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.
South Park
A Prairie Between Peaks
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. Among the abundant Brewer’s Blackbirds, Swainson’s Hawks, and pronghorn, many waterbirds breed, including a few Mountain Plovers. Where the mountains rise to the west, Veeries and Swainson’s Thrushes harmonize in the willows. In fall, South Park’s reservoirs host huge numbers of ducks, occasionally including loons, and in winter, flocks of rosy-finches descend to the cold valley floor. If you like grand, sparsely populated landscapes, put this place on your list.
Admission: State Parks Pass
Ownership: Colorado Parks and Wildlife
Admission: State Parks Pass. Additional fee for camping .
Ownership: Colorado Parks and Wildlife
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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).
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.
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.
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.