Grouse Extravaganza

As we start our birding adventure, we head south down into the short grass prairie of central Colorado. Here we will look for Mountain Plover and Burrowing Owls along a quiet dirt road. The town of Cañon City has some Choya cactus which are good for finding Curve-billed Thrasher, Canyon Towhee and Scaled Quail in an unlikely place. Stopping at a few hotspots, the tour takes us west into the Gunnison Basin including spots like Poncha Springs, Cotopaxi, and Monarch Pass. The habitats include short grass prairie, Pinyon-Juniper, high desert cholla, and mixed conifer. Target species include Juniper Titmouse, Mountain Bluebird and Bushtit in the Pinyon-Juniper, Canyon Towhee, Scaled Quail, Curve-billed Thrasher in the cholla, American Dipper, Red-naped Sapsucker, and American Three-toed Woodpecker in the mixed conifer and mountain streams. Traversing over Monarch Pass will be our first time over the Continental Divide of the trip. [Overnight in Gunnison] (B, L, D)

Our earliest morning of the tour starts viewing the rare and endangered Gunnison Sage-Grouse from a lek box. After a warm breakfast and late checkout from the hotel, it is time to look for more targets as we continue our trip west to Grand Mesa. We could visit Crested Butte, Black Canyon of the Gunnison NP, Sweitzer Lake SP, Fruitgrowers Reservoir, and a few other spots along the way. Target today include Gunnison Sage-Grouse, Rosy-Finches that are still around this time of year, Green-tailed and Spotted Towhees, White-throated Swift, Woodhouse’s Scrub-Jay, Orange-crowned Warbler, Fox Sparrow, and maybe even a Dusky Grouse.  Other target species include waterfowl, Marsh Wren, 5 species of Grebes, Yellow-headed Blackbird and a variety of shorebirds. Bird species will depend on snowpack in the high country and water levels as we drop down into Grand Mesa. The scenery just keeps getting better and better so bring your camera. [Overnight in Grand Junction] (B, L, D)

After yesterday’s early morning, today we get to sleep for an additional two hours.  Pinyon Juniper habitat is the target for the morning where we hope to see Pinyon Jay, Juniper Titmouse, Gray Vireo, Black-throated Gray Warbler, Gray and Ash-throated Flycatcher. Some Gambel’s Quail and Black-chinned Hummingbirds could also be around. A field lunch is needed as the Sagebrush Sparrows like to be far away from everything near the Utah border. Heading towards Craig takes us by Coal Canyon where Chukars are possible. Extra stops along the Yampa River will fill up the drive to Craig. [Overnight in Craig] (B, L, D)

Dusky Grouse males find a quiet ridge line with Gambel’s Oak to boom for females’ attention. These spots are difficult to get to, but we will try first thing this morning. Then we head to the appropriately named Sharp-tailed Grouse lek. They hold their tails in a point while they have a foot stomping time. A warm breakfast awaits in Steamboat Springs where we spend several hours tracking down any remaining mountain species before the trek to Walden and North Park. Targets are Dusky and Sharp-tailed Grouse, Sandhill Crane, Evening Grosbeak, Cassin’s Finch, California Gull, American White Pelican, Black-crowned Night-Heron, Golden Eagle, shorebirds and waterfowl. Along with birds, we could see Snowshoe Hares, Wyoming Ground-Squirrels, White-tailed Prairie Dogs, Moose, American Badgers and Pronghorns. [Overnight in Walden] (B, L, D)

Dusky Grouse males find a quiet ridge line with Gambel’s Oak to boom for females’ attention. These spots are difficult to get to, but we will try first thing this morning. Then we head to the appropriately named Sharp-tailed Grouse lek. They hold their tails in a point while they have a foot stomping time. A warm breakfast awaits in Steamboat Springs where we spend several hours tracking down any remaining mountain species before the trek to Walden and North Park. Targets are Dusky and Sharp-tailed Grouse, Sandhill Crane, Evening Grosbeak, Cassin’s Finch, California Gull, American White Pelican, Black-crowned Night-Heron, Golden Eagle, shorebirds and waterfowl. Along with birds, we could see Snowshoe Hares, Wyoming Ground-Squirrels, White-tailed Prairie Dogs, Moose, American Badgers and Pronghorns. [Overnight in Walden] (B, L, D)

Flashing their yellow orange air sacks and eyebrows will be on display for our last lek morning. We might also be able to check off Burrowing Owl, Northern Bobwhite, and Ring-necked Pheasant as well as a few sparrow species. The fresh air and mile upon mile of short-grass prairie awaits us for the rest of the day. Mountain Plovers, Chestnut-collared and Thick-billed Longspurs will be the jewels on our list. A few hotspots are also on the agenda. The brightly colored Cinnamon Teal and American Avocets, a few of my favorites, should be seen this day. After a full day in the field, our trek takes us to our final meal near Denver airport. [Overnight in Denver] (B, L, D)

Enjoy a continental breakfast and departure via free shuttle to the Denver International Airport (DEN).