This little town is a wonderful place to refuel or refresh while exploring Ouray County. The trees in town can have migrant warblers and other landbirds in spring and fall. At almost any time of year the town might be invaded by Evening Grosbeaks or Cassin’s Finches, but influxes are unpredictable. A small private pond in the Golden Eagle subdivision can produce some good birds including Sora and Common Yellowthroat. A nice riverwalk trail along the river just north of town has interpretive displays on the Bald Eagles that winter between Ridgway and the Ridgway State Park just to the north. Keep an eye out for Band-tailed Pigeons winging their way overhead or gorging themselves at some local feeder.
Rocky Mountains
Where the Gunnison River comes tumbling out of the mountains, it gurgles through deciduous bottomland forests that seem to have been transplanted straight from New England, complete with Least Flycatchers and the occasional Veery.
The Black Swift is legendarily difficult to observe, but in summer, here in the heart of Colorado's San Juan Mountains, a sighting is virtually guaranteed.
Blanca Peak was known to the Navajo as the sacred peak of the East, one of the four holy mountains that bounded and guarded their nation.
West of Vail Pass, the Colorado River and Interstate 70 come together to wind through the heart of the Rocky Mountains, where Bald Eagles spend the winter fishing in the fast-moving water.
Carved out of the extreme northwestern corner of Colorado, Moffat County is a sprawling quadrangle nearly the size of Connecticut with fewer than 15,000 human residents, most of them in the town of Craig.
Even among native Coloradans, the Flat Tops are a well-kept secret. Flat though their tops may be, these impressive mountains are the centerpiece of the second-largest wilderness area in the state.
Here at the start of the river that carved the Grand Canyon lies an easy-to-reach taste of Colorado's West Slope.
East of Grand Junction, the Grand Mesa is an astonishing place. Here, nearly 500 square miles of pristine forest have been lifted some 5,000 feet above the surrounding terrain, creating what some call the largest flat-topped mountain in the world.
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.
The Gunnison Sage-Grouse is a special bird. Formally described by science only in 2000, it evaded detection for decades because people looked at it without seeing it-they assumed all sage grouse were the same.
This trail follows the upper portions of the Arkansas from its origins above treeline down to pinyon-juniper covered hills and shallow canyons.
Above the road between Rico and Telluride, in the remote southwest San Juans, there rises a spectacular spire of rock that reminded its namers of a reptile's head.
To follow this trail is to see the mountains’ highlight reel, with birds to match. This is the Colorado on your postcards.
North Park, virtually synonymous with Jackson County, is a high, flat, peak-ringed valley that teems with far more wildlife than people. Some of Colorado's finest and most extensive remaining sagebrush country can be found here, right beside some of Colorado's finest and most extensive wetlands.
The Front Range is a phalanx of snow-capped mountains that guards the center of Colorado against any approach from the east. This is Denver’s mountainous backyard, a must-visit area for anyone interested in Colorado nature.
The Piedra River collects most of the water from Colorado's largest wilderness area, the Weminuche, running from permanent snowfields in the high mountains through subalpine meadows down into forests of gigantic ponderosa pine.
This trail is is quintessential Colorado, offering visitors a variety of wildlife watching opportunities all within a stones throw to Colorado Springs.
The area south and east of Steamboat Springs is one of the lushest regions of Colorado, boasting relatively few people but high natural diversity, including huge numbers of deer, elk, and pronghorn along the backroads.
The Roaring Fork River crashes down out of the West Elk Mountains towards the Colorado River, carving out a beautiful mountain valley as it goes.
The northern San Luis Valley is a land of natural spectacles. Some are aerial, like the talon-locking tumble of a pair of Golden Eagles in midair courtship, or the high-flying spirals of a flock of Black Swifts above a canyon cascade at dusk.
Tracing a high and remote path through Colorado's least populated region, the Silver Thread Scenic Byway winds its beautiful way through montane forests and meadows from the low to the high, past mountain lakes that teem with waterfowl in migration.
Only 1-2 hours from Denver, South Park is a flat area nearly the size of Rhode Island at an elevation of 10,000 feet, which harbors remnants of a rich prairie and wetland ecosystem.
Following the Highway of Legends Scenic Byway for much of its length, and circumnavigating the stunning Spanish Peaks, this trail nearly runs the gamut of Colorado habitats.
For travelers driving west from Denver, Summit County offers the first taste of the West Slope. Famous for ski resorts like Breckenridge, Arapahoe Basin, and Copper Mountain, it's also home to well-preserved natural areas that offer good wildlife watching at any time of year.
Famous for its whitewater rafting, the Arkansas Canyon offers an amazing variety of wildlife viewing opportunities in a spectacular setting.
The summit of Wolf Creek Pass is one of the snowiest places in Colorado during the winter. During the summer, it's one of the most scenic.
The Yampa is one of the few rivers in Colorado that remains almost entirely undammed and undiverted. Much as in past centuries, it supports a rich riparian ecosystem along most of its length.
Haviland Lake State Wildlife Area
A beautiful mountain lake surrounded by ponderosa forest and a campground — what more could you ask for? Look for a variety of montane bird species, including Evening Grosbeak, Grace’s Warbler, Ruby-crowned and Golden-crowned Kinglets, Brown Creeper, and Williamson’s Sapsucker. On the lake itself look for Ring-necked Duck, Pied-billed Grebe, and a variety of other waterfowl during fall migration. Pine and Abert’s squirrels and golden-mantled ground-squirrels can be seen in the trees.
This site is co-managed by Colorado Parks and Wildlife and US Fish and Wildlife Service. Visit USFWS for camping infprmation.
La Veta Pass area
La Veta Pass, North La Veta Pass and Pass Creek Pass provide the only road-accessible montane habitat in Costilla County. Though not very high – only 9,400 feet – the habitat is decent, especially along Old La Veta Pass. Look for typical montane woodland species such as Hermit Thrush, Ruby-crowned Kinglet, Dusky Flycatcher, etc. The aspen mixed into the forest here also looks of sufficient quality to host Flammulated and Northern Saw-whet Owls. If you are really lucky, you could see a black bear or a pine marten.
Veltus Park
This small park is one of the best near Glenwood, and a good spot to check if you have a little bit of time in town. Lewis’s Woodpecker is semi-reliable here, and the river can be quite good for American Dipper, especially during the winter months. Look in the riparian habitat for various breeding birds during the summer, and sparrows during the winter months.
Divide Creek Reservoir
It may not look like much, but this tiny reservoir is some of the only water in this dusty corner of Colorado, and when there actually is water in it, it can be quite the oasis. Various species of ducks (both divers and dabblers), shorebirds (when the water level is right for mudflats), and riparian species (such as Yellow-breasted Chat and Lazuli Bunting) are possible. The drive in passes through extensive sage habitat, and Greater Sage-Grouse are sometimes seen here.
Piceance State Wildlife Area
This spread-out SWA has a number of units, but the Little Hills Experiment Station is probably the most worth visiting. Among the cliffs and pinyon-juniper forest you can usually find White-throated Swift, Lazuli Bunting, and Rock and Canyon Wrens, and in the marshy riparian areas look for Yellow-headed and Red-winged Blackbirds, sparrows, and sometimes a few shorebirds at the ponds. Note that, inexplicably, Piceance is pronounced ‘PEE-aunts.’
Rollins Pass (West Side)
The rather rough Moffat Road (FR 149) follows the historic route of the Denver and Salt Lake Railway from Winter Park all the way east to Moffat Pass at 11,660 feet, a 4×4 vehicle is highly recommended. This section of the railroad was abandoned in 1928 when the Moffat Tunnel opened. The road rises through lodgepole pine forest into some patches of mature spruce-fir forest before emerging on the open tundra, home of White-tailed Ptarmigan, American Pipit, and Yellow-bellied Marmot. The view from the end of the road is breathtaking; look for rosy-finches and brewer’s sparrow on the snowfields below you. If you’re looking for the high-mountain experience away from the crowds on Trail Ridge Road, this is the spot for you.
Rifle Gap State Park
Rifle Gap is the ‘main’ state park of the three closely lumped parks in the area; it has the visitor center, the most facilities, and the most visitors. The lake itself is only mediocre, bird-wise, but can be good during migration. Combined with the surrounding pinyon-juniper woodland and montane shrubland, though, it makes a good birding location. And it is also a good place to camp while visiting the Rifle area. In the pinyon-juniper woodland look for Ash-throated Flycatcher, Bushtit, Black-throated Gray Warbler, Pinyon Jay, and more. On the lake look for dabblers and divers, with the occasional loon or grebe. Barrow’s Goldeneye can sometimes be found on the lake during the late fall and early winter.
Burnt Mill Road area
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.
Kebler Pass (CR 12)
Kebler Pass contains an excellent sampling of montane habitats, but is perhaps best known for some of the most awe-inspiring aspen groves in Colorado. Not surprisingly, the species typical of this habitat, such as Red-naped Sapsucker, Warbling Vireo, Dusky Flycatcher, and Violet-green Swallow are common. Purple Martins can be seen flying overhead; between mile posts 10 and 11 is best. Higher up is mixed-conifer and spruce-fir woodland, with most of the specialties easy to find. You might see a porcupine or a bobcat crossing this road.
Sands Lake State Wildlife Area
Sands Lake is one of the best birding lakes in Chaffee County. The willows around the lake can be good for migrants. The lake retains open water year-round, and so can be good for waterfowl, particularly during the colder months.
Belmear Lake
Just north of Groundhog Reservoir, this small lake can hold a few diving ducks in season and is worth checking out when you are in the area. Viewing is distant, best achieved with a spotting scope from the side of the county road.
Cameron Pass
The legendary Cameron Pass is more famous as a night birding location than in the daytime, because it is one of the best and most accessible locations for Boreal Owls. The best time of year is March and early April, when they sing during the night (but not every night). Playing tapes of the owls’ song during the fall may also be productive. Northern Saw-whet Owl is also in the area, and porcupines often cross the road at night. If you venture up here during the daytime, you’ll find excellent spruce-fir and mixed conifer forest, with species such as Golden-crowned Kinglet, American Three-toed Woodpecker, Gray Jay, Clark’s Nutcracker, and finches. Moose is sometimes seen from the road, as is snowshoe hare.
Zink’s Pond
Here in one of the driest parts of a dry state, this permanent spring-fed pond, surrounded by a small marsh and a larger wet meadow, is a major attraction for birds. Species including Sora, Virginia Rail, Marsh Wren, Common Yellowthroat, and even Bald Eagle have nested here or nearby. The pond is on private property and can be viewed only from the road.
Air Force Academy
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.
Sarvis Creek State Wildlife Area
Adjacent to Stagecoach Reservoir State Park, this day use area has good riparian habitat, with birds like Tree and Cliff Swallows, Steller’s Jay, Lazuli Bunting, Warbling Vireo, and Downy Woodpecker, among others. The Service Creek Trail leads from the wildlife area up into higher habitats with more coniferous forests, and eventually into the Sarvis Creek Wilderness. There is a high density of black bears in the area, though you would be lucky to see one. Elk and mule deer are more commonly sighted.
Braille Trail
When this trail was first founded in 1967 it was the first of its kind in the country – a chance for blind people to experience the forest, smells, sounds, the feel of the trees, all being educated by the series of informative signs in braille. The trail passes through beautiful spruce-fir and mixed coniferous forests, and can be a good place to see (and hear!) species such as Gray Jay, Golden-crowned Kinglet, Mountain Chickadee, Brown Creeper, and others.
Monte Vista
Monte Vista is a good-sized town with all the amenities. Birders might want to cruise the neighborhood streets looking for feeders, which can attract finches including Evening Grosbeaks and Cassin’s Finches. The cemetery just west of town has many mature evergreens where you might find warblers in migration, crossbills in winter, and Great Horned Owls at any season. There is a new wetlands trail on the west side of Monte Vista behind Big R, another good place to spot wetland birds.
Coller State Wildlife Area
This State Wildlife Area follows the Rio Grande for several miles through willows teeming with Yellow Warblers. At the north end of the property, you will find the best riparian habitat, with mature cottonwoods and more willows; look here for House Wren, Cordilleran Flycatcher, Green-tailed Towhee, Warbling Vireo, Song Sparrow and the like. American Dippers nest under the bridge. In the open fields you may see coyotes hunting ground squirrels, especially early and late in the day.
Walsenburg
This historic town is the county seat and cultural center of Huerfano County, and offers most any amenity. There are a couple of good areas for birding. One is the Masonic Cemetery, where you might find migrant landbirds in spring or fall. It is located in the northwest part of town and is reached by going west one block on Elm Street from its junction with Walsen Ave. at the Middle School. You might also bird along the Cucharas River, which provides some good riparian habitat. Most of its banks are privately owned, but some access can be reached on the west side of town. From US 160 go west to the City Park and turn left (south) on S. Ysidro Street. Cross the Cucharas River, and there will be a dirt road immediately on the left. This public road, over 1/2 mile in length, runs along the south side of the River. It can be walked or driven and eventually comes out on Main Street near the downtown area. There is a lot of access to the river on this road but if any properties are posted, please do no not trespass.
Loveland Pass (Summit side)
This high, windswept, spectacularly scenic pass over the Continental Divide is accessible by road year-round, making it one of the few places to look for White-tailed Ptarmigan in winter and spring, when they sport their all-white plumage. However, ptarmigan are well-camouflaged and difficult to spot at all seasons. Finding one may take hours of strenuous hiking at extremely high altitude – or, if you’re very lucky, they might be right next to your car when you pull up. Brown-capped Rosy-Finch is possible near the pass, but not common. Keep an eye out for Yellow-bellied Marmots and, in rocky areas, pika.
Roselawn Cemetery
Roselawn Cemetery, a pioneer cemetery in the small town of Blende near Pueblo, is full of huge old trees that can attract migrants in spring and fall and flocks of mountain birds in search of evergreens in winter. Sometimes there are impressive irruptions of finches or waxwings here, and Yellow-bellied Sapsucker sometimes winters. In addition, raptors may also be present and there is a small duck pond that can attract waterfowl.
Yampa River Core Trail
If you’re looking for a place to bird right in the middle of Steamboat Springs, then this is it. This cycling and walking trail follows a riparian corridor for six miles through town, with pockets of cottonwoods, willows, and fields. American Dipper can be found along the trail year round, and summer residents include Tree and Cliff Swallows, Gray Catbird, and Bullock’s Oriole. Bohemian Waxwings are sometimes present in winter. A good stop midway along the trail is the Yampa Botanical Gardens. If you bird this trail, be careful to stay out of the way of fast-moving bicycles.
Fossil Creek Reservoir Natural Area
Designated as an “Important Bird Area” by the National Audubon Society, this is one of the best birding locations in the area. Huge numbers of geese often stage here in late fall, including thousands of Cackling Geese, with some Snow, Ross’s, and Greater White-fronted Geese usually mixed in. Sometimes the geese even stay all winter! Ducks, Grebes, Loons, and Gulls can also be seen here between fall and spring, along with Bald Eagles. The cottonwoods around the lake attract breeding Orioles, and the Prairie-dog towns attract raptors, occasionally including Ferruginous Hawk and Golden Eagle. A Bald Eagle nest located on the opposite side of the lake can be viewed from the gazebo east of the Visitor Center. Please note pets are not allowed at this property. A nearby adjacent site 3/4 of a mile west from the Natural Area entrance is a small pond on the south side of the road that often has many water birds on it. Be careful, as there is heavy traffic and no pull-off except a small space on the west side of the pond.
Loveland Pass
Once upon a time, all the traffic traveling from Denver to western Colorado crossed Loveland Pass, and while the opening of the Eisenhower Tunnel has changed that, Loveland is still the best place near Denver to get to the alpine tundra. It is also the most reliable place in the state to find White-tailed Ptarmigan in winter plumage. The best birding is right at the top of the pass, where in the winter you can search for ptarmigan (which often hang out along the path heading west across the road from the parking area, or in the bowl on the southeastern side). During the summer months, the ptarmigan are much harder to find, but breeding American Pipits, Horned Larks, White-crowned Sparrows, and others make up for it. Loveland Pass also offers some of the best highland butterflying in the state, with several rare species possible, such as Polixenes Arctic and Magdalena Alpine.
Ponds along US 285
The small ponds along the side of the highway around Kenosha Pass can make for a good quick stop on the way to/from Denver. During summer months, Eared Grebes are often present in decent numbers (and with good plumage!), and a variety of other duck species are possible. Also, look for the typical assortment of open-country montane species. Mountain Bluebirds are regular in the area, and in the winter months, rosy-finches are sometimes found, especially during inclement weather.
Ridgway State Park
The focus of Ridgway State Park is a large reservoir that provides waterbirds with one of their only stopping places on migrations through the San Juans. As a result, birding can often be very good on the water, with many species of ducks and shorebirds possible in spring and fall, along with Great Blue Herons, White-faced Ibis, and occasionally loons. Bald Eagles are likely to be spotted soaring over the water, especially from fall through spring. The south end of the park has a trail that goes through a nice riparian area where you may find breeding Western Tanagers and many species of migrants in season; American Dippers nest under the bridge over the small creek. Mule deer are frequently seen in the park, and the beautiful Juniper Hairstreak butterfly can be found around the campgrounds. And even if all wildlife evades you, the view of the San Juan Mountains from this park is absolutely not to be missed.
Durango Mountain Resort Ski Area and Sig Creek
Sig Creek Campground is set amid truly beautiful old-growth spruce-fir forest, with lots of deadfall, and lichen hanging from practically every branch. American Three-toed Woodpecker can often be found in the vicinity of the campground, along with Pine Grosbeak, Red Crossbill, Gray Jay, and other high-elevation forest birds. A number of small mammals call the area home. Elk and deer sightings are not uncommon.
Platoro Reservoir
Although you are not likely to see many birds on Platoro Reservoir itself, the surrounding forest can be good for high-elevation species. The best spruce-fir woodland in the area is along FR 380 north of the reservoir; Boreal Owl occurs in the area. Day or night, you might have to wait for herds of elk to cross the road in front of you from one meadow to the next. Although Platoro Reservoir itself has no facilities, there are several lodges with cabins, restaurants, and general stores nearby.
Hanging Lake
Hanging Lake is a true gem, sitting suspended in a 500-foot bowl on the steep east wall of Deadhorse Canyon, a side drainage of Glenwood Canyon. Three waterfalls feed the lake, providing stunning picture-postcard scenery and hosting a dozen pairs of nesting Black Swifts, which arrive after Memorial Day and leave a couple of weeks after Labor Day. The swifts rarely visit their nests during the day; dawn and dusk are the best times to see them. Mineral deposits in the water give the lake its tropical green color as viewed from the wooden boardwalk that rims the lake. Dippers also are resident in the wet spray and near the falls. White-throated Swifts nest in the steep dry cliffs to the east and southeast of the lake. Watch also for Clark’s Nutcracker, Tree and Violet-green Swallows, Steller’s Jay, Mountain Chickadee, Canyon Wren, and Golden Eagle. The hike in to the lake is a steep 1.5 miles along a very popular hiking trail.
Dinosaur National Monument (Deerlodge Park)
Probably the area of Dinosaur National Monument least visited by birders, Deerlodge Park is mostly used as a rafting launch site for people floating the Yampa. But it also has one of the most extensive riparian patches in northwestern Colorado, as well as abundant pinyon-juniper forest and cliffs. In the riparian areas look for Black-headed Grosbeak, Cooper’s Hawk, Yellow Warbler, Warbling Vireo, Eastern Kingbird, and Downy Woodpecker, while the ‘PJ’ hosts Virginia’s and Black-throated Gray Warblers, Say’s Phoebe, Rock and Canyon Wrens, and Western Scrub-Jay.
Rio Blanco Lake State Wildlife Area
Rio Blanco Lake just west of Meeker is the best lake in the area for waterbirds and shorebirds, and is definitely worth a visit during the spring and fall. The best area for shorebirds is along the north shore when water is low, especially in the northeastern corner, where there is also a small marshy area. Several species of finches, flycatchers, and warblers may be found in the cottonwoods and shrubs between the lake and the river, and Great Blue Herons nest in the cottonwoods east of the lake. While driving to or from the lake, keep an eye out for Bald Eagles and Sandhill Cranes, especially during the spring and fall.
Devil’s Thumb Ranch Resort and Spa
This ranch resort and spa features over 20 miles of hiking and cross-country skiing trails through creekside meadows, large aspen stands and ponderosa pine forests covering 6,000 acres. In addition to the outdoor activities there are 80 guest rooms, three restaurants, a cross-country ski rental shop, a retail store and many historic homesteads on site. The ranch is developing a winter bird feeding station with indoor viewing. In the summer you can expect to find Wilson’s Snipe, Violet-green Swallows, and White-throated Swifts flying over the meadows, Warbling Vireos singing from the Aspens and Western Tanagers calling from the top of a tall Ponderosa Pine. Contact the Activity Center at 970-726-8231 prior to visiting.
FR 139 (Crooked Creek / Keyser Creek Rds)
Those with a penchant for exploration should enjoy this area, off the beaten path in the high country west of Fraser. Once the road enters the national forest, it traverses some beautiful aspen stands where one might find western Warbling Vireos, Red-naped Sapsuckers, and Violet-green Swallows. Farther up, the forest transitions into high-elevation lodgepole pine and spruce-fir, with a few mountain meadows and burn areas mixed in. The ascending spirals of Swainson’s Thrush songs can be heard at most of the willow-lined stream crossings, and the accelerating drums of American Three-toed Woodpeckers echo off the spruce trunks early in the summer. Elk can be seen in some of the high meadows, along with yellow-bellied marmots and golden-mantled ground-squirrels. The network of roads includes some interesting dead ends and some connections with the roads in the upper Williams Fork area, but a good map is needed to navigate them all. Visit the USFS office in Granby for the latest information on access, routes, and road conditions.
Rifle Falls State Park
Rifle Falls is among Colorado’s most scenic and most accessible waterfalls. The presence of nesting Black Swifts adds some additional spice. They arrive around the first of June and leave in September; early morning and late evening are the best time to see them, though with some careful searching of damp, shaded crevices in the rocks near the falls, you may be able to spot birds on nests at any time of the day. Montane shrubland and pinyon-juniper forests surround the falls, with birds like Virginia’s and Black-throated Gray Warblers, Cordilleran, Dusky, and Gray Flycatchers, Pinyon and Western Scrub-Jays, and Green-tailed Towhee.
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.
Crested Butte
A more picturesque town you will have a hard time finding. Mainly known as a ski town, this also makes a good base when exploring the area during the summer. The main avian draw here is the large flock of rosy-finches, usually of all three species, that frequent the area during the winter. The best strategy to find them is the drive around town watching for both the flock and for feeders.
Fairview Cemetery
This cemetery contains dense underbrush, both coniferous and deciduous, along a manmade watercourse. Mountain Bluebirds can be seen in the field along the entrance road, and mule deer can be numerous in the area. Note, there is a plethora of bird species from American Robin and Pine Siskin, to the more rare occurences like the Northern Parula and Great Horned Owl.7.5.23
Groundhog Reservoir State Wildlife Area
Backed by the striking silhouette of Lone Cone mountain, Groundhog is the largest body of water in Dolores County and a remote destination that is mostly accessible from May through September. Although the reservoir frequently seems empty of birds, a spotting scope will usually reveal good numbers of ducks and Western and Eared Grebes; sometimes shorebirds, Bald Eagles or Ospreys, and even Surf Scoters have been seen. This is also one of the best places in Colorado to find Purple Martins, which nest in the aspen groves near the water and sometimes forage over the parking lot. The wet meadow and aspen habitats surrounding the reservoir can serve up breeding birds like Lincoln’s and Fox Sparrows. Elk are common in the area, as are deer, coyotes, foxes, and the marmots for which the reservoir is named.
American Lakes
Since there is no roadside tundra on this trail, one of the easier ways to get above treeline is by hiking along the Michigan Ditch south from Cameron Pass to a trail which leads up to three gorgeous alpine lakes in the shadow of the Nokhu Crags. These three lakes are called the American Lakes or the Michigan Lakes, depending on the map you’re looking at; the largest and highest of them is often called Snow Lake. Brown-capped Rosy-Finch breeds on the cliffs around Snow Lake, about four miles from Cameron Pass. The chirps of pikas are often heard in the area. Look for ptarmigan in the grassier areas above the other two lakes, and typical spruce-fir birds along the rest of the trail. Moose and elk are both common here.
Pastorius Reservoir State Wildlife Area
This State Wildlife Area is, without question, one of the finest birding sites in the area. Almost any bird could show up here. In spring and fall, many species of ducks, geese, and shorebirds stop here, along with smaller numbers of gulls, terns, and ibis. The riparian woods and undergrowth on the north side of the water are a great place to look for common birds like Bullock’s Oriole and rare ones like Prothonotary Warbler. Birds are the main attraction here, but the marsh and pond support muskrats and several species of dragonfly and damselfly.
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.
Stagecoach State Park
Just to the south of Catamount Lake, Stagecoach Reservoir and State Park provides another excellent waterbird locale. The lake itself is excellent for all variety of ducks, especially at the southwestern corner where the Yampa flows in, as well as shorebirds when the water is low enough. The northern end of the lake is somewhat deeper, and is a better spot to look for rarer diving ducks, loons, and grebes. Surrounding the lake are meadows with some willows (good for Lincoln’s Sparrow), and montane shrubland (good for Orange-crowned Warbler, Green-tailed Towhee, Western Scrub-Jay and more). Just across the road from the reservoir is a wildlife area with some small ponds and blinds, good for dabbling ducks. Mule deer are common in the area.
Lincoln Creek
This side creek just above the narrows on CO 82 is unbelievably scenic, with beautiful smooth granite boulders carved into bizarre shapes by the rushing creek, surrounded by gorgeous spruce-fir forest. The road starts out as an easily traveled one, but soon after the Lincoln Creek Campground it becomes significantly rougher. With care, higher clearance cars should be able to travel many miles up the road through spruce-fir forest, willow carrs, and montane meadows. Golden-crowned Kinglet seems particularly common here, and Fox Sparrow is usually easily found in the willows. American Dippers haunt the creek, and a variety of other creatures can be seen on a morning’s visit, including yellow-bellied marmots, pine squirrels, and chipmunks.
Home Lake State Wildlife Area
This is a good place to look for waterfowl. In addition to all the common duck species, this lake has hosted surprises including Eurasian Wigeon and Tundra Swan. There is a nesting pair of Osprey that use Home Lake to hunt. Look for them in the nearby cottonwood trees or at their nest, which is located just south of Home Lake on County Road 1 South. In migration, the trees around the lake can attract migrant warblers, flycatchers, vireos, grosbeaks, and the like. In winter, the lake and surrounding cottonwoods host both Golden and Bald Eagles. Note that on some maps, Home Lake is marked as ‘Sherman Lake’.
Wheeler Geologic Area
This is one of the most remote and difficult-to-access locations on the entire birding trail. The geology of the area is so unique and the scenery so striking that it was declared Colorado’s first National Monument in 1908, but that status was revoked in 1950 due to the difficulty of visiting this place. To get here, you need either four-wheel-drive and high clearance or a mountain bike and a strong pair of legs. On your way there, you will pass through amazing spruce-fir habitat, with crossbills, Gray Jays, and Three-toed Woodpeckers. One lucky group found a Boreal Owl roosting in a tree here. This area is about as wild as it gets, and you could see any kind of wildlife, from elk and deer to lynx and moose.
Lathrop State Park
The diverse habitat of this park, at the foot of the beautiful Spanish Peaks, makes it the best place in Huerfano County to find the widest variety of birds. Martin and Horseshoe Lakes are good-sized bodies of water where many good birds have been seen, including loons, swans and scoters. Around the lakes, riparian habitat abounds for good passerines. Dryland birds can also be found on either side of the lakes. On the north side, scan the hogback ridge for Greater Roadrunners & Pinyon Jays. There is a parking area and trail to the ridge on the north side of the park. On the south side of the lakes, there are good stands of yucca where Ladder-backed Woodpeckers can sometimes be found. An interpretive sign is located at the wildlife viewing pond. Other possible wildlife sightings include coyote, jackrabbit and bats on summer evenings. There are many other areas, both wet and dry, in the park too numerous to describe. It’s a great place to enjoy and explore.
Montezuma Road
Beginning right at the edge of the Keystone ski resort, this road leads up through the historic town of Montezuma, which has enough historic abandoned buildings to be listed as a ‘ghost town’ in some publications, even though a few dozen people still live here year-round. Between Keystone and Montezuma, the road is paved, and plowed in winter, making this one of the best places in Summit County to access high-elevation forests all year. However, the birding is best in the early summer, when you may find woodpeckers in beetle-killed pines near the start of the road, Pine Grosbeaks and Golden-crowned Kinglets in the spruce-fir farther up, and MacGillivray’s and Wilson’s Warblers nesting in the extensive streamside willows. The Snake River, which runs along the road, can be excellent for American Dipper, even in winter, if there are some open patches in the water. This road is very popular with outdoor recreationists at all times of year, especially on weekends, so wildlife viewing is generally best on weekday mornings. Due to the high volume of visitors, parking restrictions on the road are strictly enforced; there is no visitor parking in the town of Montezuma.
Runyon Lake State Wildlife Area
Runyon Lake State Wildlife Area (or Fountain Lakes), right next to the Arkansas River near the center of Pueblo, can be an excellent place to find birds. This is particularly true in winter, when warm water keeps the place attractive to waterfowl and gulls. Look for Hooded Merganser, cormorants, and Black-crowned Night-Heron in winter. In summer, look for the breeding Mississippi Kites and Osprey have nests nearby. In spring and fall, look for migrant landbirds in the deciduous trees. Mammals in the area can include red fox, rabbits and squirrels.
Pagosa Springs
Pagosa Springs is a large town by regional standards, with all the amenities. If you spend any time in and around town, you are likely to see a Lewis’s Woodpecker. A little more looking might net you an American Dipper along the river in town. The ponds along the highway west of town can be great places to see waterfowl, but note that the Trumpeter Swans at the lake by the Fairfield Inn are released birds, not wild ones.
Fish Creek Falls
A tremendous attraction practically right in Steamboat, these falls (283 feet high!) have something to offer everyone. The waterfalls themselves are quite beautiful, and a good trail lets almost anyone enjoy them. Montane shrubland and stunted aspen in the area offer a wide variety of avian life, including Band-tailed Pigeon (mostly seen in the morning and evening), Orange-crowned and Virginia’s Warblers, Townsend’s Solitaire, and American Dipper. You can also access this area in the winter, when Sharp-tailed Grouse are sometimes found.
Donath Lake
This small lake can be scanned from one safe pullout on the east side of the road. The water here can attract Western Grebes, ducks, and sometimes gulls, mostly between late fall and spring when the water is not completely frozen. One of the most unexpected birds ever to be found in Colorado, a Kelp Gull from South America, was once spotted here.
Georgetown and Silver Plume
These two old mining towns right along I-70 give a rare glimpse into what Colorado was like over a century ago, when silver fever reigned supreme. Today, they make for a good base while exploring Clear Creek County’s high country, and a place to check feeders during the winter months. Silver Plume has a more rustic feel, and when feeders are up in winter, keep an eye out for all three rosy-finches, Pine Grosbeak, and others. A visit to Georgetown Lake may produce Bald Eagle and Osprey sightings. Georgetown has the lion’s share of the amenities and direct access to Guanella Pass during the summer. You are almost guaranteed to see Rocky Mountain bighorn sheep in this area in November and December when rams migrate down the mountain to clash for mating rights with ewes. Visit the Georgetown Bighorn Sheep Festival the second Saturday in November, stop by the Gateway Visitor Center, or hit the Viewing Station just east of town to catch the sheep in action.
Georgia Pass Road
A pleasant backroad into the high country, the Georgia Pass Road is a good place to look for the full suite of montane passerines. Look and listen for Cordilleran and Dusky Flycatchers, Red Crossbill, Mountain Bluebird, Violet-green Swallow, Fox Sparrow (in the extensive willow carrs), Wilson’s Warbler, and more. A nighttime visit to the higher parts of the pass could produce Northern Saw-whet or, with a good deal of luck, Boreal Owls. Also look out for a diversity of mammals, butterflies, and wildflowers.
Billy Creek State Wildlife Area
This is a very interesting State Wildlife Area that will reward the adventurous birder. It consists of several distinct and separate tracts of land that encompass low hills covered in montane shrubland. Dusky Grouse can be numerous in the dense Gambel oak woodlands, and breeding warblers include Virginia’s and MacGillivray’s. The riparian forest along the stream bottom has produced Western Screech-Owl. Elk and deer can be found here, and the oaks may harbor the beautiful Colorado Hairstreak butterfly.
Old Lime Creek Road
Paralleling US Highway 550 for 10 miles, this amazingly scenic mountain road was once the original highway between Silverton and Durango. Rough and narrow, it is best traveled in a high-clearance vehicle. It provides access to an excellent variety of habitats. Along the northern portions of the road you pass through some nice high-elevation riparian willows with Lazuli Bunting, Western Wood-Pewee, Cordilleran Flycatcher, and Black-headed Grosbeak possible. Further on you’ll cross some truly impressive aspen groves, and Red-naped Sapsucker, Warbling Vireo, Orange-crowned Warbler, and more could be seen. Some spruce-fir forest and a couple of lily-fringed ponds round out the habitat selections. Butterfly diversity along the road is also excellent, and this is one of the best places in the state to see the rare red columbine.
Blanca and Fort Garland
Birding in the small towns of Blanca and Fort Garland may be worth some small effort, especially if you can find some feeders. Outside these towns, roadside birding along US 160, the main route through the county, can be surprisingly productive. If you are driving the road in the evening or early morning, look for Great Horned Owl; Northern Shrike is seen surprisingly often in the winter. You’re likely to see pronghorns and mule deer along the way, and the views of Blanca Peak are extraordinary. Blanca has sewage lagoons on the west side of the road to Smith Reservoir, a quarter mile south of US 160.
Dotsero Ponds
Immediately south of I-70 at the Dotsero exit, in the Two River Park development, are a couple of small ponds that can be worth a quick scan. Several types of waterbirds can be found here along with nesting Osprey. Just north of the interstate exit along the Colorado River Road (CR 301) is the Frank Olsen Trailhead on the Ute Trail, which leads into good pinyon-juniper habitat for those who don’t want to stray far from the interstate.
Cedar Mountain
If you’re based out of Craig, this mountain just to the north is probably the best place to find pinyon-juniper habitat. A variety of hiking and biking trails crisscross the mountain, and with a 4×4 you can access more remote parts as well. Any of the ‘PJ’ birds are possible, including Pinyon Jay, Juniper Titmouse, and Black-throated Gray Warbler. There are some patches of montane shrubland where Virginia’s Warbler and Lazuli Bunting, among others, can be found.
Oak Ridge State Wildlife Area (Lake Avery Unit)
Lake Avery is a good spot to look for Barrow’s Goldeneyes and other waterfowl in the fall and early winter, before the lake freezes over. The best way to check out the lake is to scope it from the top of the hills. Also check the willows and marshy area near the inlet, which are good for warblers and other songbirds, such as Lincoln’s and maybe Fox Sparrow, Wilson’s Warbler, and more. The lower road, on the dam side, is also worth checking out for sparrows, swallows and waterfowl. The nearby Oak Ridge SWA is a good place to look for Dusky Grouse amid the abundant Gambel Oak woods. There is also a campground and access to the river which might produce some nice birds including Wilson’s Snipe, Belted Kingfisher, American Dipper, and others.
Fraser River Ranch
This private working ranch has diverse birding opportunities including riparian, sagebrush and grassland habitats. It is accessible year-round and features unique fen wetlands. This site can be birded from several locations along County Road 57.
Willow Creek Reservoir
This lake has more to offer the fisherman than the birder, but it does have some nice scenery, a Forest Service campground, and breeding Osprey. There is a fee for vehicle access.
Rifle Falls Fish Hatchery
Adjacent to Rifle Falls State Park, the hatchery sits at the foot of a very large cliff that hosts a large colony of White-throated Swifts. Across the canyon, Golden Eagles and Turkey Vultures nest in the cliffs. The gravel road that goes west from the parking area is a very nice one-mile hike in Gambel Oak habitat. Northern Saw-whet Owls have been heard here at night, and Virginia’s, MacGillivray’s, Yellow, and Yellow-rumped Warblers all reside here. Foot trails connect the state park and the hatchery if you feel like going on a longer walk.
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.
Roaring Judy Fish Hatchery
The grounds of this fish hatchery are essentially a large riverside park full of mature cottonwood trees, riparian brush and water. It can be a terrific area to wander around in during spring and fall migration and also in the summer, when birds like Wilson’s Snipe, Yellow Warbler, Red-naped Sapsucker, Fox Sparrow, and Willow Flycatcher can be found breeding. This would be a great place to find a rare warbler in migration. At 840 acres, the area gives you plenty of places to look! At some times, fish hatchery personnel may be able to arrange a guided tour of the facility, which releases two million Kokanee salmon each year.
Mount Ouray State Wildlife Area
A former fish hatchery, this state wildlife area includes several small ponds, a nice wetland area, and access to a stretch of the Arkansas River. It is a good place to look for sparrows, rails, wrens, and raptors like the Bald Eagle (winter) and the Northern Harrier.
Black Mesa Area
The remote roads through this area are excellent places to look for Dusky Grouse and other high-elevation birds, including Pine Grosbeak, Gray Jay, and Golden-crowned Kinglet. Northern Goshawk breeds in the area. Keep an eye out for elk and snowshoe hares (white in winter, brown-and-white in summer). The roads are inaccessible from approximately late October to early May due to deep snow.
State Forest State Park
This state park with the unwieldy name has some excellent birding potential. Two areas are of particular interest. The first is the road to North Michigan Reservoir, which provides access to a great deal of beautiful willow habitat on the way to the reservoir, which has breeding Fox Sparrow and Veery. The stream below the dam is excellent for dippers. The second spot in the park worth visiting is the Moose Visitor Center, a little farther east on Highway 14. The feeders in back can be great for finches at all times of year, including Red Crossbill, Cassin’s Finch, Pine Grosbeak, and, in winter, rosy-finches. In summer Fox Sparrow breeds in the willows beyond, and Red-naped Sapsucker is reliable. While you’re there, check out the visitor center’s terrific exhibits and have the rangers point you in the direction of recent moose sightings.
Vallecito Reservoir
This reservoir, the largest body of water in the La Plata County, is at relatively high elevation at 8,000 feet, surrounded by ponderosa pine and mixed-conifer forests. Popular with locals and tourists, the area can be busy on weekends and in the summer; amenities are available in the area, including lodging, groceries and gas. In migration, the water can attract loons, grebes, gulls, and quite a few species of ducks, including the occasional Barrow’s Goldeneye in winter. Osprey are plentiful here, and you might catch sight of a few Bald Eagles. The forests around the lake support breeding Grace’s Warblers, Hammond’s, Dusky, and Cordilleran Flycatchers, and Dusky Grouse. Bears are in the area, but mule deer are a more likely sighting.
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.
Lake Catamount
This very large and often bird-filled lake is entirely private, but can be scanned from public roads. It is usually the best waterbird spot anywhere near Steamboat Springs, and is especially good during late fall and early spring migration. Look especially for a good variety of divers, often including Barrow’s Goldeneye, as well as loons and grebes. The marshy fringes of the lake are good for Yellow-headed Blackbird and Pied-billed Grebe, while raptors such as Bald Eagles often haunt the lake itself.
Weller Lake
If you’re looking for an easy hike in the mountains near Aspen, then this is a good bet for you. It starts out in aspen forest and montane shrubland (look for Orange-crowned Warbler, Western Tanager, Red-naped Sapsucker) as well as willows (look for Fox and Lincoln’s Sparrows) before heading into nice spruce-fir woodland. Here watch for finches, including Red Crossbill, and Williamson’s Sapsucker. If you take the trail up high enough you may find higher-elevation species like American Three-toed Woodpecker and Gray Jay.
Rio Grande State Wildlife Area
As you might expect, the Rio Grande flows through this 940-acre State Wildlife Area, and the riparian trees and brush along the river support many birds in the breeding season and many more in migration. Look for Bald Eagles, especially in the colder months. Some wetlands south of the river can have herons and ducks. In the summer months you may see American Bittern’s and Sora’s. Elk and Mule deer are fairly common.
Creede
This historic silver-mining town is today a quaint little mountain village with quite a bit of personality. It’s a fine base for exploring of the southern San Juans. In town, residents feed birds that can include Steller’s Jays and many species of finch, even rosy-finches in the winter.
La Veta
This small town about 16 miles west of Walsenburg has several public areas for birding. First, a Public Nature Area on the southeast corner of Garland & Birch is located east of CSH 12 which bisects the town. Second, the Town Lakes located just southeast of town are reached by going on Cuchara Street, located at the far south end of town just before CSH 12 bends west at a convenience store. Go east on Cuchara up the hill. The road bends south to the lakes about 1 mile from town. These lakes can be good for waterfowl and Bald Eagles in fall & winter. Finally, the Wahatoya State Wildlife Area east of town is reached on Moore Ave. just south of the railroad tracks which cross CSH 12. From the highway, go east on Moore about 6-7 blocks and watch for its junction with Spruce Street, which bends left. Stay on Moore up a hill and go a short distance (about 1 mile) to the wildlife area. Daigre Reservoir is on the left, and Wahatoya Lake is on the right side of the road.
Dillon Reservoir
The birding on this large reservoir is best in late fall and early winter, when small numbers of ducks and gulls may be seen on the water, including mergansers, both species of goldeneye and occasionally Common Loon or even a scoter. Bald Eagles and Ospreys sometimes soar over the water.
Pueblo City Park
This city park has attracted far more than its share of good birds over the years. The focus of the birding is often the duck pond and its associated shade trees. Abundant waterfowl species, Canada Geese, and Wood Ducks are easily seen here for most of the year. Many of the ducks are feral, however. After you have enjoyed the waterfowl, head west towards the creek that runs through the Frisbee golf course. This is the best spot in the park for migrants. Other great birding areas include the Goodnight River Trail and Olive Marsh, both along the Arkansas River, which can be accessed via the paved trail just west of the baseball diamond. Keep an eye out for Osprey and raptors along the Arkansas River. Olive Marsh is to the east, across the river, and can be accessed via a footbridge. The Goodnight River Trail can be accessed from the newer Chain of Lakes Parking Lot along Hwy 96, which leads to Valco Ponds #4 and #5. from the newer Chain of Lakes Parking lot along Hwy 96, to visit Valco Ponds #4 and #5. The Goodnight Trail can be excellent for migrants; Olive Marsh holds waterbirds and herons. There are also paved trails east, on the south of the river which are similar to the Goodnight River Trail in terrain and habitat.
Mill Creek Road
Just east of Pagosa Springs is some of the best ponderosa pine forest in the state. Towards the end of FR 029, Williamson’s Sapsucker is the most common woodpecker, and you can also find good numbers of Virginia’s and Grace’s Warblers, Red Crossbills, and even Band-tailed Pigeons. This is the habitat in which you can find the striking Abert’s Squirrel, and it is exactly the kind of remote, lush area where you might catch a bear or a bobcat crossing the road.
Spring Creek Trail
Another great mountain trail right outside of Steamboat, this can be a great place to spend a morning on a visit to the town. The trail covers a nice elevational gradient, starting out in montane shrubland and riparian and rising up into ponderosa pine forest, aspen woodland, and open meadows. Lower down, look for species like Green-tailed Towhee, Orange-crowned and Virginia’s Warblers, Plumbeous Vireo, and Western Scrub-Jay, and higher up Steller’s Jay, Lincoln’s Sparrow, Dusky Flycatcher, and Violet-green Swallow. The upper sections of the trail are closed in the late fall and winter.
Boyd Lake State Park
In warmer months, Boyd Lake is a hotspot for boating, yet you can still see spring and summer birds of interest, including Bald Eagle, White-faced Ibis, Chimney Swift, Red-headed Woodpecker, and many interesting shorebirds, such as Black-necked Stilt and Willets. Once it starts to get chilly, Boyd Lake becomes a great place to look for Gulls, Loons, Terns, and Scoters, with possibly a rare species or two among the more common. Rarities spotted here have included Yellow-billed Loon, Black-legged Kittiwake, and Great Black-backed Gull. The park boasts over 300 species of birds on their bird list, so be on the lookout when visiting here! A State Parks pass is required for entry. Hunting occurs on this property, so be sure to check for seasonal restrictions before visiting.
Guanella Pass
One of Colorado’s Scenic Byways and mostly closed in the winter, Guanella Pass makes for a beautiful back route between I-70 and South Park, with a variety of montane habitats from willow carrs, to spruce-fir woodland, to alpine tundra. American Three-toed Woodpeckers can often be found in the forest, along with Fox Sparrows in the willows, and (with luck) White-tailed Ptarmigan on the tundra. Keep an eye out for Bald Eagles and Osprey at the reservoirs along the roadway. For those looking to hike Mt. Bierstadt, the trail from the top of Guanella goes through more prime ptarmigan habitat, as well as offers the chance of Brown-capped Rosy-Finch. Guanella is a very popular trip for leaf-peepers looking for fall aspen colors, so be prepared for long lines of traffic traveling over the pass in autumn. Bighorn sheep and Moose are commonly seen.
Boreas Pass Road (FR 404)
Another backcountry road heading into beautiful montane habitats, the Boreas Pass road is among the best places near Denver to search for highly sought after species such as American Three-toed Woodpecker and Boreal Owl (look in August, especially around the campground). Be sure to check the extensive willow habitats lower down for breeding Swainson’s Thrush, Fox Sparrow, Wilson’s Warbler, and an outside chance at Veery. The entire area is productive for spectacular alpine wildflowers and mammals such as elk, mule deer, and even the occasional black bear.
Chipeta Lake
Right in the town of Montrose, this small lake is a nice little island of trees and water that attracts migrant and breeding birds. The small ponds may have ducks at any season; the reeds around the edge will produce Common Yellowthroat and Song Sparrow in summer; and the trees around the edge and along the river are great places to look for the pendulous nests of Bullock’s Orioles. With luck, you might find a Gray Catbird or a covey of Gambel’s Quail.
Spud (Potato) Lake
Spud Lake is a small lake at the end of a one-mile hike from Old Lime Road. The trail to the lake passes through excellent forest; species like Olive-sided Flycatcher, Pine Grosbeak, Golden-crowned Kinglet, Hermit Thrush, and Wilson’s Warbler can be seen. Black Swifts sometimes hawk for insects overhead, and, if you are really lucky, you may stumble across a Northern Goshawk. There is also ample evidence of beaver. The small, lily filled pond across from the parking area for the trail sometimes has some waterbirds on it, including Pied-billed Grebe and dabbling ducks. High-elevation butterflies can be common during the warmer months with species like Chryxus Arctic, Northern Blue, and Purplish Fritillary, among others.
Mountain Home Reservoir State Wildlife Area
A small reservoir surrounded by pinyon-juniper covered hills, this lake is typically not the most productive but sometimes hosts decent numbers of ducks, gulls, and the occasional loon. Keep an eye out for the species typical of pinyon-juniper habitat, including Pinyon Jay.
Deep Creek Recreation Area
If you haven’t been to Deep Creek, you owe yourself the privilege of a trip. A gorgeous cottonwood forest rises here between rock pillars along a beautiful dipper stream. The combination of riparian woods and thickets with the pinyon-juniper and oaks that coat the hillsides makes for a fascinating combination of breeding birds, and you may find Cordilleran and Dusky Flycatchers, Northern Rough-winged Swallow, Canyon Wren, and Virginia’s and Black-throated Gray Warblers all side-by-side. Deep Creek is also a well-known place to look for butterflies during the summer months, and rare species such as Great Basin Fritillary and Colorado Hairstreak (the state butterfly of Colorado) have been seen here.
WFMC Gravel Pit
Just south of Craig, these gravel ponds are among the best waterbird spots in the area. While they are on private property, they can be scanned from the road, and usually have a good variety of dabblers, divers, an occasional loon or grebe, and shorebirds when the water is low. During the late fall and early winter this is a fairly regular spot to look for Barrow’s Goldeneye among the Common Goldeneyes. Bald Eagles are frequent in the area, especially along the Yampa River which borders the ponds to the north.
Buford Area
This small town along the Flat Tops Scenic Byway is the last place to stock up if you’re coming from Meeker. It’s also a good area to look at hummingbird feeders at the general store, which can have Black-chinned and Broad-tailed Hummingbirds. The Buford Road, which heads south from here towards I-70, passes through excellent aspen and mixed-conifer woodlands, with Purple Martin colonies, American Three-toed Woodpeckers at higher elevations, and chances for Dusky Grouse and Northern Goshawk. Along the main road below and above Buford watch for Sandhill Cranes and Bald Eagles along the riparian areas and fields. Elk and mule deer are often sighted along the road as well.
Grand Lake Area
The town of Grand Lake is the western gateway to Rocky Mountain National Park. Its namesake is the largest natural lake in Colorado, but that’s not saying much – it’s dwarfed by the adjacent Shadow Mountain Reservoir and Lake Granby. All three of these lakes are good places to see Osprey in summer and Barrow’s Goldeneye in fall before the water freezes. Once the lakes freeze, the Barrow’s usually move into the canal between Grand Lake and Shadow Mountain Reservoir, often in the company of other ducks, American Dipper, and rarely a Trumpeter or Tundra Swan.
In summer the wildlife viewing opportunities near Grand Lake are tremendous. This area is one of the best in Colorado for seeing moose, not to mention mule deer and elk. The hummingbird feeders in town are abuzz with Broad-taileds in May and June, with Rufous and Calliope Hummingbirds joining the fray in July and August. The North Inlet and East Inlet trails provide some of the best hiking in the area.
Rifle Mountain Park
This canyon with world-class cliffs is famous among rock climbers around the world. It is also a pleasant, cool, shady place in the hot summer for a picnic. Cordilleran Flycatcher, Swainson’s Thrush, Gray Catbird, Common Yellowthroat, Virginia Rail, and American Dipper can be heard in this canyon. As you leave the canyon, the habitat opens up and becomes forested with Douglas-fir, Engelmann and blue spruce and subalpine fir. Here look for Hammond’s Flycatcher, Western Tanager, Golden and Ruby-crowned Kinglets, Brown Creeper, Wild Turkey, and Hermit Thrush.
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.
Mill Creek
Mill Creek Road runs through private property on its way to the Mill-Castle Trailhead in the West Elk Wilderness. The road passes through mountain meadows and agricultural fields, following a stream with riparian willows where you might find American Goldfinch, Dusky Flycatcher, and a few species of warblers. Farther up, at the trailhead, the road reaches montane forest with mixed conifers and aspens. Those in good physical shape will find the birding excellent up the trail. Even Boreal Owls breed along this trail, although their habitat is snowed in during the season when they are calling. Up in the forest you’ll find plenty of pine squirrels and chipmunks, and with luck, you could see a pine marten. Elk sightings are possible along both the road and the trail. This is also an excellent area for butterflies in the summer.
Mount Shavano State Fish Hatchery and Frantz Lake State Wildlife Area
Frantz Lake can sometimes be good for waterfowl, and in migration you may see Ospreys from the boardwalk or along the nearby Arkansas River. In spring and fall, look for migrants in the trees on the lake’s south side. White-Faced Ibis can be seen duirng migration in adjacent drainage fields; and lots of Kingfishers and Great Blue Heron year-round.
The adjacent Mount Shavano State Fish Hatchery is open to the public, and grants access to the river.
Fish Creek State Wildlife Area
Set just off the beautiful Dolores River Valley, this small and remote SWA contains perhaps the best publicly accessible mid-elevation riparian patch in the county. Look for species such as Cedar Waxwing, Lazuli Bunting, Black-headed Grosbeak, and other birds that can be hard to find in the county. The ponderosa and scrub oak on the hillsides contain Grace’s Warbler. Deer, elk, and snowshoe hare can be seen on the property.
Jackson County Road 30
The willows between Highway 14 and the private Meadow Creek Reservoir are reliable for Veery during the summer months. The road continues past the reservoir through some decent sage, lodgepole and willow habitats, where you have more chances at Veery, Swainson’s Thrush, and American Dipper along the stream. Watch for moose anywhere in the area.
Lake Eileen
It’s a strenuous two-mile hike up to beautiful Lake Eileen in the Weminuche Wilderness. The trail climbs about 1,000 feet through aspen groves and mixed-conifer forests. Look for Hammond’s and Olive-sided Flycatchers, Williamson’s Sapsucker, Three-toed Woodpecker, and Dusky Grouse. You are likely to encounter pine squirrels, golden-mantled ground-squirrels, chipmunks and other mammals including snowshoe hare are possible.
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.
Chuck Lewis State Wildlife Area
This small SWA provides good access to the Yampa River and associated riparian habitat. Look for Western Tanager, Bullock’s Oriole, American Dipper, occasional ducks, and loads of Cliff Swallows nesting under the bridge by the entrance.
Difficult Campground
Not far to the east of Aspen, the Difficult Campground and nearby trails are a good place to get into the forest without driving too far. Along the access road to the campground you pass through excellent willow-riparian habitat, with birds such as Fox Sparrow, Violet-green Swallow, MacGillivray’s Warbler, and others. Some mixed coniferous woodland is good for birds like Brown Creeper, Hermit Thrush, Ruby-crowned Kinglet, Red Crossbill, and, if you’re lucky, Dusky Grouse.
Monte Vista National Wildlife Refuge
Ninety-five percent of the Rocky Mountain population of the Sandhill Crane migrate through the San Luis Valley each spring and fall, and a large percentage of those birds spend much of their time in and around the Monte Vista National Wildlife Refuge. This is the attraction that has brought people to Monte Vista for the annual crane festival in March for more than 25 years. Crane sightings are virtually guaranteed in spring and fall. In addition, the wildlife auto tour loop on the refuge takes you past numerous fields, ponds, and cattail marshes where you might see birds ranging from Buffleheads to bitterns and wildlife from elk to badger to muskrat. Northern Harriers cruise low over the wetlands almost year-round. A visit to this refuge is likely to be a highlight of any wildlife-watching excursion to the San Luis Valley.
FR 503 North of Creede
This is a scenic and historic road that runs through a spectacular canyon past numerous abandoned silver mines and extensive stands of bristlecone pine. White-throated Swifts hurtle overhead in the canyon, and once you emerge in the north into montane forests and meadows, almost any high-elevation bird is possible. This is also one of the areas in the San Juan mountains where you may be able to find a moose.
MacDonald’s Reservoir
You may find some good birds on this pond and its marshes. The lake is private but easily viewed from the road. If you continue on this road for several miles, you’ll reach some dead ends in good scrub oak/ponderosa habitat. These areas might be explored for the locally rare Grace’s Warblers and Hepatic Tanagers, but please respect private property while exploring.
Silverthorne
This is the first town on I-70 west of the Continental Divide, the gateway to Summit County’s famous ski areas. It’s also a great place to see Barrow’s Goldeneye in winter – a few can typically be found at the Blue River Wastewater Treatment Plant right along CO 9 north of the interstate. A good variety of other ducks are usually in the area also. In the summer, up to three active Osprey nests can be seen on artificial platforms near the highway in the first six miles north of the interstate. Sometimes flocks of rosy-finches, Evening and Pine Grosbeaks, and Cassin’s Finches descend on feeders in residential areas of the town in wintertime.
Greenway & Nature Center of Pueblo
The Greenway & Nature Center of Pueblo is a wonderful oasis along the Arkansas River west of Pueblo. Here you’ll find abundant waterfowl species, Canada geese, and Osprey and raptors can be observed along the Arkansas River. It is home to a visitor center with restaurant and viewing deck as well as the Pueblo Raptor Center, which rehabilitates injured birds of prey. It also has grounds that provide access to several of southeast Colorado’s natural ecosystems. The Arkansas River Trail, a paved pedestrian and bicycle trail, runs right past the Center, passing through nice riparian forest along the way, underneath cliffs where you might find Canyon Towhees and other rock-loving creatures. The Raptor Center is open to the public Tuesday through Sunday from 11 AM to 4 PM.
Upper San Juan River
The East Fork of the San Juan River carves a steep, lush valley out of the mountains just south of Wolf Creek Pass. Approaching from Pagosa Springs, the unpaved road follows a stream through thick willows, where you might see American Dipper or Swainson’s Thrush. Surrounding montane forest, ranging from ponderosa pine at low elevations to aspen and mixed-conifer forests higher up, might yield Grace’s Warbler or Gray Jay. The farther up the road you go, the fewer people you are likely to see, and there are some amazing vistas up the side valleys. In late September, this is an excellent place from which to observe the changing of the aspen leaves. Some abandoned mines can be seen along the upper portions of the road.
Mad Creek Trail
This trail not far outside of Steamboat is a good place to experience the montane shrubland that dominates the lower slopes in the area. Following Mad Creek, but usually high above it, the trail provides opportunities to see species like Green-tailed Towhee, Virginia’s Warbler, Steller’s Jay, and Mountain Bluebird in the Gambel Oak woodland, and American Dippers on the creek below. Garter snakes are sometimes seen here.
Lake Loveland
This medium-sized lake is right in the middle of the city of Loveland, and several city parks provide excellent access. The lake can attract various water birds, especially in the colder months, as long as there is some open water. The northwest inlet can be very good for wading birds when water levels are right. The highlight is usually the gulls, which sometimes gather here in large numbers. Rare gulls such as Glaucous, Thayer’s, and Lesser Black-backed can be regularly found in these flocks.
Empire
The little town of Empire sits right at the junction of US 40 and I-70, and while not having quite the suite of amenities as Georgetown, it does offer a good stopover for anyone looking to re-stock. Bird-wise, look for American Dipper along the creek in town, and (in winter), Rosy-finches, and Evening Grosbeaks at feeders. Bald Eagles and Osprey occasionally seen south of town near private reservoirs, and raptors, including Peregrine Falcons, have been seen roosting on rocky outcroppings. This area can also be favorable to viewing bighorn sheep.
Fairplay
Fairplay is THE major town in South Park, and a good place to stock up or spend the night during a trip to the area. Bird-wise, during winter months, there are occasional flocks of rosy-finches in town, while other typical urban species such as Eurasian Collared-Dove can be found throughout the year. If you plan to make a trip of it, there are a number of State Wildlife Areas in the region to consider; however, check Colorado Parks and Wildlife for seasonal restrictions.
Montrose
The largest town in this part of Colorado, Montrose is a great place to base yourself for a naturalist expedition to the Gunnison Basin, the northern San Juans, or the Grand Mesa or Uncompahgre Mesa. Right in town, the best birding is along the bike trail that follows the river, which winds through some nice riparian deciduous forest that can have numerous migrant birds in spring and fall and breeding species like Black-headed Grosbeak in summer.
Cascade Creek
Cascade Creek and the road paralleling it provide good access to beautiful spruce-fir woodland. If you hike the trail up the creek you will come to some gorgeous waterfalls in a couple of miles. A wide array of montane birds can be found, including Dusky and Cordilleran Flycatcher, Red-naped Sapsucker, Red Crossbill, Evening and Pine Grosbeaks, and American Three-toed Woodpecker. Chipmunks and pine squirrels are abundant.
Smith Reservoir State Wildlife Area
In a valley that is excellent and well known for waterbirds, Smith Reservoir still manages to stand out. Nearly every species of waterfowl that occurs in the state has been seen here. When the water level is low enough, the shorebirds can be out of this world. Terns and gulls of varying species can also be seen – keep an eye out especially for Black Tern, which breeds in the valley and can occur in decent numbers here. Ferruginous Hawks are seen with surprising regularity along the road between the lake and Blanca. Rabbits, coyotes, deer and pronghorn make their homes in the area around the reservoir.
Craig Station Inlet Pond
Just south of Craig, this pond, while on private property, is viewable from a public road. Being somewhat deep, it is good for diving ducks, loons, and grebes. Even rarer divers such as Canvasback and Barrow’s Goldeneye have been seen here. It is best visited during the late fall and early spring.
Big Marvine Peak
The road along Big Marvine Creek passes through excellent aspen and mixed conifer woodland; look especially for Purple Martin around the aspen stands, and Northern Goshawk throughout. Willow carrs in the area support Fox Sparrow, and typical spruce-fir birds like Pine Grosbeak, Gray Jay, and sometimes American Three-toed Woodpecker are all possible. From the end of the road a trail continues on to the Flat Tops and up to alpine tundra, though it is a rather long walk. If you decide to take the hike, keep an eye out for White-tailed Ptarmigan and Brown-capped Rosy-Finch once on the tundra.
Trail Ridge Road (Grand County section)
Some three million people drive this road each summer – the highest continuous paved road in the nation – due to its unparalleled scenery and wildlife viewing. The lower parts of the road, just inside the western boundary of Rocky Mountain National Park, provide excellent chances for up-close views of moose, mule deer, elk, chipmunks, and various birds from Red Crossbill to Three-toed Woodpecker. Higher up, at the scenic overlooks below treeline, it’s hard to miss the Steller’s Jays, Gray Jays, and Clark’s Nutcrackers as they vie with the golden-mantled ground squirrels for handouts from humans (which are against the rules in the national park). At Milner Pass, still far below treeline, the road crosses the Continental Divide. This is the starting point for the hard half-mile hike to the Crater, an excellent place to observe bighorn sheep. The Crater Trail is closed for the first half of every summer to protect the breeding sheep. Check at the park entrance for the latest information on sheep closures. Farther up the road is one of the most famous birding spots in Colorado, Medicine Bow Curve, which sits above treeline just below the Alpine Visitor Center. This is probably the best site in the nation to see the elusive White-tailed Ptarmigan. The birds have a well-deserved reputation for being extremely difficult to find, because they are very quiet and cryptically plumaged, and one must nearly step on them to discover their presence. But prior to dawn in June and early July, the male ptarmigans become audible and visible from a mile away, during their spectacular screaming courtship flights over the tundra. The alpine tundra is a harsh and fragile environment; it can threaten humans with severe weather, and humans can threaten it in return with the erosion caused by too many feet. Please be cautious during your visit and stay on trails above timberline.
Coulter Mesa
Access is by 4×4 vehicle only, but if you are looking for a place to get away from the main mass of people, Forest Road 832 is a good place to head to. It takes you up onto the southwestern end of the Flat Tops into excellent aspen woodland. Look for Purple Martin and (at night) Flammulated Owls among the more common Red-naped Sapsuckers and Warbling Vireos.
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.
Moss Lake
This is a small private lake that can be scanned from the side of the county road. Large numbers of ducks sometimes congregate here in spring and (especially) fall, and you might see shorebirds too. The wet meadows both north and south of the lake can host White-faced Ibis in migration and blackbirds and Savannah Sparrows in summer.
North Fork Reservoir Road
This road is well-maintained up to the Angel of Shavano Trailhead, however the first 4 miles from US 50 goes through private property. Birding in this 4 mile area is by car only, with little to no pull outs. The area around the trailhead can be good birding, with some nice forests of mixed conifers and aspens. Mammals that live in this area range from deer to bear. Camping is available at the nearby Angel of Shavano campground. Past the trailhead the road is inaccessible to standard vehicles. This part of the road is open to OHV and hikers only due to extremely rocky and rough roads. Clark’s Nutcrackers, Steller’s Jay, and Cassin’s Finch frequent this area.
Dunton Road (FR 535)
The whole Dunton Road can provide great birding in wet meadow and willow habitats, with birds including Evening Grosbeak, Wilson’s Warbler, Western Bluebird, Lincoln’s Sparrow, Fox Sparrow, Red-naped Sapsucker, Olive-sided Flycatcher, and Cassin’s Finch. The Calico Trail, off the eastern part of the Dunton road before it hits CO 145, probably represents the best easily-accessible roadside spruce-fir habitat in Dolores County. Here you can find Three-toed Woodpecker and, if you are lucky, Northern Goshawk. The scenery in this whole area is amazing, with El Diente and the Wilson peaks looming high over everything. Butterfly viewing can be excellent, with Purplish Fritillaries and Green Commas swarming wildflowers in the mountain meadows.
Walden
The county seat and largest town, Walden is home to a few birds that can be hard to find elsewhere in Jackson County, including Eurasian Collared-Dove. The trees in town can have migrants in season. Hummingbird feeders can attract four species in late summer, and rosy-finches occasionally visit feeders here in winter. This town is also the best (read: ‘only’) place to find good service and hotels on this trail, and an excellent base for exploring the area.
Middle Mountain Road
This very scenic road provides a great way to get into the high country near Durango, as it tops out at almost 11,000 feet on the side of Middle Mountain. A burn area near the top has been good for Three-toed Woodpeckers in recent years. Deer and elk graze in the meadows, where you might find Vesper Sparrows and American Pipits. Dusky Grouse and Merriam’s turkeys are common. You’ll be in pine marten and lynx habitat, but sightings of Pine Grosbeaks and Red Crossbills are going to be more easily spotted.
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.
Yampatika’s Environmental Learning Center at Legacy Ranch
Legacy Ranch is owned by the City of Steamboat Springs and is maintained as a working ranch and as an environmental learning center. The ranch was originally homesteaded by a woman in 1899. The Yampa River runs through the ranch. There are plans to develop trails in the near future which would open up some great birding opportunities in riparian habitat dominated by willows.
Aspen
Aspen is, perhaps, Colorado’s most famous resort town. And it shows – just about every facility you could desire is here, and it makes a good base for exploring the Roaring Fork Valley. Aspen has a lot of trees planted around town, which makes it a birdy place (look especially for finches including Cassin’s), but in general the birding is better outside of town. The one exception is in the winter, when feeders around town could have various species of finches, and fruiting Crabapple and Mountain Ash trees might have waxwings, of either species.
Alamosa
The largest town in the San Luis Valley, Alamosa is a pleasant community with all the amenities and a good base for your visit to the area. In addition, it provides some good birding of its own. The best birding is along the riverwalk that follows the Rio Grande through town. Look over the water for Barn, Cliff, Tree, and Bank Swallows, and in areas of cattails for Pied-billed Grebe, Sora, Yellow-headed Blackbird, and Great-tailed Grackle. Another place worth visiting in town is the Alamosa Ranch Grazing Area and Open Space, on the north end of town along State Avenue. Several manmade ponds here may attract shorebirds, ducks, or other waterbirds depending on season.
Broadacre Ranch Pond
This small pond is private, but easily scanned in five minutes from the north side of CO 149. Hooded Mergansers have turned up here among lots of Common Mergansers, and the pond could attract other goodies too. Don’t zoom past it if you’re headed this way.
Wahatoya Valley
CR 360 parallels Wahatoya Creek up into its lovely valley. After about 4 miles on this road watch for a sign that marks a parking area and trailhead into the Spanish Peaks Wilderness Area. A day’s hike on this trail could turn up Dusky Grouse, Three-toed Woodpeckers, sapsuckers, snowshoe hares, pine squirrels, chipmunks, and other mountain specialties. Past the trailhead, the road drops into the dense spruce canyon of Cuchara-Wahatoya Camps. In winter the area is often only accesible by snowshoe, because the road is plowed to a point just before dropping into the camps. The camps are a delightful blend of old log cabins and big spruce and fir, where nuthatches and kinglets can be found. As you return to La Veta, look to the west where you can get good views (though distant) of the back side of the amazing Devil’s Stairsteps.
Cucumber Gulch Nature Preserve
A fragile area of fen wetlands sandwiched between the town of Breckenridge and the ski area, Cucumber Gulch has been turned into a nature preserve to protect important habitat for wildlife including the endangered boreal toad, moose, beaver, and breeding birds including Wilson’s Snipe, Brown Creeper, Wilson’s Warbler, and Lincoln’s Sparrow. Although access to the gulch itself is restricted during the summer, the area is circled by hiking trails through lodgepole and spruce forest that allow many wildlife viewing opportunities. Hairy and American Three-toed Woodpeckers are possible, especially in areas with beetle-killed trees. Osprey may be seen in summer over the ponds. The gulch is bisected by the gondola, and one might see wildlife around the ponds while riding to the top of the ski area. In winter, cross-country skiing is allowed inside the gulch, and visitors must purchase a ski pass.
Lake Pueblo State Park and Pueblo Reservoir State Wildlife Area
Pueblo Reservoir is one of the largest bodies of water in Colorado, and it has one of the greatest attractions for ducks, grebes, loons and gulls. Many rare species have been documented here, and diversity can be excellent. The colder months are best for waterbirds, but summer can be productive also. The arid habitats on the land around the reservoir host Canyon Towhee, Juniper Titmouse, Scaled Quail and occasionally Greater Roadrunner. Osprey nest around the reservoir also. The State Wildlife Area is located along the south shores of the reservoir at its west end and upstream along the Arkansas River; there is a nature trail and observation platform located at Swallows in the SWA, along with a short steep trail with interpretive signage to the mesa top overlooking the river bottom. Non-birds of interest include rattlesnakes, tarantulas, coyotes, deer and lizards of several species. Pueblo Reservoir is a must-visit site for any serious naturalist!
Wolf Creek Pass
This pass is known for its scenic beauty, and much of the reputation rests on the overlook at the first big switchback west of the pass, which provides astonishing views of the valley to the west. On summer evenings the skies near the overlook fill with swifts and swallows, and birders who search each bird carefully should be rewarded with a sighting of a Black Swift from the nearby colony at Treasure Falls. Other mountain birds ranging from Western Tanager to Cassin’s Finch can also be seen at the overlook. Enjoy the view, but please don’t feed the chipmunks and golden-mantled ground-squirrels, no matter how politely they beg.
Slavonia Trailhead
Another trail accessing the Zirkel Wilderness, this is a great introduction to a variety of montane habitats. Seedhouse Road on the way to the trailhead passes through excellent aspen and coniferous woodland; look for Red-naped Sapsucker, Warbling Vireo, Dusky Flycatcher, and MacGillivray’s Warbler. Along the trail itself look in the willow carrs for Lincoln’s and White-crowned Sparrows and the local Willow Flycatcher, and in coniferous woodland for species such as Olive-sided Flycatcher and finches. A large blowdown along the trail is good for woodpeckers of various stripes, including American Three-toed. The whole area is good for elk as well.
River’s Edge Natural Area
River’s Edge Natural Area has a number of ponds that attract dabbling and diving ducks in winter, and Western Grebes and Ospreys in summer. The adjacent section of the Loveland Recreation Trail allows biking, walking, and wildlife viewing along a beautiful stretch of the Big Thompson River. The tall cottonwoods along the water attract birds such as Bullock’s Oriole in summer, and occasionally Brown Thrasher. The woods are also home to a surprising number of other urban wildlife, from coyotes to raccoons to skunks.
St. Mary’s Glacier
If you’re looking to spend a pleasant day hiking through the full suite of montane habitats, with a chance to see most of the species desired by visiting birders, all without having to travel too far from Denver, then look no further than the St. Mary’s Glacier Trail! Starting lower down, check willow thickets for Wilson’s Warbler, Fox and Lincoln’s Sparrows, and Dusky Flycatcher. In the spruce-fir woodland, you have a good shot at American Three-toed Woodpecker, Red Crossbill, and Golden-crowned Kinglet. As you break out into the stunted krummholz and finally onto alpine tundra, look for White-tailed Ptarmigan, and around rocky areas, Brown-capped Rosy-Finch. A variety of mammals are also in the area, including bighorn sheep and mountain goat. Note: there’s a daily parking fee at this location.
Weston Pass Road
There aren’t too many roads heading into the Mosquito Range on the western side of South Park, but the Weston Pass Road offers a good opportunity to experience the high country in the area. While the road surface is of varying quality (deteriorating towards the top), the habitat is anything but! Traversing everything from open country that characterises the valley floor to alpine tundra, this is a quality path to search for a wide variety of montane species. Look especially for Williamson’s Sapsuckers along the middle portions of the road, various finch species higher up, and Fox Sparrows in the larger willow carrs. Both White-tailed Ptarmigan and Brown-capped Rosy-Finch have been seen at the top of the pass, though neither are common. Weston Pass can also be a good place to look for bighorn sheep, and some of the rarer alpine butterfly species.
O’Haver Lake
O’Haver Lake Campground sits at an elevation of 9,200 feet, with ponderosa pines and aspen. Campsites are located along the shore of the lake, which is about 15 acres in size. This location is mostly a campground, but is great for day use and birding on the way to the site.
Green Place Ranch
The Green Place Ranch was originally homesteaded in 1924. The ranch is off-grid using solar and wind systems for electricity and solar thermal for hot water and heat. Natural grassfed beef, chickens and turkeys are raised without pesticides, herbicides, antibiotics and vaccines. They can all be seen grazing on the mesa. A suite of birds and other wildlife abounds in this remote location and diverse habitat.
Coal Bank Pass
The southernmost of the three high-mountain passes on US 550 sits amid beautiful spruce-fir forest. A parking area at the top of the pass is a good spot to stop and walk around a bit. Two trails provide access to the trees, where species such as Pine Grosbeak, Red Crossbill, Gray Jay, and American Three-toed Woodpecker can be found. Even if you don’t walk the trails, this a nice spot to relax for a few minutes and watch the chipmunks and golden-mantled ground squirrels.
San Luis
This small, somewhat rustic town has the distinction of being the oldest continually inhabited place in Colorado. It was founded in 1851, when this area was still part of Mexico. Drive around the town looking for city birds and feeders. There are often some hummingbird feeders around town, with as many as four species possible in the late summer/early fall. The two small sewage ponds south of town sometimes have a few ducks. Bendire’s Thrasher showed up about a mile west of town in 1993.
Trail Gulch Road
This road runs mostly through BLM land, although there is some private property along it as well. It connects I-70 with the Colorado River Road between Dotsero and Burns. The north part of the road is ruggedly scenic but sparsely vegetated. The central part of the road, however, runs through some of the best sagebrush in the area; look especially for Sage Sparrow and Sage Thrasher. Much of the best sage habitat is on private land, so be sure to bird from the road. The southern end of the road rises through some pinyon-juniper hillsides on its way up from the interstate; look here for Pinyon Jay, Juniper Titmouse, and Gray Flycatcher, among others.
Loudy Simpson Park
Welcome to northwestern Colorado’s best migrant trap! Excellent riparian habitat, combined with the island effect of being in the middle of Craig, makes this a superb place to look for a variety of passerine migrants during spring and fall migration. A half-mile loop trail goes through the best habitat, as well as a two-mile trail around the perimeter of the park. Breeding species such as Downy Woodpecker, Yellow-breasted Chat, and even the occasional Least Flycatcher add to the draw. Wintertime is quite a bit slower, but wintering sparrow flocks might be worth a look.
Trappers Lake
This large mountain lake on the northern Flat Tops is a long drive from anywhere, but it’s worth visiting to those who want to see some of the only easily accessible breeding Barrow’s Goldeneyes in the state. The lake is about a quarter-mile hike beyond the end of the road; bring a scope to help with the search. The goldeneyes should be easy to find on the lake throughout the summer. Much of the area around the lake and most of the entrance road is covered by an enormous burn area that is worth checking for woodpeckers of various species, especially American Three-toed Woodpeckers. This area is famous for prize-winning elk.
Mount Ida
If you want to attempt a difficult day hike during your stay in Rocky Mountain National Park that maximizes your opportunities for wildlife viewing, Mount Ida is the place to go. It is four miles from the Milner Pass trailhead to the peak of Ida; the first mile is unrelentingly steep, and the last three are above treeline and thus quite exposed to the weather. Hiking this mountain requires an early start and serious preparation – at a minimum, bring food, water, sturdy boots, sunscreen, and raingear.If you’re up to the hike, you have good chances at seeing bighorn sheep, ptarmigan, and Brown-capped Rosy-Finches along the way. The sheep and the ptarmigan are often right along the trail; the rosy-finches are usually on the other side of the ridge, among the snow and cliffs.
Harvey Gap State Park
This large and fairly shallow reservoir isn’t always the best for waterbirds, but it can still be worth a look, especially during spring and fall migration. The occasional loon, grebe, or gull adds some spice to the mix, and American White Pelican is sometimes found as well. The surrounding habitat is mostly made up of meadows and montane shrubland, and is often birdier than the lake itself. Species like Mountain Bluebird, Green-tailed Towhee, Violet-green Swallow, Black-billed Magpie, and Western Scrub-Jay are all possible.
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.
Dome Lakes State Wildlife Area
The two medium-sized lakes here are definitely worth a check if you are in the area. They can have breeding ducks including Green-winged and Cinnamon Teal, Gadwall, Lesser Scaup and Ring-necked Duck, and phalaropes and possibly other shorebirds in migration. Watch for coyotes hunting in nearby fields. When the rabbitbrush is in bloom, it can attract swarms of nectaring butterflies.
Monarch Pass
Although it is a high mountain pass, Monarch Pass is not above tree line. The Monarch Ski Resort maintains a chair lift that will take visitors up above 12,000 feet. The chair lift operates during the summer season and there is also a coffee shop/gift store. Flocks of crossbills and other mountain birds have been seen on and near the pass, and the campground can provide good birding also.
Navajo Lake Trail
It’s a strenuous four-mile hike up this beautiful trail to Navajo Falls, the only publicly accessible nesting site in Dolores County for Black Swift. The swifts are best found here at dawn and dusk, so an overnight trip may be required in order to see them. The falls themselves are well off the trail and it is difficult and dangerous to reach them, so we strongly recommend looking for the swifts from the trail. The spruce-fir forest, aspen and willow habitats between the trailhead and the falls will produce birds like Brown Creeper, Golden-crowned Kinglet, Hammond’s Flycatcher, Fox Sparrow and Swainson’s Thrush. Yellow-bellied Marmots are numerous in the area, and mammals from porcupine to pine marten might be seen by the fortunate. Butterfly diversity can be high here, with alpine species around Navajo Lake.
Walden Reservoir
This lake typically stands head and shoulders above the other lakes in the county with regards to bird numbers and variety. Walden usually has a little of everything: dabblers, divers, shorebirds, gulls, terns, and waders. Birds such as American White Pelican, Black Tern, and Franklin’s and California Gulls breed on islands in the middle of the lake, one of the few locations in Colorado where these species breed. The marshy fringes of the lake are good for Yellow-headed Blackbird and grebes, while mudflats on the southern and western edges of the lake are excellent for shorebirds when water is low. Raptors are often around to take advantage of the avian feast; look for Golden Eagle and Prairie Falcons especially.
Bayfield
Pine River Park in this little town has some nice riparian habitat that has Lewis’s Woodpecker, Cordilleran Flycatcher, Cedar Waxwing, Northern Rough-winged Swallow, Belted Kingfisher and the like. This is a nice little spot for a picnic not far off Highway 160. Closed in the winter.
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.
Ferndale Picnic Area
At about 9000 feet on the west side of Rabbit Ears Pass, Ferndale is a moist, shaded area with stands of tall aspen in transition to coniferous forest. Common birds here include Tree Swallow, Steller’s Jay, MacGillivray’s Warbler, and Common Raven. A good variety of woodpeckers can also be found, including Williamson’s and Red-naped Sapsuckers, Hairy Woodpecker, and, in areas of beetle kill, American Three-toed Woodpecker. Ferndale is famous as a butterfly location, with nearly a dozen species of fritillaries, among a wide variety of others.
Aspen Center for Environmental Studies (ACES)
ACES, a 22-acre wildlife preserve set aside to protect Hallam Lake, is an excellent birding spot right in the heart of Aspen. It provides good birding any time of year, especially during spring and fall migration. Look especially on the small lake for waterbirds and wading birds, both quite scarce in the Roaring Fork valley. A number of boardwalks throughout the preserve take you through a good variety of habitat, including willows, riparian, and mixed conifers. Species like MacGillivray’s and Orange-crowned Warblers, Red Crossbill, Brown Creeper, Red-naped Sapsucker, American Dipper, and others can be seen here. Both bear and beaver can be seen on the property, with luck.
ACES is also establishing a refugium for the native Colorado River cutthroat trout, which can be seen in Hallam Lake as well as in the ACES indoor trout stream facility.
South River Road (CR S-112)
This road heads south from Alamosa through wet meadows and fields that can produce large numbers of wetlands birds, especially in spring. Look for waterfowl, Wilson’s Snipe, White-faced Ibis, and American Bittern. Deer and, occasionally, pronghorn feed in some of the fields. If you stop, be careful to do so in a place where you can pull entirely off the road.
Pond along FR 523
A rather small farmer’s pond that is somewhat distant from the road, this body of water nonetheless attracts a good number of ducks in spring and fall, in addition to birds like Western Grebe and Wilson’s Phalarope, there’s osprey that feed in the small pond from a nearby nesting pair. A spotting scope is recommended to see the birds well from the public road.
Devil’s Stairsteps
A good side trip is from La Veta to the towering monumental spine of rock known as the Devil’s Stairsteps. This formation extends for miles and the view is worth the trip. Golden Eagles, Prairie Falcons, and other raptors often perch and soar along the formation. It’s also a reliable place to view White-throated Swifts. CO 12 is a narrow winding road, so please find safe places to park and walk while viewing the Stairsteps.
Boreas Pass Road
For those who want a scenic backcountry car trip on their visit to Breckenridge, this road can’t be beat, however a 4×4 vehicle is recommended. It winds up through lodgepole pine and spruce-fir forests to a series of beautiful mountain meadows near treeline. The road doesn’t quite get high enough to be a reliable site to find ptarmigan, but some hiking up nearby mountains from the pass could produce them. Moose, elk, mule deer, and yellow-bellied marmots may be seen along the road. Regular breeding birds include Red Crossbill, White-crowned and Lincoln’s Sparrows, Ruby-crowned and Golden-crowned Kinglets, and Mountain Chickadee.
Pueblo West
Pueblo West is a sprawling suburb of Pueblo. Driving the residential roads gives you a good chance of finding coveys of Scaled Quail scurrying between the cholla patches, and with some luck, you might find Curve-billed Thrasher. Keep an eye out for various songbirds, Greater Roadrunner, Burrowing Owl, Ferruginous Hawk, Lark Bunting and raptors. Most of the birding here is done from the road; please be respectful of the owners when searching for birds in people’s yards.
Big Meadows Reservoir State Wildlife Area
This small body of water near Wolf Creek Pass is not normally noted for attracting many waterbirds, but in 2002 a Brown Pelican was found here. The surrounding high-elevation forests are good for all the usual spruce-fir birds, including Pine Grosbeak. Snowshoe hares, deer, elk, and marmots are in the area as well. The forest service campground here has interpretive programs in summer.
Pearl Lake State Park
One of the most remote state parks in the state is also one of the most beautiful. Surrounded by gorgeous coniferous forests, it is a good place to look for species such as Olive-sided Flycatcher, Pine Grosbeak, Golden-crowned Kinglet, and, if you’re lucky, Dusky Grouse in the evergreen forest. Red-naped Sapsucker and Flammulated Owl nest in the aspen woodlands. Sandhill Cranes can sometimes be found in montane meadows nearby. Tiger salamanders and striped chorus frogs can be seen in the wet areas.
De France Reservoir (and nearby ponds)
De France Reservoir and the other nearby private lakes are easy to scan from the road. These waters sometimes host good numbers of waterbirds, such as ducks, geese, and pelicans, as well as hold potential for shorebirds. Check the trees around the lake for roosting Great Horned Owls and other birds.
Idaho Springs
The largest town in Clear Creek County is also the best place to base yourself for a trip up Mt. Evans, as well as other high-country destinations. Idaho Springs is a good place to stock up before a trip to the backcountry, or visit a restaurant to celebrate your return. Birding opportunities in town are more limited, but a bike path along the nearby river sometimes has American Dipper, occasional raptors, lots of crows and others.
High Creek Fen Preserve
One of a very few ‘extreme rich fens’ in the United States, High Creek is home to fourteen state-rare plant species (a fen is a high-altitude, peat-producing wetland, typically found from 9,000 to 12,000 feet). The fen is also home to nesting Wilson’s Phalaropes and a few Mountain Plovers, which have a little-known population in South Park. There are no established trails, so visitors will have to walk through this marshy territory with waterproof footwear. Given the number of deer flies at this location, be sure to bring appropriate protection. Please leave pets at home when exploring this special area.
Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park
World-famous for scenery, this national park is also well-known among birders as a site for the often-elusive Dusky Grouse. Male grouse perform their spring displays individually in the oaks along the south rim road in spring. Green-tailed Towhees are numerous in the park, and this is a terrific place to see White-throated Swifts swooping dramatically along the cliff edges at eye level, to the music of Canyon Wrens. Sometimes even Gunnison Sage-grouse are seen near the park entrance. Mule deer can be numerous, and you are likely to see fat gray rock squirrels perched like hawks on top of shrubs.
Andrews Lake
Situated on a small bench near Molas Pass, this is the epitome of scenic mountain lakes. The lake itself is not very good for waterbirds, but the boggy willows can support Fox and Lincoln’s Sparrows, Wilson’s and MacGillivray’s Warblers, and Dusky Flycatcher, and the spruce-fir could produce Pine Grosbeak, Hammond’s Flycatcher, Red Crossbill, and more. During the winter months White-tailed Ptarmigan can be found around the lake, though you will have to snowshoe in from the highway to find them. Look in the bogs for alpine butterflies, especially in late summer.
Sanchez Reservoir State Wildlife Area
Sanchez Reservoir is among the largest in the San Luis Valley, as well as among the most productive. The southern end can be frustrating to scan; most of the birds are usually on the north end. Look for just about any regular duck species during migration, shorebirds when the water level is sufficiently low, gulls, and sometimes loons and grebes. The small riparian areas nearby could have some passerines, and the sage flats that dominate this part of the valley have Sage Sparrow and Sage Thrasher. Black-tailed jackrabbits and desert cottontails are common in the same habitat.
Derby Mesa
The Derby Mesa Loop, a 17-mile loop along Derby Creek, takes in beautiful scenery and reaches up into aspen and spruce-fir habitat. Northern Goshawk and Dusky Grouse can both be found here, though you’ll need some luck with the former, and the latter is easiest in the spring when displaying. In the lower portions, where the road passes through montane shrubland, watch for Green-tailed Towhee, Orange-crowned and Virginia’s Warblers, and Plumbeous Vireo. Higher up, MacGillivray’s Warbler, Red-naped Sapsucker, and the occasional Purple Martin are possible. Elk, mule deer, and marmots can be seen, sometimes in good numbers. Some of this area is inaccessible when there is snow on the roads.
Yampa River State Park (river access points)
This is Colorado’s most wide-flung state park, but only the area around the headquarters is really worth birding. Here an excellent visitor center combines with beautiful riparian habitat and a nice nature trail to make for a good birding location. It is also a good spot to camp near Craig or Hayden. Look for species like Yellow-breasted Chat, Lazuli Bunting, Bullock’s Oriole, Downy Woodpecker, and others. Cooper’s and Red-tailed Hawks nest in the area, and Sandhill Cranes can often be seen in wet fields nearby. Rare riparian species such as Veery or Least Flycatcher are also sometimes seen. The Yampa is one of the most biologically intact rivers in the west, supporting at least four endangered and threatened fish species.
Ripple Creek Pass and Vaughan Lake
The Flat Tops Scenic Byway over Ripple Creek Pass goes through some of the most beautiful coniferous woodlands and montane meadows in northwestern Colorado. This not only makes for a very scenic and enjoyable trip, it also makes for good birding. Species such as Red Crossbill, Hammond’s, Dusky, and Cordilleran Flycatchers, Golden-crowned Kinglet, and even less common birds like American Three-toed Woodpecker, Dusky Grouse, and Northern Goshawk are all possible here. The meadows have species such as Violet-green Swallow, Vesper Sparrow, and Mountain Bluebirds, among others. Also of greatest interest is a colony of Purple Martins near Vaughan Lake; watch for them especially in areas of large, old-growth aspen woodland. The Flat Tops are famous for their elk, and this is among the best areas to see them. Butterfly diversity during the summer months here is also wide and excellent.
Windy Gap Watchable Wildlife Area
There are almost always birds on this reservoir, including several species of ducks, Canada Geese, and often some gulls or terns in migration. The water is easy to scan from the parking lot of the watchable wildlife area along US 40, which is a good place for a picnic. Viewing scopes are available to help you scan the water. Wyoming ground squirrels can be seen near the parking lot, and the reintroduced population of river otter may be rarely glimpsed along the river upstream or downstream from the reservoir.
Jerry Creek Reservoirs
These two medium-sized reservoirs have some of the best waterbirding in the area, and are worth the short walk it takes to scan them. They are best in the late fall and early winter, when a wide variety of birds can be found. Of particular note is a fairly decent chance at seeing Barrow’s Goldeneye and semi-regular Long-tailed Ducks. Less common birds such as loons and grebes also show up here. You can almost always find a Bald Eagle in the fall and spring.
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.
Cebolla Trail
This is a remote and little-visited area that will reward the visitor with some rarely-seen vistas and lots of wildlife viewing opportunities. The road runs through mountain meadows, mixed-conifer forests, some terrific aspen stands, and at the highest elevations, some spruce-fir forest complete with Pine Grosbeak. Roadside willow carrs hold breeding Fox Sparrows, among many other birds. From the Cebolla Trailhead, if you are in excellent physical condition, you can hike through more spruce-fir and willow habitats to the alpine tundra on the slopes of Mount Baldy Chato, where you will find breeding American Pipit, Brown-capped Rosy-Finch, and (if you are lucky) White-tailed Ptarmigan.
St. Elmo/Chalk Creek Canyon
This canyon is full of natural beauty and historic interest. The Chalk Cliffs Fish Hatchery hosts Bald Eagles in winter, and the Love Meadow viewing area can provide views of bighorn sheep in summer. Far up the canyon is the historic mining town of St. Elmo, now mostly a ghost town. Historic buildings in various states of disrepair and restoration are all privately owned, so please be respectful. Birders will find much to interest them here, including fine examples of willow, aspen and spruce-fir habitat, the latter mostly above St. Elmo. These high forests could provide views of Three-toed Woodpecker or Pine Grosbeak. The Mt. Princeton Hot Springs provide a nice way to relax when you’re done exploring the area.
Rico
This quaint mountain hamlet is tiny, but can seem bustling and trendy in the summer. You can cruise the neighborhood streets looking for seed feeders which might attract finches including rosy-finches in the winter; and in the summer, hummingbird feeders, which might attract Broad-tailed, Rufous and Calliope hummingbirds, the latter two in July and August. Swainson’s Thrush and Fox Sparrow breed in the willows right along the river in town. This is not a bad place to base yourself if you want to explore the out-of-the-way areas of eastern Dolores County.
Cowdrey Lake State Wildlife Area
When not busy with boaters, this lake can be productive for waterbirds, including mixed flocks of geese, diving ducks, and even loons in fall. There is a nice patch of thick vegetation along the southeast shore where migrant passerines are sometimes concentrated and species such as Lincoln’s Sparrow breed. Golden Eagles and (in the winter) Rough-legged Hawks are common in the area, and keep an eye out for moose in any wet spot nearby.
Saul’s Creek
This area contains a mix of ponderosa forest and mountain meadows, with some pinyon-juniper creeping in around the edges. It’s a relatively untraveled area, and birds can be numerous; expect breeding Pine Siskin, Plumbeous Vireo, Western Tanager, and Williamson’s Sapsucker, with a chance at lower-elevation birds like Gray and Ash-throated Flycatcher also. You could find the tassel-eared Abert’s squirrel with some luck, although pine squirrels are more likely.
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.
Rabbit Ears Pass and Muddy Pass
These two relatively low passes are on the Continental Divide just east of Steamboat Springs. Both pass through excellent forest and montane meadows, though Rabbit Ears is the more vegetated of the two. The recent lodgepole pine die-off has made the whole area excellent for woodpeckers, including American Three-toed, which is found reliably on Rabbit Ears. Other species include Williamson’s Sapsucker, Pine Grosbeak, Golden-crowned Kinglet, Lincoln’s Sparrow, Mountain Bluebird, and at night, Northern Saw-whet Owl. The area around Muddy Pass Lake often has Osprey during the breeding season, and the whole area during the winter can be good for finches and Gray Jay.
Castle Creek
Castle Creek will give you nearly everything you would find at Maroon Lake, minus the heavy traffic. While the views may not be as world famous, they certainly aren’t too shabby, and bird-wise you’ll find many of the same species. Look for MacGillivray’s Warbler, Lincoln’s and Fox Sparrows, American Dipper, Steller’s and Gray Jays, and various finch species.
Alamosa National Wildlife Refuge
This national wildlife refuge provides an auto-tour loop that traverses some of the very best and most extensive cattail marshes in Colorado. Birds found here include Sora, Virginia Rail, American Bittern, Great-tailed Grackle, and Marsh Wren (abundant). Muskrats are common, and with luck you might spot a mink. Because of the dense cattails, this refuge does not host as many Sandhill Cranes as the Monte Vista refuge does, but you might see them here in spring and fall. CR S-116, which runs north-south along the east side of the refuge, can provide some excellent birding opportunities as well, especially for those willing to scan distant ponds with a spotting scope. Deer and elk are resident in the area. The saltbush flats to the east of the road, especially in the area across from the hunter’s access parking lot, can be full of Sage Sparrows in spring and summer, not to mention Vesper and Brewer’s Sparrows and Sage Thrasher, black-tailed jackrabbits and coyotes.
Reservoirs along CO 149
Surrounded by miles of mountainous terrain with very little standing water, these small and rather nondescript ponds can attract many waterbirds in spring and fall, including various ducks, Western and Eared Grebes, Bald Eagles, and Peregrine Falcons have been seen hunting here. Mountain Bluebirds breed in the nearby meadows, which provide grazing areas for elk, deer, and occasionally moose.
Cucharas Creek Road
Some of the premier road-accessible high-elevation habitats in the county can be found along Cucharas Creek near Cucharas Pass. Willow and aspen habitats are well-represented along with spruce-fir forest. The road also provides access to a trailhead for the 13,517-foot Trinchera Peak, where ptarmigan may await the determined hiker. The road is partially closed in the winter, and there are lots of downed trees from wind.
Blue Lakes Road
Just off of Highway 9 on the way up Hoosier Pass from Breckenridge is this little gravel side road which quickly leads to some of the most spectacular scenery in Summit County. In less than two miles from the highway, the forest shrinks from tall spruce-fir to stunted treeline krummholz, and near the end the road breaks treeline altogether. The small rodent-like animals called pikas, which are related to rabbits, are easy to see in boulder fields near the end of the road. White-crowned Sparrows breed abundantly here, and many other birds such as Wilson’s Warblers and American Pipits may be seen. History buffs will enjoy the views of several abandoned mines.
Brush Hollow State Wildlife Area and Reservoir
Brush Hollow State Wildlife Area is centered on Brush Hollow Reservoir, which is very popular with boaters and fishermen in summer but provides good birding at other times of year. Check the water for waterfowl and the edges in spring and fall for Blue Heron and other shorebirds. Osprey also frequent the area. In the pinyon-juniper forests on the west side of the lake, look for Bushtit, Juniper Titmouse, and Pinyon Jay, among other specialties. The riparian area below the dam is excellent for birding year-round. Mammals in the area include pronghorn, prairie-dogs, mule deer, coyotes, foxes, rabbits, rock squirrels and chipmunks. There are a few miles of loosely defined trail around the reservoir and connections to a larger network of trails used by bikers and OHVs. Do keep an eye out for rattlesnakes and be aware that mud can impede vehicle access to some areas.
Park Creek
This is a good road to Summitville from US 160. At the beginning of the road, in the riparian trees along the Rio Grande, look for Lazuli Bunting and Black-headed Grosbeak, in addition to American Dipper along the river. As you follow the road higher, keep an eye out for Dusky Grouse, Cassin’s Finch, and White-crowned, Lincoln’s, and Fox Sparrows. Boreal Owl has been heard in early fall near the top of this road. Deer and elk are likely to be seen, and coyotes are a good bet too.
Steamboat Lake State Park
A large, very scenic lake nested in a wide valley, Steamboat Lake is an excellent all-around birding site and well worth a visit. The lake itself has a good number of nesting waterfowl (mostly common species), and can be a decent stop during migration for a variety of divers and sometimes a loon or a grebe. The meadows on the way there and around the lake are good for Sandhill Crane, and marshy areas along the lake margin have Yellow-headed Blackbird and Savannah Sparrow. Lodgepole pine woodlands surrounding the lake it is a good place to find Yellow Warblers, White-crowned Sparrows, Ruby-crowned Kinglets, Western Tanagers, Red-napped Sapsuckers and Mountain Chickadees. and other common montane forest species. Mule deer and red foxes are common in the park.
Carter Lake County Park
Popular with boaters and cyclists, Carter Lake is a terrifically scenic county park nestled between the Ponderosa forests of the foothills and the rocky Dakota Hogback ridge. It’s a good place to find birds of the foothills such as Mountain Bluebird; in summer, Rock Wrens and Cliff Swallows can be found at the dam. In winter, watch for ducks, loons, and gulls on the water before it freezes. Along the trails, be sure to look for the tassel-eared Abert’s Squirrel. You can also visit Flatiron and Pinewood Reservoirs (northwest of Carter) for more viewing opportunities, but be aware entry fees apply.
Mount Evans
Colorado is famed for its 14ers – that is peaks over 14,000 feet – and to get to most of them you need to hike for several miles. Not so with Mt. Evans, where the highest road in the US (and a Colorado Scenic Byway) ascends to within a couple hundred feet of the summit. In the process, you pass beautiful spruce-fir woodland, some of the oldest bristlecone pines in the world, and extensive alpine tundra. From a birding perspective, Mt. Evans is most famed as one of the easiest locations to find Brown-capped Rosy-finch – look along the trail around Summit Lake. At the summit, Rocky Mountain bighorn sheep, mountain goat, American Pika, and Yellow-bellied Marmots are common residents. Also look for White-tailed Ptarmigan, and down in the forest, American Three-toed Woodpecker, Williamson’s Sapsucker, Clark’s Nutcracker, and others. Echo Lake Lodge, at the base of the Mt. Evans Highway, has good hummingbird feeders during the summer months, and the adjacent Echo Lake has had breeding Barrow’s Goldeneye the past few years. When open, Mt. Evans is very busy and though animals may seem tame and tolerant of people, they are still wild and potentially dangerous. Always keep a safe distance from wildlife, do not feed wildlife, please stay on trails, and do not cross the fragile tundra. Timed entry reservations are required and can be obtained through recreation.gov.
Antero Reservoir
The large, shallow Antero Reservoir tends to have three stages: chock full of water (and birds!), completely dry, or completely frozen. When it is full in the liquid state, it is among the best birding lakes in the mountains, and can be absolutely carpeted with a wide variety of waterfowl, American White-Pelicans, grebes of various species, and even shorebirds that are typically hard to come by in the area. In times of higher water, you may find smaller pools of water along the entrance road, allowing for a closer look at birds and even better for shorebird species. The open country around the reservoir can have flocks of bluebirds, Horned Larks (with a few Lapland Longspurs mixed in during late fall), or raptors of various species (look for Rough-legged Hawk in late fall/winter).
Owl Creek Pass Road
This is a remote and beautiful area with some terrific views of the north San Juan mountains. The gravel roads wind through mountain meadows, aspen groves, and spruce-fir forests. The birdlife is diverse; look for Mountain Bluebirds, Fox Sparrows, Dusky Flycatchers, and in the spruce-fir, Three-toed Woodpecker or even Northern Goshawk. Butterflies here may include Mustard White and Queen Alexandra’s Sulphur. This is part of the area where Lynx have been reintroduced, but you will be exceedingly lucky to see one.
Little Molas Lake
This small lake just south of Silverton is a good spot to camp out and bird in spruce-fir woodland: species such as American Three-toed and Hairy Woodpeckers, Pine Grosbeak, Red Crossbill, and Gray Jay are possible. During the winter months the adventurous snowshoe in to look for White-tailed Ptarmigan in the willows around the frozen lake. Pine squirrels and snowshoe hares can be found in the area.
Costilla CR G
In an area filled with sagebrush, this road has some of the best. Sage Sparrow is downright common, as is Sage Thrasher. A few Mountain Plovers breed in the area, though they can be rather hard to find. This road crosses the Rio Grande River on the historic Lobato Bridge, built in 1892 and, thankfully, restored in 2006. Keep an eye out for short-horned lizard and western rattlesnake along the roads in the area.
Catamount Recreation Site
The Catamount Recreation site is used as a launch site for whitewater rafters, but is also a good spot to have a picnic while birding the riparian habitat along the Colorado River. The best habitat is actually along the entrance road. Look for species like Yellow-breasted Chat, Lazuli Bunting, Bullock’s Oriole, Common Merganser on the river, and migrants in season.
Elkhead Reservoir and State Park
The largest body of water in far northwestern Colorado isn’t always the most productive, but it still can be good for ducks (especially divers, as the water is fairly deep), loons, and grebes. When the water is low there can be extensive mudflats that are good for migrating shorebirds. The lake is surrounded by extensive sage flats that have Sage Thrasher and Brewer’s Sparrow, among others. Willow riparian just to the east of the lake can be a good place to look for Sharp-tailed Grouse during the fall and winter months.
Dunckley Pass
Just to the east of Ripple Creek Pass, the forest (and birds) here are fairly similar, with more meadows, and especially more aspen woodland. Dusky Grouse can be seen along this stretch of road with some regularity, and this part of Colorado has among the highest density of Northern Goshawk in the state. Watch also for Purple Martins in areas with abundant aspens, and Fox and Lincoln’s Sparrows in willow-choked drainages. Restrooms and picnic tables are available at the Dunckley Pass Picnic Area.
Cabin Creek Road and CO 125
CO 125 follows Willow Creek north from Windy Gap over Willow Creek Pass and into North Park. Along the way, it passes through scenic mountain forests and a few meadows with a variety of birds, from Dusky Flycatcher to Western Tanager. Sometimes elk graze in the meadows. American Dippers can be seen along Willow Creek year-round, though they are often easier to find in winter when there is less open water to search. This road can be busy; make sure to stop only at pullouts. The Cabin Creek area is a great little side trip off of CO 125. The lower part of the creek passes beautiful riparian willows and spruces where the likes of MacGillivray’s Warblers may be found. This part of the creek is popular with campers in summer. The farther up the road you travel, the fewer people you will encounter. Eventually you will arrive at areas of lodgepole pine devastated by the mountain pine beetle, but still providing habitat for interesting birds such as Townsend’s Solitaire, Pine Grosbeak, Clark’s Nutcracker, and a variety of woodpeckers.
Grand Mesa
The Grand Mesa, one of the largest table mountains in North America, provides a first-class nature experience. Accessible year-round, the Mesa has something to offer at any time, day or night. A large variety of roads access the mesa, but the best is CO 65, which crosses from north to south and connects a number of trails and recreation areas. One of the better places to stop is the Mesa Lakes area, which has a variety of trails into spruce-fir woodland. Look for American Three-toed Woodpecker, Gray and Steller’s Jays, Clark’s Nutcracker, and if you’re lucky, White-winged Crossbill. American Dipper is regular along streams in the area. The Mesa Lakes Lodge has busy bird feeders for much of the year. Not far to the south the highway crosses a number of willow carrs that have Fox Sparrow in summer, amid the more common Wilson’s Warblers and Lincoln Sparrows. The entire roadside is good for finches of all stripes, including Red Crossbill and Pine Grosbeak, especially in winter. If you visit this area at night, listen for Northern Saw-whet and Boreal Owls (this is one of the best places in western Colorado for the latter). At the southern end of the mesa is a well laid-out visitor center surrounded by meadows and coniferous woodland; this is one of the best areas to listen for Boreal Owl and look for White-winged Crossbill. The Grand Mesa is about more than just birds; it is also one of the few places in this part of Colorado where moose can be seen (though they are rare); other mammal possibilities include bighorn sheep, mule deer, elk, and if you are lucky, something like pine marten or badger.
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.
Cumberland Pass
This high pass provides some of the best and easily accessible tundra in this part of Colorado, and a walk in the area during the summer should produce American Pipit, Brown-capped Rosy-Finch (in rocky areas), White-tailed Ptarmigan and White-crowned Sparrow. The wildflowers in late June and July can be truly spectacular, and a number of butterfly species (some glacial relicts with the closest populations found in Alaska) take advantage of the show. Look for the adorable alpine animal called the pika, but don’t feed them if you find them.
Bolam Pass Road
Although the lower portions of this road can accommodate cars, the upper portions should only be traveled by four-wheel-drive vehicles with high clearance. The lower part of the road runs through mixed-conifer forests; butterfly enthusiasts can look in the meadows for Northern Blues. The upper part of the road accesses some excellent spruce-fir habitat where Boreal Owls have been heard at night.
Arapaho National Wildlife Refuge
Aside from the numerous lakes and ponds the provide ample habitat for ducks, shorebirds and the Peregrine Falcons that eat them, this refuge is also the best place in Colorado to find Greater Sage-Grouse outside the lekking season. Driving the refuge road at dawn or dusk gives you nearly even odds of finding these magnificent birds, and you may also see Short-eared Owls (which are uncommon at best). The series of ponds are excellent for ducks, especially dabblers and Ruddy Duck, and are also a good place to get exceptionally close views of nesting Eared Grebes, Marsh Wrens, and Yellow-headed Blackbirds. When the water is low look for shorebirds, which usually include American Avocet, Wilson’s Phalarope, and Baird’s Sandpipers, in season. Moose, elk, mule deer, coyotes, and jackrabbits are sometimes seen in the area as well.
Beaver Creek Road (FR 135)
To hear owls, this is a good place to visit at night. Flammulated and Great Horned Owls are often heard here on late spring and early summer evenings; Northern Saw-whet Owl is possible, as is Northern Pygmy-Owl, which usually only vocalizes at dawn and dusk, but rarely in the middle of the night.
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.
Wolford Mountain Reservoir
This large reservoir is popular with boaters and fishermen, but it can attract waterbirds, especially in late fall. Look for loons, grebes, ducks, and gulls. The campground includes accessible facilities and 48 sites with RV electrical hookups. There is a fee for entry.
Maroon Lake
It is said that no place in Colorado is more beautiful, or more photographed, than the Maroon Bells from Maroon Lake. The views from here are world-class, and the whole area is also quite birdy, from the road in to the trail around the lake at the end. Abundant traffic along the road during periods when it is open to personal vehicles makes birding the mornings and evenings along the road itself a bit of a pain. Better would be to drive to the end of the road, and walk the trails; watch for American Dipper, Pine Grosbeak, Red Crossbill, Gray and Steller’s Jay, and MacGillivray’s Warbler, among others. Black Swifts nest way up in the mountains above the lake, but can sometimes be seen high in the sky foraging. You won’t be able to miss the chipmunks and golden-mantled ground squirrels.
Medano-Zapata Ranch
Adjacent to the Great Sand Dunes, this Nature Conservancy preserve offers a one-mile trail through cottonwoods and wetland habitats that is open to visitors March to October. Other parts of the enormous property can be visited by joining a guided ranch tour, which may afford you the opportunity to view the ranch’s large bison herd. The nature trail leads through a very pleasant park-like woodland where you are quite likely to find breeding Black-headed Grosbeaks, Bullock’s Orioles, and Western Tanagers. Look carefully at any large clump of sticks in the trees–it could be the nest of a Great Horned Owl or a Cooper’s Hawk, or it could be a sleeping porcupine. If you get the chance to visit this place, don’t pass it up!
Rio Grande Reservoir and Road Canyon Reservoir
The small Road Canyon Reservoir often hosts migrating diving ducks such as Ring-necked Duck, Redhead, and Lesser Scaup. Rio Grande Reservoir is the largest lake in Hinsdale County and part of the headwaters of the same Rio Grande that eventually flows between Texas and Mexico. Although it is not a great place to look for ducks, it is a beautiful body of water with an impressive backdrop of the San Juan Mountains. Large herds of elk can sometimes be seen in the meadows near the lake.
Cordova Pass
In addition to providing some of the best road access to high-mountain forests in Las Animas County, this pass also provides magnificent views of the Spanish Peaks and the many dikes radiating out like spokes in a wheel. Practically all the normal high-elevation species can be found here, including Gray Jay, Dusky Grouse, and American Three-toed Woodpecker. Be aware driving this road is difficult in the winter months.
Shrine Pass
Shrine Pass is a slow, scenic, road-less-traveled alternative to I-70 over Vail Pass, considerably better for birding. As the unpaved road rises out of the village of Red Cliff, it follows a beautiful stream with lots of willow up a tight valley through aspens and mixed conifers. Along this stretch look for species such as Swainson’s Thrush, MacGillivray’s Warbler, and American Dipper. The road then runs through several miles of truly excellent spruce-fir forest before the pass; birds like Pine Grosbeak, Gray Jay, American Three-toed Woodpecker, and Golden-crowned Kinglet could be found. The views of Mount Holy Cross from the pass are among the best in the state.
Florence
Florence is a good birding town along the Arkansas River. To the east of town is Florence River Park, which can attract migrant land birds in spring and fall. In the marsh, look for herons, egrets, rails, and (in winter) Swamp Sparrow and Marsh Wren. The Blue Heron BLM area is located along CO 115 just on the north side of the Arkansas River east of Florence, while Pathfinder Park is located along CO 115 on the south side of the Arkansas River west of Florence. Blue Heron is managed by AHRA/CPW under cooperative management with BLM. Florence Mountain Park is located west of CO 67 on county road 15.
Summitville area
Summitville is the site of an old abandoned mining town and a more-recently abandoned open-pit gold mine. Although the mine seriously polluted the area’s creeks and rivers in the 1980s and 1990s, the surrounding spruce-fir forests remain some of the healthiest and most extensive in the state. A good map will be essential, as the road system is substantial. In addition to the usual high-elevation wildlife like Red Crossbills, Gray Jays, Pine Grosbeaks, elk, marmots, pine martens, porcupines, and snowshoe hares, the intrepid and lucky might find Boreal Owls here at night in summer and fall. If the weather is good and the transmission tower road has been maintained, you may be able to drive up to near the summit of Grayback Mountain, above treeline, where the tundra can produce butterflies such as Phoebus Parnassian and Mead’s Sulphur. This is a remote and seemingly pristine area with numerous rewards for nature watchers.
Hahns Peak Lake
This small mountain lake usually isn’t worth a visit for waterbirds, but the excellent montane forest surrounding it is another story entirely. Mixed lodgepole and ponderosa pine, with a good dose of aspen, make this a good place to look for species like Olive-sided, Cordilleran, and Dusky Flycatchers, Williamson’s Sapsucker, and at night, Flammulated Owl.
Lon Hagler State Wildlife Area
Lon Hagler SWA in Loveland is a bird magnet, especially in late fall and early spring. The reservoir attracts ducks, loons, grebes, gulls, and sometimes shorebirds when water levels are right. Occasionally, a few Trumpeter or Tundra Swans spend much of the winter on the lakes in this area. Hunting occurs on this property, so be sure to check for seasonal restrictions before visiting.
Mount Evans State Wildlife Area
Not to be confused with the famous Mt. Evans, this State Wildlife Area actually has some beautiful mature Ponderosa forest, with possible species including Williamson’s Sapsucker, Pygmy Nuthatch, Western Bluebird, and Cassin’s Finch.
NOTE: This State Wildlife Area is completely closed to public access between January 1 to June 14, as it is critical winter and breeding grounds for elk. Additionally, use is restricted to only fishing and hunting activities from the day after Labor Day to end of 4th rifle season, typically the end of the 3rd week in November. Vehicles are restricted from entering the day after Labor Day until June 14. Camping is limited to 5 days in any 45-day period, except during big game seasons. Dogs are prohibited, except when used in hunting, or on a leash. Be sure to check current hunting, fishing and land use regulations when planning to visit a State Wildlife Area.
Spinney Mountain State Park
Somewhat deeper and more consistently full than Antero Reservoir, Spinney Mountain provides great opportunities for viewing waterfowl, as the reservoir hosts an amazing number of birds, especially in the fall. Spinney is also one of the best lakes in the state to look for less common diving species, including all three scoters, Pacific Loon, and Red-necked Grebe. Shorelines provide the chance to view plovers, sandpipers, and phalaropes. In the prairie habitat around the reservoir, you may spot Horned Lark, Mountain Bluebird, and Vesper Sparrow, along with the occasional rosy-finch during inclement weather. Many rarities have shown up in the area, so keep an eye out! A State Parks pass is required for entry. Hunting occurs on this property, so be sure to check for seasonal restrictions before visiting.
Rainbow Lake Road (CR 724)
A summertime destination, this road climbs from the shores of Blue Mesa Reservoir into the high montane forests, passing through sagebrush and montane shrub habitats along the way. In the sagebrush look for Sage Thrashers and Brewer’s Sparrows; in the shrublands, for Green-tailed Towhees and MacGillivray’s Warblers. The high country can produce Clark’s Nutcracker, Gray Jay, Red Crossbills, and Pine Grosbeak. Mule deer are numerous here, and you might see elk or even bear. Alpine areas are accessible by hiking and only those in good physical condition should attempt to climb South Baldy. There is a camping area at Rainbow Lake. Make sure to bring your camera! The wildflowers are stunning in this area, especially in July.
Molas Lake
Molas Lake is not only the largest lake in San Juan County, it also has the most tourist infrastructure. The lake itself often holds some ducks and other waterbirds during the warmer months, and the willows around the lake could harbor Fox and Lincoln’s Sparrows, Wilson’s and Orange-crowned Warblers, and Swainson’s Thrush. During the later summer look for up to three species of hummingbirds at the feeders. The lake itself and the campground are owned by the town of Silverton.
Pike’s Stockade Historic Monument
Zebulon Pike is generally known for donating his name to Pike’s Peak. Some also remember his epic journey to the then-poorly-known western U.S. Less well-known is that he spent a good deal of time in a Spanish jail for trespassing. This is where he trespassed, unfurling the American flag over territory then owned by Spain. Now owned by the state historical society, it is open during summer to tourists. The entrance road behind the gate happens to pass through a remarkable willow swamp that has a good population of Southwest Willow Flycatchers, and the riparian forest that abuts the state property is absolutely the best in the valley. Everything off the state property is off-limits, but this is a must-stop visit for birders in summer. Also note that mosquitoes here are an order of magnitude worse than ANYWHERE else in Colorado – bring repellent.
Gypsum Ponds State Wildlife Area
This small SWA right off of I-70 is often worth a quick stop. The ponds are shallow but good for dabbling ducks; Osprey can sometimes be seen in the area during the summer, and Bald Eagle at other times of year. Large cottonwoods along the Eagle River are worth checking out for migrants and breeding species such as Warbling Vireo, Yellow Warbler, Western Kingbird, and others. Muskrats are often seen cruising the ponds.
Elkhead Ranch
This private working ranch includes 9,500 scenic acres of pastures, creeks, forests, wetlands and meadows. The ranch has been in operation since 1883 and was designated a state historic site in 1996. Most of the ranch is now protected under conservation easement.
Black Mountain (Elkhead Mountains)
The Elkhead Mountains rise like a dark hulk out of the flatlands north of Craig, providing a welcome bit of coolness during the hot summer months and a way to escape the dry sage flats into dense forest. The main road through the mountains, Moffat CR 27, starts out in sage flats (with species such as Sage Thrasher, Greater Sage-Grouse, Brewer’s Sparrow, and Common Poorwill) and rises up into aspen and coniferous forests (with the likes of Red-naped Sapsucker, Violet-green Swallow, Warbling Vireo, Ruby-crowned Kinglet, and more). As it gets higher, spruce-fir forest starts, and this area can be good for Pine Grosbeak, Gray and Steller’s Jays, American Three-toed Woodpecker, and Golden-crowned Kinglet. At night, listen for Northern Saw-whet and Flammulated Owls. The whole area is excellent for butterflies, including species not easily found elsewhere in the state, such as Hydaspe Fritillary.
Stillwater Reservoir and the Devil’s Causeway
This remote location provides the best access to the eastern Flat Tops and to the scenic Devil’s Causeway (a narrow natural stone bridge on top of the plateau). The road rises to a trailhead at Stillwater Reservoir; look for Fox Sparrow and Wilson’s Warblers along the way in. From here you can hike up to the top of the Flat Tops and excellent alpine tundra. Look for White-tailed Ptarmigan, Brown-capped Rosy-Finch, and American Pipit among other birds. This is a good place to bring family for a fairly easy hike.
Hot Sulphur Springs
This is the county seat of Grand County, named for the springs that are now the focus of a resort in town, but it is much smaller than Granby or Kremmling. The biggest attraction for wildlife watchers is Pioneer Park, a mile-long stretch of mature cottonwood forest along the Colorado River in town. Although it can be busy with people, this is a wonderful place to look for birds from spring through fall, including colorful Bullock’s Orioles, Lazuli Buntings, and Yellow Warblers. River Otters are in the area, but they are rarely seen. The park offers free primitive campsites from Memorial Day through late fall, including pit toilets. There is public drinking water at the east end of the bridge.
Vega State Park and Reservoir
This large mountain reservoir on the east end of the Grand Mesa isn’t particularly good for waterbirds, but is surrounded by montane shrubland and aspen forests that make for a good visit. It is also a nice cool place to relax during the summer months. There are several Purple Martin colonies near here, and the martins can sometimes be seen over the lake or in the large aspen stands not far to the south. Ospreys have recently begun breeding on the artificial nesting platforms near the lake. In the montane shrubland look for Virginia’s Warbler, Dusky Flycatcher, Green-tailed Towhee, and Western Scrub-Jay, while the aspen woodland has birds such as Down Woodpecker, Red-naped Sapsucker, Dusky Grouse (if you’re lucky), Mountain Bluebird, and Violet-green Swallow. If you’re here during spring or fall migration you may see a few waterbirds on the lake, and if you visit during the winter months look for winter finches. Elk, mule deer, and yellow-bellied marmot are all common in and around the park.
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.
Gunnison Sage-Grouse lek
The Gunnison Sage-Grouse is Colorado’s closest claim to an endemic species and the only new bird species discovered in the U.S. in many years. If you want to see this rare and local species during the mating season, chances are you will need to come here. Mating takes place from early April through early May. Due to a precipitous decline in numbers at the lek here, there are strict rules on viewing the birds: arrive before dawn, and wait until the birds finish their mating ritual before leaving; don’t leave your car, and don’t make any unnecessary movements and noises. The continued survival of the birds at this lek depends on your cooperation. The Lek has moved further from the road and a spotting scope will be needed to see the birds. Beginning in 2024, all reservations must be coordinated through CPW at dnr_gunnison.wildlife@state.co.us.
Lizard Head Pass
The site of an abandoned depot on the historic Rio Grande Southern railroad, Lizard Head Pass is today a scenic overlook on CO 145 from which you can marvel at the odd shape of Lizard Head Peak. A better view is from CO 145 south of the pass. Trails starting from here traverse high-alpine meadows and spruce-fir forests with birds like crossbills, Dusky Grouse, and Pine Grosbeak. Wildflower displays here can be wonderful in late summer, with highlights including Parry’s gentian and the aptly-named ‘elephant-head’ lousewort.
MacFarlane Reservoir
This large, remote reservoir can be difficult to get to, and high clearance helps. However, it is an excellent lake for ducks and other waterbirds, and since it is a fairly deep lake, it can be a good spot to look for loons and divers in migration. MacFarlane is also one of the few places in Colorado where American White Pelicans breed, and is an excellent spot for various raptors as well. The drive in passes through extensive sage flats, and there is a decent chance at stumbling upon a Greater Sage-Grouse. Elk abound in the area, and an occasional moose is sometimes seen. Note that access to this site can be very difficult in the early spring, when there is still snow on the ground, or after a heavy rain.
Fosset Gulch Road (FR 613)
This dirt road off US 160 in the western part of the county has good ponderosa forest habitat. Grace’s Warblers can be found here during the day, and Flammulated Owls call during the night. In summer, wildflower displays can be impressive along this road, particularly in some of the meadows.
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.
Hinman Reservoir
Water is rather scarce in Middle Park, so this small reservoir can be surprisingly attractive to ducks and grebes. If the water level is low, shorebirds may stop here in migration also. The reservoir is private, so view it only from the road.
Arbaney Kittle & Sloane Peak Trail
One of the few locations near Aspen with pinyon-juniper woodland, this is a good place to look for the various ‘PJ’ species as well as go for a nice walk. Look for species such as Pinyon Jay, Juniper Titmouse, Black-throated Gray Warbler, Blue-gray Gnatcatcher, and Gray Flycatcher. Some Douglas-fir penetrates into the pinyon-juniper, bringing in birds like Hermit Thrush, Hammond’s Flycatcher, and Ruby-crowned Kinglet.
Zapata Falls
It is a moderate half-mile hike from the parking lot to Zapata Falls, a dramatic cascade deeply inset into a narrow canyon. The falls itself is a wonderful escape from summer heat, and it is home to a sizeable nesting colony of Black Swifts, although you need luck to see them zooming into and out of the nest sites at dawn and dusk. American Dippers are easily seen near the falls, however. The trail to the falls, like the road to the parking lot, runs through excellent pinyon-juniper woodlands where you are likely to find Western Scrub-Jays, Green-tailed Towhees, and other birds. Short-horned lizards can sometimes be found on the trail to the falls, and wildflowers in the dry soil may include the blooms of claret cup cactus.
North Clear Creek Campground
This is a very nice hosted campground among aspen and spruce trees with plenty of birds, including Pine Grosbeak, Fox Sparrow, Cassin’s Finch, and Gray Jay. Black Swifts, presumably from the colony at North Clear Creek Falls, have been seen flying overhead. The flowery meadows are a good place to look for nectaring butterflies. Bears are in the area, but you probably don’t want to see them too close to your campsite, so take care to store your food properly!
North Lake State Wildlife Area/North Fork Road
Besides the road over Cordova Pass, the only road in Las Animas County that accesses good high-elevation habitats is the North Fork Road (FR 34). Expect excellent willow tangles and aspen stands, along with some ponderosa, oak and mixed conifer habitats. The stream along the road (the north fork of the Purgatoire) has American Dippers, and birding along the road at night might produce Flammulated or Saw-whet Owls. Elk, deer, bear, pine marten, mink, and porcupines live in this area. While the road itself does not make it to the spruce-fir belt, from the campground at its end (fee area) one can continue on hiking trails to higher elevations and above treeline, with all the benefits thereof. Highway 12 through this area passes through amazing displays of fall color when the aspen leaves turn in October; summer is the time to tour the Cucharas Pass Wildflower Identification interpretive trail.
Tigiwon Road
This narrow, winding mountain road covers a wide variety of habitats as it rises up to the main trailhead for Mount of the Holy Cross. Right at the start of the road, along the stream, you can find breeding Swainson’s Thrush and American Dipper. A little higher up are some nice aspen stands with a few mixed conifers; check for Red-naped Sapsucker, Violet-green Swallow, and (at night) Flammulated Owl. Then the road goes through lots of lodgepole pine (plus a few chokecherry and willow thickets good for the likes of MacGillivray’s Warbler) before transitioning into nice spruce-fir before the campground at the end of the road.
Beaver Creek State Wildlife Area
This is a beautiful, primitive and remote State Wildlife Area. The Beaver Creek drainage is part of a proposed wilderness area on the south slope of Pikes Peak that includes high grasslands, pinyon-juniper woodlands, aspen groves and Ponderosa and mixed-conifer forests. Much of the SWA is a deep, remote canyon that can be accessed only by hiking. CPW owns the land on both sides of the creek from Skaguay SWA down to Beaver Creek SWA. Lower Beaver Creek flows through beautiful meadows with red rocks on the hillsides. Dippers can be found along the stream along with Turkeys and many middle- and high-elevation riparian species. Keep an eyy out for Balk Eagles overhead. Bighorn sheep can be found in the canyon as well, as can mule deer, elk, bear, coyote, red fox, abert’s squirrels and the very rarely seen mountain lion and ring-tailed cat. Beware poison ivy and rattlesnakes along the trails. If you plan to hike in the canyon, expect multiple river crossings.
Beaver Creek Reservoir State Wildlife Area
Busy on weekends, this small, scenic mountain reservoir can attract waterfowl in spring and fall. The bigger attraction, however, is along the road and what’s beyond it. The road passes through a fascinating mixed-conifer forest which transitions gradually from the low-elevation woodlands dominated by juniper to high-elevation dominated by bristlecone pine and Engelmann Spruce. Along the way you may see Bushtits at lower elevations, Red-naped Sapsuckers, Western Tanagers, American Dippers, and many other birds. Herds of elk can be found in the area.
Morgan Bottoms
This scenic road follows the Yampa River, with a healthy riparian corridor and wet fields on one side, and drier sage and montane shrubland on the other. Look in the wet fields for migrant Sandhill Cranes in season, as well as Great Horned Owls, Bald Eagles, and Lazuli Buntings. The shrubland can have Green-tailed Towhee, Loggerhead Shrike, Virginia’s Warbler, and occasionally Sharp-tailed Grouse. Mule deer are common to abundant in the area.
Devil’s Backbone
This open space features a 5-mile, one-way trail that runs along the scenic Dakota Hogback Ridge. The area around the southern trailhead is terrific for birding, especially on spring and summer mornings. Bullock’s Orioles, Yellow-breasted Chats, and Rock and Canyon Wrens can be seen, along with chipmunks and ground squirrels. Prairie Falcons have nested along the hogback for many years. The short Morrison Trail provides interpretive signage about the unique geology of the ridge.
Golden Gate Canyon State Park
A large state park beautifully situated in the upper foothills, this is a popular place for Denver area birders traveling into the mountains. The size of the park means that a wide range of montane habitats are present, including coniferous woodlands, aspen groves, and wetlands, along with an extensive network of walking trails. The best roadside birding is along Mountain Base Road, and several trails heading off it allow further exploration. Look in Ponderosa woodland for Pygmy Nuthatch and Williamson’s Sapsucker; in Aspen woodland for Red-naped Sapsucker, Violet-green Swallow, Warbling Vireo, and Western Wood-pewee; and in areas where the two mix, keep an ear out for Flammulated Owl (at night). Lower lying areas near the Visitor’s Center have extensive willows, along with Lincoln’s Sparrow, MacGillivray’s Warbler, and Wilson’s Snipe. Finally, the open country could yield up Mountain Bluebirds and offers the best place for mammal spotting, including increased sightings of Moose. A State Parks pass is required for entry and hunting occurs here, so be sure to check for seasonal restrictions before visiting.
Eleven Mile State Park
Eleven Mile Reservoir, just down the road from Spinney and Antero, is the deepest of the South Park reservoirs and tends to stay ice-free the longest. Eleven Mile is a great location for diving duck species, and it is not unusual to find several scoters, Barrow’s Goldeneye, and loons. All six species of grebes found in Colorado have been observed here. The best waterfowl viewing is often found at the western end of the reservoir.
Violet Green Swallow, Rock Wren, and White-throated Swift can be found along the small cliff bands of the park. In open terrain, rosy-finches are sometimes seen, especially during snow storms in the fall. Keep an eye out for grassland species, such as Horned Lark, Vesper Sparrow, Lark Bunting, and the occasional Lapland Longspur. Also look for woodpeckers, nuthatches, and flycatchers in the park’s aspen and pine forests. Raptor species you could view here include Swainson’s Hawk, Prairie Falcon, and Northern Saw-whet 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.
Sapinero Mesa Road/Lake City Cutoff (CR 26)
The burned and living ponderosa pine trees in this area provide an excellent place to search for woodpeckers, including the uncommon Three-toed Woodpecker. Other forest birds that can be found here include all three species of nuthatch, Mountain and Western Bluebirds, Western Tanager, and possibly even Grace’s Warbler. This road is sometimes closed in spring to protect the nesting Gunnison Sage-Grouse, which you will be lucky to find in the sagebrush here at any season. Elk, deer, pronghorn, and the local Gunnison’s Prairie-Dog are more likely.
Silverton
Yet another fantastically scenic mountain town, Silverton is similar to Ouray, but with much more of a pioneer feel. A number of feeders around town can have a variety of finches, Steller’s Jay, woodpeckers, and species more typical of lower elevations like Black-headed Grosbeak. During the colder months large flocks of rosy-finches can be seen in the feeders around town, or along the roads to the ski area. Get out of the car and walk the streets of this small historic town.
Sego Springs State Wildlife Area
This SWA provides a break from the monotonous, flat dry San Luis Valley floor. It is an as oasis of riparian woodland and ponds, mixed with some excellent sage habitat and small cattail marshes. Though closed during the summer waterfowl nesting season, this is still an excellent place to visit during fall migration; keep an eye out for passerine migrants in the cottonwoods, Marsh Wren and rails in the marsh, various duck species in the ponds, and Sage Sparrows in the sage along the entrance road. During the winter, sparrows and Northern Shrike are possible. Deer, rabbits and ground squirrels can be abundant, and muskrats and beaver swim in the ponds.
Cottonwood Pass Road
It seems like this road has a little bit of every kind of habitat, but not much of any one. However, there is some very decent scrub-oak forest and sagebrush (look for Virginia’s and Orange-crowned Warblers, Western Scrub-Jay, Green-tailed and Spotted Towhees, and Violet-green Swallow), and some farmer’s ponds well below the road just before the Garfield County line can have breeders like American Coot, Canada Goose, Mallard, Green-winged Teal, and Ring-necked Duck.
Hot Sulphur Springs State Wildlife Area
This State Wildlife Area actually has seven different units scattered across a wide area, but the best one for birding is the Joe Gerrans Unit at the junction of Beaver Creek and the Colorado River. The area contains a good example of mid-elevation riparian habitat, where willows and spruces meet, providing nesting habitat for Swainson’s Thrush, Wilson’s Warbler, and Red-naped Sapsucker, among others. Restrooms and primitive campsites are the only amenities.
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.
Marshall Pass Road
This bumpy high mountain road provides an alternative to Monarch Pass, and access to beautiful spruce-fir woodland and mountain meadows. Along the lower portions of the road look in the sage flats for Sage Thrasher, Vesper Sparrow, and other sagebrush species. Higher up, look in the extensive willow carrs for Lincoln’s, Fox, and White-crowned Sparrows, and Wilson’s and MacGillivray’s Warblers. Near the top you enter spruce-fir woodland where American Three-toed Woodpecker, Pine Grosbeak, Red Crossbill, Brown Creeper, and Dusky Grouse are possible. If you are in the area at night, keep an ear out for Boreal and Northern Saw-whet Owls. The Colorado Trail intersects the pass near the top, and if hiking is your cup of tea you can access much more spruce-fir woodland, willow bogs, and alpine tundra on the way to Ouray Peak.
Cottonwood Pass
The road from Buena Vista is paved up to the Continental Divide at Cottonwood Pass, a stunning high-elevation pass that gets high above treeline and provides nice access to alpine tundra. If you are prepared for some strenuous high-altitude hiking, you might find White-tailed Ptarmigan and Brown-capped Rosy-Finch in summer. The pass is closed in winter. The road up the west side, from Gunnison, is not paved but should be passable to most passenger cars. Most of the east side of the Cottonwood Pass Road is San Isabel National Forest or the Collegiate Peaks Wilderness Area, so if you’re looking for a backwoods experience, stop at the Forest Service office in Salida for maps. If you are into butterflies, this pass is an excellent location for Melissa and White-veined Arctics, Magdalena Alpine, and Lustrous Copper.
Cottonwood Lake
This area is open during the winter, even when the pass is closed. The beautiful lake sits at approximately 9,600 feet has a campground and many fine montane habitats, including mixed-conifer forest and a large willow carr just upstream from the lake. The road winds through vast Aspen groves with many pull-outs ideal for car birding for Steller’s Jays and Dark-Eyed Junco, Wilson’s Snipe, Fox Sparrow and Cooper’s Hawk. The cliffs opposite the lake can provide views of mountain goats, and the canyon has bighorn sheep also. A trip here in the warmer months will be well-rewarded.
San Miguel River South Fork Preserve
One of three Nature Conservancy preserves along the San Miguel River, this pretty little patch of 67 acres is an excellent example of mid-elevation riparian habitat, featuring narrowleaf cottonwood, blue spruce and black twinberry. The 180-foot boardwalk with interpretive signage and the half-mile gravel trail make this one of the most handicapped-accessible birding sites in the area. Durring summer all along this road lsiten for breeding Swainson’s Thrush and Fox Sparrow, among many other birds.
Willow Creek Pass
This pass, which exits North Park to the south, passes through good spruce-fir forest, as well as extensively beetle-killed lodgepole pine forests lower down. A smattering of willow carrs make for a good habitat mix. Look for a variety of woodpeckers, especially in the beetle killed forests, and for Fox Sparrow in the willows. Gray Jay is regular along this road, and the whole area is good for finches including Red Crossbill and Evening and Pine Grosbeaks.
Lower Piedra Campground
This is an excellent area for wildlife watchers. The stream through the campground supports some of the best deciduous riparian thickets in southwest Colorado, as well as high-quality ponderosa pine forest. Here you can find nesting Gray Catbirds and Grace’s Warblers. The river is also a reintroduction site for river otter, a state endangered species and the world’s most entertaining mammal. Other wildlife you could encounter here range from the American Dipper to the Milbert’s Tortoiseshell butterfly.
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.
Gore Pass
This is a rather remote stretch of road that winds through scenic high country, mostly high-altitude sagebrush steppe and lodgepole and spruce-fir forest. Look for pronghorn, mule deer, and the occasional elk. Expect Mountain Bluebird and Brewer’s Blackbird in open areas. In summer, Pass Creek just northeast of Gore Pass supports a breeding population of Veery.
Frying Pan River Valley
It’s hard to pin one of Colorado’s many mountain river valleys as the most scenic, but the Frying Pan is surely among the top contenders. Perhaps most famous as a fishing destination, it is also a birdy stretch of habitat. Check the blue spruce/Douglas-fir forest from some of the many pullouts and you could find things like Cordilleran Flycatcher, Common Merganser, American Dipper, Western Tanager, and a host of other birds, as well as squirrels and mule deer.
Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve
This is one of the can’t-miss natural destinations in Colorado. From a distance, the sand dunes look unreal, like a giant painting done on the lower slopes of the Sangre de Cristo mountains. The park and preserve stretches from the saltbush deserts of the valley floor all the way up to alpine tundra above treeline; the biodiversity is tremendous. Habitats in the park include grassland, semidesert shrubland, pinyon-juniper woodland, deciduous riparian woodland, and mixed-conifer woodland–and those are just the habitats that are easily accessible from the main roads and trails! Almost any mountain bird species can probably be found somewhere in the park. Pinyon Jays and Bushtits can be found right in the campground areas, while Mountain Bluebirds are hard to miss in summer. Up to four species of hummingbirds might drop by in late July and August. And birds aren’t the only attraction: mammals in the park range from Ord’s kangaroo rat up to pronghorn, elk, and bear. The Nature Conservancy manages a herd of bison in an area just west of the main dunes. At least six species of insect are endemic to the dunes, including the striking Great Sand Dunes Tiger Beetle. With luck, you might even find a Giant Sand Treader Camel Cricket (what a name!).
Brown Lakes State Wildlife Area
This is one of the best birding locations on the Silver Thread. Many species of ducks stop here in spring and fall, as do Eared Grebe, Spotted Sandpiper, and various swallows. Fox Sparrows breed in the willows below the dam, there’s a summering population of white pelicans, and you might see a Black-crowned Night-Heron too. Bald Eagles can sometimes be seen in the area. A few miles beyond Brown Lakes up the mountain is FR 514, which runs through some nice spruce-fir forest with Three-toed Woodpeckers. Mammals in the area include elk, deer, and marmot.
Stonewall area
Most of the land around this picturesque town is private, but birding from the roads can net you good numbers of ponderosa birds, including Plumbeous Vireo, Pygmy Nuthatch and Western Bluebird. Oak-scrub and some pinyon-juniper woodland can be found on the road to Tercio, just south of town. Just northeast of town is the small Russell Lake, which can be good for ducks during the spring and fall. Deer and elk can be common in the area.
Alfred M. Bailey Bird Nesting Area
In 1971, this remote area was officially designated a special management area by the US Forest Service due to the large diversity of high-elevation birds that it supports. Many sought-after bird species have been found nesting here, including Northern Goshawk, Northern Pygmy-Owl, Fox Sparrow, and Williamson’s Sapsucker. Black Swift has been seen overhead. To reach the actual Bird Nesting Area requires a moderate hike of nearly two miles into the Eagles Nest Wilderness, but no hiking is required to enjoy the excellent wildlife viewing opportunities along the road to the trailhead, which passes through mixed-conifer forest, areas of beetle-killed lodgepole pine, mountain meadows, and streamside willows. Those who hike the entire 4.5-mile trail will reach the remains of the historic Boss silver mine.
Phantom Canyon
This is a narrow, winding and potentially dangerous mountain road. However, it is also one of the most awe-inspiring roads in Colorado. It rises from cholla grassland outside the canyon to lowland riparian forest, soaring canyon walls with pinyon-juniper forest along the fringe, and eventually mixed-conifer woods with aspen groves and mountain meadows. Along this road you might find birds including Canyon and Rock Wrens, American Dipper, Pinyon Jay, Green-tailed Towhee and Virginia’s Warbler, and animals ranging from deer to elk to bobcat. There are a few pullouts with restrooms along the way.
Alder Creek Road
This road traverses the rugged foothills of the La Garita mountains, snaking through mountain meadows with scattered ponderosa and bristlecone pines. Along the creek, look in the willows for breeding Yellow Warblers and Dusky Flycatchers. The relatively open slopes and good visibility along certain parts of this drive make it a good place to look for deer and elk.
Yampa Preserve
Another Nature Conservancy owned property, this one has more open access than the Carpenter Ranch and also has some of the same avian highlights. Well-marked trails pass through woodlands of narrowleaf cottonwood, box elder, and red-osier dogwood; keep an eye out for Belted Kingfisher, Great Horned Owl, Gray Catbird, Bullock’s Oriole, Yellow Warbler, and American and Lesser Goldfinches. Veery also breeds here, though it can be hard to find.
Bobcat Ridge Natural Area
This remarkable place, best visited in spring and summer, has miles of hiking trails that can be very popular, especially during weekends. The cliffs near the parking lot are the summer home of a colony of White-throated Swifts, Lazuli Buntings and Yellow-breasted Chats can be seen in the nearby trees. The trails lead across grassy meadows, with meadowlarks and Vesper Sparrows, up to the ponderosa forest. Keep an eye out for Mountain Bluebirds and the occasional Lewis’s Woodpecker. For several winters, an American Woodcock has been a regular visitor to the site. A short interpretive trail describes the history of the homesteaders who lived on this property from the 1880s to the 1950s. On the trails, also watch for mule deer, elk, and if you’re very lucky, the area’s namesake cat. Please note pets are not allowed on this property.
Los Lagos Reservoir #3
The epitome of a birdy mountain lake, this small private reservoir sits right next to the highway on the Boulder/Gilpin county line and can be scanned from the road. It is best viewed during the summer and fall, and can have everything from Ring-necked Duck to Eared Grebe to nesting Osprey and Wilson’s Snipe.
Lake George
While this small, private lake doesn’t attract the sheer number of birds that the nearby South Park reservoirs do, it can still be quite productive for waterfowl. The best time to visit is during the late fall, though there are usually some birds present whenever the water is open. The marshes fringing the lake can have flocks of blackbirds (often including Yellow-headed), as well as Marsh Wren and Virginia Rail, while the ponderosa woodland nearby is good for Western Bluebird, Pygmy Nuthatch, and Williamson’s Sapsucker. There is no public access, but the lake can be seen from the county road. Parking is minimal, so use caution.
Blue Mesa Reservoir
This, the largest body of water in Colorado, can be a great place to see waterbirds in spring and fall. Concentrations of ducks can be especially impressive, with good numbers of Barrow’s Goldeneye during the weeks before the water freezes in December. Butterfly enthusiasts can find a population of Strecker’s Giant-Skipper in the yucca-covered hillsides to the south of the reservoir along CO 149. Pronghorn can be seen in this area as well. The reservoir is part of the Curecanti National Recreation Area, which has three visitor centers and several picnic areas and campgrounds, most of which are closed in winter.
Animas River – North
Winding its way down from its headwaters high in the San Juan mountains, the Animas River provides a good variety of montane habitats. Willow carrs line much of the river, and species such as Fox Sparrow, Wilson’s Warbler, and Swainson’s Thrush are possible. The road also passes through spruce-fir woodland; in these stretches keep an eye out for woodpeckers including American Three-toed, as well as Gray Jay, Red-breasted Nuthatch, and Brown Creeper. You may see elk in some of the meadows here.
Small pond along CR 24
When it has water, this small intermittent pond can be among the best in the San Luis Valley, with good concentrations of dabblers, divers and shorebirds, as well as the occasional American Bittern. The land here is private, so bird from the road.
Brush Creek Ranch
This private ranch is located just south of the entrance to Sylvan Lake State Park. The property includes mixed conifer, pinyon-juniper and riparian habitat. Currently, viewing is available from the road but soon they plan to develop a boardwalk that will link to existing trails.
Williams Fork Reservoir
This reservoir is not very attractive to waterfowl, but the wildlife watching around it can be very good. Ospreys breed on nest platforms near the road on the south side of the reservoir. The wet meadows a little farther east can produce singing Savannah Sparrows and Brewer’s Blackbirds along with winnowing Wilson’s Snipe. Southeast of the lake, where CR 3 parallels the Williams Fork River, the streamside willows host breeding Veery, Swainson’s Thrush, and Fox Sparrow. Pronghorn and mule deer are numerous in the area; elk and muskrat may occasionally be seen.
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.
Fourmile Travel Management Area
This large area includes BLM, Forest Service and state lands. This is a one lane road, with little to no pull outs that caters to a wide variety of outdoor recreationists, including four-wheelers, mountain bikers, horseback riders, and hikers. Depending on when you visit, parts of it may seem overrun, but there are areas that are quiet, secluded and inviting to bird/wildlife watchers. The western part of this area, just east of Johnson Village near the Collegiate Peaks Overlook, has the best pinyon-juniper habitat in the county and is a classic spot for Pinyon Jay among other specialties. For the best birding opportunities, drive the good-quality Road 304 past the overlook.
Telluride
Telluride is a picturesque historic mining and ski town, home to well-known film and bluegrass festivals, and it is also a great town for wildlife watching. There is an extensive trail system along the river which leads through cottonwoods, willows, and wet meadows, where you can see bluebirds, Fox and Lincoln’s Sparrows, and sapsuckers. A highlight of the area is the several waterfalls that plunge into the valley just east of town. Bridal Veil Falls, the tallest waterfall in Colorado, has a colony of Black Swifts, which can sometimes be seen high overhead in the evening. High flocks of White-throated Swifts carouse over town as well, which can make picking out the larger Black Swifts a bit of a challenge.
Hebron Waterfowl Area
The Hebron Waterfowl Area along Jackson CR 34 is an excellent spot to look for ducks, shorebirds, and terns. The shallow Eighteen Islands Reservoir can have many shorebirds and ducks, depending on water level. The large pond just west of here is better for ducks, and can have Black and Forster’s Terns flying around. The Hebron Slough, just east of Eighteen Islands Reservoir, is fairly small, but should be checked for shorebirds and ducks. County Road 34 is a good spot to keep an eye out for Greater Sage-Grouse, especially in the sage flats along the eastern end of the road. Raptors abound along this road as well, with Swainson’s and Rough-legged Hawks (in summer and winter respectively), Prairie Falcon, and Golden Eagle possible.
First Fork Road (FR 622)
The first part of this road passes through excellent ponderosa pine forest where Audubon’s and Grace’s Warblers will sing during the summer. The stream bottom supports butterflies, including the striking Weidemeyer’s Admiral. As you climb higher along FR 630, you can get into high-elevation spruce-fir forest where you’ll find the likes of Three-toed Woodpecker and Olive-sided and Hammond’s Flycatchers. Mule deer are common along the drive, and black bears can occasionally be seen.
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.
Spring Park Reservoir
Easily the best waterbirding site on this trail, this large but shallow irrigation reservoir is thawed for most of the year, and often chock-full of ducks of all varieties, especially in the spring and fall. Perhaps the biggest draw is the large staging of Barrow’s Goldeneye that happens every spring, peaking in March and early April, at times reaching over 100 birds! In addition, nearly every species of regular dabbler and diver can also be found, as well as shorebirds if the water is low, the occasional grebe or loon, and maybe a tern or gull. The montane shrubland that surrounds the reservoir often has Green-tailed and Spotted Towhees, Western Scrub-Jay, and swallows. All the land here is private, so please look at the reservoir from the road.
Blanca Wetlands
A watery oasis in the saltbush desert, Blanca Wetlands is a premier birding site, but closed to the public during nesting season from February 15 through July 15th. In late summer, however, you should still be able to find some of the Snowy Plovers that nest here — one of their strongholds in Colorado. Almost every other wetland bird from the area can be found here, from bitterns to harriers, and the variety of wetland habitats make this a good place to look for dragonflies and damselflies as well. Before visiting, you might want to stop at the BLM office in Monte Vista or the one in Del Norte to pick up a map, since it is very easy to get lost on the tangle of roads inside the wetlands. You may also be able to pick up a map at the kiosk at the entrance to the wetlands.
North Clear Creek Falls
This is one of the more impressive waterfalls in Colorado; the view from the overlook at the top of the falls is often photographed. For birders, the main attraction is the nesting colony of Black Swifts. But these birds are very difficult to see, as they visit nest sites mostly at dawn and dusk, and even then they may slip in unnoticed below the horizon. At any time of day, but especially if the weather is threatening or stormy, they can be seen hawking insects high overhead. Even if you miss the swifts, you should be able to see American Dippers. The overlook has interpretive signage. Along CO 149 north of the falls are some wetlands where you might see moose foraging.
Bosque del Oso State Wildlife Area
This huge state wildlife area is made up of pinyon-juniper woodland with some mixed-conifer on the north-facing slopes, and a few riparian groves along the Purgatoire River. Shrubland and oak habitats also abound. Look especially for the common Lewis’s Woodpeckers and Band-tailed Pigeons (summer) and for Wild Turkey. Raptors can include eagles, Northern Goshawk, Great Horned Owl, and possibly Northern Saw-whet and Western Screech-Owls. Bear and elk can also be seen here, as can mule deer, coyotes, and (rarely) bobcat or even mountain lion. Maps of the wildlife area are available at CPW offices in Pueblo and Colorado Springs.
Green Mountain Reservoir
This high-elevation reservoir does not usually have many birds on it, but Bald Eagles and Ospreys can be seen hunting here sometimes. Willow Flycatcher breeds in the willows southwest of the reservoir. This reservoir is the site of Colorado’s only sighting of Magnificent Frigatebird, so you never know what might show up! There is a day use fee in the area.
Canon City Riverwalk
The Riverwalk is a walking and bike trail with interpretive signage that extends along the Arkansas River in downtown Canon City. It offers access to a good deal of excellent riparian habitat and several adjacent wetland areas. Look here in the warmer months for breeding Lazuli Bunting, Blue Grosbeak, Bullock’s Oriole and Yellow-breasted Chat. Great Blue and Green Herons hunt along the watercourses, and deer, rabbits and raccoons can be seen throughout the area. All of this is centrally located in Canon City, a good base of operations with all the amenities.
Groundhog Park Road (FR 650)
This road branches off from the Embargo Creek road north of Del Norte and heads higher into the mountains. Not far north of the junction where the roads split, look on the right for a pond with a nice marsh. Expect to see breeding Yellow-headed Blackbird, Eared Grebe, Ring-necked Duck, Gadwall and Mallard. The road continues through aspen groves and coniferous forest where you have a good chance of finding Red Crossbill, Gray Jay, Hermit Thrush, and Ruby-crowned Kinglet. This road doesn’t get much traffic, so it’s a good place to look for Dusky Grouse, especially in the mornings and evenings. If you drive the entire length of the road, you should see mule deer and elk; pine squirrels are numerous along the way. The high montane meadows and willow carrs near the top of the road should be checked for alpine butterflies including Boloria fritillaries.
Carpenter Ranch
This is a working cattle ranch owned by the Nature Conservancy, but drop-in visitors are welcome between 9 AM and noon on Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays from May 15 to September 1. The property has the highest nesting population of Bobolink in western Colorado; look for the birds in hayfields. Sandhill Crane can also be seen. There is a trail system in riparian habitat along the Yampa River, where you might see American Kestrel, Bald Eagle, and American Goldfinch. Rarer nesters include Veery, American Redstart, and Red-eyed Vireo. This is also one of the few places in Colorado where river otters can be found, although they are rarely seen.
Estes Park
The gateway to Rocky Mountain National Park, the town of Estes Park is a world-class tourist destination. Violet-green Swallows flit overhead in summer, and American Dippers bounce along the Big Thompson River in town. Lake Estes can attract Mergansers, Goldeneyes, and other ducks in the colder months. The Matthew-Reeser Bird Sanctuary, on the west end of the Lake, attracts a large variety of migrant Warblers in spring and fall. Herds of elk are almost always in town, often on the golf course; though they seem tolerant of people, they can be dangerous. Please observe elk and other wildlife from a safe distance.
Rollins Pass (East side)
While no longer a through-road to the western side of the divide, the Rollins Pass Road still provides 4WD access to alpine tundra, as well as spruce-fir forest and willow thickets. These can hold Fox and Lincoln’s Sparrows, MacGillivray’s and Wilson’s Warblers, Dusky Flycatcher, and Green-tailed Towhee. In the spruce-fir, keep a careful eye out for American Three-toed Woodpecker, and on the tundra, there’s the off chance for White-tailed Ptarmigan and Brown-capped Rosy-finch, in addition to the more common American Pipit and Horned Lark. Bighorn Sheep, Elk, and American Pika are all also found here. Be aware, the condition of the road can be rocky; a sturdy, high-clearance vehicle with 4-wheel drive is recommended. To explore a similar habitat not too far from here, look into touring nearby Rogers Pass.
Browns Canyon National Monument
Prime pinyon-juniper habitat nestled in the Upper Arkansas canyon. There is no fee for entrance to the National Monument, but the only parking is at the AHRA sites, which require the annual parks pass or daily vehicle pass. Look for Steller’s Jay, Clark’s Nutcracker, White-breated Nuthatch, and more!
For centuries, the rugged granite cliffs, colorful rock outcroppings and stunning mountain vistas of Browns Canyon National Monument have attracted visitors from around the world. Browns Canyon National Monument, including the Browns Canyon Wilderness Study Area (WSA), covers approximately 22,000 acres of federally and state-managed public lands in Chaffee County, Colorado. The area’s unusual geology and roughly 3,000-foot range in elevation supports a diverse riparian corridor, granite outcroppings, wooded drainages lead from the river to upland areas covered with aspen, limber pines, Douglas firs, and subalpine grasslands. The variety of terrain provides a wealth of geological, ecological and cultural and historic resources.
President Obama designated the 21,589-acre Browns Canyon National Monument on February 19, 2015. The Bureau of Land Management and the U.S. Forest Service jointly manage the Monument. Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW), through the Arkansas Headwaters Recreation Area (AHRA), manages river-based recreation on the Arkansas River through Browns Canyon.
Cooper’s Ranch and the Neversink Trail
Cooper’s Ranch and the Neversink Trail, both part of the Curecanti National Recreation Area, provide access to an extensive mature cottonwood forest along the Gunnison River which can be terrific for wildlife viewing. This is some of the best deciduous forest in Western Colorado, and you can find a great diversity of breeding birds here including Hairy and Downy Woodpeckers, White-breasted Nuthatch, Black-headed Grosbeak, and even a few pairs of Least Flycatchers, which are quite rare this far west. In spring and fall, many other species of migrants might be found. Watch along the river for muskrats, beavers and striped skunks.
South Mineral Creek
This pleasant mountain road runs for a number of miles along the willow-lined Mineral Creek. A forest service campground a few miles up the road makes for a good place to camp near Silverton. Look for typical willow-carr specialties, including Fox Sparrow, and spruce-fir species in the forest, including American Three-toed Woodpecker. Elk can be common in the area, and pine marten have been sighted nearby. During the summer months butterflies can be abundant.
Pond along CR Z near Costilla County line
Though hard to see from the road, this pond should be checked for waders, ducks and dabblers. White-faced Ibis have been seen here. In normal springs and wet summers the fields all along this road can flood, creating great habitat for ducks, waders, phalaropes and the like. The sage habitat nearby should be checked for Sage Sparrow and Sage Thrasher; pronghorn abound in the area. The land around here is private, so please stay on the roads.
Sylvan Lake State Park
Sylvan Lake is very pretty mountain lake, which, while not very attractive to birds itself, is surrounded by very nice forest that can be fun to spend some time in. The forest around it is mixed-conifer with lots of lodgepole; downstream (north) from the lake are some streamside willows with potential for Fox and Lincoln’s Sparrows and Swainson’s Thrush. South of Sylvan Lake up the same road is Crooked Creek Pass, which has great spruce-fir forest to the west and aspen to the east. Up the Fulford Fork, another drainage below the state park, is probably the best birding in the area. The lower portion of the Fulford Road is technically part of the state park and requires a parking fee. Along the road you will find a good dipper stream flowing through lots of narrowleaf cottonwood, aspen, and alder. Farther up is excellent aspen that may have Flammulated Owl. The Fulford Cave Campground at the end of the road accesses some very nice montane forests that include spruce-fir.
Williams Fork Valley / Ute Pass
South of the Williams Fork Reservoir lies a beautiful valley with many side roads worth exploring. The main road through this area (Grand County Road 3) begins by running through mountain meadows with Vesper Sparrows, Brewer’s Blackbirds, and pronghorn. Gradually it rises into coniferous forest along the Williams Fork River, where Hermit Thrush, Olive-sided Flycatcher, and Dusky Flycatcher may be found. In the upper reaches of the Williams Fork are many fine primitive picnic and camp sites. Moose are numerous. Dippers nest along the river. Cassin’s Finches and Audubon’s Warblers sing from the treetops. Mountain pine beetles killed many of the lodgepole pines in this valley in 2002-2006, but the forest is regenerating quite nicely. The road to Ute Pass, which connects the Williams Fork Valley with CO 9 north of Silverthorne, passes through some nice stands of spruce-fir forest with high-elevation birds like Ruby-crowned Kinglet and Lincoln’s Sparrow.
Buena Vista
This lovely little town, properly pronounced ‘byoona vista,’ has several nice riverside parks and nature trails as well as some ponds worth checking. Right downtown is McPhelemy Park, with great mature trees for migrant passerines, a duck pond, and a stream complete with willows. Lewis’s Woodpeckers aren’t difficult to find on the outskirts of Buena Vista. Forest Service maps of the Buena Vista area can be procured at The Trailhead, an outfitter on the east side of US 24 north of the traffic light.
Clear Creek Reservoir State Wildlife Area
This State Wildlife Area is centered around the largest lake in Chaffee County, which has breeding birds including Common Merganser, Osprey and sometimes California Gull. There is a large area of willows just upstream from the lake that can provide good birding also. Watch for Bald Eagles in late fall, as well as rabbits, coyotes, red fox, and elk along the highway. There is bighorn sheep viewing in the canyon near Granite.
Woods Lake State Wildlife Area
This is a small, beautiful and secluded lake set among mixed-conifer forest and aspen groves. Keep an eye out for typical species of the high-elevation aspen and spruce-fir forest. You might see elk and black bear. The mountain scenery here is spectacular, with beautiful views of Mount Wilson. Rugged trails lead into the Lizard Head Wilderness Area and, eventually, alpine tundra.
Seymour Lake State Wildlife Area
This small reservoir often doesn’t have the huge bird concentrations of other North Park lakes, but it is still worth a check if you are in the area, and can be a good place to get close looks at birds. It can be fairly good for ducks, and shorebirds can be found if the reservoir is low enough to produce mudflats. CR 28, to the north of the reservoir, can be a great place to look for Greater Sage-Grouse, especially in mid-morning during the lekking season, when birds are flying from the leks to feeding areas. Coyotes, deer, and pronghorn can also be seen here.
Chimney Rock Archaeological Area
A San Juan National Forest Archaeological Area and a National Historic Site, Chimney Rock is managed mostly for archaeological tourism, with four daily guided walking tours of ancestral Pueblo settlements. It’s open from May through September. In addition, this can be a good place to look for birds: Peregrine Falcons and White-throated Swifts nest on the namesake cliff spires, so keep a close eye on the sky.
Blue Lake (El Jebel)
This residential subdivision has a small recreational spring-fed pond of about one acre that remains open almost all winter. In addition to making this a magnet for waterfowl when all the other ponds and lakes in the area have frozen, it also makes it one of the best places in the state to find Barrow’s Goldeneye all winter long.
San Luis Lakes
Right next door to the Great Sand Dunes at the foot of the Sangre de Cristo range, San Luis Lakes State Wildlife Area (formerly a State Park) contains the largest open body of water in the area and can be a mecca for shorebirds, gulls, and ducks in spring and fall. If you visit on the right day, bird concentrations can be truly impressive. The lakes are located just past the campground. These smaller ponds can be great for waterbirds of all kinds, but they are closed to the public during spring and summer to protect nests. Around all the San Luis Lakes are extensive saltbush flats where you can find Brewer’s Sparrow and Sage Thrasher in the breeding season. Herds of elk may wander into the park, and dry-country animals such as black-tailed jackrabbit and badger are in the area. The rare, native plant Slender Spiderflower (Cleome multicaulis) is commonly found growing around the seasonal wetlands in the Wildlife Nesting Area north of San Luis Lake.
Rito Hondo State Wildlife Area and Continental Reservoir
Rito Hondo State Wildlife Area contains a small lake, that can be covered with diving ducks in spring and fall. To the west is Continental Reservoir, a larger body of water that can also host waterfowl. The birding isn’t as good at Continental Reservoir, but you might see ospreys fishing and the scenery is better. Along the entrance road between the lakes, keep an eye out for moose along North Clear Creek, golden-mantled ground-squirrel and yellow-bellied marmot. Rito Hondo has restrooms and a basic campground.
Spanish Peaks State Wildlife Area
Spanish Peaks State Wildlife Area is remote and beautiful. On the southern flank of its namesake mountains, it is similar to the nearby Bosque del Oso SWA, but possibly even more enticing. Four individual parcels of land make up this SWA, and it can be confusing to navigate between them; see the map on the orientation kiosk at the main entrance. Please be awaare the road between the Dockter Tract and the Sakariason Tract is not open to public travel. Pinyon-juniper, scrub-oak and Ponderosa birds can all be found here, including Western Scrub-, Pinyon and Steller’s Jays, Spotted Towhee, Bushtit, Mountain and Western Bluebirds, Lesser Goldfinch, Blue-gray Gnatcatcher, Black-throated Gray Warbler, and all three nuthatches. Watch for turkey poults (chicks) in early summer, and for elk, mule deer, black bear, rock squirrels and jackrabbits. The Ponderosas also support a population of the scarce and beautiful Abert’s Squirrel, here at the southeasternmost limit of their range.
Kremmling
Known as the ‘Spportsman’s Paradise’ of Colorado, this town provides all the amenities necessary to anchor a stay in Grand County, but is sufficiently small, isolated, and scenic to instill a real sense of the wilderness frontier. Birding in the town can be excellent, especially in winter, when all three species of rosy-finch sometimes congregate at feeders. A few times, these feeders have attracted Common Redpoll in winter as well. If a drive around town does not produce any rosies, try scoping the distant cliffs to the north of Kremmling from the north end of any road in town – the rosies often roost here, where a very good scope is necessary to see them.
Summer is slower for birds in Kremmling, but wandering around the residential neighborhoods may net you a Cassin’s Finch or a Cedar Waxwing among the many Eurasian Collared-Doves. You may find a family of Cinnamon Teal at the tiny sewage ponds on the south side of town, or else at the oxbow pond just south of Spruce & Eagle in the southwest corner of town.
The best birding in the immediate vicinity of Kremmling is along County Road 33 just southeast of town, which overlooks some wetlands and seasonally flooded fields on its way east through Junction Butte SWA to Williams Fork Reservoir. Wilson’s Snipe often winnow over these fields, which can have waterfowl and ibis in migration. Mule deer, pronghorn, and occasionally elk may be seen along this route.
Tunnel Drive
Tunnel Drive is a fascinating road on the outskirts of Canon City. It leads to a trail that ascends cliffs via an old railroad grade. Vehicles with handicapped stickers can drive up the first steep section of the trail, but others have to walk it. The rocky areas along the trail are famous for Rufous-crowned Sparrows, which are not numerous here at the northern extreme of their range, but can be found year-round with a little luck. More common birds include Canyon and Rock Wrens and White-throated Swift. Look for bighorn sheep and deer farther down the canyon.
Embargo Creek
FR 640, which follows Embargo Creek, runs through some of the best ponderosa pine habitat in this area. On the south side of the road and in about 4 miles, some hiking into the forest can be very productive for Williamson’s Sapsucker, Pygmy Nuthatch, Western Bluebird and Cassin’s Finch. Nomadic species such as Clark’s Nutcracker and Red Crossbill can occasionally be very common in this area too. This is a good area for the common lower-montane butterflies such as Queen Alexandra’s Sulphur and the beautiful Western Pine Elfin. With luck, you might see an Abert’s Squirrel. At the end of the road is Cathedral Rock Campground, situated in an aspen grove where you might be serenaded to sleep by a Northern Saw-whet Owl.
Colorado Crane Conservation Coalition Viewing Site
This private site has views of a hay meadow that is visited by Sandhill Cranes during migration, including during the Yampa Valley Crane Festival in early September. The Yampa River runs through the property with excellent waterfowl and shorebird habitat as well as a large stand of cottonwood trees. In addition to great birding opportunities, beaver and river otter are seen regularly in the area.
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.
Rocky Mountain National Park (RMNP -Larimer section)
RMNP is one of the crown jewels of the National Park system and is a terrific place to see elk, mule deer, bighorn sheep, coyotes, and other animals, as well as almost any type of montane bird species. Different elevations in the park support very different wildlife communities.
The lowest parts of the park are covered with wide mountain meadows (called ‘parks’) and forests of Ponderosa Pine and Douglas-fir. Upper Beaver Meadows is one of the best low-elevation birding spots. Nesting birds in summer include Red-naped and Williamson’s Sapsucker, Dusky and Hammond’s Flycatcher, Tree and Violet-green Swallows, Mountain and Western Bluebirds, and Green-tailed Towhee.
Higher up, at roadside pullouts below treeline, it is hard to miss Steller’s Jay, Gray Jay, and Clark’s Nutcracker. Trail Ridge Road rises above 12,000 feet, leaving the trees far below and giving unique access to the fragile habitat of the alpine tundra, where many specialized plants and animals can be found. Where the trees grow gnarled and stunted, White-crowned Sparrow is an abundant breeder. Above treeline, you are likely to see Yellow-bellied Marmots and Pikas; Brown-capped Rosy-finches are occasionally seen on the snowfields below the Lava Cliffs. American Pipits and Common Ravens are usually the most common birds above treeline, but if you’re lucky, you might find a White-tailed Ptarmigan; the best spots are just below the Alpine Visitor Center, in the Grand County section of the park.
Caribou Ranch Open Space
This open space is closed each year from April 1 to June 30 to protect migratory birds and the resident elk herd during calving season. At other times of year, one can hike through high-elevation mixed conifer forests where Hermit Thrush, Ruby-crowned Kinglet, and Gray-headed Junco breed. Abert’s squirrels can be seen in some parts of the property, and Veery has been found breeding in patches of willows, though it is not to be expected. Please note pets are not allowed at this property.
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.
McCabe’s Lane Wetlands
These mitigation ponds can provide excellent birding, especially in spring and fall, when many species of ducks and other waterbirds come through. This is one of the most reliable places on Colorado’s West Slope to find Snowy Egrets in migration. In the warmer months, several species of swallows skim over the water for flying insects. The ponds here are also host to many species of dragonfly, and muskrats are frequently seen. The short access road is made of ungraveled dirt, so beware of driving on it after rain or snow.
Ophir Pass Road (FR 679)
This seasonal 4×4 road is a good introduction to the multitude of jeep trails in the San Juan mountains, and is not too hard to drive if you know what you’re doing. The western side of the pass is far worse than the eastern side, and should not be attempted without a high-clearance vehicle. The drive up to the pass goes through thick forest; in the spruce-fir, mountain meadows and willow carrs look for Pine Grosbeak, Olive-sided and Hammond’s Flycatchers, and Fox and Lincoln’s Sparrows in addition to other typical birds. Park farther up the road and hike some of the tundra to look for ptarmigan, although the best habitat is far from the road. Near the pass itself you get into loose talus slopes where you should not go hiking unless you are an elk–which is a species you should keep an eye out for. Bighorn sheep, pika and yellow-bellied marmots also can be found here, along with many alpine butterflies including Mead’s Sulphur.
Hot Creek State Wildlife Area
This remote state wildlife area has an enormous spring system with extensive marshy areas that are good for rails, Yellow-headed Blackbird, Savannah Sparrow and other species typical of this habitat. Pinyon Jays can usually be found in the surrounding pinyon-juniper forest. The road in requires high clearance, mostly due to a stream crossing with 2-3 feet of water. The wet meadows surrounding the springs are excellent for many rare and beautiful butterfly species, including Nokomis Fritillary, Sandhill Skipper, Ruddy Copper, and more.
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.
Twin Lakes (Lake County)
The Twin Lakes are probably the best birding spot in Lake County. Large numbers of waterbirds sometimes congregate in fall. Ospreys can be seen in summer. The White Star Campground has Ponderosa Pine forest that might attract Western Tanager and Pygmy Nuthatch. The sagebrush on the north side of the lake has Sage Thrasher in summer, and the willows on the lake’s west end support Lincoln’s Sparrow, MacGillivray’s Warbler and breeding thrushes.
San Miguel River Canyon Preserve
This Nature Conservancy Preserve includes two miles of the San Miguel River as it passes through magnificent Naturita Canyon, supporting a community of Colorado blue spruce, narrowleaf cottonwood, and thinleaf alder. There are no trails, but you can walk into the area from the north. Look for American Dipper and Peregrine Falcon. This is one of the few places in Colorado where you have a chance to see a river otter.
Lake John State Wildlife Area
This relatively deep lake is probably the best in the county for diving ducks, and is good all around during migration for waterbirds and, if water levels are low enough, shorebirds. Look especially for loons and grebes during fall. The extensive sage flats around here support Greater Sage-Grouse and Sage Thrasher, and a good variety of raptors including Golden Eagle, Ferruginous Hawk, and Prairie Falcon. Short-tailed Weasel has sometimes been seen around the lake also. Pronghorns are fairly common in the vicinity.
Navajo State Park
Navajo Reservoir is an enormous body of water that starts in Colorado and stretches 20 miles south into New Mexico. A popular state park, it is best for wildlife viewing in the colder months when there are fewer people and more birds. Gulls, grebes, loons, shorebirds, and waterfowl are all possible on the lake. The pinyon-juniper woodlands surrounding the water are likely to produce Ash-throated and Gray Flycatchers, Bushtits, and Pinyon and Western Scrub-Jays. Black Phoebes have started to colonize this part of Colorado, and some of them may be seen under bridges in the area, especially at the designated Watchable Wildlife Area near the old narrow-gauge railroad bridge over the Piedra River. This bridge has been converted into a paved trail for foot traffic. Look from the bridge for the rare river otters which have been reintroduced to the Piedra River. Don’t confuse them with beaver, muskrat, or mink, all of which also occur here. The surrounding riparian woodlands can produce sightings of Yellow-breasted Chat and vagrant warblers such as American Redstart.
Thompson Creek Road
This road contains some of the only pinyon-juniper forest on this trail, and perhaps the best example of it close to Aspen. Just about every ‘PJ’ specialty can be found along here, including Pinyon Jay, Ash-throated Flycatcher, Bushtit, Juniper Titmouse, and (at night) Common Poorwill. Portions of the road pass through Douglas-fir habitat, where a slightly higher-elevation mix of birds including Western Tanager, Hermit Thrush, and Hammond’s Flycatcher can be seen.
Crestone area
Crestone is a small, isolated town in a gorgeous natural setting. Described as a ‘spiritual and New Age center,’ the town is covered in large cottonwoods (many of which died in the turn-of-the-century drought) and surrounded by pinyon-juniper woodlands on the east and wetlands on the west. The result is a town full of birds, from woodpeckers (including Lewis’s) to Pinyon Jays and Broad-tailed and Black-chinned Hummingbirds. The wetlands along the entrance road to town provide breeding places for Black-crowned Night-Heron, Wilson’s Phalarope, Wilson’s Snipe, Yellow-headed Blackbird, Cinnamon Teal, etcetera. The National Forest campground just northeast of town sits in a rocky canyon full of pinyon-juniper, mixed conifers, and mid-elevation riparian growth. Many montane and shrubland birds can be found here, including MacGillivray’s Warbler, Green-tailed Towhee, Brown Creeper, Hermit Thrush, Cordilleran and Dusky Flycatchers, Western Tanager and White-throated Swift. Mammals in the area range from elk to the elusive Ringtail, but the main attraction for wildlife watchers will probably be the birds.
Slumgullion Pass
Slumgullion Pass, along with Spring Creek Pass just to the south, are the high points along CO 149. The highway runs through excellent spruce-fir forest where Pine Grosbeak and Red Crossbill can be found; White-winged Crossbill has also been seen. Boreal Owls breed here and can occasionally be heard from the road on late winter and early spring nights. Other wildlife is common in this remote area. You might see a porcupine crossing the road, or even a lynx, since that species has done well following its reintroduction into the San Juans. A side attraction is the Slumgullion Earthflow, an enormous mudslide that is still slowly moving, responsible for the formation of Lake San Cristobal.
Trinidad Lake State Park
This is a state park and fee area with miles of hiking trails. Some waterbirds show up here in migration. Generally the best part of the lake is the shallower west side. Small flocks of both diving and dabbling ducks can usually be found, along with pelicans, gulls, and the occasional loon. When the water level is low, look for shorebirds on the resulting mudflats. On the south side of the reservoir is Long’s Canyon Watchable Wildlife Area, which is also part of the state park fee area. Here you will find a one-and-a-quarter mile trail through a wide pinyon-juniper canyon with a few cottonwoods along the bottom. Bird blinds look out over a marshy area where you are likely to spot muskrats, frogs and turtles in addition to marsh birds. An interpretive site along the trail interprets the K-T Boundary, the geological feature that marks the boundary between the Mesozoic and Cenozoic eras.
Radium State Wildlife Area
A remote but fascinating site, this is one of the closest places to Denver to see many of the pinyon-juniper specialty birds such as Black-throated Gray Warbler, Juniper Titmouse, and Pinyon Jay. Black-chinned Hummingbird, Bushtit, Rock Wren, and Blue-gray Gnatcatcher may also be found here. The best pinyon-juniper habitat is along CR 111 southwest of the tiny unincorporated hamlet of Radium. Look for other dry-country creatures such as desert cottontail rabbits and short-horned lizards. Several areas allow access to the Colorado River and its riparian areas, including the Pumphouse Recreation Area, which charges an entrance fee. The hiking trail along the river here is beautiful.
Temple Canyon Park
Temple Canyon, a Canon City Park outside the city limits, is excellent in summer for pinyon-juniper birds including Gray Flycatcher, Virginia’s and Black-throated Gray Warblers, Juniper Titmouse, Bushtit, Scaled Quail, Ladder-backed Woodpecker and others. You might see a dipper along the stream that crosses the park. This park is very similar to Red Canyon Park, though with less striking scenery. Much of the wildlife observation is done from the 12-mile loop road.
Pinos Creek
This is the most direct route from the floor of the San Luis Valley to Summitville, at the top of the southern San Juans. The road passes through many habitats along the way. Down near the bottom, in the dry scrub and pinyon-juniper woodlands, look for Western Scrub-Jay and Pinyon Jay. In the ponderosa pine area you may see Western Tanager and Band-tailed Pigeon. Higher up, look for Olive-sided Flycatcher and Northern Goshawk. Note the transition in mammals too, from rock squirrels to pine squirrels and from kangaroo rats to chipmunks. See what you can find!
Hayden Grouse Leks
The area right outside of Hayden is one of the best in Colorado to see two species of lekking grouse in the spring, Sharp-tailed and Greater Sage-Grouse. With a good dose of luck you could also find a Dusky Grouse displaying in the same area. For Sharp-tailed Grouse take CR 80 over the first rise, down into the valley, and up to the next rise. Look on the small hill to the right (east) for the lek. For Greater Sage-Grouse continue for a total of 4 miles from the start of CR 80 and look about 200 yards off to the left (west) for the lek. The best spot for Dusky Grouse is right on top of the first rise after the start of the country road. Also look for Sandhill Cranes, which can usually be found along this road during the spring. Note that this road is not maintained in winter, and in some years it does not become passable until late April due to snowbanks. Exercise caution if the road is not dry.
Rocky Mountain National Park – Wild Basin
Here in the southeastern corner of Rocky Mountain National Park, the birding can be excellent, especially in summer. Along the first stretch of road, look for ponderosa pine birds like Williamson’s Sapsucker and Western Tanager. On the main Wild Basin Trail, keep an eye out for Dusky Grouse and American Three-toed Woodpecker. At the scenic Calypso Cascades, about 2 miles up the trail, Pacific/Winter Wrens have set up territories during a few summers, though they are not to be expected. If you’re feeling up to it, continue hiking another 2 miles up to Ouzel Falls, a nesting site for the elusive Black Swift. It is difficult to see the swifts on their nests near the waterfall, but sometimes they can be viewed soaring over the valley, even over the parking lot and the entrance station, especially on summer days with low, threatening cloud cover.
Brainard Lake Recreation Area
The Brainard Lake recreation area is composed of a number of trailheads and a campground in high-elevation spruce-fir forest and is a good place to look for Gray Jays, American Three-toed Woodpeckers, and Dusky Grouse. In the winter months, the Brainard Lake road is closed near the highway, and one must walk (or better yet, snowshoe or ski) to reach the lake. Boreal Owls have occasionally been reported at night. Those who are prepared for a serious hike can tackle the trail to Mount Audubon located inside the Indian Peaks Wilderness Area, where Brown-capped Rosy-finches and White-tailed Ptarmigan await the intrepid (and lucky). Moose increasingly call Brainard home, and hunting is to be expected in this area in season. Beware of afternoon thunderstorms and bring a detailed map. Be advised, this area is very crowded on weekends, and parking is a challenge; you may want to arrive early or plan on an early evening visit. There is also an entrance fee to the area in summer – cash or check only.
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.
Gunnison
This town is the cultural center of the Gunnison Basin and provides a central base from which to look for Gunnison Sage-grouse in spring and flocks of rosy-finches and other winter wandering birds at feeders in the colder months. Sometimes Lewis’s Woodpeckers can be found in late spring and summer in the cemetery or in the city park. Look for American Dippers along the river in town, especially in winter.
Red Mountain Pass
Driving this high mountain pass is not for the faint of heart. However, if you brave the steep drop-offs and disturbing lack of guardrails, you will be treated to one of the most amazing scenic drives in Colorado. From Ouray you start out in mixed-conifer woodland, head up into spruce-fir, and top out in willow carrs just below treeline. A good variety of montane passerines can be seen, and Black Swifts are often spotted flying overhead. Be careful when parking off the road here; shoulders are narrow to non-existent, and parking spots are few and far between.
La Jara Reservoir State Wildlife Area
Depending on the water level at this remote reservoir, you could see a large variety of waterbirds, or nearly nothing. When there is water, check for a good mix of dabblers and divers, and possibly shorebirds during migration. If the reservoir is dry, the consolation prize is the habitat along the entrance road, where you could find Pinyon Jay, Gray Flycatcher, Bushtit, and Black-throated Gray Warbler in the pinyon-juniper habitat and Pygmy Nuthatch, Red Crossbill, sapsuckers, and others in the mixed ponderosa/aspen forest.
Mount Elbert Forebay
This small lake just north of the Twin Lakes is not very accessible and there isn’t any parking. Park at Mt. Elbert South Trail and walk up to Mt. Elbert Forebay Lake. This area is mostly used by anglers and is usually empty of birds, but sometimes you can find grebes, mergansers or goldeneyes here, especially in the late fall.
Forest Road 642
Extensive ponderosa pine forest here makes this a good spot to look for Grace’s Warbler, Cassin’s Finch, Red Crossbill, Williamson’s Sapsucker, and the rest of the ponderosa forest specialists. It’s also a good place to look for mammals like deer, elk, and coyote.
Delaney Butte Lakes State Wildlife Area
The three lakes here are often less birdy than others in North Park, but can sometimes have waterbird fallouts. North Delaney Lake tends to be the most productive. The small riparian corridor and fields just to the south of the lakes sometimes have Short-eared Owl, and it’s not unusual to see a Great Horned Owl perched up if you drive the area late in the evening. The most accessible Greater Sage-Grouse lek in the state is also here, a prime reason to visit this site during the spring months. Please observe lek etiquette: arrive before dawn, use your car as a blind, keep noise and movement to a minimum, and don’t leave until after the birds do.
Sambrito Marsh
Part of Navajo State Park, this marsh can be accessed by a nature trail that provides good viewing. Use a spotting scope is best to identify birds far out on the water. During migration, many birds can be found here including Sage Sparrow and Sage Thrasher. Watch for good numbers of hawks, especially if you are here in the winter. Deer sometimes graze in the fields nearby.
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.
Crystal River Valley
Yet another scenic mountain valley, the Crystal River parallels CO 133 as it ascends to McClure Pass. Most of the land on the lower stretches is private, but there are numerous pullouts and some river access points that can be good birding. Along the lower parts watch for Lewis’s Woodpeckers, and higher up Townsend’s Solitaire, MacGillivray’s and Wilson’s Warblers, Fox and Lincoln’s Sparrows, and American Dipper.
Elephant Rocks
This fascinating area is full of amazing scenery as well as great Pinyon-Juniper and shrubland birds. It is good for Rock Wren, Green-tailed Towhee, Ash-throated Flycatcher, Bushtit and Pinyon Jay, and Cassin’s Kingbird (a rare bird in the San Luis Valley) has been seen here too. Poorwills call from the rocks at night. Several species of lizard scamper over the boulders, and with luck you might see a snake. You won’t miss the chipmunks and the rock squirrels.
Mason Family State Wildlife Area (Cebolla Creek)
This state wildlife area was formerly known as ‘Cebolla Creek.’ This area has a striking mix of habitats, including rocky cliffs, wet meadows, streamside willow thickets, and montane coniferous forest. Look for Rock Wrens and Savannah, Lincoln’s, and Brewer’s Sparrows. Dusky Grouse are in the area, and Gray Jays might steal your food if you picnic in the SWA parking lot. This is also a good area to look for butterflies. People are not likely to bother you here, and there are no facilities, but you might find marmots, sqirrels, deer, elk, or even bear or mountain lion if you are very fortunate.
Lake Dorothey State Wildlife Area
Little-visited and remote, this SWA and its neighbor, James M. John SWA, are the only two SWAs in Colorado that you must leave the state to access via road. Adjacent to Sugarite State Park in New Mexico, they can be a good place to bird ponderosa and mixed conifer woodland, and oak scrub. Look for Dusky Grouse, Lewis’ Woodpecker, Pygmy Nuthatch, Western Tanager, Spotted and Green-tailed Towhees, and Virginia’s Warbler, as well as black bear, mule deer, pocket gopher, and mountain lion if you are extremely lucky. Elk can be quite common in the area. James M. John SWA can be visited only on foot or horseback, between April 2 and November 30; it is a primitive site that affords incredible views from the mesa on the back side of Fisher’s Peak.
Red Canyon Park
This Canon City Park, which is several miles from town, is a good place to come looking for typical birds of the pinyon-juniper forest, including Gray Flycatcher, Virginia’s and Black-throated Gray Warblers, Juniper Titmouse, Bushtit and Plumbeous Vireo. Most of the trails in this park are rough, but the road is fine for passenger cars when dry, and much good birding can be done from the road. Take photos of the striking red rock formations here, similar to those in Garden of the Gods; watch for snakes and lizards sunning themselves on rocks in summer, and Rock Squirrels standing guard atop small shrubs.
Old Woman Creek
This short loop route out of the town of Del Norte passes through the saltbush scrub on the floor of the San Luis Valley, then rises into the low foothills with pinyon-juniper and some open ponderosa pine woodland. Along this route you might see Mountain and Western Bluebirds, Green-tailed Towhee, Gray Flycatcher, Pinyon Jay, and Clark’s Nutcracker. This loop road includes some excellent scenery, and a chance to see coyotes, jackrabbits, cottontails, and Abert’s Squirrels.
California Park
California Park has one of the highest breeding populations of Sandhill Crane in the state, and thus is also one of the best places to see that species outside of migration. However, to protect this sensitive species, the road doesn’t open until after they have nested, around July 1st. They are easy to find after then, until they migrate out for the fall. California Park is excellent for other species like Purple Martin in the larger aspen stands, Fox Sparrow in willow carrs, and the off chance at a Sharp-tailed Grouse just about anywhere away from the trees. This route is also very good for seeing mammals such as elk and mule deer. The state endangered boreal toad breeds in the area.
Allenspark
A tiny mountain hamlet, Allenspark is best known for its bird feeders. Take a walk around town – both chickadees and all three nuthatches visit feeders year round. In winter, finches like Evening Grosbeak, Pine Grosbeak, and all three Rosy-finch species sometimes drop by, especially in inclement weather. In the summer, you can often pick out Rufous and Calliope Hummingbirds from among the throngs of Broad-taileds. A set of feeders along Ski Road sometimes attracts Band-tailed Pigeons in summer. Keep in mind Colorado Parks and Wildlife recommends following bear aware principles when feeding birds in bear country – see the CPW website for more information.
Camp Bird Road
The narrow, picturesque mountain road up to Camp Bird traverses a variety of montane habitats and can be good for a number of species including Dusky Flycatcher, Western Tanager, Pine Grosbeak, Red Crossbill, and much more. Incredible cliffs and mountain scenery add to the mix. Keep an eye out for Black Swifts, which can sometimes be seen feeding high over the mountains here. Yellow-bellied marmots will announce your presence with their extraordinarily loud ‘chip’ noises. The road beyond Camp Bird becomes passable only to four-wheel-drive, high-clearance vehicles.
San Luis Hills
Rising out of the floor of the valley in the middle of otherwise flat sagebrush and grassland, the San Luis Hills provide not only a chance to look for some rare species for the San Luis Valley, but also a good chance to go hiking in an area not generally known for that pastime. The main draw here is Black-throated Sparrow, which can usually be found near the parking area as well as along the trail. Also keep an eye out for Bewick’s Wren, Sage Sparrow, Virginia’s Warbler, and pinyon-juniper species such as Pinyon Jay. This remote area supports populations of coyote, pronghorn, and black-tailed jackrabbit.
Independence Pass
Independence Pass is one of the few places in the state where you can ascend above treeline on a paved road. There is a paved trail here through beautiful alpine tundra. In summer you should find American Pipits and White-crowned Sparrows without trouble. If you hike on a trail across the tundra, you might stumble across White-tailed Ptarmigan or Brown-capped Rosy-Finch.
Dan Noble (Miramonte Reservoir Tract) State Wildlife Area
When not frozen, this high-elevation reservoir can provide some excellent birding. Everything from waterfowl to loons, gulls, shorebirds and waders could be found here. The sage flats around the reservoir contain many sparrows and also harbor the secretive and endangered Gunnison Sage-Grouse, but leks are not open to the public. Mule deer can be abundant in this area.
San Juan River
The road following the San Juan River along the southern border of Colorado is definitely off the beaten path, and it’s not a route to take when you’re in a hurry to get somewhere. If you have some time to relax and explore, however, you’ll find plenty of nature here without many people. The riparian cottonwoods and deciduous tangles along the river support Yellow-breasted Chat, Lazuli Bunting, and other birds typical of the habitat. Along the entire river, be alert for Black Phoebes, whose numbers are increasing in this area. In the open country, watch for herds of foraging deer and elk, and coyotes stalking voles in the grass.
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.
McClure Pass
Though low by mountain pass standards, McClure Pass is still an excellent birding location filled with beautiful aspen and mixed conifer forest. Perhaps the biggest draw is the chance at Purple Martin, which nests in low densities in the area, but birds like Red-naped Sapsucker, Green-tailed Towhee, Dusky Flycatcher, Western Tanager, and Swainson’s Thrush, among many others, can be seen. If you’re looking for a walk, the extreme 4×4 Huntsman Ridge Road ascends through lots of beautiful habitat. During the colder months watch for finches along the road.
La Garita area
The road heading west from the town of La Garita into the mountains of the same name first passes through a beautiful canyon with colonies of swallows and White-throated Swifts. The land in this area is a mix of public and private property, so pay attention to signs so as not to trespass. About twelve miles from La Garita you will come to a fork in the road. To the left is M33, South Camero Road, where you’ll find are Poso Campground, Moon Pass and an eventual dead end for passenger vehicles. To the right is 41G, Camero Road, where there is Storm King Campground and Carnero Pass, and an eventual outlet to CO 114 west of Saguache. Camero Creek runs along the left side of M33, South Camero Road, and supports some thin willow cover and lots of beaver activity. Poso Campground is in some nice mixed-conifer forest on a north-facing slope. Higher up, near Moon Pass, you get into some good mixed-age aspen groves and dense spruce forest where you might run into Gray Jay and other high-elevation birds. White-winged Crossbill has been seen near Moon Pass in summer, so keep an eye out. This road is a good place to look for elk, mule deer, marmots, porcupines, and other montane creatures.
American Basin
This beautiful high-elevation basin is on the southern part of the Alpine Loop, up the valley from Lake San Cristobal above Lake City. With caution, most passenger cars should be able to make it to the basin, but certainly not much farther. You will need to hike to get to ptarmigan and rosy-finch, but this is probably the shortest hike to these birds in Hinsdale County. With a 4×4 you can drive all the way to Cinnamon Pass and down into Silverton. This road is not for the faint of heart, but the scenery is outstanding. The whole area is closed during the colder months.
Texas Creek
If you can get to this scenic piece of BLM canyonland early on a summer morning, you’re likely to encounter Broad-tailed and Black-chinned Hummingbirds, Cassin’s Kingbird, Gray and Ash-throated Flycatchers, Pinyon Jay, Western Scrub-Jay, Black-throated Gray Warbler, Bushtit and Juniper Titmouse, in addition to several kinds of snakes, lizards and butterflies. Mammals include mule deer, ground squirrels, coyotes and elk. By mid-morning, however, this area becomes very popular with ATVs and horseback riders, and it is harder to find wildlife after that.
Del Norte
This is one of the San Luis Valley’s population centers, and you’ll find most anything you need here in terms of lodging and provisions. Bird feeders often produce Evening and Black-headed Grosbeaks, Cassin’s Finch, American and Lesser Goldfinches, Pine Siskin, and (in summer) hummingbirds of up to four species. Base yourself here for an expedition into the southern San Juans or the La Garitas.
Yampa River State Wildlife Area
The riparian habitat along the Yampa River is perhaps the best in western Colorado, and this state wildlife area not far west of Steamboat is one of the better places to access it. Good trails allows thorough access; look for species such as Downy and Hairy Woodpeckers, Yellow Warbler, Lazuli Bunting, Yellow-breasted Chat, and others. Fields in the park often play host to Sandhill Cranes, and who knows what migration might bring!
Fishers Peak
The 19,200-acre property connects grasslands to the east with foothills and mountains to the west, serving as an important corridor for wildlife movement. Providing habitat for large native species like elk, mule deer, white-tailed deer, mountain lion and black bear, the property helps maintain important connections between these species’ populations in the mountains and those in the prairies.
Ouray
Even in an area of the state filled with picturesque mountain towns, Ouray is something special. How many places are there on earth where you can have all the amenities and also walk to a Black Swift colony? The feeders around town itself are excellent for a variety of birds, especially finches, and can attract rarities during the fall and winter. Box Can?on Falls (fee area), just south of town, in addition to the aforementioned Black Swift nests, can be good for White-throated Swift, Cordilleran Flycatcher, Cassin’s Finch, and Red-naped Sapsucker. But don’t let the birding here keep you from admiring the gorgeous falls itself, nor the not springs, nor the unbelievable scenery nearby.
Antonito area
This town in the southernmost San Luis Valley provides a good place to base yourself when birding the southern valley. The roads nearby (especially to the east) can be good for raptors and shrikes. Tiny Conejos to the north hosts not only the county seat but also Colorado’s oldest church, completed in 1866 and a sight worth seeing. When you’re ready to look at birds, explore the great willow and riparian habitat along the road between Conejos and Guadalupe (private property; remain on the road). The road heading southwest out of Conejos runs past some marshes and wet fields with breeding blackbirds, and rails. In the winter Bald Eagles can be sen along the riparian cottonwood galleries.
Crystal Lakes
The small Crystal Lake is popular with fishermen but can also attract diving ducks and maybe even shorebirds. There is a fishing dock that can provide an accessible birding area. Many nest boxes around the parking lot host Mountain Bluebird and Tree Swallow families in summer. The sage lands to the southwest are part of the Crystal Lakes State Trust Land and are open year-round for wildlife recreation. Look here for Horned Lark, Sage Thrasher and even Brewer’s Sparrow.
Buffalo Pass
This high mountain pass, an alternative route between Walden and Steamboat Springs, passes through superb high mountain forest. Watch especially for Dusky Grouse on the North Park side; they can often be seen along the road in the spring not long after the pass opens. The spruce-fir forest at the top has a high density of American Three-toed Woodpeckers, as well as other species such as Olive-sided Flycatcher, Gray Jay, Golden-crowned Kinglet, and Swainson’s Thrush. Elk, mule deer, If you feel up to some night birding, keep an ear out for Northern Saw-whet Owl, and at the higher elevations, Boreal Owl.
Piedra Road
The southern part of Hinsdale County, accessible only from the Piedra Road (CR 600) that goes north from Pagosa Springs, is a great birding area with mountain meadows and ponderosa pine forests. You’ll find Western Bluebirds, Lewis’s Woodpeckers, and maybe even Grace’s Warblers, though they are rare here. Big game including deer and elk are common in the area. The Piedra Picnic Area just past the county line has mid-elevation riparian habitat with Song Sparrow, Spotted Towhee, and Yellow Warbler. A little farther north, a side road, FR 639, leads through ponderosa, oak and aspen habitat that can produce Virginia’s Warbler, Flammulated Owl, Band-tailed Pigeon, Evening Grosbeak and many other fine birds. If you follow the road to the top where it splits three ways and take the right fork (on foot if the road is too rutted for your car), you will get to an area that is good for Williamson’s Sapsucker. Flower-filled meadows near here can be filled with butterflies, including several species of fritillary. If you continue up the Piedra Road past the turnoff to Williams Creek Reservoir and across Weminuche Creek, you’ll enter a little-traveled area of mixed-conifer forest that transitions into spruce-fir. This is another great area to get high-elevation birds including Gray Jay, Olive-sided Flycatcher, Golden-crowned Kinglet, Evening Grosbeak, Red Crossbill and Three-toed Woodpecker. The woods here are deep, and the road is remote–if you want to catch sight of a black bear or a porcupine crossing the road in front of you, this might be the place.
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.
Russell Lakes State Wildlife Area
Birders should never drive past this State Wildlife Area without stopping. The Johnson Lake nature trail along Highway 285 includes a boardwalk through a thriving marsh, with good views of ponds and wet meadows. In the colder months, if the water is not frozen, the ponds can be full of ducks of many species. In the breeding season, the area is full of birds, including Cinnamon Teal, Western and Clark’s Grebes, American Bittern, Sora, Virginia Rail, White-faced Ibis, Marsh Wren, Common Yellowthroat and Savannah Sparrow. The small grove of trees at the parking area has produced migrant warblers and breeding Bullock’s Oriole; Great Horned Owls often nest in the trees. The saltbush around the ponds has plenty of Brewer’s Sparrows and Sage Thrashers. Jackrabbits can be abundant in the dry brush, and mule deer are frequently seen. The ponds also host muskrats, various amphibians, and many species of butterfly, dragonfly, and damselfly.
Engineer Pass Road
This road connects Lake City with Silverton and forms the northern part of the Alpine Loop. Engineer Pass requires 4WD and high clearance, but accesses some of the most beautiful and extensive tundra habitat in the state. Those without 4WD can hike up the Nellie Creek road (or drive it in a high-clearance vehicle) to the trailhead for Uncompaghre Peak, highest peak in the San Juans at 14,309 feet. The spruce-fir habitat around the trailhead and along the Engineer Pass Road is excellent for the likes of Three-toed Woodpecker and Pine Grosbeak. In the alpine tundra areas, look for Brown-capped Rosy-Finch, American Pipit, and, with luck, White-tailed Ptarmigan. These roads are closed during the colder months.
Trinidad
Trinidad is a charming town with a historic downtown and all the amenities. The highlight of birding in town is the Purgatoire River trail, which follows the river through some nice riparian forest. The best stretch is east of downtown, downstream from the parking area on Linden Street. The city plans to extend the trail west all the way to Trinidad Lake.
Hayden Creek Campground
The road up to this beautiful campground is accessible by passenger car, at least in the warmer months. It goes through mixed conifers and pinyon-juniper past some very nice picnic areas. There’s not much aspen or ponderosa or willow up here, but breeders in the area of the campground include Hammond’s Flycatcher, Warbling Vireo, Hermit Thrush, Virginia’s and MacGillivray’s Warblers, Western Tanager and Black-headed Grosbeak. With four-wheel-drive and clearance you can continue up the road all the way to Hayden Pass, on the crest of the Sangre de Cristo mountains, at just over 11,000 feet.
Rock Creek
This is one of several wonderful backcountry drives in the southern San Juans. It rises from low dry canyon country all the way up to the cold moist spruce-fir forests where Gray Jays make their home. If you are the first one up this way in the morning, you might find a Dusky Grouse or a mule deer on the road. A nocturnal expedition could turn up singing poorwills and (in the high country) Boreal Owl, plus porcupines, foxes, and snowshoe hares.
Pleasant Valley
This aptly named valley provides a good alternate route when driving from Ridgway to Telluride. A good variety of forests, including mixed conifer and aspen woodlands as well as mountain meadows and some riparian groves, can be seen from the road, and a good selection of montane birds could be found here.
Conejos Canyon
All along this road look for typical ponderosa birds as well as dipper and riparian species. The Mogote Recreation Area at the entrance to the canyon is a particularly good place to access various habitats: ponderosa pines around the campground, pinyon-juniper woodland on the south-facing slope across the highway, and mid-elevation riparian woods along the stream. Many mammals utilize the area as well, and you could see Pine squirrels, elk, mule deer, coyote, and, if you are really lucky, bobcat.
Leadville National Fish Hatchery
Leadville National Fish Hatchery is the second-oldest federal hatchery in the nation. Its grounds are open to the public for hiking and wildlife viewing, and include willow thickets, subalpine (spruce-fir) forest, and two public fishing ponds which can attract waterfowl, especially in late fall. Great Blue Herons and Bald Eagles sometimes take advantage of the easy pickings here, and mammals on the property include elk and porcupine.
V.A. Poma Ranch
The V.A. Poma Ranch is a guest ranch in the Weminuche Valley of southwest Colorado. The Ranch provides wonderful opportunities for both amateur and serious birdwatchers as well as all outdoor lovers. Located not far from the Continental Divide, you’ll have access to a diversity of forest habitats as well as meadows and willow-riparian zones near the Weminuche River, various ponds and privately owned Martin Lake. You will be greeted upon arrival by a friendly host and a plethora of different hummingbirds that make the Ranch House porch always entertaining. The Rockies and the altitude attract interesting birds including Steller’s and Gray Jays, Mountain and Western Bluebirds, Western Tanagers, Magpies, Warblers, Flycatchers and Eagles to name a few. We even find that guests come as strangers and leave as friends.
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.
Saguache
This is a very small but pleasant town in the northwest part of the San Luis Valley. The trees in town can host migrant birds. Cruising the neighborhoods in search of feeders could result in sightings of Evening Grosbeaks, Cassin’s Finches, or goldfinches, especially in winter. The wet meadows along the highway south of town should be scanned for Wilson’s Snipe, ducks, and Great-tailed Grackle.
Lake City
Lake City is the only town in Hinsdale County, Colorado’s least-populated county. According to the U.S. Geological Survey, this is the most remote country in the lower 48 United States, by virtue of its containing the area farthest from a road. The Weminuche Wilderness makes up a vast portion of the county, and you won’t find a wilder place in Colorado. That said, Lake City has all the amenities and is a great place to base yourself as you explore the wilderness. Right in town you can find many birds, especially hummingbirds and finches at feeders. In the northwest corner of town is Pete’s Pond, probably the best birding area in town, where Rose-breasted Grosbeak has been seen (but Black-headed is more likely) and several species of ducks can be found in the warmer months. The two cemeteries north of town can have migrants in season and birds like Clark’s Nutcracker and all three species of nuthatch year-round. Just south of town lies scenic Lake San Cristobal, the second-largest natural lake in the state, where you might find a few ducks or an Osprey or Bald Eagle if you’re lucky.
Welch Ranch
This spectacular ranch charges an entrance fee of $10 per person per day. It includes the north end of the Apishapa Canyon, which is worth a visit just for the scenery, as it is 200-300 feet deep along this stretch. There are only a few cottonwoods in the bottom of the canyon, but the fact that the river here flows nearly year-round makes for excellent birding potential in this arid country. Raptors nest in the canyon, and Black Phoebe is a definite possibility. The northern part of the ranch has prairie-dog towns with breeding Burrowing Owls. Keep an eye out for Greater Roadrunner and Scaled Quail in addition to deer, coyote and other mammals.
Trujillo Meadows State Wildlife Area
A stone’s throw from New Mexico, this terrific area is not to be missed. The large wet meadow adjacent to CO 17 near Cumbres Pass can be good for willow specialists such as Fox and Lincoln’s Sparrows and Wilson’s Warblers. Pine Grosbeaks permeate the surrounding trees. The spruce-fir forest along the road to the lake is good for this and other high mountain specialties. The lake itself has had diving ducks including: Lesser Scaup, Ring-necked Duck and Common Merganser. There is a high density of elk, including some truly enormous specimens, in this area. Butterfly species that can be found nearby include Mountain Checkered-Skipper and Scudder’s Sulphur.
Turquoise Lake
This very large lake is scenic, but often has few waterbirds, and a scope is usually necessary to see the ones that are there. However, grebes and loons are regular in late fall, along with a few ducks. The spruce-fir forest around the lake can be good in summer for high-elevation birds. The reintroduced lynx are sometimes found in the area, but you will have to be phenomenally lucky to see one.
Williams Creek Reservoir
Thanks to its gorgeous natural setting, Williams Creek Reservoir is a very popular destination for fishermen and campers. It is also a popular destination for waterbirds ranging from Cinnamon Teal to Western Grebe, most of which congregate along the reservoir’s north shore. The road north of the reservoir traverses some mid-elevation riparian areas with Red-naped Sapsucker; thick willows along the stream in the valley floor harbor Fox Sparrows and MacGillivray’s Warblers; elk graze in the wet meadows; Boloria fritillaries flutter, and Wilson’s Snipe winnow overhead on summer evenings. At the end of the road pick up the Williams Creek Trail, a beautiful path through mixed-conifer and spruce-fir forests where Cassin’s Finch, Hammond’s Flycatcher and Three-toed Woodpecker can be found. One of the authors once frightened a black bear off this trail, so keep your eyes peeled.
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.
Orient Mine
The Orient Mine near Valley View Hot Springs is home to a summer colony of an estimated 250,000 Mexican free-tailed bats, which stage an impressive out-flight from the mine entrance every evening. You are likely to hear poorwills and Canyon Wrens calling during the bats’ daily exodus. There is no charge for viewing the bats, but there is a charge to use the hot springs. A moderate 1.5-mile hike to the bat cave takes about an hour. The property contains numerous other remnants of the area’s mining history and has a fascinating geology as well. For more information, see www.olt.org. Note** The Orient Land Trust (OLT) manages the land and Valley View Hot Springs. This is a clothing optional naturism organization, and you will very likely see naked people.
Lake Fork Gunnison River State Wildlife Area
This small State Wildlife Area fishing easement is only a hundred yards from the highway, but gets very few visitors. This easement is on private property and access is allowed only for fishing. The rushing stream is lined with willows and some cottonwoods, and you can find many nesting species of bird including Yellow Warbler, American Dipper, and Blue-gray Gnatcatcher. The canyon walls provide nesting areas for White-throated Swifts and Violet-green Swallows. If you watch the running water closely, you might see a brown, rainbow or cutthroat trout rise to the surface of this gold-medal fishery river.
Rancho Largo
This private working ranch, operated by Grady Grissom, has many attractions for the visiting birder that make it well worth the $10 entrance fee. There is a seasonal playa, which holds water approximately every other spring, that can be excellent for migratory waterbirds. There’s high-quality grassland with breeding Long-billed Curlews. There’s a fascinating and scenic canyon with eroded sandstone geology, some permanent waterholes with associated deciduous growth, excellent cholla with Curve-billed Thrasher, and plenty of pinyon-juniper. You are likely to see pronghorn and deer, among other mammals. The Grissoms also maintain an extremely nice two-bedroom, two-bathroom guest house that can be rented for $125 per night–$25 of which is a cleaning deposit recoverable if you leave the place in good shape. In addition, Grady offers half-day ranch tours for an additional fee, on which he shares his vast knowledge of agriculture and geology.
Desert Canyon Farm
USDA Certified Organic Farm growing perennial seed crops, lots of native pollinator habitat, small wetlands area (two ponds) with wildlife friendly garden landscape around buildings and compound. Features desert landscape garden with rare Cholla cactus that is used as a nesting site by curve-billed thrasher and other species. This site is locate on the north side of Canon City along the Gold Belt Tour Byway. Unique site provides excellent birding opportunities.
Curve-billed Thrashers nest in cholla cactus in the garden in the center of the driveway. Thrashers found here, year-round. Easy to view from vehicle or driveway.
Leadville
Leadville is a picturesque old mining town at the foot of Colorado’s highest mountains. It has all the amenities. Feeders around town can attract birds including Pine Grosbeak and Rosy-Finches in winter. Along the highway south of town, look for raptors, including Rough-legged Hawk in winter, as well as elk and deer.
Southwest Corner of Mineral County
This remote area gets very few visitors, but good forest roads wind through miles of ponderosa pine and montane shrub habitats here. A nocturnal trip on some of these roads in June can result in multiple Flammulated Owl encounters; the species is common in the area. Green-tailed Towhee and Evening Grosbeak can be found here as well. Elk are numerous, as are mule deer, and several species of squirrel and chipmunk. The beautiful Western Pine Elfin butterfly can be found, and in areas of Gambel Oak, you have a chance to find the Colorado Hairstreak, the state insect.
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.
Apishapa State Wildlife Area
Deep canyons, abundant pinyon-juniper woodland, some riparian groves, and even good grassland characterize this remote State Wildlife Area. It provides a great opportunity to view bighorn sheep in an unbelievably scenic and rugged prairie setting. With some hiking through the rough terrain birds such as Rock and Canyon Wrens, Canyon Towhee, Bushtit, and Juniper Titmouse can be found. The lowland riparian along the river bottom should be checked for migrants. In season Common Poorwills and Great Horned Owls serenade the hardy camper to sleep. A myriad of reptiles and amphibians can be found in the area, including rattlesnakes and even soft-shelled turtles in the river; and during certain days in the fall tatantulas can be seeing migrating across the road. Some Native American rock art can be found along the canyon rims.
Echo Canyon Reservoir State Wildlife Area
Echo Canyon is a small state wildlife area with a popular fishing lake that can attract ducks and possibly some shorebirds during spring and fall. At the east end of the lake you will find a good cattail marsh where Marsh Wrens and Yellow-headed Blackbirds breed. In the colder months, look for Bald Eagles soaring over the water. Muskrats can be seen paddling through the water near the cattail marsh.
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.
Tim Williams Ranch
Tim Williams’ Ranch in northwest Las Animas County specializes in open pinyon-juniper forest and rimrock. There’s lots of Rufous-crowned Sparrow habitat here, and maybe you could turn up a Gray Vireo or some other low-density pinyon-juniper breeder. A seasonal pond on the property (dry as of fall 2005) usually covers between 12 and 200 acres in non-drought years, and could be a haven for waterbird life when full. Look on the ranch for Greater Roadrunner, Scaled Quail, Burrowing Owl and maybe even Mountain Plover. At least one of the canyons has had nesting Golden Eagles in non-drought years. In addition to the bird potential, this ranch has some of the finest dinosaur tracks this author has ever seen. Access to the ranch costs $10 per person per day. Visitors are advised to avoid times of heavy work on the ranch (Memorial Day weekend, late August, and the first two weeks of October through about mid-November).
Blanco River Road
This road heads east from US 84 south of Pagosa Springs a short distance through nice mixed-conifer forest and a little mid-elevation riparian habitat to a forest service campground. There is some aspen and Gambel oak mixed in. Look for Western Tanagers and Warbling Vireos. With great luck, you may see a weasel chase a vole through the campground.
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.
Last Chance Mine
The 17-mile bachelor historic loop takes visitors through Creede’s unique silver mining district and past two ghost town sites. Virtually all of the Bachelor Loop runs through private land. The Last Chance Mine, perched on a canyon wall high above West Willow Creek, provides an opportunity to get out of the car and explore the area on foot. In its glory days, the Last Chance was one of Creede’s richest silver mines, running almost continuously from 1891 to 1947. Mining ended completely in the early 1960’s. Several of the mine buildings have undergone restoration since 2000, and in addition to prospecting for high elevation subalpine birds and abundant wildlife, rock hounds are allowed to collect specimens for a small fee per pound. A museum also provides a large selection of rock specimens for sale. Proprietor Jack Morris is happy to take visitors on a tour and share the areas abundant history.