Brief Itinerary
Day One
Fly into Denver
International Airport (DIA) by 1:00PM, meet group,
have a trip overview and some easy birding. We will
get in some front range birding with some wet fields
with migrant surprises, reservoirs and migrant
traps. Evening owling is a possibility depending on
how tired everyone is from traveling. Possible
birds include; shorebirds, ducks, grebes, migrants,
gulls, Northern Pygmy and Saw-whet Owls.
Day Two
As we head west we will drive into the mountains,
over the pass and north into the north park area. We
hope to get into the Arapahoe National Wildlife
Refuge for ducks and grebes. Evening will be in
Steamboat Springs. Possible birds include;
Rosy-Finches, Cassin’s Finch, Pine Grosbeak, Red
Crossbill, Clark’s Nutcracker, Gray Jay, American
Dipper, Cinnamon Teal, woodpeckers, ducks,
shorebirds and Rough-legged Hawk. Our first full
day ends in Steamboat Springs.
Day Three
We will observe leks of Greater Sage-Grouse and
Sharp-tailed Grouse and will try for Dusky Grouse.
We will spend our day birding northwest to
southwest Colorado including the Yampa River Basin,
high valleys, dry canyons, and reservoirs. The day
ends in Gunnison. Possible birds include; Greater
Sage-Grouse, Sharp-tailed Grouse, Dusky Grouse,
Chukar, Black-throated Sparrow, Canyon Wren and
Towhee, swallows, passerines, Golden Eagle and
Osprey.
Day Four
Drive to the lek of the endangered Gunnison
Sage-Grouse. We must stay at the lek until all birds
have left so we don’t disturb this rare species. A
Colorado Habitat Stamp is required for this lek
viewing if between the ages of 18-64.
Next, we will travel up and over the pass for high
elevation birds, enjoy a big warm breakfast and down
to Royal Gorge for Pinyon species. After several
stops through south central Colorado, we will end
the day in Springfield. Possible birds include;
Gunnison Sage-Grouse, White-throated Swift,
Bushtit, Juniper Titmouse, Pinyon Jay, Scaled Quail,
Curved-billed Thrasher and passerines.
Day Five
The morning begins early as we view a Lesser
Prairie-Chicken lek. We will spend some time birding
the southeastern part of the state before heading
north. As we make our way to the northeast corner,
our stops will include the riparian area behind
Lamar Community College and Bonny Reservoir. We will
see some eastern species on this side of the state.
We should get a quick look at Greater
Prairie-Chicken before dinner. At last, there
should be time for a nap in the car. Day five ends
in Wray. Possible birds include; Lesser
Prairie-Chicken, Rough-legged Hawk, Swainson’s Hawk,
Ferruginous Hawk, Prairie Falcon, Merlin,
Red-bellied Woodpecker, Eastern Bluebird, water
birds, shorebirds and passerines.
Day Six
We visit the last of the Colorado leks with the
Greater Prairie-Chicken. After breakfast in Wray,
we head west to Prewitt Reservoir and Pawnee
National Grassland. We will look for Mountain
Plover, Burrowing Owl, Chestnut-collared and
McCown’s Longspur. Overnight is in Estes Park with
possible evening birding at 7,500 feet. Possible
birds include; Greater Prairie-Chicken, Mountain
Plover, Burrowing Owl, Chestnut-collared and
McCown’s Longspur, sparrows, shorebirds and
sapsuckers.
Day Seven
Our final half-day together will be spent birding
the Estes Park reservoir, visiting some famous bird
feeders and other montane locations. The trip ends
at the Denver International Airport by 12:00 noon.
If you are flying out on this last day, please make
arrangements for flights departing after 2:00PM
MST. Possible birds include; Rosy-Finches, Evening
Grosbeak, Steller’s Jay, Clark’s Nutcracker, Pine
Grosbeak, nuthatches, chickadees and woodpeckers.
Clothing and Equipment
List
The following items are important for your comfort
and safety. The trip will range between 3000 to
10,000+ feet in elevation. It can get quite cold at
higher elevations and at the early morning leks (it
has been 30°
F at times). It is important to bring some warm
layers. You will be sitting or standing still for
several hours at these leks. The temperatures will
get much warmer in many places during the day;
sometimes up to 80°
F. Our sun is hot and warm with high UV exposure. A
light, longed sleeved shirt and brimmed hat are
recommended. We need to limit your luggage to one
medium sized suitcase and one daypack. This will
give us more room while traveling in the vehicle
each day. Organize your daypack with clothing and
essentials for each day. Unpacking the larger
luggage during the day will slow us down and give us
less time in the field. These suggestions will help
ensure that everyone has a great time and sees as
many birds as possible. Colorado Lek Tours will have
various field guides for your perusal including
Sibley, Peterson, NG Guide, Mammals, Butterflies and
the Colorado Breading Bird Atlas.
Colorado 2008 Habitat Stamp
