The Air Force Academy, located on the north end of Colorado Springs, is a major nature preserve and tourist attraction in addition to being a major military academy. The Academy has traditionally been an ‘open base’ that allows a great deal more public access than most military installations. In recent years more stringent controls have been put into effect, so call the Visitor’s Center for the most recent information: (719) 333-2025. There are several trails for birders which extend from 7200 to 9300 feet, and of varying difficulty. Be sure to stop at the Visitor Center to obtain a map of the trails. Many of the trails pass through Ponderosa and mixed-conifer forest. Look here for Williamson’s Sapsucker, Merriam Turkeys and Abert’s Squirrel, as well as deer, elk, and various foothills birds. The academy police ask that birders attempt to refrain from looking or acting suspicious, so ask permission before using binoculars or spotting scopes around the buildings.
Pikes Peak
Wildlife Watching in the Shadow of Pikes Peak
Pike’s Peak is quintessential Colorado. The monarch of the Colorado Springs skyline is visible from almost as far away as Kansas. But this trail includes much more than the chance to admire and even drive to the top of “America’s Peak.” It also features one of the most scenic canyon drives in the state, as well as Colorado’s premier migrant trap, a little-visited national monument with an amazing collection of fossils, the internationally renowned Garden of the Gods, and even one of the best reservoirs on the Front Range. Birders will find much to occupy them: Flammulated Owls at the Experimental Forest, Mountain Plovers on the high plains ranches, wintering waterbirds on Big Johnson Reservoir. Visitors to the Pikes Peak area will soon discover that quintessential Colorado is much more than just mountains!
Admission: State Park Pass
Ownership: Colorado Parks and Wildlife
Admission: $15/Adult; $5/Child
Ownership: US Forest Service, managed by city
Admission: $10 USFS day use fee
Ownership: US Forest Service
Florissant Fossil Beds National Monument
Admission: National Parks fee
Ownership: National Park Service
Admission: A valid hunting or fishing license is required for everyone 18 or older attempting to access any State Wildlife Area or State Trust Land leased by Colorado Parks and Wildlife.
Ownership: Colorado Parks and Wildlife
Ute Valley Park
The craggy bluffs of Ute Valley Park isolate this area from surrounding urban sprawl. The park contains good foothills scrub habitat, and breeding birds such as Plumbeous Vireo, Lazuli Bunting, Green-tailed Towhee and others are well represented. Deer, rock squirrels, black bear and rattlesnakes also live in the park, although you will need luck to run into the latter two.
Garden of the Gods
Not only can you see world-famous scenery here, but the birding is good as well. The habitat is mostly pinyon-juniper and foothills scrub, and species such as Lazuli Bunting, Spotted Towhee, and Virginia’s Warbler are common. Keep an eye out overhead for White-throated Swifts and Prairie Falcons, and on the rocks for Canyon and Rock Wrens. The hummingbird feeders at the visitor’s center can be excellent during the late summer. Keep an eye out for Rocky Mountain Bighorn Sheep while in the park, or from spotting scopes at the visitor center. Mule deer, rock squirrels or rattlesnakes might be seen by those who come early enough to beat the crowds.
Sondermann Park
An oasis of wilderness within the city limits of Colorado Springs, Sondermann Park provides an outstanding opportunity for wildlife viewing or just a refreshing walk along a small creek located on Colorado Springs’ west side. This park is a great place to look for foothills breeding birds. Trails access good foothills scrub and some riparian growth, with species such as Lazuli Bunting, Black-chinned Hummingbird, Black-headed Grosbeak, and others present. Keep an eye out for rattlesnakes while along the path. Additionally, deer, beaver, bear, squirrels and raccoons frequent the area.
Bear Creek Canyon Park
The Bear Creek Canyon Park in El Paso County (not to be confused with the park of the same name in Jefferson County) is owned by the city of Colorado Springs, although it sits well outside the city limits. Ponderosas and other conifers dominate this steep and primitive park, which is popular with mountain bikers and other recreationalists. It is a great place to find jays, as well as deer, squirrels and occasionally bears. The rare Rydberg’s variety of the golden columbine can be found here, among many other plants typical of the upper foothills.
Stratton Open Space
This large open space has a variety of habitats, from foothills scrub, ponderosa, small reservoirs, and riparian. Foothills breeders and all three nuthatches can be found, as well as a good variety of corvids, and sometimes ducks during the winter on the upper reservoir; rock squirrels, coyotes and deer may be seen with some regularity, and the very fortunate might glimpse a black bear or a mountain lion. This is one of the few locations in Colorado with breeding Ovenbirds.
North Cheyenne Canyon Park
North Cheyenne Canyon Park is adjacent to the Stratton Open Space and has comparable birdlife. It contains two visitor centers, the lower of which (the Starsmore Discovery Center) has many nature exhibits. Both visitor centers may have hummingbird feeders up, and this is a good place to look for the little jewels; the Starsmore hosts an annual hummingbird festival in mid-May. The park road is narrow, winding and often busy with people, but there are several places to pull over and explore the mid-elevation riparian habitats along the rushing stream, or the Ponderosa forests. If you are lucky, you might see a Band-tailed Pigeon. There is an entrance fee to Helen Hunt Falls, the most popular part of the park, but the rest of the park can be visited free of charge.
Old Stage Road
A long windy road that traverses through a broad elevational range, this is an excellent area to look for many mountain species. Habitat includes ponderosa, mixed conifer woodland, spruce-fir, and aspen. Look for species such as Williamson’s and Red-naped Sapsuckers, Dusky Flycatchers, Flammulated, Northern Saw-whet, and Northern Pygmy-Owls, and many others. Mammals may include chipmunks, deer and elk.
Cheyenne Mountain State Park
This state park, which opened in 2006, offers beautiful views of Cheyenne Mountain to the west and the plains to the east. Miles of trails wind through a terrific sample of habitats of the southern foothills, with extensive scrub oak and Ponderosa Pine woodlands as well as cliff faces with Canyon and Rock Wrens, swallows and swifts, nesting raptors and rattlesnakes. Virginia’s Warblers breed in the foothills scrub habitat. Look also for deer, elk and, if you’re lucky, bear, bobcat and even mountain lion in the park.
Aiken Canyon
This Nature Conservancy reserve has some of the best pinyon-juniper habitat in the area, and can be a good place to look for specialties of that habitat, including Juniper Titmouse, Bushtit, and Ash-throated Flycatcher. In addition to birds, look for reptiles and large mammals such as deer and coyote.
Big Johnson Reservoir/Blue Stem Open Space
Big Johnson is the best reservoir in the area, and during migration and winter is teeming with ducks of many species, gulls, and sometimes loons and grebes. During migration all these and some shorebirds are present. Also keep an eye out for terns, prairie-dogs and Burrowing Owl around the reservoir, and Scaled Quail by the parking area. Sparrows and Lapland Longspurs can be found during the winter by walking around the lake.
Pinello Ranch
This 260 acre property has Fountain Creek bordering to the west and Venetucci Farm to the south. Rich riparian habitat with floodplain cottonwoods and willows provides a mosaic of habitats. A series of ponds and cattail marshes also provide excellent habitat.
Venetucci Farm
This 200 acre working farm dates back to the late 1800’s and has been known as Venetucci Farm since 1936. The farm has Fountain Creek bordering to the west and Pinello Ranch to the north. Riparian forest and willow thickets surround open farm fields providing a variety of habitats for birds. A wetland area also exists near the border of Pinello Ranch on the Riparian Loop Trail. Approximately 2.5 miles of trails weave through these habitats. Venetucci Farm is an ebird Hotspot.
Fountain Creek Regional Park
This is among the best migrant birding spots in the Colorado Springs area, with marshes, riparian groves, and thickets. The bird list here includes most of the eastern migrants, many riparian breeders, and rails and Marsh Wren. In the winter look for sparrows, and ducks on the small ponds. Just about anything could show up here. In addition to birds, the trails can producde foxes, squirrels, white-tailed and mule deer, muskrat and beaver. The Visitors Center has excellent displays.
Clear Springs Ranch
Located on Fountain Creek, this spot can be a good migrant trap. Trails with interpretive signage wind through the good-sized cottonwood riparian groves that make up much of the area, and there are also some good thickets and agricultural fields. Look for Yellow-breasted Chat, Blue Grosbeak, Red-headed and Lewis’s Woodpeckers, and migrants. You may see elk in the early morning and late evening near the agricultural fields, and bears have been known to move along the Fountain Creek. Deer, squirrels and beaver frequent the area as well. Muddy creek beds can be a good place to look for animal tracks.
Hanover Road
This road goes through some excellent grassland with good cholla patches. Species such as Scaled Quail, Curve-billed Thrasher, Cassin’s Sparrow and Chihuahuan Raven can be found. This is one of the few locations in the area for Ladder-backed Woodpecker. Deer and Pronghorn are also frequent visitors to the area. Viewing from roadside only.
Chico Basin Ranch
This is a private ranch located out on the plains and straddling the El Paso/Pueblo County line. The ranch charges birders a $10 fee per person per day. The bulk of the ranch is in Pueblo County but there is an excellent migrant trap on the El Paso side where Rocky Mountain Bird Observatory bands birds each spring. The best birding locations are the large grove of Russian Olives and Cottonwoods on the El Paso side (the Banding Station), and the trees and ponds around the headquarters. Vega Pond, on the El Paso side, is also a good location to bird. Migration here can be stunning, with landbirds, shorebirds, and waterbirds represented. Mountain Plovers breed, and sparrows are present during the winter. You may also see deer, pronghorn, and bobcats.
Pikes Peak
Pikes Peak stands at 14,110 feet above sea level and provides a beautiful backdrop for the Colorado Springs area. This popular tourist destination does provide for some good montane birding. There are many trails that can be hiked where typical montane species can be found. Also, Dusky Grouse, White-tailed Ptarmigan and all three Rosy-Finches can be found on the peak (Brown-capped Rosy-Finch in summer, the others in late fall and early spring). The higher elevations are also an excellent place to find the cute little hampster-like animal called the pika, which is a relative of the rabbit. A cog railway ascends the mountain in the summer months.
Rampart Reservoir
This mountain reservoir is the largest in El Paso County. The reservoir itself may not be great for birds, but the forest surrounding it is excellent, and most of the mountain specialties, including American Three-toed Woodpecker, can be found. The Rainbow Gulch Trail is especially good birding. Keep an eye out in the area for Golden or Bald Eagles around the reservoir. Pine squirrels, chipmunks and porcupines frequent the area.
Woodland Park
Located adjacent to Pike National Forest, this town serves as a gateway to the rolling ponderosa pine forests surrounding Pikes Peak, which dominates the southern skyline. This is the population center of Teller County, with all the amenities. Feeders in town can attract doves, finches, nuthatches, and occasionally Band-tailed Pigeons in summer. Deer, elk and the handsome Abert’s Squirrel inhabit the area as well.
Manitou Lake and Trout Creek
Manitou Lake and the adjacent Trout Creek area together comprise the finest birding spot in the county. This is a great place to find breeding Red-naped Sapsuckers and flycatchers, and many species of warbler and other landbirds migrate through in spring and fall. It is possible to see deer, elk and beaver in the area. Visitors will not be disappointed!
Experimental Forest
Although part of it suffered during the huge Hayman Fire of 2002 (the largest forest fire in Colorado’s recent history), the Experimental Forest still hosts many mountain birds, including the elusive Flammulated Owl, which can be heard here after dark during May and June.
Florissant Fossil Beds National Monument
Approximately 35 million years ago volcanic eruptions buried a lush valley in this area, petrifying some of the giant redwood trees that grew here. In addition to a wonderful museum/visitor’s center and historic homestead, birding amid the ponderosa woodland mixed with aspen and open meadows can be productive, with Williamson’s Sapsucker, Western and Mountain Bluebirds, Green-tailed Towhee, and Red Crossbill among the more likely species. Wildflower displays in summer can be spectacular.
Mueller State Park
Mueller State Park offers the visitor many fine examples of Colorado’s middle montane habitats. This is a good place to come looking for sapsuckers (both Williamson’s and Red-naped), not to mention Dusky Grouse, which requires some luck to find. Deer and elk can be found in the park also, and pine squirrels are numerous; a lucky few might see bear, mink or porcupine. Many hiking trails allow access to the different habitats.
The Crags
This relatively easy two-mile trail on the west side of Pikes Peak affords a spectacular scenic climax with only a relatively easy 600-foot climb. Habitat includes ponderosa and mixed conifer woodland, mixed with aspen. It is a good spot to look for mountain birds, including Clark’s Nutcracker, Gray Jay, Red-naped Sapucker and others. Squirrels, chipmunks and even weasels can be seen along the trail.
Dome Rock State Wildlife Area
The scenery is great along the former stage road called Dome Rock Trail, and birders can find a variety of montane birds including eagles and other raptors, as well as beavers, mule deer and elk. Bighorn sheep breed in the area, and the sharp-eyed might spot them. From December through July, part of the trail system is closed to protect the sheep from disturbance.
Horsethief Falls
It’s about a 1.5 mile hike to the falls along a relatively strenuous trail, but the montane forests along the way play host to many fine birds including Williamson’s Sapsucker and Red Crossbill. A spur trail from this one leads all the way up to the high Sentinel Point on Pikes Peak, where Brown-capped Rosy-Finch can occasionally be seen.
Goldfield
In winter, this tiny hamlet just north of Victor may be the most reliable spot in the county for Rosy-Finches. If present, the flock should not take long to find, as it usually spends a good deal of time perched in the tops of the few spruce trees. Unlike most Rosy-Finch flocks in Colorado, the ones here may be 80% or more Black. Viewing from car only however, adjacent to Goldfield is a gravel trail at Vindicator Valley Trailhead that you can walk.