountain and Western Bluebirds. Coyotes and foxes may be seen hunting in the grassy areas.
Comanche Creek Road (CR 61-69)
This road north of CO 86 parallels its namesake for several miles, and although the lowland riparian habitat is private, it is in several places close enough to the road to be easily birdable. If you head east on CR 150 for 0.7 miles, you’ll come down off some bluffs through a belt of ponderosa forest. This area has the likes of Cassin’s Kingbird, Spotted Towhee and Black-headed Grosbeak.
Mi Tierra
Experience the tranquility and solitude of a ranch located on the high plains with a clear view of the entire Rocky Mountain front range. This working ranch is nestled in towering Ponderosa Pines on a high ridge located approximately 15 miles northeast of Kiowa. This pristine area is a great setting for artists and writers as well as those of us who thrill at the sight of wildlife, a star-filled sky, or the dying embers of the evening campfire. Birdlife is likely to include breeding Cassin’s Kingbird, Black-headed Grosbeak, Western Tanager, Lazuli Bunting and many prairie birds. Multiple lodging options are available at Mi Tierra including tent camping, bed and breakfast accommodations, and a unique rustic yurt for an economical and unusual getaway.
Kiowa area
Kiowa is a rather charming town that can have wandering mountain birds in winter and migrants in spring and fall. It is also a good place to get food or other essentials. Check out hummingbird feeders around town in season. The road from Kiowa north to Bennett runs through some nice yucca habitat with breeding Cassin’s Sparrows.
Elizabeth
Drive around this quaint little town looking for busy feeders, and while you’re at it, keep an eye out for the Eurasian Collared-Doves that have recently colonized it. The cemetery on the south side of CO 86 in the middle of town is worth checking for conifer-loving birds as well as migrants. The city park also has some large trees worth a look.
Elbert Road and Elbert
This road runs south of Kiowa to the town of Elbert, and has in recent years been the most reliable place near Denver for Dickcissel, and is good for other grassland and edge species. The town of Elbert itself, in the heart of Elbert County’s ponderosa country, is a small town that also contains some nice riparian habitat. Outside town, look for Pygmy Nuthatch, Steller’s Jay and Western and Mountain Bluebirds; inside town, bird the riparian areas for migrants in season.
Ramah State Wildlife Area
A remote medium sized reservoir, this location is excellent for waterbirds, shorebirds, and migrants. The large riparian area on the west side can be birded from the road, and should be checked for migrants and a few breeding species of birds. The lake, when low, is among the best shorebird spots in the area. In the winter, look for sparrows in the thickets, and ducks on the reservoir if it is not frozen. The prairie in this area supports Swift Fox and tarantulas among other interesting wildlife.
Sears Range
This site offers over 480 acres of ungrazed shortgrass prairie. It is a new ranch being managed for conservation purposes, and currently the only domestic inhabitants are three friendly, rescued llamas. This is a good location for grassland specialities, one of the closest places to Colorado Springs where you might find Grasshopper Sparrow, Cassin’s Sparrow, and many other birds.
P & P Cattle Company
Situated in the heart of El Paso County’s shortgrass prairie, P & P Cattle Company offers viewing opportunities for many regional specialties including Burrowing Owl, Mountain Plover and Ferruginous Hawk. Depsite being located in an area where surface water is tremendously scarce, the P & P property is home to no fewer than nine playas that when wet may host a number of migrating shorebirds and waterfowl. The owners have worked with numerous conservation organizations to help protect and conserve the playas on their land. P & P Cattle is a working ranch with direct market beef and pork available. For more information contact Gary Paul at (719) 478-2039.
Karval Area Ranches
In combination, these three ranches offer unparalleled access to the heart of Colorado’s shortgrass prairie. All family-owned and operated, these working ranches have a strong commitment to agricultural lifestyles as well as the wildlife and other natural resources that abound on their land. They have undertaken multiple habitat enhancement projects including playa lake, riparian and native rangeland restoration. All three ranches are dominated by native blue grama and buffalo grass rangeland and host the suite of shortgrass prairie birds including Burrowing Owl, Mountain Plover, Ferruginous Hawk, Swainson’s Hawk, Prairie Falcon, Long-billed Curlew, Cassin’s Sparrow, Lark Bunting and many more. A portion of Horse Creek runs through the Stogsdill and Davis ranches, with a cottonwood canopy that makes excellent habitat for riparian nesting and migrant songbirds. All three ranches have playa lakes that when wet can make for remarkable birding, with the potential to see any of the 27 shorebird species that migrate through eastern Colorado, as well as nesting American Avocets in some years. The Thornton Ranch is home to a 43 acre playa that is 3 miles from the nearest county road. The exceptionally remote location offers fantastic birding both in the upland black-tailed prairie dog town and in the playa when it is wet. For more information and to access the sites contact Carl and Cherry Stogsdill at (719) 446-5354 or rainbowvalley@prairienetworks.com.
Peyton Place
Watching a Prairie Falcon stoop on a raft of Gadwall while several hundred low-flying Sandhill Cranes circle above on a golden September evening is only one example of a scene you might expect to see at Peyton Place. Located several miles south of the town of Karval, the ranch lies on a hillside between shortgrass prairie and sandsage breaks. The unique feature on this ranch is the ten spring-fed ponds nestled in the hillside, offering scenery and habitat remnant of the Dakota potholes region. The ponds offer some of the only permanent water for many miles and provide critical stopover sites for a number of waterfowl and shorebird species. In addition to the water features on the ranch the uplands provide hundreds of acres of unexplored country. For more information and directions, contact Dan Merewether at (719) 446-5403 or dmerewet@plains.net.
Karval State Wildlife Area
This very remote State Wildlife Area is scenic, with some small bluffs and a medium-sized lake. It is one of the better locations in the county for migrating shorebirds and ducks. Look for Rock Wren, Golden Eagle, Scaled Quail, pronghorn, coyote and jackrabbits. The State Wildlife Area offers free primitive camping.
Hugo State Wildlife Area
This remote State Wildlife Area is much like its neighbor, Kinney SWA (Kinney Tract). The several ponds are small, as are the trees below the dam, but they are so isolated that they tend to attract good migrants. Burrowing Owls live in the prairie dog town just west of the entrance, and Mountain Plovers can occasionally be seen. Look also for mule and white-tailed deer, pronghorn, red fox, coyote, cottontail rabbits, jackrabbits, and muskrat. Like at Kinney, you can camp at the Clingingsmith Tract for free.
Kinney State Wildlife Area (Kinney Tract)
Small and secluded, Kinney State Wildlife Area can be very attractive to birds. The trees right around the parking lot and the Russian-Olives along the east shore provide shade and can be good for migrating flycatchers, warblers and sparrows. A stand of willows on the southwest shore of the lake is worth checking too. Marsh birds congregate in the cattails at the far north end of the lake, and you might see mule and white-tailed deer, pronghorn, rabbits, red fox, coyotes, snakes and other reptiles. You can camp for free in this beautiful location.
Hugo
In the town of Hugo you may want to make your way to the southeast corner and look for the town’s Wild Turkeys. They can be found in people’s yards and in the middle of the streets. Migrants can also show up in the city park and in neighborhoods with mature trees. On the surrounding plains you have a good chance of spotting pronghorn, coyote and jackrabbits.