The Grouse and Prairie-Chickens are dancing on their leks, the Central Flyway is alive with the hopes of a new year and the mountains are refreshed with the warming days of spring. Colorado birding in April is fantastic! This region is home to eleven species of Galliformes, the order of grouse, and we have two exciting tours to choose from. One that sees them all, the Grouse Extravaganza, and one that sees some, North Park Tour.
North Park
3 spots available
| Dates | 2025, April 26-29 |
| Duration | 4 days / 3 nights |
| Limit | 7 (1 guide), 14 (2 guides) |
| Price | $2895 / SS $650 |
| Focus | Birding, Photography |
| Pace | Moderate, early mornings, long drives |
| Includes | hotels, ground transportation, guide, and food as noted on the itinerary, 80mm Swarovski scope available for group use |
| Deposit | $400 |
Itinerary
Day 1: Arrival and welcome dinner in Denver near the airport
You arrive via Denver International Airport with a free shuttle to a nearby hotel. We will have a warm dinner and a welcome meeting at 6:00 pm before turning in early from your long travels. (D)
Day 2: Denver to Walden with foothills, montane habitats and a White-tailed Ptarmigan hunt
Starting from Denver, we head west to Red Rocks Park for foothills species and views of the natural outdoor amphitheater built by the CCC in the 1930’s. Montane birds are found at Genesee Mountain Park which includes a possible Bison herd managed by Denver Parks. This Ponderosa Pine and Aspen habitat is surprisingly diverse, so new species are abundant. Our first crossing of the continental divide is Loveland Pass where White-tailed Ptarmigan call home. This snow-covered tundra makes finding a small white bird difficult, but we will try. As we drive toward Walden, we’ll enjoy stops in the town of Kremmling and Green Mountain Reservoir. Walden Reservoir and Arapahoe NWR are the final two stops before checking into our hotel and a western style dinner. [Overnight in Walden] (B, L, D)
Day 3: Greater Sage-Grouse lek, over the Continental Divide and into Steamboat Springs
The first stop is the spectacular Greater Sage-Grouse lek with strutting males and uninterested females. Sorry guys! The feeder stops at this elevation can produce Rosy-Finches and other sought after mountain species. Several attempts will be made over the next two days. Rounding out the Walden area is next before heading over Muddy Ears Pass, another Continental Divide crossing. Depending on snow levels, several stops might be possible as we descend into Steamboat Springs. We have a full day of birding planned either way. [Overnight in Steamboat Springs] (B, L, D)
Day 4: Sharp-tailed Grouse lek, more mountain species and back to Denver
This is our big lek morning, Dusky Grouse followed by Sharp-tailed Grouse. We’ll enjoy breakfast in Steamboat Springs to salute our successful morning and look at pictures and sipping our favorite hot beverage. As we drive toward Denver, we’ll target any missing species while taking in the beauty of Colorado. Overnight is on your own as the tour finishes around 5:00 pm. We will drop you off from our starting hotel or any of the Tower Road hotels near Denver International Airport. Plenty of dinner choices are walkable with most hotels offering free hotel shuttle back to the airport so no need to rent a car. (B, L)
Additional Information
What is included
Cost is based on double occupancy and includes: private transportation in Colorado, all food as mentioned above, professional guide services, entrance fees and permits.
Health & Safety
High altitude can pose several problems from altitude sickness to sunburn. Even in winter, sunburn is frequent at high elevations; we recommend using strong sunscreen. Drinking plenty of water will help with elevation issues. Please consult your doctor prior to departure for updated recommendations and cautions for high elevation travel. Additional information about altitude sickness is here. Our grouse tours range from 3,500 to 12,000 feet above sea level. Masks are not required after Covid 19. However, your guide might request that you wear a mask if unwell for the safely and health of others. If directed by the guide, this requirement is mandatory. Participants should bring an adequate supply of any personal medications as they may be difficult to obtain during the tour. Finally, Colorado weather changes constantly, so layers are the key to success. A small day bag in the van/car is the best way to access your layers throughout the day.
Tour Pace
This is a moderatly paced tour. Expect early mornings for lek viewing. Because these grouse and prairie chickens are located all over the state, expect longer drives each day with birding stops and bathroom breaks along the way. Walking will usually be on well-maintained trails or along roads. You will have some time for bird photography while birding.
Climate
Colorado weather in April is unpredictable and changes all the time. It can snow in the mountains any day of the year while the plains could reach highs in the 70’s. Plan on average low in the 30s with some wind and a high in the mid-70s. Best to dress in layers. Lek viewing in the morning means several hours of very little movement during the coolest time of the day. Hand/toe warmers are helpful if you find most mornings a little cold.
Accommodations
We will have comfortable standard hotels or lodges throughout the tour. Some of our remote locations mean that accommodations are limited. In larger towns the hotels will be comfortable often using the Choice Hotel company. Wi-Fi is available in all locations.
Transportation
You’ll be traveling in a 12-passenger window van or minivan, or large SUV depending on the group size. When using 12-passenger window vans, we’ll take a maximum of eight passengers per vehicle plus the leader/driver. Participants should be able to ride in any seat in tour vehicles as we will switch every day. Smoking is prohibited in the vehicles, hotel rooms or when the group is gathered for meals, checklists, etc. Most of the U.S.A. has non-smoking guidelines in public. If you smoke in the field, we ask that you do so well away and downwind from the group. If any location where the group is gathered has a stricter policy than the She Flew Birding Tour policy, that stricter policy will prevail.
Entering the United States
Non-US citizens need a valid passport and may need a tourist visa. Consult your embassy or consulate for details.
Additional Information
More complete general information will be sent to each registrant on receipt of deposit. A tour packet with instructions for meeting the group, hotel addresses and a detailed itinerary will be sent upon receiving your final payment 90 days prior to departure. Other news will be communicated as necessary.
Here are our target species for this trip. Let’s see how many we can find!
Cinnamon Teal
Canvasback
Greater Sage-Grouse
Dusky Grouse
Sharp-tailed Grouse
White-tailed Ptarmigan
Western Grebe
Band-tailed Pigeon
Sandhill Crane
American Avocet
California Gull
American White Pelican
Black-crowned Night Heron
Golden Eagle
Williamson’s Sapsucker
Red-naped Sapsucker
Hairy Woodpecker
Canada Jay
Steller’s Jay
Woodhouse’s Scrub-Jay
Black-billed Magpie
Clark’s Nutcracker
Mountain Chickadee
Horned Lark
Pygmy Nuthatch
Canyon Wren
American Dipper
Sage Thrasher
Mountain Bluebird
Evening Grosbeak
Pine Grosbeak
Brown-capped Rosy-Finch
Cassin’s Finch
Red Crossbill
Spotted Towhee
Western Meadowlark
