Duck Creek has one of the best migrant trap habitats in the area, but is often neglected in favor of more popular locations nearby. However, it is well worth a visit, especially during spring and fall migration when you never know what could show up! Several of the northeastern specialty breeding species occur here, including Baltimore Oriole, Eastern Kingbird, and Upland Sandpiper (along the entrance road). During the winter, it tends to be fairly quiet, but flocks of sparrows may be around. Hunting occurs on this property, so be sure to check for seasonal restrictions before heading out.
Sandsage
Prairie, Southwestern Style
The northeast corner of Colorado sits atop a special ecosystem, a mix of desert and prairie known as sandsage. In undisturbed corners of the landscape live tallgrass prairie species from farther east, like Greater Prairie-Chickens and Upland Sandpipers, but with a little southwestern spice in the form of short-horned lizards, rattlesnakes, and Cassin’s Sparrows. Along the river valleys and in the towns, shade trees attract Baltimore, Bullock’s, and Orchard Orioles, and the occasional Northern Cardinal. In summer, Mississippi Kites float over some of the city parks. In the colder months, bodies of open water can be packed with waterfowl, including thousands of Ross’s and Snow Geese.
Duck Creek State Wildlife Area
Admission: A valid hunting or fishing license, or State Wildlife Area pass is required for everyone 16 or older accessing any state wildlife area or state trust lands.
Ownership: Colorado Parks and Wildlife
Tamarack Ranch State Wildlife Area
Admission: A valid hunting or fishing license will be required for everyone 18 or older attempting to access any State Wildlife Area or State Trust Land leased by Colorado Parks and Wildlife.
Ownership: Colorado Parks and Wildlife
Frenchman Creek State Wildlife Area
Admission: A valid hunting or fishing license, or State Wildlife Area pass is required for everyone 16 or older accessing any state wildlife area or state trust lands.
Ownership: Colorado Parks and Wildlife
Admission: A valid hunting or fishing license, or State Wildlife Area pass is required for everyone 16 or older accessing any state wildlife area or state trust lands.
Ownership: Colorado Parks and Wildlife
Jumbo Reservoir State Wildlife Area
Admission: A valid hunting or fishing license, or State Wildlife Area pass is required for everyone 16 or older accessing any state wildlife area or state trust lands.
Ownership: Colorado Parks and Wildlife
Admission: A valid hunting or fishing license, or State Wildlife Area pass is required for everyone 16 or older accessing any state wildlife area or state trust lands.
Ownership: Colorado Parks and Wildlife
Tamarack Ranch State Wildlife Area
While you won’t see many tamarack trees here, this large SWA is the best spot in northeastern Colorado to search for the full suite of northeastern specialties. Search particularly in the denser riparian habitat to the north of the road and south of the river for Northern Cardinal; Baltimore Oriole (as well as hybrids of all sorts); Eastern, Spotted, and everything-in-between Towhees; Red-bellied Woodpecker; and Bell’s Vireo. The more open country to the east of CO 63 could have Field Sparrow, Red-headed Woodpecker, and Upland Sandpiper. In the winter months, flocks of sparrows might include Harris’s Sparrow, and Rough-legged Hawks are sometimes found hanging out in the area. Hunting occurs on this property, so be sure to check for seasonal restrictions before heading out.
Haxtun Area
The town of Haxtun has numerous large trees that attract birds in migration and at other seasons. One of the best places to bird is the City Park on the northeast corner of town, which has a paved trail underneath mature shade trees. Look for migrant warblers and tanagers in spring and fall, and doves and woodpeckers at other seasons. The wastewater ponds are located just over a mile east of town and are one of the best places in the area to find ducks and geese, mostly in the winter; in spring and fall they can also attract phalaropes and other shorebirds. At any time of year, blackbirds including Great-tailed Grackles may be seen at the feedlot, just north of the sewage ponds.
Frenchman Creek State Wildlife Area
Spring and summer are the best times to visit this mostly dry creek bed, which is lined by sparse cottonwoods, chokecherry, and juniper. East meets west here; both Western and Eastern Kingbirds can be found in summer, and this is a good place to look for Baltimore and Bullock’s Orioles and their hybrids. Hunting occurs on this property, so be sure to check for seasonal restrictions before heading out.
Sand Hills
The southern portion of Phillips County has some sandsage habitat where Cassin’s and Lark Sparrows breed, along with Colorado’s state bird, the Lark Bunting. Small numbers of Greater Prairie-Chickens are also present, but unlikely to be seen. Along County Road 2 west of County Road 35, there is a seasonal playa that can attract ducks and shorebirds when it has water. Look out for pronghorn, as they are easy to find in the area.
Holyoke
The largest town in Phillips County, Holyoke is a good place to see Mississippi Kites in summer. Look for them in the air, or anywhere above town, as they pursue flying insects on the wing. You might find their nests in the large shade trees around town, which also attract migrant warblers in spring. Southeast of town is the Holyoke Cemetery, which can be worth a visit during spring for migrants, and you might spot burrowing Thirteen-lined Ground Squirrels. Just east of town is the Lions Club Fishing Hole, a small pond with a boardwalk and viewing platform that can have ducks at any season and migrants in spring. Bell’s Vireo can sometimes be found in summer in the thick vegetation east of the pond.
Sand Draw State Wildlife Area
This spot is an oasis of tall trees and dense undergrowth that provides a haven for deer, cottontail rabbits, and various bird species. Listen for the scratchy warbles of Bell’s Vireo in summer, along with the complex song of the Brown Thrasher. The denser pines may harbor roosting owls, especially in winter. A network of wide paths provides foot access to the area from the parking lot, though these paths can become overgrown in summer. Hunting occurs on this property, so be sure to check for seasonal restrictions before heading out.
Julesburg
Two good places to bird in Julesburg are Lion’s Park, also known as the Julesburg State Wayside, and DePoorter Lake. Lion’s Park, along the South Platte River, features a Watchable Wildlife Trail where one can see Baltimore and Orchard Orioles, swallows, buntings, and warblers in migration. DePoorter Lake, just northeast of town, is a good place to see ducks and swallows in spring and fall. Look for other birds such as Wild Turkey and Great-tailed Grackle. A paved accessible walking trail circles the lake.
Ovid Woods
A strip of woodlands along the east edge of the town of Ovid, called the ‘Ovid Woods,’ is private property and cannot be entered, but it is possible to see many birds from the road that runs along it. Breeding birds here include Red-headed and Red-bellied Woodpeckers and Chimney Swift; Northern Cardinal is sometimes seen. Good numbers of migrant warblers and sparrows can be found during migration.
Jumbo Reservoir State Wildlife Area
Labeled ‘Julesburg Reservoir’ on some maps, this place is known by locals as ‘Jumbo.’ Birding can be excellent here at any time of year. Large numbers of shorebirds can congregate on mudflats in late summer and fall; up to five species of geese may gather in enormous flocks in the colder months (as long as there is open water). Sabine’s Gull is regular in fall, jaegers are occasionally seen, and even a Ross’s Gull once showed up here! Great Horned Owls and Eastern Screech-Owls have nested in the small primitive campground. Breeding birds in the fields around the reservoir include Upland Sandpiper, Burrowing Owl, Dickcissel, and Grasshopper Sparrow. Golden Eagles and Ferruginous Hawks are sometimes seen. An annual permit is required to access the property unless you have already purchased a valid Colorado fishing or hunting license.
Red Lion State Wildlife Area
Adjacent to Jumbo Reservoir, Red Lion SWA is centered around a lake affectionately known as “Little Jumbo.” While not usually as productive as the larger Jumbo, the reservoir here is often filled with Snow and Ross’s Geese during winter, and a few Greater White-fronted Geese can often also be found. Nearly every duck species that occurs on the plains could be seen here, as well as Eared and Horned Grebes, and the occasional loon or flock of American White Pelicans. When the water is low (usually during the fall months), hundreds of shorebirds can occur, and nearly any species is possible. The open, sandy prairie surrounding the lake usually hosts Lark Bunting, Western Meadowlark, Western Kingbird, and Swainson’s Hawk, as well as the occasional Upland Sandpiper. During the winter, look for Rough-legged Hawk and Lapland Longspur. Hunting occurs on this property, so be sure to check for seasonal restrictions before heading out.