La Plata County
Author(s): Jim Beatty
County Seat: Durango
County Size: 1,692 square miles
Low Elevation: 5,924 ft. - Animas River on the NM border
High Elevation : 14,083 ft. - Mount Eolus
Best Birds : White-eared Hummingbird (2005), Green Violet-ear (1998), Purple Gallinule (1978)
Checklist : Download pdf | View HTML
Introduction: Home to Durango, the largest town in southwest Colorado, La Plata County is arguably the best-birded county in this part of the state. Its diversity of habitats, ranging from lowland desert up to 14,000 feet, make it a great ecotourism destination. The bodies of water are not large, but some, especially Pastorius Reservoir, can be surprisingly productive. La Plata County is home to the only publicly accessible colony of Acorn Woodpeckers in the state, and has attracted more than one Mexican stray. With coverage, it's certain to produce many more!
Birding Locations
Animas River
Description - The riparian area along the Animas River through Durango can be good for migrants in spring and fall and sometimes in winter [rare sightings include Harlequin Duck, Bohemian Waxwings, and Varied Thrush]. There is a paved river walk that extends for several miles from south of town to 29th Street. The best places are behind the Four Corners Riversports Store south of downtown Durango [rare sightings include Blackburnian, Chestnut-sided, Mourning, and Black and White Warblers and Clay-colored Sparrow] and the area extending from the Fish Hatchery at 17th and Main Avenue to the north end of the river walk.
Habitat - Lowland Riparian, Stream
Directions - To get to the south section of the river walk, from the intersection of US 160 & US 550 near downtown Durango, drive south to the second traffic light and turn left onto the frontage road. In about 0.5 mile, just past the Four Corners Riversports Store turn left and drive down the gravel road to the river and park. To get to the north section, drive north on US 550 and turn right into the fish hatchery after crossing the Animas River and just before 17th Street. Park at the fish hatchery and walk north on the path.
Delorme - 86 B3-C3
Roads of Colorado - 146 C1
Pastorius State Wildlife Area
Description - This lake, pinyon/juniper forest, and cottonwood riparian is one of the best areas in the county with over two hundred species recorded here. Spring and fall are best. After the ice thaws this is a major spot for ducks and geese. Spring brings waders and shorebirds with small numbers of gulls and terns [and once, Black Skimmer]. The shrubs and trees on the east and north sides of the reservoir can be very good for migrants [rare sightings include Eastern Phoebe, Prothonotary and Palm Warblers, Northern Waterthrush, and Orchard Oriole].
Habitat - Pond/Lake/Reservoir, Pinyon/Juniper Forest, Lowland Riparian
Directions - From Durango drive east on US 160 about 6 miles to CO 172 and turn right (south) toward the airport. After about 2 miles turn right (west) on CR 302. After about 1 mile turn right on CR 304, an unpaved road, and Pastorius is on the right after less than 0.5 mile.
Delorme - 86 C3
Roads of Colorado - 146 C2
Zink's Pond
Description - This spring-fed pond and marsh stays open all year and is good for ducks, geese and marsh birds including Sora and Virginia Rail, Common Yellowthroat, and Marsh Wren which can be seen and heard in spring and summer. Bald Eagles have nested in the cottonwood trees across the road from the pond. This is private property and can only be viewed from the road.
Habitat - Pond/Lake/Reservoir, Marsh
Directions - From Durango go south on US 160/550. Continue south on US 550 after US 160 heads east for about 6 miles and turn right (west) on CR 214. At the bottom of the hill turn left (south) on CR 215. In about 1 mile after a sharp right turn there is an overlook on the right side for the pond. Scan the pond and marsh from here.
Delorme - 86 C2
Roads of Colorado - 146 C2
Lake Eileen
Description - This high-elevation lake can be accessed by a trail starting from the Northwest corner of Vallecito Reservoir across from the Forest Service work building which climbs about 1000 ft through forested terrain. High elevation warblers and flycatchers [Hammond's and Olive-sided] are present in summer along the trail and Dusky Grouse and woodpeckers including Three-toed and Williamson's Sapsucker are usually found around the lake in the moist spruce/fir forest. Goshawk is sometimes present above the lake.
Habitat - Spruce-Fir Forest, Pond/Lake/Reservoir
Directions - From downtown Durango drive north on US 550 to 15th Street and turn right. Then after a short distance turn left onto Florida Road which becomes CR 240. After about 13 miles continue on CR 240 by turning right at the Lemon Reservoir intersection. After about 4 miles at the bottom of the hill turn left (north) on CR 501. After about 9 miles, past Vallecito Reservoir, look for the forest service "Work Center" on the right (east) side of the road and park here on the shoulder. The trail head is on the left (west) side and signed. An alternate route from Bayfield, east of Durango on US 160, is to turn north at the traffic light on CR 501 and proceed past Vallecito Reservoir (about 13 miles) as noted above.
Delorme - 87 A5
Roads of Colorado - 131 E3-E4
Lemon Reservoir
Aliases - City Reservoir (La Plata County)
Description - The reservoir itself is usually very quiet, but the road that extends north from the north end of the reservoir toward City Reservoir can be very good for high elevation birds including Dusky Grouse in summer. This road is very rough and takes about one and a half hours to drive one-way [high clearance vehicle recommended] through ponderosa and spruce/fir forests. At the top, the trail towards City Reservoir goes above tree line to alpine tundra were American Pipits, White-tailed Ptarmigan, and Brown-capped Rosy-finches can be found in summer about two to three miles up the trail. This is a full day trip.
Habitat - Pond/Lake/Reservoir, Ponderosa Forest, Spruce-Fir Forest, Alpine Tundra
Directions - From downtown Durango drive north on US 550 to 15th Street and turn right. Then after a short distance turn left onto Florida Road which becomes CR 240. After about 13 miles continue straight on CR 243 toward Lemon Reservoir while CR 240 turns right. Drive past the reservoir and first campground and turn right on FR 597. This is a slow and rough road that winds up the mountain. Park at the trail head where the road ends and hike NNE on trail 534 toward City Reservoir. After about two miles ptarmigan nest above tree line, as do Brown-capped Rosy-finches and pipits.
Delorme - 86 A4, 87A5, 77 D5
Roads of Colorado - 131 D4-E3
La Plata Canyon
Description - This canyon is accessed west of Durango and is the source of the La Plata River. In winter all three species of rosy-finches can be found at the feeders at the house on the left side of the road about a mile from US 160. The road up the canyon goes all the way up to Kennebec Pass above tree line to alpine tundra. However, the last mile or two requires a four-wheel drive vehicle. The road passes through several different life zones including ponderosa and spruce/fir forests. Pine Grosbeaks and crossbills are present and hummingbirds [including Calliope] feed on the wildflowers, especially during fall migration. Lincoln's and White-crowned Sparrows breed here.
Habitat - Ponderosa Forest, Spruce-Fir Forest, Mountain Meadow, Krummholz, Alpine Tundra
Directions - From downtown Durango travel west on US 160 about 10 miles and turn right (north) on CR 124 just past Hesperus. Check the feeders at the house on the left after about 1 mile for Rosy-finches in winter. After about 6 miles the paved road ends, but the gravel road continues to above treeline. The last 1 -2 miles require a four-wheel drive vehicle, but scenery at the top is worth the drive. Trails go several directions from the parking area including the Colorado Trail which starts in Durango and ends in Denver some 470 miles distant. There are many places to stop en route to check the birds.
Delorme - 86 B1-A1
Roads of Colorado - 146 A1, 130 A4-B4
Florida Mesa
Description - This is a broad open area of grassland pastures and ranch land that is very good for hawks and eagles in winter. It is the general area south of US 160 and east of US 550 and it is criss-crossed by many good gravel roads. Both eagles are present and hawks can include Ferruginous and (in winter) Rough-legged. Peregrine (in summer) and Prairie Falcons are uncommon. Merlins and occasionally Swainson's are possible during migration.
Habitat - Grassland/Prairie
Directions - Start from Pastorius SWA (q.v.). Travel the county roads bounded by CR 304 on the north, CR 301 on the west, and CR 302 on the south. Also, to the east, drive south on CR 307 off of SR 172 and circle to the east past the Durango-LaPlata County Airport back to SR 172.
Delorme - 86 C3-C4
Roads of Colorado - 146 C2
Long Branch Creek
Description - The area just north of the New Mexico border along CO 140 may be worth checking in summer. The riparian area by the bridge over the creek has Blue Grosbeaks and the farm land just north of the state border on the west side of the highway has a small number of Gambel's Quail. Do not enter private property.
Habitat - Lowland Riparian, Grassland/Prairie
Directions - From Durango go west on US 160 about 10 miles and turn left (south) on CO 140. Long Branch Creek is about 2 miles south of the community of Redmesa. Further south and just north of the New Mexico border on the west side of SR 140 is farm land crossed by a few dirt roads.
Delorme - 84 D7
Roads of Colorado - 146 A3
Junction Creek Campground
Aliases - Animas Overlook
Description - West 25th Street in Durango parallels Junction Creek, enters national forest land and climbs through a variety of habitats to the Animas Overlook and beyond. The area around the Junction Creek Campground in the ponderosa pines is good for Virginia's and Grace's Warblers and Plumbeous Vireo. In early spring several owl species can be heard including Great-horned, Northern Saw-whet, and Northern Pygmy-owl. Higher elevations with mature aspens have breeding Flammulated Owls. Goshawks and Golden Eagles are possible. The Animas Overlook has paved paths and can be good for woodpeckers, including Williamson's Sapsucker, and Dusky Grouse in the spruce/fir. Peregrine Falcons sometimes fly past the cliff face at the overlook.
Habitat - Ponderosa Forest, Aspen Grove, Spruce-Fir Forest, Cliff Face
Directions - From downtown Durango go north on US 550 and turn left (west) at 25th Street. This becomes CR 204 which in about 3 miles enters the San Juan National Forest where it becomes FR 171. About a mile after entering the NF is the Junction Creek Campground on the left side. The road continues past the campground and reaches Animas Overlook in about 8 miles, which is in spruce-fir with mature aspen habitat. The road continues for another 10 miles or more.
Delorme - 86 B2
Roads of Colorado - 146 C1
Vallecito Reservoir
Description - This is the largest body of water in the county and the elevation is 7800 ft. Loons can be present during migration as are Western Grebes and are usually near the dam. The ponderosa and spruce/fir woods on the east side of the reservoir have Hammond's, Cordilleran, and a few Dusky Flycatchers. California and Ring-billed Gulls are present in small numbers during migration. Barrow's Goldeneye is possible in winter. Rare sightings include Wood Duck, White-winged and Surf Scoters, and Sabine's Gull. Dabbling ducks, gulls, and eagles are usually at the north end of the lake. In October as many as thirty Bald Eagles congregate at the north end to feed on the Kokanee Salmon.
Habitat - Pond/Lake/Reservoir, Ponderosa Forest, Spruce-Fir Forest
Directions - From downtown Durango drive north on US 550 to 15th Street and turn right. Then after a short distance merge left onto Florida Road which becomes CR 240. After about 13 miles continue on CR 240 by turning right at the Lemon Reservoir intersection. After about 4 miles at the bottom of the hill turn left (north) on CR 501. In about 5 miles at information signs turn right (east) onto CR 503 which crosses the dam on the south side of the reservoir. Continue to the east side and look for flycatchers near the campgrounds or on the forest roads that go east. Except in summer, back track across the dam and drive to the north end of the lake where the water is shallower. During summer the road is open all around the lake.
Delorme - 87 A5
Roads of Colorado - 131 E4
Middle Mountain Road
Description - This road travels north from the north end of Vallecito Reservoir to near tree line through ponderosa and spruce/fir forests interspersed with grasslands. This is a very good area for Three-toed Woodpeckers in the burned area [2002 wild fire] about three-quarters of the way up the road. Many other high elevation species are possible including Red Crossbill, Pine Grosbeak, pipits and sparrows.
Habitat - Ponderosa Forest, Spruce-Fir Forest, Burn Area
Directions - From downtown Durango drive north on US 550 to 15th Street and turn right. Then after a short distance merge left onto Florida Road which becomes CR 240. After about 13 miles continue on CR 240 by turning right at the Lemon Reservoir intersection. After about 4 miles at the bottom of the hill turn left (north) on CR 501. Drive along the west side of the lake and continue around the north end to the northeast corner of the lake and turn left (north) on Middle Mountain Road (FR 724).
Delorme - 86 B2
Roads of Colorado - 131 E4
Durango Mountain Resort Ski Area and Sig Creek
Aliases - Purgatory, Sig Creek
Description - The access roads through the spruce/fir at the ski area in summer can be good for Pine Grosbeak, Red Crossbill, Gray Jay, and high elevation warblers.
Habitat - Spruce-Fir Forest
Directions - From Durango go north on US 550 to the Durango Mountain Resort Ski area (formerly Purgatory). Just past the main entrance to the ski area turn left on FR 578. After about two miles turn left on FR 581 into the ski area. Drive to Dante's Restaurant (closed in summer) stopping often along the way to listen and look for crossbills and grosbeaks. Drive back to FR 578 and continue to the campground at Sig Creek.
Delorme - 76 D3
Roads of Colorado - 130 C2
Madden Peak Road
Description - This road travels north from US 160 at the western border of the county. It is the only reliable location in the county for Purple Martin. At dawn in April, you might see as many as 10 male Dusky Grouse displaying right in the road.
Habitat - Mountain Meadow, Scrub Oak Forest, Aspen Grove
Directions - From Durango go west on US 160 and just west of the county line sign turn right (north) on Madden Peak Road. Travel about 6 or 7 miles up this road and look for a gated forest road on the right side of the road, which can be difficult to see. Park and walk down this road for a quarter mile. If the martins are not here, continue up the road and stop at all meadow edges to search for them.
Delorme - 85 B7
Roads of Colorado - 146 A1
Rafter J Acorn Woodpecker Colony
Description - There is a small colony of resident Acorn Woodpeckers west of Durango in the Rafter J subdivision.
Habitat - Scrub Oak Forest
Directions - From downtown Durango go west on US 160 about 3 miles and turn left (south) on Wildcat Canyon Road (CR 141). Go west on CR 141 for about 3 miles and look for the Rafter J Subdivision sign on the right. Turn right on Meadow Road and go 1.5 miles, at which point there is a Y intersection, both forks changing from asphalt to dirt. Take the right fork downhill for 0.6 miles. On the right you will find several large dead Ponderosa pines, the first of which is behind a brown and cream mobile home. The woodpeckers are usually in this tree or nearby.
Delorme - 86 B2-C2
Roads of Colorado - 146 B1-B2
Saul's Creek
Description - East of Bayfield is a spot where a White Ibis was present for several weeks in 2000. There is a small pond in an area of ponderosa pines.
Habitat - Ponderosa Forest, Pond/Lake/Reservoir
Directions - From the traffic signal in Bayfield travel east on US 160 for about 2 miles and turn right (south) at the sign to Saul's Creek. In less than ½ mile turn left (east) on FR 527. After 1 mile bear right at the fork on FR 755 (may not be signed) and go to the gate, which can be closed and locked, and park. Cross the gate and walk up the road about a ½ mile to the ponds on the right side.
Delorme - 87 C5
Roads of Colorado - 147 E2
La Plata County Road 136
Description - This county road transverses pinyon/juniper, scrub, and grassland in the southwestern part of the county. It is the most reliable place to find Cassin's Kingbirds which are about 5 miles south from CR 141 (Wildcat Canyon Road). Gray Flycatchers are also here. This road can be impassable when wet and the land is private or Southern Ute reservation, so birding is limited to the road.
Habitat - Pinyon/Juniper Forest, Scrub Oak Forest, Grassland/Prairie
Directions - From downtown Durango go west on US 160 about 3 miles and turn left (south) on Wildcat Canyon Road (CR 141). After about 8 miles CR 136 turns off to the left (southwest). The Cassin's Kingbirds are usually several miles down this road.
Delorme - 86 C1-D1
Roads of Colorado - 146 A3
Bayfield
Aliases - Pine River Park
Description - (Submitted by Nathan Pieplow): Pine River Park in this little town has some nice riparian habitat that has Lewis's Woodpecker, Cordilleran Flycatcher, Cedar Waxwing, Northern Rough-winged Swallow, Belted Kingfisher and the like. It also looks excellent for Lazuli Bunting and Gray Catbird.
Habitat - Lowland Riparian, Stream
Directions - Pine River Park is along the river in Bayfield on the north side of US 160B.
Delorme - 87 C5
Roads of Colorado - 147 E2