Colorado, with its varied landscape, high altitude, and climate, attracts over 500 species of birds every year. From the majestic Bald Eagle to the tiny Anna’s Hummingbird, Colorado offers bird watchers a wide range of species to marvel at. Whether you’re an avid birder or a beginner, Colorado has plenty of sites for you to explore and discover.
1. Rocky Mountain National Park
Rocky Mountain National Park is an ideal place for bird watching. With elevations ranging from 7,500 to over 12,000 feet, it has a variety of habitats, making it a haven for birds. You can see the majestic Peregrine Falcons, White-tailed Ptarmigans, American Dippers, and many more bird species. You can join a ranger-led bird walk that takes place every Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday from May to September.
2. Chatfield State Park
Chatfield State Park, situated in Littleton, south of Denver, is a popular location for both birding and boating. The park has several trailheads that lead to the Platte River, which is teeming with bird species like the Snowy Egret, Great Blue Heron, and Ruddy Duck. Bird watching enthusiasts can enjoy the various habitats in the park, including wetlands, woodland, and grasslands.
3. Barr Lake State Park
Barr Lake State Park is situated in Brighton, between Denver and Fort Collins. It’s the perfect location for birding, having over 350 bird species. The park offers bird watchers an opportunity to watch birds from several different locations, including the bird-viewing station that overlooks the lake. The park also has several trails that take you through wetlands, woodland, and prairie habitats.
4. Monte Vista National Wildlife Refuge
If you’re looking for an excellent spot to see migrating waterbirds, Monte Vista National Wildlife Refuge is a must-visit location. Located in the San Luis Valley in southern Colorado, the refuge includes over 14,000 acres of wetland habitat that supports a diverse range of bird species. You can see birds like the Greater Sandhill Crane, Bald Eagles, and American Avocets.
5. Pawnee National Grassland
Pawnee National Grassland is located northeast of Denver. The grassland acts as a breeding ground for various bird species. This region is ideal for birds such as the Burrowing Owl, Mountain Plover, and McCown’s Longspur. The grasslands offer several birding opportunities, including bird walks and documented checklists of species sighted.
6. Chico Basin Ranch
The Chico Basin Ranch is situated south of Colorado Springs and supports a wide variety of bird species, including Golden Eagles, Ferruginous Hawks, and Prairie Falcons. Additionally, the ranch has a bird banding project, where bird watchers can observe the capturing, banding, and releasing of birds.
7. Paint Mines Interpretive Park
The Paint Mines Interpretive Park is an area with delicate rock formations that contain a variety of bird species. The park is a high-altitude, open-air museum, where you can find several bird species, including Say’s Phoebe, Lark Sparrow, and Canyon Wren. It’s perfect for bird watchers who want to combine birding with a little bit of adventure.
Conclusion
Colorado’s varied landscapes and rich biodiversity make it an ideal location for bird enthusiasts. Along with the above locations, Colorado has several birding sites and trails across its parks, which makes it a bird-watcher’s paradise. So, pack your binoculars, camera and hit the road to discover the wide variety of bird species in Colorado. Happy birding!