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.
Whitewater
A Popular Destination for People of any Persuasion
Perhaps no area in Colorado offers as wide a variety of birds as the area along the Arkansas River from Pueblo up to Canon City and beyond. Famous for its whitewater rafting, the Arkansas Canyon offers an amazing variety of wildlife viewing opportunities in a spectacular setting. Here, species characteristic of the Arizona deserts meet species of the plains, the Great Basin and the high Rockies. Pueblo Reservoir is one of the best birding lakes in the state, and the area around it harbors wildlife ranging from roadrunners to tarantulas. Farther up the valley, you can find sapsuckers, tanagers and bighorn sheep. It’s not for nothing that the Arkansas Canyon is one of the most popular destinations in Colorado, for people of any persuasion!
Runyon Lake 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
Lake Pueblo State Park and Pueblo Reservoir State Wildlife Area
Admission: State Parks Pass to enter the State Park. Beginning May 1, 2021, a valid Hunting license, Fishing license, OR State Wildlife Area Pass is required for everyone 16 or older accessing any State Wildlife Area or State Trust Land.
Ownership: Colorado Parks and Wildlife
Brush Hollow State Wildlife Area and Reservoir
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
Beaver 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: Guided Tours $10/adult, children accompanied by paying adult and under 12 yrs. Free. Children with/adult age 12-16 $2. Self-guided Tours by donation. For drive-way sightings only no appointment is required, but farm walk-about tours do require an appointment.
Ownership: Private
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.
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.
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.
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!
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.