Greater and Sharp-tailed Grouse Tour

8 available spots

Come to Colorado to experience the dancing grouse of the sagebrush. Greater and Sharp-tailed Grouse males are amazing birds as they dance and carry on impressing the females this time of year. We visit the lek of Greater Sage-Grouse near Walden. Luckily, photography is possible along with hearing the vocalizations and wing scraps of the males. After a warm breakfast, the wonderful hotspots of North Park fill up the rest of the day.

On day three, the Sharp-tailed Grouse is the main event. Just wait until you see the tails pointed and their purple air sacks inflated! They make me laugh every time with their antics. Later, winter feeders provide even more up-close views of mountain species in Steamboat Springs and Silverthorne. Rounding out the trip, we look for both Dusky Grouse and White-tailed Ptarmigan. These elusive species are not tied to a specific location and careful spotting, and a bit of luck is required. Join us for this yearly ritual of dancing Greater and Sharp-tailed Grouse in the wilds of Colorado. If you want more birding in Colorado, visit us in the summer for the Pinyon Juniper Plus and Prairie to Mountains Tours

Dates	2027, April 11-14
Duration	4 days / 3 nights
Limit	7 (1 guide), 14 (2 guides)
Price	$1295 / Single Room $250
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 (DEN) 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 finicky 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 to find more mountain species. More birding around Walden should add a few more species 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

First off, we go to a reliable spot for a Dusky Grouse. These single males find an elevated ridge dominated by oaks and sage brush in hopes of attracting a female. Next up is a big Sharp-tailed Grouse lek on private property. We have permission to visit this lek where the birds dance in their front yard just a short distance away from the driveway. Sometimes these birds will get so close that you can’t use your camera. A short drive away is Steamboat Springs where a warm breakfast is waiting for us. As we drive toward Denver, we’ll target any missing species while taking in the beauty of Colorado. The tour finishes around 5:00 pm at our starting hotel. Book your overnight hotel on Tower Road, our starting location, and we’ll drop you off. Plenty of dinner choices are walkable with most hotels offering free hotel shuttle back to the airport so there is no need to rent a car. (B, L)

Additional Information

What is included

Cost is based on double occupancy and includes a free shuttle from the Denver International Airport (DEN), private transportation throughout the rest of the tour and all lodging from the evening of day one through the morning of day four. Also included is all food 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. This tour ranges from 5,200 to 12,000 feet above sea level. 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 vehicle is the best way to access your layers throughout the day.

Tour Pace

This is a moderately paced tour. Expect early mornings for lek viewing and then off to a warm and relaxing breakfast. The rest of the birding day is spent exploring the beautiful North Park area around Walden and Steamboat Springs. Walking will usually be on well-maintained trails or along roads. You will have some time for bird photography while birding.

Birding Level

All birding abilities are welcome on this Greater and Sharp-tailed Grouse Tour.

Climate

Colorado weather in April is unpredictable and changes all the time. It can snow in the mountains any day of the year. Plan on average low in the 30s with some wind and a high in the mid-70s. 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. Best to dress in layers to be a happy birder.

Accommodations

We will have comfortable standard quality hotels throughout this Greater and Sharp-tailed Grouse Tour. 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. 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.

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.

Entering the United States

Non-US citizens need a valid passport and may need a tourist visa. Consult your embassy or consulate for details.

Here are our target species for this trip. Let’s see how many we can find!

American Avocet

American Dipper

American White Pelican

Band-tailed Pigeon

Black-billed Magpie

Black-crowned Night Heron

Brown-capped Rosy-Finch

California Gull

Canada Jay

Canvasback

Canyon Wren

Cassin’s Finch

Cinnamon Teal

Clark’s Nutcracker

Dusky Grouse

Evening Grosbeak

Golden Eagle

Greater Sage-Grouse

Hairy Woodpecker (Rocky Mtns. ss)

Horned Lark

Mountain Bluebird

Mountain Chickadee

Pine Grosbeak

Pygmy Nuthatch

Red Crossbill

Red-naped Sapsucker

Sage Thrasher

Sandhill Crane

Sharp-tailed Grouse

Spotted Towhee

Steller’s Jay

Western Grebe

Western Meadowlark

White-tailed Ptarmigan

Williamson’s Sapsucker

Woodhouse’s Scrub-Jay

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