Prairie Oases

Jackson Reservoir is the king of birding spots in the greater Fort Morgan area, offering everything from large rafts of waterfowl, to enormous congregations of shorebirds, to some of the best migrant traps around. Time of year plays an important role here, with spring usually having very high water (and thus less shorebird habitat), and fall offering the best overall variety. The cottonwood groves in the State Park are best for songbird species (especially during spring and fall migration), while the best access to the lake itself depends on the water level.

In the forested groves of the campgrounds, look for warbler and vireo species during spring and fall, and flocks of robins and the occasional waxwing during winter. Breeding birds such as Bullock’s Oriole, Western and Eastern Kingbirds, and many others occur during summer months. Long-eared and Great Horned Owls can also be heard during the late fall and winter.

If you’re adventurous, stop at the outlet canal parking area at the south end of the reservoir, where you can walk along the dam for a long way to reach the best viewing. When the water is low, the dry margins of the lake bed are a good bet for Mountain Plover and other shorebird species during early fall migration, and various sparrow species lurk in the emergent growth.

A State Parks pass is required for entry and hunting occurs at this State Park, so be sure to check for seasonal restrictions before visiting.

If you plan a longer stay in the area and are a fan of James A. Michener’s book Centennial, the town of Orchard, where the miniseries was filmed, is only about 5 miles away. However, most remnants of the production sets are now gone.

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Jackson Lake State Wildlife Area offers great birding opportunities for shorebirds and waterfowl along the north side of the reservoir.  Everything from large rafts of waterfowl, to enormous congregations of shorebirds, to some of the best migrant traps around. Time of year plays an important role here, with spring usually having very high water (and thus less shorebird habitat), and fall offering the best overall variety.  Access to the lake itself depends on the water level and time of year.  Boating is allowed, though there isn’t an established boat ramp.  When the water level is low you can walk through the small grove of trees (from the parking area)  and onto the lake bed itself.  The dry margins of the lake bed are a good bet for Mountain Plover during early fall migration, and various sparrow species lurk in the emergent growth.  There are fishing limitations and hunting occurs on this property, so be sure to check seasonal restrictions before visiting.

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Located just to the south and west of the better-known Jackson Lake, Andrick Ponds SWA has huge and largely untapped potential. With abundant marshes, small ponds, and some nice hedgerows, just about any species could show up here. Migration tends to provide the best viewing opportunities, especially during the fall. Wildlife viewing observations are limited to the Saturday of Memorial Day weekend (to coincide with the end of turkey season), through August 31st. Viewing is permitted from the parking lot along County Road 3 and is restricted to Wednesdays, Saturdays, Sundays, and legal holidays only. Hunting occurs at this property so be sure to check for seasonal restrictions before visiting.

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If you’re looking for a place to kick back for the night while birding along the I-76 corridor, Fort Morgan has the full range of facilities, as well as good access to nearby first-class birding spots (such as Jackson Lake State Park). For birding in town, check out Riverside Park, which at times can have Snow, Ross’s, and Greater White-fronted Geese during migration and winter, as well as the occasional Harris’s Sparrow among the sparrow flocks during winter.

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With access to the South Platte River and its associated dense and extensive riparian corridor, this SWA is a good place to look for local and uncommon breeders such as Yellow-billed Cuckoo, Red-bellied Woodpecker, and Bell’s Vireo, as well as migrants in season. During winter months, it tends to be a lot quieter, but check for sparrow flocks and Northern Shrike. Wild Turkey and Northern Bobwhite are possible all year.  Hunting occurs on this property, so be sure to check for seasonal restrictions before visiting.

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This section of prairie habitat is sometimes flooded, primarily in early summer, and attracts ducks and shorebirds during such times. At other times, check for Lark Bunting, Brewer’s Sparrow, Lapland Longspur and Horned Lark (during the winter months), and raptors of various stripes at all times of year. Wildlife viewing and birding is open only from March 1 through August 31 in specific areas as posted.  Hunting occurs on this property, so be sure to check for seasonal restrictions before visiting.

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The extensive riparian habitat along the South Platte River corridor makes for excellent birding, and can be acessed at several points in the area. Perhaps the best is at Brush SWA, where trails bring you through cottonwood gallery forest and past several wetlands. This is among the best places in the state to find Northern Bobwhite, which are increasingly difficult to come across, and Wild Turkey is regularly encountered. During spring and fall migration, a variety of warblers and other migrants can be found here, and rarities have shown up. During the later fall and winter, the birding tends to be quieter, but it can be a good time for sparrow flocks. Eastern Screech-Owl is fairly common in the area;  a visit at dawn or dusk may well turn one up. Keep an eye out for White-tailed Deer and a variety of plains butterfly species. Hunting occurs on this property, so be sure to check for seasonal restrictions before visiting.

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Prewitt Reservoir is a must-hit stop on any birding trip to the area during migration. Abundant riparian woodland, areas of marshes and prairies, and a lake that, depending on water level, may be absolutely chock-full of shorebirds and ducks make the SWA the perfect migrant trap. Birding at Prewitt tends to fall into two categories – walking the woods looking for passerines, and scanning the lake for waterbirds and shorebirds. For the former, there are two places to check: below the dam and the inlet canal.

The inlet canal tends to do a better job of concentrating birds, and if you only have time to visit one area, this would be the place. Below the dam has more expansive habitat and more variety (including some small marshes), but takes longer to visit.  If you have enough time, visiting both is encouraged. The best place to scan the lake depends on the water level. There are several access points to the lake, and generally the best is right at the beginning of the dam. One can also walk along the dam to reach other parts of the lake, or walk in along the inlet canal.  Hunting occurs on this property so be sure to check for seasonal restrictions before heading out. An annual permit is required unless you have already purchased a valid fishing or hunting license.

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This seldom-visited SWA provides good access to stretches of the South Platte River and associated riparian corridor. The best entry point is from the northern parking lot, especially east along the river. Look for sparrow flocks in winter, northeast specialties in summer, and migrants at other seasons. Scanning the river from the bridges may be worth your while; look for dabblers, Belted Kingfisher, and possible shorebirds when the water is low enough to expose sandbars. Hunting occurs on this property, so be sure to check for seasonal restrictions before heading out.

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As the largest town in northeastern Colorado, Sterling is the logical base for a trip to the area, and several town parks are worth a visit whether you’re staying overnight or stopping by for the day. The Overland Trail Recreation Area gives access to the South Platte River and its associated riparian habitat, while Pioneer Park just to the west of town has the best migrant traps. Both locations could have Mississippi Kites, which only breed in a few places in this part of the state, as well as migrants in season, sparrows in the winter (including Harris’s Sparrow with luck), and others.

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North Sterling State Park is a large reservoir in northeastern Colorado, which includes a variety of habitat types, such as shoreline, wetlands, woodlands, cliffs, and prairie. This park provides great opportunities to view many of the birds particular to northeastern Colorado. The reservoir can attract various ducks, ibis, loons, and grebes. Forested areas can host breeding Bullock’s, Baltimore, and hybrid orioles, Indigo Bunting, Eastern Kingbird, and Bell’s Vireos. During migrations, you never know what could turn up! In the prairie habitats of the park, keep an eye out for Lark Bunting, Western Meadowlark, Brewer’s Sparrow, Ferruginous Hawk, and flocks of longpurs in winter. Unexpected species could include Eared Grebe, White-faced Ibis, Sandhill Crane, and Long-eared Owl. A State Parks pass is required for entry and hunting occurs on this property, so be sure to check for seasonal restrictions before visiting.

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