Colorado Grouse

Our Colorado Grouse tour starts in Denver, where we gather for a welcome dinner. Night in Denver.

Our first target grouse is Lesser Prairie-Chicken, which is sadly in steep decline across its breeding range. There are no reliable sites to find the Lesser Prairie-Chicken in Colorado, so we will head east towards Kansas to find this species. Along the way we will be looking for a variety of birds including White-crowned Sparrows, Horned Larks, Ferruginous Hawks, Thick-billed and Chestnut-collared Longspurs. Night at Scott City, Kansas.

We will be up very early to visit the Lesser Prairie-Chicken lek. This will be a magical experience watching the males shuffling and darting back and forth, while the females watch on. Afterwards we enjoy a well-deserved breakfast, and check out of our hotel. We may visit Scott State Park for Eastern and Western Bluebirds, Hawks and an array of waterfowl. We will then drive northwards towards Wray. En route we may find Swainson’s Hawk, Long-billed Curlew, Burrowing Owl and Great-tailed Grackle. If we have time, we may make a late afternoon visit to the lek site, but will plan to visit there early the next morning. Night in Wray.

We will wake up early and visit the Greater Prairie-Chicken lek site, located on a private ranch.
Greater Prairie-Chickens have done well recently and we should be treated to lengthy and very close views of males dancing on the lek. There should be great photo opportunities.

Afterwards we will refuel and then head west towards the Pawnee Grasslands. The famed short-grass prairie holds Ferruginous Hawk, Golden Eagle, Mountain Plover, Long-billed Curlew, Prairie Falcon and Thick-billed Longspur and we will spend much of the afternoon covering the area. If we have time we will visit wetland areas for waterfowl. Night in Fort Collins.

Today we will explore the Soapstone Prairie Natural Area where we will look for Thick-billed Longspurs and other rare short grass prairie species. Its also a great place to look for other prairie wildlife such as bison, pronghorn, and elk. Night in Fort Collins.

Today’s route takes us west to Walden, through a variety of habitats, from stream valleys to high mountain passes. Along the rivers we will look for American Dipper, while Bighorn Sheep may be spotted on the slopes above us. At Cameron Pass we are in the high country, and Northern Goshawk, American Three-toed Woodpecker, Pine Grosbeak and rosy-finches are possible. Near Walden we may encounter Golden Eagle and we should see Pronghorns. Walden Reservoir is often good for waterfowl. Overnight at Walden.

Before dawn we visit the nearby Greater Sage-Grouse lek, where we will watch the antics of both males and females. The males put on a great display; one male will usually attract most of the females. Afterwards, we will give Walden Reservoir another scan. We will then drive west towards Craig. Night in Craig.

We will begin early this morning at a Sharp-tailed Grouse lek on private property just outside of Craig. This will be another wonderful experience watching males and their golden combs and purple air sacs dancing in the openings.

Afterwards, we head to Grand Junction, where we will visit the amazing Colorado National Monument this afternoon. The Colorado National Monument not only provides stunning scenery, but should deliver Golden Eagle, Gambel’s Quail, Western Scrub-Jay, Juniper Titmouse and Black-throated Sparrow. Night at Grand Junction.

Today we leave Grand Junction and drive to Gunnison. We will explore the spectacular Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park on the way. The main attraction for birders here is Dusky Grouse, but we can also expect White-throated Swift, Western Scrub-Jay, Juniper Titmouse and more. Night in Gunnison.

We have our last very early morning at the Gunnison Sage-Grouse lek. We will be viewing from a trailer, with the birds quite far off, so photography opportunities are not great. Afterwards, we may visit Crested Butte and Mount Crested Butte in search of rosy-finches. There will be some time to relax in the afternoon. Night at Gunnison.

We will depart Gunnison and head back to Denver. On the way we will visit the Silverthorne area to look for Rosy-finches and Loveland Pass to look for Ptarmigan. Night in Denver.