Gunnison County
Author(s): Jim Berry, Lori Brummer
County Seat: Gunnison
County Size: 3,238 square miles
Low Elevation: 5,930 ft. - North Fork Gunnison River on the Delta border
High Elevation : 14,265 ft. - Castle Peak
Best Birds : Nelson's Sharp-tailed Sparrow (1952), Ruby-throated Hummingbird (1998)
Checklist : Download pdf | View HTML
Introduction: Gunnison County. This is one of the largest counties in the state of Colorado. It is very mountainous and contains two large reservoirs (Blue Mesa and Taylor), three major rivers (Gunnison, East and Taylor), and a number of various sized streams (Tomichi Creek, Lake Fork of the Gunnison, etc.). Birding is affected by the distinct seasons (winter is about 5 months of the year) and access, which is limited by roads, trails, and private property. For instance, Blue Mesa Reservoir is generally accessible, but is totally frozen about 4 months of the year; many of the mountain roads and trails are not passable until after June 15, the high peaks not until July; and there is virtually no access to Tomichi Creek. The sites listed below are a small fraction of the county's birding sites, but they are the best representatives and are accessible as described. Around 280 species have been seen in Gunnison County. Of these, about 250 are seen with some regularity over the course of a year. A few birds (Grace's Warbler, for instance) have been sighted about two hundred feet outside the county boundary. But for the past 10 years, new birds have been found. Good luck in birding the Gunnison area. Note: all mileages are from the intersection of Highways 50 & 135 (Main & Tomichi) in Gunnison.
Birding Locations
Roaring Judy Fish Hatchery
Description - This site is easy to bird and very birdy, especially in the fall. It is also much larger than you might think. It is best in the spring and fall for migrant warblers and in summer for nesting birds. Winter is quiet with 10-12 species usually around, including Bald Eagles. Resident birds include snipe, Song Sparrow, Great Blue Heron, Red-tailed Hawk, dipper, crows, magpies, etc. Some nesting species are Yellow Warbler, Fox Sparrows, Red-naped Sapsucker, Warbling Vireo, and Willow Flycatcher. During migration, 10 or so species of warblers may be seen.
Habitat - Stream, Pond/Lake/Reservoir, Lowland Riparian
Directions - From Gunnison, head north on CO 135. Just past mile post 14, turn left (west) off the highway, cross the bridge, and park in the public parking area. Walk the road to ponds and/or trails by the river.
Delorme - 58 C3
Roads of Colorado - 101 D2
Gunnison Water Treatment Plant
Description - This water treatment plant is best in spring and fall. Summer is very good for nesting birds such as Yellow Warbler, rails (Sora and Virginia Rail), snipe, three species of blackbirds, Warbling Vireos, Great Horned Owl, and various flycatchers. Winter is quiet with all the ponds frozen. Resident species include Belted Kingfisher, Song Sparrow, White-breasted Nuthatch, Red-tailed Hawk, Black-capped Chickadee, and Downy and Hairy woodpeckers. During migration, expect several warbler species, wading birds, ducks, buntings, and sparrows. This is a good place for unusual birds in the fall (late August & early September), which have included Golden-winged and Blue-winged warblers, Chestnut-sided Warblers, and Indigo Bunting.
Habitat - Stream, Pond/Lake/Reservoir, Lowland Riparian, Grassland/Prairie
Directions - From Gunnison, head west on US 50 to mile post 153 (4.5miles). Turn left and cross the bridge. Park under trees by McCabe Wetlands sign. Walk the north side of the ponds, the road into the plant, and the south side of the property.
Delorme - 58 D1
Roads of Colorado - 100 C3
Cooper's Ranch
Aliases - Curecanti National Recreation Area
Description - Part of Curecanti National Recreation Area, Cooper's Ranch is an area of cottonwood bottomland along the Gunnison River. As with most areas in the county, birding is best in spring and fall, good in the summer, but quiet in winter. Resident birds that can be found are Hairy and Downy Woodpecker, Red-shafted Flicker, White-breasted Nuthatch, and Black-capped Chickadee. Nesting species include various flycatchers, Yellow Warbler, Red-naped Sapsucker, Mountain Bluebirds, and Green-tailed Towhee. During migration, this area has produced unusual birds such as Green Heron, Hepatic Tanager, and a number of good warblers (especially at the west end by the ponds).
Habitat - Stream, Pond/Lake/Reservoir, Lowland Riparian, Grassland/Prairie
Directions - From Gunnison, head west on US 50 to mile post 151 (6 miles). Turn left at the sign and park at the bottom of the hill. Bird up or down stream. There are some nice small ponds downstream.
Delorme - 58 D1
Roads of Colorado - 100 C3
Blue Mesa Reservoir
Description - This is the largest reservoir in the state and extends eleven miles west from the junction of Highways 50 and 149. During spring and fall migration, up to 24 species of ducks, 25 species of shorebirds, Osprey, Common Loon, and White Pelicans can be seen, along with some interesting gulls (Franklin's, Bonaparte's, and maybe Sabine's or Little). This site is especially good in the fall for Barrow's Goldeneye with as many as 70-100 for about 3 weeks in November and December. Mallards nest here in the summer, but the reservoir is generally frozen over in the winter.
Habitat - Pond/Lake/Reservoir
Directions - US 50 west of Gunnison. The best birding is at the east end.
Delorme - 68 A1
Roads of Colorado - 100 A4-B3
Sapinero Mesa Road/Lake City Cutoff (CR 26)
Aliases - Lake City Cut-off
Description - THE place to find woodpeckers in Gunnison County! The road goes from Highway 149 all the way back to Blue Mesa Reservoir, but the birding is best for about 8 miles. The first 4 miles, which have been subject to controlled burns for several years, are especially good and probably the easiest place around to find a Three-toed Woodpecker. Birding on Blue Mesa Cut-off is good in the spring and fall, but access can be limited. During the winter, the road can be walked or skied but not driven. This area is best in the summer. Resident birds include White-breasted, Red-breasted and Pygmy nuthatches, Mountain and Black-capped chickadees, owls, and woodpeckers. Nesting birds include six species of woodpeckers, Mountain and Western bluebirds, Western Tanager, Plumbeous and Warbling vireos, various flycatchers, and possibly Grace's Warblers. During migration, several species of warblers can be seen.
Habitat - Ponderosa Forest, Mixed Conifer Forest, Burn Area, Aspen Grove, Sagebrush
Directions - From Gunnsion, go west on US 50 to CO 149. Turn left (south) onto CO 149, heading towards Lake City. Between mile post 97 & 96, turn right (north) at the top of the hill onto Sapinero Mesa Road (CR 26). This is the best ponderosa stand in the area and the most accessible. It can be walked for miles on the eastern side.
Delorme - 68 B1
Roads of Colorado - 116 A1
Rainbow Lake Road (CR 724)
Aliases - West Elk Wilderness, South Baldy
Description - Rainbow Lake Road starts in the sagebrush lowlands along Highway 50 and climbs 16 miles into the mountains, ending at a trailhead that goes into the West Elk Wilderness. Passing through most of the major habitats in the county, birding on Rainbow Lake Road can be very good with a great range of birds. However, the alpine areas are only accessible by hiking the trail into the wilderness. The best time to visit is summer; fall can be good until the road is closed for winter. Access is limited in the spring. Resident birds include jays, Pine Grosbeak, crossbills, and Townsend's Solitaire. Nesting birds include Green-tailed Towhee, Sage Thrasher, Brewer's Sparrow, Vesper Sparrow, White-crowned Sparrow, Yellow Warbler, MacGillivray's Warbler, Yellow-rumped Warbler, Common Poorwill, Northern Saw-whet Owl, Clark's Nutcracker, Western Tanager, both kinglets, etc. Easiest access for ptarmigan, pipits, and horned larks are the slopes of South Baldy. There are also many opportunities for raptors including Cooper's Hawk, Sharp-shinned Hawk and Prairie Falcon.
Habitat - Sagebrush, Grassland/Prairie, Lowland Riparian, Aspen Grove, Mixed Conifer Forest, Spruce-Fir Forest, Krummholz, Alpine Tundra
Directions - Go west of Gunnison on US 50 to milepost 143 (14.3 miles). Rainbow Lake Road is on the north side of the reservoir and offers easy and productive access to higher elevations. Alpine areas are accessible by hiking and only those in good physical condition should attempt to climb South Baldy. There is a camping area at Rainbow Lake. Make sure to bring your camera! The wildflowers are stunning in this area, especially in July.
Delorme - 68 A1
Roads of Colorado - 100 B3
Mill Creek
Description - This site encompasses a considerable range of habitats, but is mostly riparian with lots of big trees. Near the creek crossing (about 1 mile from the wilderness gate) is an open meadow with willows on one side and pines on the other side. The road into the trail is excellent riparian habitat and is worth stops to look for warblers, flycatchers, goldfinches, and other passerines. Mill Creek is very good birding year-round, though access in winter is limited to skis and snowshoes. This is an excellent area for butterflies in the summer. Resident birds include chickadees, nuthatches, jays, and woodpeckers. Some of the nesting species include Pine Grosbeaks, crossbills, Yellow and Yellow-rumped Warblers, Wilson's Warblers, Western Tanagers, and Olive-sided Flycatcher. Lots of warblers are present during migration.
Habitat - Sagebrush, Lowland Riparian, Grassland/Prairie, Mixed Conifer Forest, Aspen Grove, Spruce-Fir Forest
Directions - Go north from Gunnison on CO 135 for approximately 3.4 miles. Turn left on Ohio Creek Road (CR 730). Go about 8.8 miles and turn left on the signed dirt road (Mill Creek Road, CR 727). After about 4 miles, park in an open meadow area before the wilderness boundary gate. The trail goes up to Storm Ridge, but the best birding is in the first 3 miles of the trail.
Delorme - 58 C1-C2
Roads of Colorado - 100 B2-C2
Kebler Pass (CR 12)
Aliases - Dollar Slough, Erickson Springs Campground
Description - The birding is good all along Kebler Pass Road, but Purple Martins are the area's specialty. Here at the only known nesting site in Gunnison County, the martins nest in old growth aspen and can be seen in summer flying overhead off the road between mile post 10 and 11. (Note: mile marker numbering starts at the west end, not Crested Butte. This is approximately 10 miles after you crest Kebler Pass.)
Other good stops on County Road 12 include Kebler Pass and Dollar Slough at mile post 23. Erickson Springs Campground is at mile post 5 and is also a very nice birding area. Both summer and fall can be very good, but watch out for hunters in the fall. Jays, chickadees, nuthatches, Pine Grosbeaks, and crossbills are some of the resident species; nesting birds include Lazuli Bunting, Western Tanager, woodpeckers, warblers, vireos, Purple Martin, and flycatchers. Look for several species of warblers in migration.
Habitat - Lowland Riparian, Aspen Grove, Spruce-Fir Forest
Directions - From Gunnison, go north on CO 135 to Crested Butte. Turn left on Whiterock and go west. This turns into CR 12. You can also take Ohio Creek Road (CR 730) to Kebler Pass and turn left on Kebler Pass Road. This road is closed for about 5-6 months when the snow flies.
Delorme - 58 B1
Roads of Colorado - 100 B1
Cumberland Pass
Aliases - Taylor Park Reservoir
Description - Cumberland Pass is one of the only places in the county where alpine habitat is accessible by auto. Tundra species such as ptarmigan, Horned Larks, Brewer's Sparrow and American Pipit can be seen here. The easiest alpine birding is on the east side of the road. However, this is heavily used by ATV's and some 4-wheelers, making the ptarmigan difficult to find. Continuing north over Cumberland Pass, you will drop into Willow Creek and the small town of Tincup. There are a number of small lakes, streams and good riparian habitat all the way to Taylor Park Reservoir. While pretty, the reservoir is not usually very productive birding. Throughout the area, though, are several Forest Service roads that are good for montane and sub-alpine bird species.
Habitat - Alpine Tundra, Krummholz, Spruce-Fir Forest, Mixed Conifer Forest, Streamside Willow
Directions - From Gunnison, go east on US 50 to Parlin. Turn left (north) on CR 76 (Quartz Creek Road), following it through Pitkin to FR 765. Continue on FR 765 to Cumberland Pass, stopping along the way to look for montane, riparian and subalpine bird species.
Delorme - 59 C5
Roads of Colorado - 101 F2
Gunnison Sage-Grouse lek
Aliases - Waunita Hot Springs lek
Description - As most birders know, this species was just recently designated. While there are satellite populations in other areas, the major population of Gunnison sage-grouse resides in the Gunnison Valley. The birds are scattered over the entire valley. Due to the decline in bird numbers, all but the Waunita Hot Springs lek is closed to the public. Contact the local DOW for more information at 970-641-7060 and check out the Sisk-a-dee www.siskadee.org website for sage-grouse viewing etiquette. Also see the Ethics page on this site.
Habitat - Sagebrush
Directions - The public viewing lek is on CR 887 (Waunita Hot Springs Road) off US 50, about 19 miles east of Gunnison. This lek is located in a private field, but can be seen to the east of the county road about 0.6 miles north Highway 50.
Delorme - 69 A5
Roads of Colorado - 101 E4
Gunnison
Description - The Brown-capped Rosy-Finch is found primarily in the area of high mountains between Gunnison and Denver. Generally speaking, they are abundant in Gunnison during the winter. The more snow, the more birds. They come to feeders outside the city (Debbie Way, Cranor Hill Road and Antelope Hills Road). During the summer, they can be found on cliffs at high altitudes. Gray-crowned and Black rosy-finches are also seen at feeders in the winter, but usually in smaller numbers.
Otherwise birding in the town of Gunnison isn't particularly interesting, except for maybe the Eurasian Collared-Doves which have gone nuts in the past few years. They can be seen most anywhere in town, especially in the area of large conifers, such as on the WSC campus and near the Forest Service building which is at 216 N Colorado. We had a Lewis' Woodpecker in the cemetery the past 3 years, but starlings have taken over the tree they were using. Who knows if they will be back?
Along with the rosy-finches, the Gunnison CBC also has high numbers of American dippers, which can be seen anywhere along the river that is free of ice.
Habitat - Urban/Suburban, Park/Cemetery, Stream
Directions - Gunnison is along US 50 at its junction with CO 135, about five hours southwest of Denver.
Delorme - 58 D2
Roads of Colorado - 100 C3
Crested Butte
Description - (Submitted by Linda Powers): This picturesque little ski town, like Gunnison, is a good place to look for Rosy-finches in the winter. For the past couple winters they have been regular until early May at the home of Linda Powers, at the corner of 4th and Whiterock.
Habitat - Urban/Suburban
Directions - Crested Butte is north of Gunnison on CO 135.
Delorme - 58 B1
Roads of Colorado - 100 C1