Baca County
Author(s): Andrew Spencer, Nathan Pieplow
County Seat: Springfield
County Size: 2,554 square miles
Low Elevation: 3,470 ft. - Cimarron River on the KS border
High Elevation : 5,280 ft. - Carrizo Mountain
Best Birds : Barred Owl (2000), Cerulean Warbler (1989), Louisiana Waterthrush (1989), Common Black-Hawk (1991)
Checklist : Download pdf | View HTML
Introduction: Despite the distance from Denver, many Colorado birders make the pilgrimage to Baca County regularly, often several times a year. Among Baca's many charms, the foremost have to be the tremendous potential of the county's many migrant traps, the state's only publicly accessible Lesser Prairie-Chicken lek, and the unique biogeography of the area around Cottonwood Canyon, where many birds typical of the southwest deserts meet eastern breeders.
Birding Locations
End of 'U' Ranch
Description - It may sound ominous, but the End of "U" Ranch is a wonderfully secluded property named for its position in relation to county road U. Situated in the sandsage prairie of Baca County 13 miles south of the town of Pritchett, the End of "U" offers good birding for species such as Cassin's Sparrow and Scaled Quail. The ranch offers primitive camping and is a unique and private site to make a base camp while exploring the rest of Baca County for the likes of Lesser Prairie-Chicken and Mountain Plover. For more information contact Tom & Denise Werner at (719) 523-4105.
Habitat - Grassland/Prairie
Directions - To inquire about access to this ranch and to get directions, please call Tom and Denise Werner at 719-523-4105 a minimum of 48 hours in advance of your potential visit. Please remember that this is a working ranch as well as a private residence, and there may be times when the landowner cannot accommodate visits. While you are on the ranch, remember to stay on roads, leave gates as you find them (whether open or closed), and refrain from taking anything off the ranch or leaving trash behind.
Delorme - 101 C6
Roads of Colorado -
Two Buttes State Wildlife Area
Description - This reservoir and state wildlife area just east of Highway 385 and south of the Prowers county line is among the crown jewels of Southeast Colorado birding spots. Above the dam is a middle-sized reservoir lined with cottonwoods and rimrock, which can be good for ducks and grebes when high and for shorebirds when low. Both Eastern and Mountain Bluebirds have been seen around the lake, as well as many species of swallows and sparrows. Two Buttes is the most reliable location for Greater Roadrunners in Colorado; they could be anywhere, especially above the canyon rim, but if present they are usually seen in the area just north of the dam on either side of the road. We typically only find them on about one in five trips. Below the dam is a veritable wonderland of habitats, including extensive tangles of underbrush, tall trees, marshy ponds and grassy areas. Check for roosting Barn and Great Horned Owls along the cliffs. The vagrant list for this area includes nearly every eastern warbler, vireo, flycatcher and wren that has occurred in the state, and every columbid on the state list except Common Ground-Dove. Anything can and will show up here during your visit--if it does, please let us know.
Habitat - Grassland/Prairie; Yucca; Marsh; Pond/Lake/Reservoir; Lowland Riparian; Rimrock/Mesa
Directions - Note: distances are approximate, and all dirt roads in Baca County are VERY slippery after being rained on. From the north, go south on US route 287/385 to Prowers CR B.5 (30 miles south of Lamar), and go east for 4 miles to Prowers CR 12. Go right (south) on CR 12 for a little over 2 miles, to where the road going below the dam takes off to the left. The reservoir itself can be scanned from the dam, or from the many roads along the southeast part of the reservoir. From the South, go north on US routes 287/385 to Baca CR VV (14.5 miles north of Springfield), and go east on CR VV. Follow CR VV for a little over 5 miles to a " T" with CR 30, and take a left. The entrance road to below the dam takes a very sharp right from just over the dam.
Delorme - 101 B7
Roads of Colorado - 142 B2-B3
Colorado Roads & Recreation - 119 G12
Turks Pond State Wildlife Area
Description - This small pond can be surprisingly good for ducks, white geese and the occasional rarity. Little Blue Heron has occurred, and the trees around the lake are probably good for migrants in season. This SWA is closed to birders during the winter waterfowl hunting season.
Habitat - Pond/Lake/Reservoir
Directions - From the north, go south on US 287/385 to CO 116 (37 miles south of Lamar), and turn left (east). Follow 116 for 14 miles to CR 39 and turn right (south). Go 5 miles and turn right (west) onto CR LL. CR LL dead-ends at Turks Pond after about a half mile.
Delorme - 103 C8
Roads of Colorado - 142 C4
Colorado Roads & Recreation - 132 A2
Walsh
Description - The sewage ponds just east of town are much better than they look--incredibly, they have produced Laughing Gull, among other great reports. Eurasian Collared-Dove abounds in the town, which can also be good for migrant landbirds, especially the City Park at Maplewood and Colorado.
Habitat - Urban/Suburban, Pond/Lake/Reservoir
Directions - From the intersection of US 287/385 and 160, 1.5 miles south of Springfield center, go east on US 160 for 18.5 miles to the town of Walsh. To reach the sewage ponds, bear right onto CR DD (Maplewood St.) just before entering Walsh on US route 160, and follow Maplewood Street to the east end of town and turn left (north) onto N. Hawaii Street. The sewage ponds are just east of N. Hawaii Street along a small track (which is the eastward extension of Ash Street), just over 1 block north of Maplewood Street.
Delorme - 103 C8
Roads of Colorado - 143 D4
Colorado Roads & Recreation - 132 C3-C4
Burchfield State Wildlife Area
Description - One of the most underbirded migrant traps in the state, mostly due to its remote location in extreme western Kansas. :) The tall cottonwoods here regularly trap eastern migrants in numbers, and Red-bellied Woodpecker is regular. The marshy areas on the northeast side of the SWA often hold large blackbird flocks, and may hold species such as Swamp Sparrow at the right time of year. A record of Louisiana Waterthrush demonstrates Burchfield's potential.
Habitat - Hedgerow/Shelterbelt
Directions - From the intersection of US 160 and CR DD (Maplewood St.), just west of the town of Walsh, bear right onto CR DD and go east for 12 miles to the entrance to Burchfield SWA, on the right.
Delorme - 103 C8
Roads of Colorado - 143 E4
Colorado Roads & Recreation - 132 C6
Campo Lek
Description - The Campo Lek is closed until further notice.
This is the only publicly accessible Lesser Prairie-Chicken lek in the state. It is far closer to the Oklahoma border than it is to any paved road. As always with any lek, please stay in your car, arrive before the birds start displaying, and leave after they have finished. A key for the blind can be obtained in Springfield, but views from the car are usually satisfactory. (And Black Widow spiders have been reported within the blind.) If you are here in late April or May, you will almost certainly hear the many Cassin's Sparrows that abound in this area, and Chestnut-collared Longspurs have been seen here during migration in early April. Eastern Meadowlarks (apparently of the southwestern "lilianae" race) have been reported here in recent years too, so keep eyes and ears peeled.
URL - Campo Lek
Habitat - Grassland/Prairie; Yucca
Directions - From Springfield, go south on US 287/385 for 21.5 miles to CR J, in the middle of Campo. Take a left (east) onto CR J, and go 8 miles to CR 36. Take a right (south) onto CR 36 and go 2 miles to CR G. Go east (right) onto CR G and drive about 4 miles to a small two-track on the right, marked by a large sign with many bullet holes. If you go over the small bridge just over 4 miles, you have gone too far. Follow the two-track for a little over 1/4 mile to a large parking lot on the right.
Delorme - 103 D7
Roads of Colorado - 158 C3
Colorado Roads & Recreation - 132 G2
Southeast Corner of Colorado
Description - Only accessible from Kansas or Oklahoma, this remote part of Colorado is seldom visited but can produce some good birds. The only recent record of Barred Owl in the state is from where the Cimarron River leaves the state on the Kansas border. This area is also the best in the state to search for Scissor-tailed Flycatcher. Look also for Long-billed Curlew and Rock Wren.
Habitat - Grassland/Prairie
Directions - From the town of Elkhart in extreme SW Kansas, go west on either Morton CR A (North St.) or B (Sherman St. and Texas CR 29) for 7.5 miles to the Colorado state line. There are only around 15 miles of road in the extreme SE corner, so chances for exploration are limited.
Delorme - 103 D8
Roads of Colorado - 159 D3-E3
Colorado Roads & Recreation - 132 G6-H6
Cottonwood Canyon
Description - This remote and beautiful canyon is one of the most unique in the state. It is home to plants, butterflies, and even birds that regularly occur nowhere else in Colorado. It is hard to come here and not see a Lewis's Woodpecker. Mississippi Kites abound in season, and Rufous-crowned Sparrows breed at many locations in the canyon (but mostly up by the cabin in Las Animas County). This is the best place in the state to get Ladder-backed Woodpecker. Western Screech-Owls have nested for many years around the campground (which is private but publicly accessible), and Painted Buntings have been seen in some recent years around the cabin and the campground. Keep an eye out for rarities - many species of warbler have been seen here, including Louisiana Waterthrush. A visit here will seldom leave a birder disappointed!
County listers take note: this is one of those annoying sites that sits right on a line. In general, you can get away with considering the county line to be synonymous with the road, at least within 100 yards or so of the campground. Check the "Roads of Colorado" atlas for a little more detail.
Habitat - Rimrock/Mesa, Stream, Lowland Riparian, Grassland/Prairie, Pinyon-Juniper Forest, Scrub Oak Forest
Directions - From Springfield, go south on US 287/385 to CR M (18 miles), and go west on CR M. Follow CR M for 27 miles to the campground at the beginning of Cottonwood Canyon, on the left. CR M follows Cottonwood Canyon for 5 miles, but the best birding is generally along the first mile, before the public road enters posted private property. From La Junta, head south 56 miles on CO 109 to the junction with US 160, then go east on US 160 for 12 miles to CR 223. Take a right (south) on CR 223 and go a little over 3 miles to a " T" with CR 34. Take a right and then the next left, and go south for 2 miles. Take another right and then almost immediately left onto CR 219.1. Follow CR 219.1 south for 3 miles to a fork with CR 24 and take a left. Follow CR 24 for a little under 2.5 miles to a " T" with Baca CR M. The campground is just south of this intersection along CR M.
Delorme - 101 D5
Roads of Colorado - 157 D3-E3
Colorado Roads & Recreation - 130 F6
Picture Canyon
Description - One of the best-kept secrets in Baca County. This canyon is much like nearby Cottonwood Canyon, but with much less in the way of riparian habitat. Most of the PJ and cliff face/rimrock birds that occur in SE Colorado can be seen here, as well as grassland species. The hillsides right around the parking lot (as well as farther in) have Rufous-crowned Sparrows, and the cliffs can have nesting owls. About half a mile down the trail from the parking lot, a large seep with riparian habitat surrounding it and cattails in the middle should be good for migrants, and maybe a rail or two. Just beyond the seep the trail splits. Going left will take you south a mile to the Oklahoma border through a wide cholla and yucca grassland full of Cassin's Sparrows in summer. Following the main trail the other direction, you will reach an area with many amazing rock formations, and a narrow canyon with riparian and scrubby habitat along with a permanent spring, another good spot to check for migrants, and nesting Eastern Phoebe. Be sure to follow the foot trail when approaching this area, as the horse trail skirts the good stuff. Eventually the trail reaches an area with some good petroglyphs, passing through more canyon country and cholla grasslands.
URL - Picture Canyon
Habitat - Cliff Face, Cholla, Yucca, Lowland Riparian, Grassland/Prairie, Pinyon-Juniper Forest
Directions - Go south on US 287/385 to CR M (18 miles south of Springfield) and go west on CR M. Go eight miles to GR 18 and turn left (south). About eight miles south of CR M, where the road begins to curve left, turn right onto the entrance road to Picture Canyon (signed).
Delorme - 101 D6-D7
Roads of Colorado - 158 A3-A4
Colorado Roads & Recreation - 131 H10
Gallinas Canyon
Description - Yet another Baca County canyon, this one is mostly privately owned, but with a decent roadside riparian grove (bird it from the road). Check here for migrants and Lewis' Woodpeckers, and on the canyon sides for Wild Turkey, PJ birds and rimrock specialties. A mile or two north of the Oklahoma border there is a National Grasslands pasture with a rough road running into it (look for the sign for the Riparian Initiative). This will get you into some of the same habitat, but allow you to explore more thoroughly.
Habitat - Lowland Riparian, Grassland/Prairie, Pinyon-Juniper Forest
Directions - Go south on US 287/385 to CR M (18 miles south of Springfield) and go west on CR M. Thirteen miles west of the highway, turn left (south) onto GR 13. Bird this whole road down to the Oklahoma border.
Delorme - 101 D6
Roads of Colorado - 157 F3-F4
Colorado Roads & Recreation - 131 F9-H9
Carrizo Canyon Picnic Area
Description - When going to Cottonwood Canyon, be sure not to neglect this nearby location. Some permanent springs keep a good amount of water in the area, along with some riparian and a lot of PJ. Birds here should mostly be the same as Cottonwood, including nesting Eastern Phoebes and probably Ladder-backed Woodpeckers, Mississippi Kites, Rufous-crowned Sparrows, and Lewis' Woodpeckers. Belted Kingfisher can be seen cruising down the creek, and you never know when a good migrant may show up.
URL - Carrizo Canyon Picnic Area
Habitat - Stream, Cliff Face, Lowland Riparian
Directions - Go south on US 287/385 to CR M (18 miles south of Springfield) and go west on CR M. Follow CR M for about 22 miles to GR 539 (signed for Carrizo Canyon Picnic Area) and turn left. The Picnic Area is about a half mile from CR M.
Delorme - 101 D5
Roads of Colorado - 157 E3
Colorado Roads & Recreation - 131 F7
Springfield
Description - The largest town and county seat of Baca County has a few trees worth checking for migrants in season. Mississippi Kite, Great-tailed Grackle and Eurasian Collared-Dove breed right in town. Check especially the trees in the city park (two blocks west of Main between 4th and 5th) and around the Baca County Courthouse (on the west side of Main between 7th and 8th).
Habitat - Urban/Suburban
Directions - Springfield is along US 287/385 about 47 miles south of Lamar.
Delorme - 101 C7
Roads of Colorado - 142 A4-B4
Colorado Roads & Recreation - 131 B11-C11
Campo
Description - This is a tiny town without too many trees, but it is so isolated that significant migrants can be found here. Stop and look for warblers and vireos on your way back from the lek in spring.
Habitat - Urban/Suburban
Directions - Campo is along US 287/385 about 66 miles south of Lamar.
Delorme - 101 D7
Roads of Colorado - 158 B3
Colorado Roads & Recreation - 131 F12
Santa Fe Trail Hunts (Prairie-Chicken lek tours)
Aliases - Witcher Ranch
Description - Santa Fe Trail Hunts is based on the Witcher Ranch in the extreme southeast corner of Colorado. It is a commercial wildlife park and primarily a hunting lodge, but it offers guided tours to Lesser Prairie-Chicken leks in spring. The package price includes an evening meal, an overnight stay in the luxury lodge, use of the lodge's hot tub, and a guided tour of the prairie-chicken lek in the morning, followed by breakfast. Other amenities are available for an extra charge. For pricing, reservations, and more information, visit the lodge website at www.santafetrailhunts.com.
Habitat - Grassland/Prairie
Directions - To schedule a tour and get directions to the lodge, call Emma Sneed at 719-324-9258, preferably a week in advance.
Delorme - 103 D8
Roads of Colorado - 159 D3-E3
Colorado Roads & Recreation - 132 G4
Comanche Grasslands (Baca County Section)
Description - Colorado's "other" grasslands are much less visited by birders than the Pawnee, but can actually be better, especially for hawks. Many of the sites covered separately on this page are actually part of the Comanche (such as Picture Canyon and the Campo Lek).
Driving the roads through the grasslands, especially during the winter and early spring, will produce an excellent variety of hawks, including Ferruginous (possibly more numerous here than anywhere else in Colorado), Red-tailed, Rough-legged (November to March), and Swainson's (April to October) Hawks, Prairie Falcon, Merlin, and American Kestrel. During March and April, McCown's and Chestnut-collared Longspurs are possible, and sometimes they even winter in the area. Mountain Plover can be found in areas with very short grass, as well as Burrowing Owls.
The Comanche is also the site of most of the recent records for Baird's Sparrow in Colorado, usually in April or early May. These birds are probably regular, but are very hard to find, and a large party will greatly help in searching for them. Sprague's Pipit should also be looked for on ridges with fairly short grass.
Habitat - Grassland/Prairie
Directions - The Comanche Grasslands stretch across almost the length of southern Baca County, and almost any road off of US 385 could be good. CR C east of US 385 is especially good.
Delorme - 101 C4-C7, D5-D7
Roads of Colorado - 157 E1-F3, 158 A1-C3
Colorado Roads & Recreation - 131 D7-G12, 132 C1-G6