Crown Hill Lake, in the park of the same name, is a good place to look for geese and diving ducks, including Red-breasted Mergansers in winter. A couple of groves on the north side of the park are worth birding; one is the fenced wildlife preserve around Kestrel Pond in the northwest corner of the property, which is closed to protect nesting birds from March to June. During the closure, the only access to this area is during guided nature walks scheduled by Jefferson County Open Space. Several blocks east of here is a shelterbelt of mature cottonwoods and underbrush, best accessed from a small roadside pullout on the south side of 32nd Avenue near Estes. This shelterbelt should be checked in spring and fall for migrant land birds. East of the park and lake is the massive Crown Hill Cemetery. Bird the evergreens in winter hoping for irruptive species like crossbills, Cassin’s Finch, Evening and Pine Grosbeaks, and Bohemian Waxwing. Also check for various warbler species during the spring and fall.
Red Rocks
Where the City Meets the Mountains
The west side of urban Denver runs smack into the foothills of the Rocky Mountains. In a strip between the pine forest and the grass, you can explore an area of hogback ridges, huge red sandstone rock formations, and semiarid shrublands. Here, Canyon Wrens and Yellow-breasted Chats sing, scrub-jays and magpies complain, chipmunks chatter, and Peregrine and Prairie Falcons build nests in the cliffs. Sometimes, herds of elk roam into view. Thanks to a spectacular system of parks established with nearly a century of foresight, huge tracts of beautiful and quality habitat have been preserved for posterity, only minutes from the city.
Admission: $5/vehicle, walk in access free
Ownership: Municipal
Admission: State Parks Pass. Additional fee for camping .
Ownership: Colorado Parks and Wildlife
Wheat Ridge Greenbelt
Long famous as Denver’s best migrant trap, the Wheat Ridge Greenbelt has some of the best riparian habitat in the metro area. It is also relatively compact for a greenbelt, with the best opportunities concentrated along Clear Creek between Youngfield and Kipling streets. This area encompasses mature cottonwood forest, four good-sized ponds, and quite a bit of brushy marsh and swampy second growth. The best time to visit is obviously during migration, when nearly anything can show up. Of the regular species, look for Plumbeous and Cassin’s Vireos, Virginia’s, MacGillivray’s, Orange-crowned, and Townsend’s Warblers, and just about any of the regular Front Range sparrow species. Eastern Screech-Owls occur here as well; the most reliable spot seems to be at the eastern end of the greenbelt. The winter is, as expected, much slower, but a determined observer may see a few interesting species.
Van Bibber Park
Van Bibber Park offers quality habitat for a diversity of wildlife and is a popular stop for migrating birds. The Van Bibber Creek wetlands attract a variety of waterfowl, as well as amphibians and insects. A Scissor-tailed Flycatcher was even once seen in this area. An observation deck on-site makes this a great destination to keep an eye out for visiting birds!
Welchester Tree Grant Park
The smallest park in the Jefferson County Open Space system, Welchester is home to a historic grove of trees dating back to 1878. Typically, a tiny urban park in the middle of Denver wouldn’t attract much attention among birders, but Welchester Tree Grant Park is different. A plethora of beautifully dense trees, combined with a migrant trap effect mostly likely due to its location, make this one of the better places in the city to hope for uncommon migrants. The list of rare warblers that have shown up here is impressively long, but even without a vagrant, migration here can be good. Look for Townsend’s Warbler and Cassin’s Vireo during the fall months, and Plumbeous Vireo, Wilson’s, Orange-crowned, and MacGillivray’s Warbler both spring and fall. The summers and winters tend to be much quieter.
Golden
Famous for its breweries, the Colorado School of Mines, and its beautiful location, Golden is a town worth visiting for non-birding reasons alone. If you want to bird the northwestern metro area or nearby foothills, it also makes a good base offering all the typical amenities. For the ambitious, it’s possible to bike from Golden to the larger Denver-area bike trail system, allowing for a full day out while avoiding using a motor vehicle.
To the east along 10th Street, which winds past the Coors headquarters and becomes Denver’s 44th Avenue, is the Crusher Fire Trail, which follows the Church Ditch along the west side of Tony Grampsas Memorial Sports Complex. The trail is nicely wooded for most of its 1.3 mile length. Access is via a small trailhead on Easley road about half a mile north of 44th or by walking west from the parking lot in Tony Grampsas park. You can also get to this area by heading east along the bike trail that follows Clear Creek. The tree-filled School of Mines campus is sometimes worth a leisurely walk as well. You may want to check out Jefferson County Open Space’s website if you’d like to stop at one of the numerous parks they manage in this area.
Arvada Blunn Reservoir
This large reservoir, while not as productive as other Denver area lakes, can often have good numbers of waterfowl and the odd loon in the fall and spring. Barrow’s Goldeneye sometimes show up in November, and a variety of gulls are possible in the colder months. There are also some decent riparian thickets and groves along the walking trail on the western edge of the reservoir that should be checked during migration.
White Ranch Park
One of the larger open space parks in the area, White Ranch has two different entrances that provide access to different montane habitats. The eastern entrance has abundant foothill scrub and some riparian woodland; look for Bushtit, Western Scrub-Jay, Green-tailed Towhee, and others in the scrub; in the riparian habitats, you can find Yellow-breasted Chat, Cordilleran Flycatcher, and Lazuli Bunting. The western entrance provides an area of ponderosa woodland and montane meadows; in this section search for Williamson’s Sapsucker, Pygmy Nuthatch, both Western and Mountain Bluebirds, and the occasional Dusky Grouse. The whole area is popular with mountain bikers and hikers, and if either of these activities is your cup of tea, White Ranch is a good place to combine them with some birding.
Mt. Galbraith Open Space
Situated low in the scenic Golden Gate Canyon, Mt. Galbraith Open Space is the first and best of several places to bird the area. A good walking trail passes both dense foothill scrub and cottonwood riparian habitats, eventually ascending into ponderosa pines. Lazuli Bunting can be wonderfully common here during the summer months, and even a few Indigo and hybrid buntings have turned up. Also look for Virginia’s Warbler, Woodhouse’s Scrub-Jay, Canyon and Rock Wrens in the rockier areas, and Say’s Phoebe throughout. Bighorn Sheep occur throughout the area, and while they are not common, a careful watch may turn up a few.
Lookout Mountain Nature Center and Preserve
One of the nearest locations to Denver offering extensive ponderosa woodland, Lookout Mountain is an easy morning trip from the metro area that can add a lot of variety to your list on a visit to the city. And the park is worth a visit for its expansive views of the Denver area alone! All the typical ponderosa birds are possible, including Williamson’s Sapsucker, Pygmy Nuthatch, Western Bluebird, Cassin’s Finch, the occasional Evening Grosbeak, and (with a good deal of luck) Dusky Grouse. For the latter, look around the parking lot in the early spring. American Three-toed Woodpecker has even been seen here, though it is uncommon at best. Several mammal species not typically present this close to Denver could be seen, including bighorn sheep and elk. Be sure to stop in the Nature Center for a schedule of educational programs and more! Be aware dogs are not allowed at the Preserve.
Apex Park
Like nearby Red Rocks Park, Apex has some beautiful foothill scrub with the associated birds. Unlike Red Rocks, there are rarely hordes of people here! This relative quiet allows for a more pleasant walk while you’re looking for Canyon Wren, Lazuli Bunting, Spotted Towhee, Yellow-breasted Chat, or other breeders in the area. A few migrants pass through during spring and fall, but the winter months tend to be slow at best. This area is among the best places in Colorado to search for the rare Moss’s Elfin butterfly.
Genessee Park
As City of Denver’s first and largest mountain park, Genessee is the classic ponderosa forest location near Denver, and offers easy access to the various species preferring this habitat. Look especially around the parking lot at the top of the road ascending off of I-70 for Williamson’s Sapsucker (March-October), Pygmy Nuthatch, Cassin’s Finch, Western Bluebird, and more. The lower Chief Hosa section of the park, on the other side of I-70, traverses a more riparian habitat and has species such as Western Tanager, Warbling Vireo, Lazuli Bunting, and Spotted Towhee. Make sure to stop by the Buffalo Herd Overlook to see Colorado’s first bison herd, re-established in 1914.
Matthews/Winters Park and Dinosaur Ridge Hawk Watch
Colorado’s only hawk watch site, staffed every spring by volunteers, Dinosaur Ridge is one of the best places to look for raptors along the Front Range. The best time for viewing tends to be from late March through early May when, on a good day, dozens of raptors can pass by overhead. Dinosaur Ridge holds the record for the national high count of Ferruginous Hawks (over the course of a spring) and is also the best spot in Colorado to hope for Broad-winged Hawk during migration; however, this species is uncommon at best and not to be expected.
The juniper woodland often has flocks of Bushtits roving the hillsides, along with Woodhouse’s Scrub-Jay, and Rock and Canyon Wrens inhabit the nearby cliffs and rimrock. Don’t forget to stop at the Dinosaur Ridge Visitor Center to learn more about the area’s dinosaurs and more!
Red Rocks Park
Famed the world over as a musical venue and for its spectacular scenery, Red Rocks is also one of the best birding locations in the Denver area foothills, at all times of year. During colder months, the feeders at the Trading Post can draw in large numbers of birds, including the full suite of Dark-eyed Junco subspecies, Cassin’s and House Finches, and sometimes a rare sparrow. Occasionally flocks of rosy-finches are found here, though their presence is erratic at best, and mostly occurs during winter storms.
As the year begins to warm, several foothill species like White-throated Swift, Canyon and Rock Wrens, and Lazuli Bunting begin to show up and hang around through summer. Migrants are sometimes found during both the spring and fall, and there is a good shot at seeing both Prairie and Peregrine Falcons if you keep an eye to the sky – both species nest here.
Bear Creek Lake Park
Though overshadowed by Chatfield just to the south, Bear Creek Lake is worth visiting in its own right, especially during migration. Just about any species of waterfowl could show up, and there are usually a few loons present during the fall, along with gulls of various stripes. The best viewing tends to be from Pelican Point. The park also has abundant riparian habitat with a good system of trails along Bear Creek and Turkey Creek; they are most productive during migration, but even in the summer can be worth exploring, with species like Yellow-breasted Chat, Cooper’s Hawk, and even Yellow-billed Cuckoo breeding here. Finally, in winter or during spring snowstorms, the open country of the park is the best place to look for raptors, sparrows, larks, and the occasional longspur or Mountain Bluebird. Note: there is an entrance fee for this property.
Lair O’the Bear Park
Just above the little town of Idledale along the gorgeous Bear Creek Canyon, Lair O’the Bear Park has some high-quality riparian habitat along Bear Creek, as well as more typical foothill habitats. The creek itself is among the best places anywhere to see American Dipper, where one is almost always around any time of year. Willows nearby host MacGillivray’s Warbler during the summer months, with the the taller trees also having Yellow-breasted Chat. Both Lazuli and Indigo Buntings have been seen here, along with hybrids. Migrants should be looked for in season, and with the quality of habitat here, you never know what could show up! This park is very popular, so be sure to arrive early.
O’Fallon Mountain Park
Not far upriver from Lair O’the Bear Park along Bear Creek, the habitat at O’Fallon Mountain Park has a higher-elevation flavor, with more ponderosa and mixed-conifer woodland and fewer riparian areas. There are some nice large willow trees along the river, and the overall mix of habitats results in a variety of species of both higher and lower elevations. The ponderosa component offers up the chance at Williamson’s Sapsucker, Pygmy Nuthatch, and Western Bluebird, while the mixed conifers can have Dusky and Hammond’s Flycatchers, Ruby-crowned Kinglet, and Brown Creeper, among others. Along the creek, check for Cordilleran Flycatcher and American Dipper, both fairly common here during the summer months. Be sure to stop at nearby Mount Falcon Park for more viewing opportunities.
Evergreen Area
Another of the charming foothill towns outside of Denver, Evergreen is a good place to vacation away from the city. Due to its close proximity to Denver, this is a very high use area by birders, anglers, dog walkers, runners, and visitors in general. But it’s also a decent birding location in its own right. The best spot is undoubtedly Evergreen Lake, surrounded by a park with good walking trails that provide easy access. During migration, most any waterfowl species could show up, and Barrow’s Goldeneye has occasionally been found here. A small marsh at the edges of the lake may have rails or Marsh Wren, and riparian grove migrants in season. Be sure to stop by the Evergreen Audubon & Nature Center located in the historic warming hut on Evergreen Lake. There are several other parks in the general area, most of which are covered in ponderosa woodland with a mix of foothills scrub; you may want to check out Jefferson County Open Space’s website for ideas. The best option is probably Alderfer/Three Sisters Park; look for Pygmy Nuthatch, Clark’s Nutcracker, Western and Mountain Bluebird, and Red Crossbill, among other possibilities. Mammals such as Elk, Mule Deer, and Abert’s Squirrel all occur in this area, and could be found nearly anywhere.
NOTE: Elk commonly use the lake, trails, parking areas, and the vicinity around them year-round, but especially during calving and the rut (mating season). Please do not approach elk and keep dogs on a leash at all times. They may appear to be tame, but there is history of conflict and injuries associated with getting too close.
South Valley Park
Not far from the famed Red Rocks, the topography at this foothills park is very reminiscent of its more well-known neighbor. Numerous rock outcroppings, tons of thick foothills scrub, and some good riparian habitat along Deer Creek offer a good variety of species to look for most of the year. Keep an eye out especially for White-throated Swift, Canyon and Rock Wrens, Golden Eagle, and Prairie Falcon nesting on the cliffs; Spotted and Green-tailed Towhees in the scrub; and migrants in the riparian habitat. American Dipper can sometimes be found along Deer Creek, best searched for in early spring and fall through winter. In general, the colder months tend to be quiet, though flocks of sparrows may be hiding in the scrub. Visit Jefferson County Open Space’s website if you’d like to stop by one of the other parks they manage in this area.
Turkey Creek Park
Located near the tourist attraction Tiny Town (a good place to bring kids if you have the family along), this park has a nice mix of ponderosa and mixed conifer woodlands, along with smaller meadows and areas of foothills scrub. The lower parts of the trail are excellent for Red-naped Sapsucker and Wild Turkey; with luck, Dusky Grouse could be found throughout the area. More common montane species such as Pygmy and Red-breasted Nuthatches, Red Crossbill, and Cordilleran Flycatcher are also present. In the more open areas, check for Black-billed Magpie and Mountain Bluebird. The park is well-known for its uncommon butterfly species you might find during spring and summer, including Hoary and Moss’s Elfins, and Indra Swallowtail.
Conifer Area
Conifer is a beautiful little foothill town just west of Denver, and makes a perfect base for exploring the lower montane habitats found in the area, including all the amenities needed for a trip. There are a number of parks near Conifer that are quite similar to each other, and visiting any of them would probably net the target species. One of the best of the bunch is Flying J Ranch Open Space, where you can find abundant, high-quality mixed-conifer woodlands, interspersed with aspen groves, large meadows, and even a small pond. Look here for Pygmy Nuthatch, Williamson’s Sapsucker, migrating sparrow flocks in the meadows that can include Brewer’s, Lincoln’s, and White-crowned Sparrows, and all the usual suspects for this elevation and habitat. Beaver Ranch Open Space, just south of Conifer, has all of the same habitats, as well as a nice willow-lined creek near the entrance. Look here for the same species, as well as hummingbirds (including Rufous and Calliope in late summer) visiting thistles along the entrance road. Newton Park, just across the road to the north, is made up of three picnic sites that require advance reservation to use. However, you can walk into the park from Beaver Ranch. At Meyer Ranch Open Space, just northeast of Conifer, there is an extensive system of trails guiding you through some nice habitat, where you can expect to find the same species as at Flying J.
Reynolds Open Space Park
This open space park contains some quality ponderosa and mixed-conifer woodland, along with a nice trail system, offers a nice variety of montane species. In the ponderosa dominated areas, look for Pygmy Nuthatch and Williamson’s Sapsucker, while the mixed woodland could have Red-naped Sapsucker, American Three-toed Woodpecker, Hammond’s Flycatcher, and Merriam’s turkeys in the spring. Steller’s Jays are common throughout, and a nighttime visit may turn up a Northern Saw-whet Owl, best searched for during the spring months.
Staunton State Park
Near the town of Pine, Staunton is Colorado’s newest state park, which opened to the public in 2013. Situated southeast of Mount Evans, elevations in the park range from 8,000 to 10,000 feet. Large granitic domes, such as the Lion’s Head, visually dominate the park, and wetland habitats along the park’s many streams divide the montane forests below. Forested areas provide excellent opportunities to view Williamson’s and Red-naped Sapsucker, American Three-toed Woodpecker, Hammond’s Flycatcher, and Golden-crowned and Ruby-crowned Kinglet. Look for singing Vesper and Savannah Sparrows, along with other grassland species, in the montane grasslands across the park. Rocky outcrops and cliffs are habitat for White-throated Swift, falcons, and hawks. Several wetland birds such as Great Blue Heron and Belted Kingfisher can be seen at the park, and Lincoln’s Sparrow and Olive-sided Flycatcher are found along the stream corridors. Celebrate the park’s mascot, the yellow-bellied marmot, at the annual Marmot Fest in June. You might even catch a glimpse of these chubby critters sunning themselves on rock outcroppings from spring to fall. A State Parks pass is required for entry.