El Paso County

Author(s): Mark Peterson, Allan Burns
County Seat: Colorado Springs
County Size: 2,129 square miles
Low Elevation: 5,052 ft. - North of Smith Reservoir
High Elevation : 14,110 ft. - Pikes Peak
Best Birds : Buff-breasted Flycatcher (1991), Brambling (1983)
Checklist : Download pdf | View HTML
Introduction: El Paso County is located very near the center of the state and is host to many different habitats. From alpine tundra to the grasslands of the High Plains you can spend a whole day just exploring the different habitats. The one thing the county seems to be short on is good "birdable" large bodies of water. Note: Fort Carson Army Base is not covered because access is very limited, so even though some species may be more reliably found on the Base we will not refer to them here.

Birding Locations

Waldo Canyon
Description - Waldo Canyon features a very popular loop hiking trail through Ponderosa, scrub oak and some arid open habitats on Forest Service land west of Colorado Springs. To complete the entire 6.8-mile hiking loop would require three or four hours; bring water and sunscreen! Birds here are typical of this habitat: look for Black-headed Grosbeak, Virginia's Warbler, Spotted Towhee and the like.
URL - Waldo Canyon
Habitat - Ponderosa Forest, Scrub Oak Forest, Stream
Directions - From Exit 141 off I-25 in Colorado Springs, head west on US 24 about three miles to the parking lot (signed).
Delorme - 62 B3
Roads of Colorado - 105 D1
P & P Cattle Company
Description - Situated in the heart of El Paso County's shortgrass prairie, P & P Cattle Company offers viewing opportunities for many regional specialties including Burrowing Owl, Mountain Plover and Ferruginous Hawk. Depsite being located in an area where surface water is tremendously scarce, the P & P property is home to no fewer than nine playas that when wet may host a number of migrating shorebirds and waterfowl. The owners have worked with numerous conservation organizations to help protect and conserve the playas on their land. P & P Cattle is a working ranch with direct market beef and pork available. For more information contact Gary Paul at (719) 478-2039.
Habitat - Grassland/Prairie, Pond/Lake/Reservoir
Directions - To inquire about access to this ranch and to get directions, please call Gary Paul at 719-478-2039 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 -
Roads of Colorado -
Sears Range
Description - This site offers over 250 acres of ungrazed shortgrass prairie. It is a new ranch being managed for conservation purposes, and currently the only domestic inhabitants are three friendly, rescued llamas. This is a good location for grassland specialities, one of the closest places to Colorado Springs where you might find Grasshopper Sparrow, Cassin's Sparrow, and many other birds.
Habitat - Grassland/Prairie
Directions - To inquire about access to this ranch and to get directions, please call 719-749-2100 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 -
Roads of Colorado -
Air Force Academy
Aliases - United States Air Force Academy
Description - The Air Force Academy, located on the north end of Colorado Springs, is a major nature preserve and tourist attraction in addition to being a major military academy. The Academy has traditionally been an “open base” that allows a great deal more public access than most military installations. In recent years more stringent controls have been put into effect, so call the Visitor's Center for the most recent information: (719) 333-2025. As of this writing, birders are welcome to access the Eagle's Peak trail up Goat Camp Creek, which extends from 7200 to 9300 feet, 1.8 miles each way, through Ponderosa and mixed-conifer forest. Look here for Williamson's Sapsucker and Abert's Squirrel. Migrants such as Yellow-throated Vireo and Mourning Warbler have been seen on the Academy grounds, but the academy police ask that birders attempt to refrain from looking or acting suspicious, so ask permission before using binoculars or spotting scopes around the buildings.
Habitat - Ponderosa Forest, Mixed-Conifer Forest, Lowland Riparian
Directions - The public may enter the Air Force Academy at this time only through the Northgate entrances off I-25 at exit 156B, a few miles north of downtown Colorado Springs.
Delorme - 62 A3
Roads of Colorado - 89 D3-E4
Cheyenne Mountain State Park
Aliases - JL Ranch Open Space
Description - Formerly known as JL Ranch Open Space, this state park, which opened in October 2006, offers a terrific sample of habitats of the southern foothills, with extensive scrub oak and Ponderosa Pine woodlands as well as cliff faces with Canyon and Rock Wrens, swallows and swifts, and nesting raptors. Virginia's Warblers breed in the foothills scrub habitat. Look also for deer, elk and, if you're lucky, other large mammals in the park.
URL - Cheyenne Mountain State Park
Habitat - Scrub Oak Woodlands, Ponderosa Forest, Cliff Face
Directions - The state park is south of Colorado Springs (south of Academy Boulevard) on CO 115.
Delorme - 62 C3
Roads of Colorado - 105 E2
Bear Creek Canyon Park
Description - The Bear Creek Canyon Park in El Paso County (not to be confused with the park of the same name in Jefferson County) is owned by the city of Colorado Springs, although it sits well outside the city limits. Ponderosas and other conifers dominate this steep and primitive park, which is popular with mountain bikers and other recreationalists. The rare Rydberg's variety of the golden columbine can be found here, among many other species typical of the upper foothills.
Habitat - Ponderosa Forest, Mixed-Conifer Forest
Directions - From exit #141 off I-25, head west on US 24 to 21st Street and turn left. Take a right on Lower Gold Camp Road, then turn left onto Bear Creek Road and follow this road to its end.
Delorme - 62 B3
Roads of Colorado - 105 D1
North Cheyenne Canon Park
Aliases - Helen Hunt Falls
Description - North Cheyenne Canon Park is adjacent to the Stratton Open Space and has comparable birdlife. It contains two visitor centers, the lower of which (the Starsmore Discovery Center) has many nature exhibits. Both visitor centers may have hummingbird feeders up, and this is a good place to look for the little jewels. The park road is narrow, winding and often busy with people, but there are several places to pull over and explore the mid-elevation riparian habitats along the rushing stream, or the Ponderosa forests. If you are lucky, you might see a Band-tailed Pigeon. There is an entrance fee to Helen Hunt Falls, the most popular part of the park, but the rest of the park can be visited free of charge.
URL - North Cheyenne Canon Park
Habitat - Ponderosa Forest, Stream, Mid-elevation Riparian
Directions - From I-25, take Tejon Avenue south from exit 140. Tejon bends southwest and become North Cheyenne Boulevard, which enters the park about 2.5 miles from the interstate. The Starsmore Discovery Center is here at the main park entrance.
Delorme - 62 B3
Roads of Colorado - 105 D1-E1
Garden of the Gods
Aliases - Spring Canyon
Description - World-famous Garden of the Gods Park, comprising 1,400 acres, features towering sandstone formations that were once the shore of an ancient sea. Prominent residents on the rocks include Prairie Falcon, Rock Pigeon, and Canyon Wren. In summer White-throated Swifts swarming around the Gateway Rocks dominate the scene. Violet-green Swallows should also be present, and the hummingbird feeders at the visitor center attract Black-chinned, Calliope, Broad-tailed, and Rufous Hummingbirds in good numbers, providing excellent opportunities for close-up study. Lucky birders who venture away from the main tourist areas may run across Ash-throated Flycatcher or Juniper Titmouse (neither species easy to locate in El Paso County) or other goodies. Spring Canyon on the west side of the park offers some of the best birding, with Common Poorwill sometimes calling on summer evenings and Northern Pygmy-Owl a possibility in winter. The park is open in summer from 5 a.m. to 11 p.m. and in winter from 5 a.m. to 9 p.m.
URL - Garden of the Gods
Habitat - Pinyon-Juniper Forest
Directions - From I-25, take Exit 146, Garden of the Gods Road, and head west. At 30th Street, turn left and head 2.2 miles to the park. You can turn left on Gateway Road to access the park visitor center with its hummingbird feeders or turn right to head toward the central rock formations. Spring Canyon can be accessed on the right along Garden Drive.
Delorme - 62 A3
Roads of Colorado - 89 D4
Big Johnson Reservoir
Aliases - Blue Stem Open Space
Description - This reservoir is one mile long, from the Southeast to the Northwest corner. It is by far the best large body of water in the county to bird. Unfortunately most of the birding is from a distance, but it is absolutely worth a stop if you want to look at water in the county. Along with all the regular occurring species of duck you can occasionally find Barrow's Goldeneye, Long-tailed Duck and all three Scoters. It hosts Common Loons annually and usually a Pacific Loon or two will stop by in the fall. Both Yellow-billed and Red-throated Loons have been recorded here also. At least 15 species of gull and 7 species of tern have been reported from here. Some years you can find shorebirds here but for the most part shorebirding at this location is difficult due to distance. The grasslands around the reservoir are host to many of the grassland sparrows. There is a prairie dog town that has hosted Burrowing Owls in some years. Scaled Quail can be found near the parking area where there is a pile of broken up concrete. You have a very good chance of finding Lapland Longspurs in the winter if you decide to walk around the reservoir.
Habitat - Reservoir, Grassland/Prairie
Directions - From I-25 take the Academy exit (exit 135) and head east/north to Bradley Road. Take Bradley Road for approximately 4.4 miles to the parking lot at Blue Stem Open Space. Note: Bradley Road changes to Goldfield Drive along the way.
Delorme - 63 B5
Roads of Colorado - 105 F2
Ramah State Wildlife Area
Description - As of 05/18/09 Ramah is EMPTY! Located in extreme northeast El Paso County, this SWA can be great for migrants. Depending on the water levels this is usually the absolute best location in the county for shorebirds. Lots of ducks can be found here also terns, notably Black Terns. In the fall, many species of sparrow can be found in the weedy fields. Ramah is slow in the winter but you can sometimes find a Savannah Sparrow. During the summer there are breeding Savannah Sparrows, Wilson's Phalaropes and possibly Least Flycatchers. Note that the woodlands on the west end, where the Least Flycatchers have been heard, are mostly private land and should be birded from the road.
Habitat - Reservoir, Grassland/Prairie, Lowland Riparian
Directions - From the north, take I-25 to the Woodmen exit (exit 149) east and follow it approximately 11.2 miles to Highway 24. Take Highway 24 East approximately 24.7 miles to the entrance of Ramah SWA. If you make it to the community of Ramah you have gone too far. From the south take I-25 to the Academy exit (exit 135) then head north to Platte Avenue/Highway 24 and head east for approximately 34.8 miles to the entrance of Ramah SWA.
Delorme - 96 D1
Roads of Colorado - 90 C3
Fountain Creek Regional Park
Description - This is a very popular location to look for migrants in El Paso County. However, a lot of habitat has been taken out and some locations that used to have water no longer do. This seems to have slowed things down a little bit but it is still a great place to bird. There are many different areas at the park and each seems to have something a little different. Going to the visitor's center you can get a map of the area. Most of the state's recorded warbler species have been seen here along with many other migrants. This location is still a great place to go birding and should be a destination for most who want to bird in El Paso County.
URL - Fountain Creek Regional Park
Habitat - Pond, Lowland Riparian
Directions - From I-25 take the CO 16 exit (exit 132) and head east to US 85/87 south. Travel less than a mile to Peppergrass Lane (0.6 miles) and park near the visitor's center.
Delorme - 62 A3
Roads of Colorado - 105 E2
Rampart Reservoir
Aliases - Rainbow Gulch Trail
Description - The largest body of water in El Paso County, Rampart Reservoir is heavily used by fishermen and mountain bikers but is under-birded. Relatively few waterbirds will typically be found on the surface of the reservoir, but birding along the Rainbow Gulch Trail can (despite heavy foot traffic) be productive. Also, the surrounding woodland is known to harbor American Three-toed Woodpecker and many other montane species.
URL - Rampart Reservoir
Habitat - Reservoir; Mixed-Conifer Forest
Directions - From I-25, take Exit 141, Cimarron Street (Rt. 24), west about 18 miles to the city of Woodland Park. Turn right on Baldwin Street, which becomes Rampart Range Road and heads 2.9 miles to Loy Creek Road. Turn right on Loy Creek; drives 1.5 miles, then turn right on Rampart Range Road (FR 300). Drive 2.4 miles to the parking area. You will have to walk approximately 1.2 miles on the Rainbow Gulch Trail to reach the reservoir. The path around the reservoir is 11 miles long with heavy mountain bike traffic.
Delorme - 62 A3
Roads of Colorado - 89 D4
Stratton Open Space
Aliases - Gold Camp Path, Mesa Reservoirs, Upper Mesa Reservoir, Lower Mesa Reservoir
Description - This 360-acre open space features well-marked trails that climb past two reservoirs, gaining 600 feet on an ascent to Gold Camp Road. The site contains a good mixture of residents and breeders, with a prominent corvid population and all three nuthatch species. Most notably, Ovenbirds are regular breeders at a site approximately three-quarters of the way up Gold Camp Path (a moderately steep 0.7 mile trail beginning at the north end of the upper reservoir). The lower Mesa Reservoir rarely holds much of interest, but in winter the upper Mesa Reservoir can feature Common Goldeneye, Common Merganser, and other visiting ducks (when it is not frozen). In addition, Bald Eagles have been known to hunt around the upper reservoir in winter.
URL - Stratton Open Space
Habitat - Lowland Riparian, Reservoir, Ponderosa Forest, Mixed-Confer Forest
Directions - From I-25, take Exit 141, Cimarron Street (Rt. 24), west to 21st Street. Turn left (south), following 21st Street until it becomes Cresta Road. Just after passing Cheyenne Mountain High School, turn left on La Veta Way. A small parking area is at the end of this road.
Delorme - 62 B3
Roads of Colorado - 105 E1
Ute Valley Park
Description - The craggy bluffs of Ute Valley Park isolate this area from surrounding urban sprawl. The park is home to many residents and breeders, including Plumbeous Vireo, Pygmy Nuthatch, Blue-gray Gnatcatcher, Green-tailed Towhee, Lazuli Bunting, and many others. On a good spring morning, a rapid circuit of the park can produce 40+ species. There are apparently no exceptional migrant records for the park, but this site is under-birded.
Habitat - Pinyon-Juniper Forest
Directions - From I-25, take Exit 147, Rockrimmon Boulevard, 1.5 miles west to Vindicator Drive. Follow Vindicator west for 0.7 mile; shortly before the intersection with Centennial Boulevard, turn left into the small parking area.
Delorme - 62 A3
Roads of Colorado - 89 E4
Clear Springs Ranch (formerly Hanna Ranch)
Aliases - Hannah Ranch
Description - Located just east of I-25 in the southern part of the county, this park is another great migrant spot. The west side of the park is no longer accessible to the public. Fountain Creek runs along the eastern portion of the park, while there are some agricultural fields on the western side. This is probably the best spot in the county to look for Lewis's and Red-headed Woodpeckers. Least Flycatchers have been seen here during the breeding season although there has been no confirmation of breeding. Yellow-breasted Chats and Blue Grosbeaks can usually be found in season. This location is under-birded during the winter months but could hold some nice birds.
Habitat - Lowland Riparian
Directions - From I-25 take Exit 123 and head east. Follow the signs to the parking area.
Delorme - 63 D5
Roads of Colorado - 105 F3
Pikes Peak
Description - Pikes Peak stands at 14,110 feet above sea level and provides a beautiful backdrop for the Colorado Springs area. This popular tourist destination does provide for some good montane birding. There are many trails that can be hiked where typical montane species can be found. Also, Dusky Grouse, White-tailed Ptarmigan and all three Rosy-Finches can be found on the peak (Brown-capped Rosy-Finch in summer, the others in late fall and early spring.). The road up is a toll road that winds through both El Paso and Teller Counties (mostly Teller). The road up is open year-round if conditions permit. Although this is not a prime birding destination, it is well worth at least one trip up to the top.
URL - Pikes Peak
Habitat - Mixed-Conifer Forest, Lodgepole Forest, Spruce-Fir Forest, Alpine Tundra
Directions - From I-25 go west on Highway 24 (exit 141) approximately 9.5 miles to the Pikes Peak Toll Road exit. There are stop lights at this intersection and you will turn left and follow the signs directing you to the Pikes Peak Toll road.
Delorme - 62 B2
Roads of Colorado - 104 C1
Old Stage Road
Description - This road has some nice habitat and can be a great place to go birding. The habitat moves from Ponderosa Pine up to spruce-fir and aspen. This is also a great road to do some owling. Flammulated, Northern Saw-whet and Northern Pygmy have been recorded on this road and there is undoubtedly Long-eared along here also. In the Ponderosa you can find Common Poorwills. American Three-toed Woodpeckers, Williamson's and Red-naped Sapsuckers can all be found in the upper elevations of the road. There is a pond near the Teller County line that is a good location to find breeding Wilson's Warblers and Dusky Flycatchers. Hermit Thrushes are along this road in very high numbers and listening to them alone is worth the trip.
Habitat - Ponderosa Forest, Spruce-Fir Forest, Aspen Grove
Directions - Note: Once you get to Old Broadmoor Road it can be very tricky to stay on the correct path. From the north take I-25 to the South Nevada Exit (exit 140B) make your way to Nevada Avenue. Head south on Nevada Avenue to Lake Avenue and head west to Old Broadmoor Road. Turn left at the round-about and follow Old Broadmoor Road which will turn into West Cheyenne Mountain Boulevard. Follow this until you come to an intersection with multiple streets that veer off in many directions. You will want to go basically straight, which is Old Stage Road. From I-25 South take the Lake Avenue exit (exit 138) and head west. When you get to Old Broadmoor Road, follow the directions above for the rest of the way.
Delorme - 62 B3
Roads of Colorado - 105 D1
Sondermann Park
Description - This small but nice park on the west side of Colorado Springs attracts an occasional rarity. It features tall willows and cottonwoods along a narrow riparian corridor (Mesa Creek). Broad-winged Hawk, Alder Flycatcher, White-eyed Vireo, Harris's Sparrow, and Rose-breasted Grosbeak have all been recorded here, along with a good number of warblers, including Tennessee, Nashville, Northern Parula, Chestnut-sided, Blackburnian, American Redstart, Ovenbird, Northern Waterthrush, and Hooded. It is also a great place to get some of the local breeders--such as Black-chinned Hummingbird, Yellow-breasted Chat, and Lazuli Bunting--and just to enjoy a nice walk.
Habitat - Lowland Riparian
Directions - Take I-25 to Fontanero Street (exit 144) and head west. Take your first left, which is Chestnut Street. Then watch for a small sign on the left for the entrance. This should be Caramillo Street.
Delorme - 63 B4
Roads of Colorado - 105 E1
Aiken Canyon
Description - Probably another under-birded location. This park has some of the best birdable pinyon-juniper in the county, after Garden of the Gods. An occasional Ash-throated Flycatcher can be found along with some of the other typical PJ birds.
URL - Aiken Canyon
Habitat - Pinyon-Juniper Forest
Directions - From the North take I-25 to the South Nevada exit (exit 140B) and head south. This will turn into Highway 115. Once you have got onto South Nevada from I-25 travel approximately 15 miles to Turkey Canyon Ranch Road to the entrance of the park, which is on the west side of the road.
Delorme - 62 C3
Roads of Colorado - 105 D2-D3
Green Mountain Falls
Description - This is not what would be called a real destination but it is a great place to find montane species. Band-tailed Pigeons can be found here quite reliably and have even been staying over through the winter at this location in recent years. All three nuthatches, Evening Grosbeak, four species of hummingbird (each in season) and a number of corvids are reliably found here. Most of the birding is by car. There are places to park around town and then walk around the neighborhoods.
Habitat - Foothill Shrub, Mixed-Conifer Forest
Directions - From I-25 go west on Highway 24 (exit 141) approximately 13.7 miles to Green Mountain Falls Road. There are a number of exits and any are fine. But the farthest exit as described seems to be the best for finding birds.
Delorme - 62 A2
Roads of Colorado - 89 D4
Myers Road
Aliases - Squirrel Creek Road
Description - Located in extreme southeast El Paso County, this road mostly consists of grassland habitat. It is good for sparrows and possibly Mountain Plover, but traveling north off of Myers on Squirrel Creek Road will give you a much better chance for Mountain Plover. Myers road can be great for finding Short-eared Owls. As many as eight Short-eared Owls have been seen here on a single evening. You can also watch for Lesser Prairie-Chickens along this road. Many years ago they were reintroduced near here and a dead chicken was found on the road, but recent searches have not turned up any chickens.
Habitat - Grassland/Prairie
Directions - From I-25 take Exit 122 East. This is the same exit for Pikes Peak International Raceway. Head east on Old Pueblo Road approximately 1.5 miles to Hanover Road. Travel approximately 12.3 miles to Peyton Highway. Then travel 1.0 miles north to Myers Road. Travel Myers Road east.
Delorme - 63 D7
Roads of Colorado - 106 A3
Hanover Road
Description - Much like Myers Road except better birding. This is a great sparrow road but it also has some very nice cholla patches. Curve-billed Thrasher, Cassin's Sparrow and Chihuahuan Raven can be found along this road with a little looking. It is also a good road along which to watch for Ladder-backed Woodpecker.
Habitat - Grassland/Prairie, Cholla
Directions - From I-25 take exit 122 east. This is the same exit for Pikes Peak International Raceway. Head east on Old Pueblo Road approximately 1.5 miles to Hanover Road. Travel Hanover east.
Delorme - 63 D6
Roads of Colorado - 105 F3
Baggett Road
Description - There are some sod fields located on this road that can be a good spot during migration to see shorebirds and longspurs. Mountain Plovers have nested along this road and have been seen in sizeable numbers during the fall on the sod fields.
Habitat - Grassland/Prairie, Wet Meadow
Directions - From North I-25 take the Woodmen exit (exit 149) east and follow it to Powers Boulevard. Turn Right (south) on Powers and travel to Platte Avenue (Highway 24) and head east. Follow until you reach Highway 94 east. Go east on Highway 94 approximately 18.5 miles to Baggett Road. Normally the better birding is on the south side of Highway 94 but the north side also has sod fields. From the South take I-25 to the Academy exit (exit 135) then head North to Platte Avenue/Highway 24 and head east. Follow until you reach Highway 94 east then follow the above directions.
Delorme - 98 A1
Roads of Colorado - 106 B1
Chico Basin Ranch
Aliases - Vega Pond
Description - This is a private ranch located out on the plains and straddling the El Paso/Pueblo County line. Day passes are $15 per person, and for groups over 6, $10 per person. Yearly passes are available. Birding is open year round. For those interested in going birding on the Chico Basin Ranch, follow directions to the ranch HDQ where a kiosk can be found. Detailed instructions are available at the kiosk. Visitors will be asked to fill out a liability waiver and a registration form. Bird lists, birding trail, map and ranch policies and rules are available at the HDQ check in station.
The bulk of the ranch is in Pueblo County but there is an excellent migrant trap on the El Paso side where Rocky Mountain Bird Observatory bands birds each spring. There is also a small reservoir, Vega Pond, that can provide some interesting waterbirds on occasion.
The area on the El Paso side that is birded consists of a huge grove of Russian Olives with a few Peachleaf Willows and a number of large Plains Cottonwoods. One of the Cottonwoods has hosted a Golden Eagle nest over the years. The banding station area is near the Holmes residence and is probably the most birded spot on the El Paso side. The Casita is just southwest of the Holmes and also provides excellent birding. Most of the warbler species that have occurred in Colorado have been recorded here and in some years there are amazing numbers of thrushes that pass through (e.g., 1200 Swainson's Thrushes on 20 May 2000). Long-eared Owls can be found in migration and even Flammulated has occurred -- twice! -- during spring migration. Common Poorwills are usually found in migration and even a Whip-poor-will has been recorded in this area.
From the Holmes house, the olive stand bends to the southeast to a nice set of Plains Cottonwoods that have hosted many warblers over the years. This area also usually has some water where one can find Wilson's Snipe. Apart from the riparian area, there is good semi-desert shrubland that supports such species as Scaled Quail, Ladder-backed Woodpecker, Greater Roadrunner, Curve-billed Thrasher, Cassin's Sparrow, and Brewer's Sparrow.
The Vega Pond is about a mile south of the Holmes house. This is the least-reliable water body on the Ranch but when it has water it can hold many ducks and an occasional shorebird, with Red-necked Phalarope being the most interesting such species found there.
For the most part, the Ranch is fairly slow outside of migration periods but can still be a fun place to bird. For instance, in the winter there are usually a handful of Chestnut-collard Longspurs mixed in with the Lapland Longspurs. The other interesting winter bird is Loggerhead Shrike which is found annually in the winter yet there are only two Ranch records for Northern Shrike and both of those were migrant birds. So you can count on seeing something fun on every trip to the Ranch. With over 275 species recorded as of May 2005 you have a good chance of seeing something that interests you.
URL - Chico Basin Ranch
Habitat - Grassland/Prairie, Cholla, Lowland Riparian, Pond
Directions - From I-25 take Exit 122 East. This is the same exit for Pikes Peak International Raceway. Head east on Old Pueblo Road approximately 1.5 miles to Hanover Road. Travel approximately 12.3 miles to Peyton Highway. Turn right and head south to the main gate of the ranch. Upon arriving, proceed directly to ranch headquarters (about two miles in on the main road) in order to check in and pay the entrance fee.
Delorme - 63 D7
Roads of Colorado - 106 3A