Elbert County
Author(s): Andrew Spencer, Nathan Pieplow
County Seat: Kiowa
County Size: 1,851 square miles
Low Elevation: 4,960 ft. - Beaver Creek on the Arapahoe border
High Elevation : 7,360 ft. - Elbert Rock
Best Birds : Thick-billed Kingbird (2004)
Checklist : Download pdf | View HTML
Introduction: For being as close to Denver as it is, Elbert County gets very little birding traffic. Most of the county is high prairie rangeland, but there is quite a bit of ponderosa, especially in the southwest. Unfortunately, with the exception of one large intermittent reservoir, water is hard to come by, and bird diversity suffers accordingly. Nonetheless some good rarities have been reported from Elbert County, and such local specialties as Dickcissel and Cassin's Kingbird can also make it a worthwhile destination.
Birding Locations
Calkum Ranch
Description - Located only an hour from metro Denver, the Calkum Ranch offers a unique and quick getaway from the hustle and bustle of the Front Range. The Calkum Ranch lies just west of Limon and north of Interstate 70 in an area of juniper breaks; the park-like setting of the juniper trees and sandstone formations makes the ranch an ideal escape for birders and rockhounds alike. The vistas from atop the breaks alone make the trip worthwhile, while the abundance of various habitats makes it an outstanding birding site, particularly during spring and fall migration. Please call Mary and Leonard Calkum in advance of a visit at (719) 775-2405.
Habitat - Grassland/Prairie, Shelterbelt
Directions - To inquire about access to this ranch and to get directions, please call Mary and Leonard Calkum at 719-775-2405 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 - 96 C2
Roads of Colorado -
Mi Tierra
Description - Experience the tranquility and solitude of a ranch located on the high plains with a clear view of the entire Rocky Mountain front range. This working ranch is nestled in towering Ponderosa Pines on a high ridge located approximately 15 miles northeast of Kiowa. This pristine area is a great setting for artists and writers as well as those of us who thrill at the sight of wildlife, a star-filled sky, or the dying embers of the evening campfire. Birdlife is likely to include breeding Cassin's Kingbird, Black-headed Grosbeak, Western Tanager, Lazuli Bunting and many prairie birds.
Habitat - Grassland/Prairie, Ponderosa Forest
Directions - To inquire about access to this ranch and to get directions, please contact Bernie and Celia Welch at 303-621-2291 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 -
Elbert Road and Elbert
Description - This road runs south of Kiowa to the town of Elbert, and has in recent years been the most reliable place near Denver for Dickcissel, though "reliable" might be too strong a word. The small farmer's pond three miles south of Highway 86 has hosted American White Pelican (tough in this county) and a pair of calling Willow Flycatchers, though these are not to be expected regularly. Scanning this private pond is difficult, but watch for waterbirds in the air nearby.
The town of Elbert itself, in the heart of Elbert County's ponderosa country, this small town also contains some nice riparian habitat. Outside town, look for Pygmy Nuthatch, Steller's Jay and Western and Mountain Bluebirds; inside town, bird the riparian areas for migrants in season.
Habitat - Urban/Suburban, Park/Cemetery, Grassland/Prairie, Pond/Lake/Reservoir, Lowland Riparian, Grassland/Prairie
Directions - Elbert Road runs from state route 86 just west of Kiowa south to the town of Elbert and thence into El Paso county. The best section for Dickcissels is from the intersection with CO 86 to 5 miles south.
Delorme - 51 C6
Roads of Colorado - 90 A2
Elizabeth
Description - Drive around this quaint little town looking for busy feeders, and while you're at it, keep an eye out for the Eurasian Collared-Doves that have recently colonized it. These can often be seen sitting on wires along Highway 86 in town, or along any of the small roads in town. The cemetery on the south side of CO 86 in the middle of town is worth checking for conifer-loving birds as well as migrants.
Habitat - Urban/Suburban, Park/Cemetery
Directions - Elizabeth is along state route 86, 8.5 miles east of Franktown, and 7.5 miles west of Kiowa.
Delorme - 51 B6
Roads of Colorado - 89 F1
Kiowa area
Description - Kiowa is a rather charming town that can have wandering mountain birds in winter and migrants in spring and fall. Check out hummingbird feeders around town in season.
The road from Kiowa north to Bennett runs through some nice yucca habitat with breeding Cassin's Sparrows, at least in some years. One farmstead maintains a large patch of thick scrub along the east side of the road; Brown Thrasher, Black-headed and Blue Grosbeaks and Orchard Oriole are possible here.
East of Kiowa, where Highway 86 crosses Comanche Creek and west Bijou Creek, look in riparian and marshy habitat for birds such as Belted Kingfisher, possible landbird migrants in season, rails and Marsh Wren, and sparrows.
Habitat - Urban/Suburban, Grassland/Prairie, Lowland Riparian, Yucca
Directions - Kiowa is along CO 86 seven miles east of Elizabeth. The Kiowa-Bennet road (CR 45-49) leaves from the middle of the town of Kiowa and goes north for 16.3 miles in Elbert County before entering Arapahoe County. In the north, the road goes to the town of Bennet, which is exit 304 off I-70. The crossing with Comanche Creek is 2.3 miles east of the town of Kiowa along CO 86, and the crossing with West Bijou Creek is 5 miles east of Kiowa, and 2.7 east of the first stream crossing.
Delorme - 51 B7
Roads of Colorado - 90 A1
Pond east of Kiowa
Description - Anybody who has county-listed in Elbert County will know exactly which pond we mean! It lies about eight miles east of Kiowa on the south side of CO 86. It can be devoid of birdlife, or it can be loaded with divers, dabblers, and shorebirds. It is not large enough to be very attractive to the likes of Western Grebes or gulls, but Osprey shows up occasionally, and rarities have been reported.
Habitat - Pond/Lake/Reservoir
Directions - The pond is between seven and eight miles east of Kiowa on the south side of CO 86, right next to the road, with some mature cottonwoods around it.
Delorme - 96 C1
Roads of Colorado - 90 B1
Ponderosa Grove along CO 86
Description - Aside from being good for both shrikes and both bluebirds in season, this grove is a reliable location for breeding Cassin's Kingbird. As far as we know, there is no better place for Cassin's near Denver.
Habitat - Ponderosa Forest
Directions - The grove is on both sides of CO 86 about fifteen miles east of Kiowa.
Delorme - 96 C1
Roads of Colorado - 90 C1
Ridge Road (CR 99 and CR 101)
Description - If you didn't find Cassin's Kingbird at the Ponderosa Grove, try this road. Here too look for Western and Mountain Bluebirds and some of the finest scenery in eastern Colorado. Even Scissor-tailed Flycatcher has been found here.
Habitat - Grassland/Prairie, Ponderosa Forest
Directions - From Kiowa, go 13.5 miles east on state route 86 to CR 93 (which is 22.5 miles west of the intersection of 86 and I-70). Turn left (north) onto CR 93 and go 2 miles and take a right onto CR 122. Go 1.6 miles to Ridge Road on the left. Ridge Road goes a little over 7.5 miles to a " T" with CRs 150 and 101, and continues right (east and then north) as CR 101 for an additional 13 miles to the Arapahoe county line. The best birding is from the intersection with CO 86 north to the intersection with CR 166, in 11 miles.
Delorme - 96 C1
Roads of Colorado - 90 C1, 74 C3-C4
Wilson Creek Crossing
Description - The extensive riparian habitat here is often dead but can occasionally be good for migrants. Bird from the road.
Habitat - Lowland Riparian
Directions - From the Agate exit off I-70 (exit 340), go west on Main Street over the railroad tracks and take the first left onto CR 153. Go south 1.8 miles to the intersection with CR 162 and take a right (west). Take CR 162 for 6 miles to a " T" and take a right (north) onto CR 129. Go north 1 mile and take a left onto CR 166. Wilson Creek is the first stream crossing along CR 166.
Delorme - 96 C1
Roads of Colorado - 75 D4
Ball Reservoir
Description - When full, this reservoir contains 95% of Elbert County's surface water, and so it is an essential stop for any Elbert County lister. This is the only reliable spot for grebes, gulls, terns and large concentrations of ducks in the county, and it would also be the best spot to check for rarities in migration, with at least Caspian Tern to its name. The lake is private and difficult to access but can be scoped fairly well from a distant overlook to the east.
Habitat - Pond/Lake/Reservoir
Directions - Ball Reservoir is just west of Agate. From the Agate exit off I-70, take Main Street west over the railroad tracks and take a right. The take the first left onto CR 153 and follow this street down to a gate. From here the reservoir can be scanned, albeit not all that well. Another possibility is instead to follow CR 153 around the bend at 1.2 miles and continue an additional 0.8 miles to a turn on the left into a paint-ball gun range. Park at the headquarters and request permission to view the reservoir.
Delorme - 96 C2
Roads of Colorado - 75 D4
Comanche Creek Road (CR 61-69)
Description - This road north of CO 86 parallels its namesake for several miles, and although the lowland riparian habitat is private, it is in several places close enough to the road to be easily birdable. If you head east on CR 150 for 0.7 miles, you'll come down off some bluffs through a belt of ponderosa forest. This area has the likes of Cassin's Kingbird, Spotted Towhee and Black-headed Grosbeak, and Bank Swallow has been seen in summer over the bluffs, so may breed there.
Habitat - Lowland Riparian
Directions - From CO 86 about five miles east of Kiowa, head north on Comanche Creek Road (CR 61-69). CR 150 is about 5.5 miles north of the highway.
Delorme - 96 C1
Roads of Colorado - 74 B4, 90 B1