Weld County
Author(s): Nathan Pieplow
County Seat: Greeley
County Size: 3,990 square miles
Low Elevation: 4,296 ft. - Pawnee Creek on the Logan border
High Elevation : 6,380 ft. - Bison Butte
Best Birds : Roseate Spoonbill (1913), Fulvous Whistling-Duck (1990), Brown-crested Flycatcher (2007)
Checklist : Download pdf | View HTML
Introduction: If Colorado's third-largest county were to secede, it would become the third-smallest state. As if this were not distinction enough, Weld County is home to the Pawnee National Grasslands--a highlight destination of any birding trip to Colorado--and Crow Valley Campground, one of the state's best-known migrant traps. Its waterbird habitats run the gamut from tiny ponds to huge reservoirs and vast cattail marshes. Its checklist is long and distinguished. The only thing Weld County doesn't have, in fact, is mountains. But it commands fantastic views of them, and this is one of the factors accounting for its burgeoning human population.
Birding Locations
Pawnee National Grasslands (western section)
Aliases - Murphy's Pasture, Central Plains Experimental Range
Description - This finest remnant of Colorado's native prairies is one of the most accessible and productive areas in which to see the remnant populations of Colorado's native prairie birds. Mountain Plover, Burrowing Owl and McCown's and Chestnut-collared Longspurs can be found on the Pawnee from early April to October (or to August, in the case of the plovers). McCown's Longspur is locally common to abundant and easy to locate when performing display flights. Chestnut-collared Longspur is here in much smaller numbers and can be quite local--look especially in areas with slightly longer grass. Burrowing Owls inhabit most good-sized prairie-dog towns, but are not always visible above ground, especially during the middle of the day or when it is very windy. Mountain Plovers are both local and uncommon in short grass and prairie dog towns, though a concerted search should turn them up.
One of the prime areas on the Pawnee is Murphy's Pasture, along CR 96 west of CR 77, just northwest of Briggsdale. All the specialties listed above can be seen here. The Chestnut-collared Longspurs are most likely starting 3.0 miles west of CR 77. Another good spot for the plover and both longspurs is a few miles west, along CR 65 in its first mile north of CO 14. Also check for the owl around the intersection of CO 14 x CR 57, and for the owl and the plover at CO 14 x CR 51.
Another prime area is farther west, north of the town of Nunn, around the Central Plains Experimental Range. The pasture on the southeast corner of US 85 and CR 114 is an excellent spot for Chestnut-collared Longspur. McCown's is regular along CR 45 south of CR 122, and a seasonal wet spot on the west side of the road there can be good for waterbirds.
Although the spots mentioned above are among the best known and the most frequently visited, it should be stressed that almost any road can be productive in the enormous area bounded by US 85 to the west, CO 14 to the south, CR 77 to the east, and the Wyoming border to the north. Explore and enjoy it well, keeping in mind that the PNG is a patchwork of private and public lands--when in doubt, stay on the road. Also keep in mind that many of the dirt roads in the Pawnee can become impassable after heavy rains, that mud traps can persist long after the rain has passed, and that the resulting dry mud can hang up passenger vehicles. Be prepared to backtrack and detour if necessary.
Besides the above specialties, other birds that can be found on the Pawnee during the breeding season include Long-billed Curlew (rare), Upland Sandpiper (rare), Swainson's and Ferruginous Hawks, Prairie Falcon, Golden Eagle, Say's Phoebe, Loggerhead Shrike, Rock Wren (usually around eroded washes, occasionally human habitation), Sage Thrasher, Lark Bunting, Grasshopper Sparrow, Cassin's Sparrow (usually near yucca--populations fluctuate yearly), Lark Sparrow, Vesper Sparrow, Brewer's Sparrow, and Western Meadowlark.
In winter look for raptors (Rough-legged Hawk, Merlin, and all summering species except Swainson's Hawk), Northern Shrike, Horned Lark, Lapland Longspur, and (if you are very lucky) Snow Bunting or Snowy Owl.
URL - Pawnee National Grasslands (western section)
Habitat - Grassland/Prairie, Yucca, Pond/Lake/Reservoir
Directions - A map is essential for exploring this area, and chances are you will get lost without one. A good rule to remember is that in Weld County roads with even numbers run east west, and roads with odd numbers run north south, so if you subtract the numbers of two roads that run the same direction, and divide by two, you have the distance between the roads. To get to Murphy's Pasture, turn north off of SR 14 onto CR 69 (18.5 miles east of Ault, 4 miles west of Briggsdale) and drive for 3 miles to CR 96. Turn right (west) onto CR 96. Murphy's Pasture is considered to be from here to CR 77, 4 miles to the west. To get to the Central Plains Experimental Range, drive north from Nunn on US-85 for 7.5 miles to CR 114. CR 45 is 8 miles west of this intersection, and CR 122 is 4 miles north of the CR 45 and CR 114 intersection.
Delorme - 21 A4-A7-C4-C7; 94 A1-B1
Roads of Colorado - 41 A1-B2, 41 E1-F2, 25 E4-E5, 26 A4-B4
Cornish Area
Description - This area along CO 392 between Greeley and Briggsdale is easily checked on the way to Crow Valley and the PNG. The most reliable location for Upland Sandpiper in this area is along CO 392 between one and two miles northeast of "Cornish" (CO 392 x CR 74). The "Uppies" are best found early in summer and early in the morning. A large pasture good for Burrowing Owl and Mountain Plover is on the north side of CO 392, 2.2 miles southwest of "Cornish."
The seasonal ponds along CR 61 just north of CR 74 can be good for shorebirds, as can the pond 1.5 miles south of CR 74 along CR 59. Short-billed Dowitcher has shown up at the previous location.
Habitat - Grassland/Prairie, Pond/Lake/Reservoir
Directions - The "town" of Cornish is along CO 392, 16.5 miles east of the CO 392/US-85 intersection in Lucerne, and 10 miles southwest of Briggsdale.
Delorme - 21 D7
Roads of Colorado - 42 A3
Crow Valley Campground
Aliases - Pawnee National Grasslands Work Station, Bidwell Lake
Description - This campground on the Pawnee National Grasslands (which see) is one of the state's premier migrant traps. Isolated in the middle of the prairie with little to no water, it is bordered on the south and west by nice groves of trees, occasionally quite thick, with extensive trails and underbrush. Practically any eastern vagrant can be (and has been) seen here. Like other plains migrant traps, it is sometimes hopping and sometimes empty. It is usually unproductive outside migration, but late fall and winter have produced sightings including roosting owls, Varied Thrush, and Common Redpoll (in the fields a mile north of the campground, through the gate). Sometimes mountain birds like Lewis's Woodpecker or Mountain Chickadee wander down to spend some time here. The campground road is closed during the winter, but you can park at the gate and walk in. In late spring and summer, this popular campground can get pretty hectic. Also be aware that Crow Valley can have spectacular and dangerous floods when heavy rain swells the creek.
About a half mile north of the entrance to Crow Valley, on the east side of CR 77, is the Briggsdale Cemetery, which has a very small, dense grove of trees. Long-eared Owls have roosted here occasionally in winter, but unfortunately the grove is so small that there is nowhere for the owls to flush except out and away. Therefore this is best considered a site with a high risk of disturbance and a low-priority stop for birders.
Half a mile north of the cemetery, on the west side of CR 77, is the Pawnee National Grassland Work Station. The small trees around this office have attracted a few good birds in winter, including owls, Bohemian Waxwing and Common Redpoll.
The town of Briggsdale itself has very few large trees and is probably safe to skip during migration, but nearby Bidwell Lake is worth checking for shorebirds when it has water.
URL - Crow Valley Campground
Habitat - Lowland Riparian, Hedgerow/Shelterbelt, Grassland/Prairie
Directions - Take CO 14 to Briggsdale (60 miles west of Sterling and I-76, and 38 miles east of Fort Collins and I-25), and turn north onto CR 77. The entrance to Crow Valley Campground is 350 yards north of this intersection.
Delorme - 94 B1
Roads of Colorado - 42 B2
Lower Latham Reservoir
Description - Lower Latham would undoubtedly be one of Colorado's finest birding reservoirs if it could just be adequately scanned from the road. Alas, all views of the water in the lake are distant, although some birds can often be ID'd with a scope from the south, and the entire reservoir is visible from the hill to the east. Luckily, Lower Latham has some major redeeming features, notably along CR 48 on the south side of the lake, where you will find one of the finest roadside marshes in the state, a reliable location for American Bittern, Virginia Rail, Sora, Marsh Wren, and blackbirds including Great-tailed Grackle. In migration the wet fields and canals along this road can fill up with herons, egrets and ibis, making this one of the better places to look for rarities like Glossy Ibis and Little Blue and Tricolored Herons. When water levels are right, the shorebirding can be fantastic.
Habitat - Pond/Lake/Reservoir, Wet Meadow, Marsh
Directions - To get to Lower Latham from I-76 or US 34, you will have to find CR 49, which can be reached from the south by taking exit 34 off I-76, or from the north from US 34, 5.5 miles east of the US 34/85 intersection. Take CR 49 to CR 48 (16 miles north of I-76, and 4 miles south of US-34), and turn west. To get to Lower Latham from US 85, turn east on CR 44 near the "town" of Peckham and go five miles east to CR 43, then two miles north to CR 48 on the right (east). The section of CR 48 between CRs 43 and 47 contains the cattail marshes. CR 47 allows the scanning of the reservoir from the east.
Delorme - 31 B5
Roads of Colorado - 41 F4
Beebe Draw
Aliases - Milton Reservoir, Behrens Reservoir
Description - Beebe Draw is essentially the southward extension of the wet fields and canals on the south side of Lower Latham. It is often worth checking all the county roads that cross the draw south of the lake down to Milton Reservoir, itself a fantastic birding site that is private and typically not accessible. Don't miss Beebe Draw in migration—it is a great place to find rare shorebirds and waterfowl, one of the best places in the state to find Whimbrel, not to mention Short-billed Dowitcher and Eurasian Wigeon. Especially good areas include CR 42 between CR 43 and CR 47 and CR40 between CR45 and CR47. Just southeast of here, around CR 47 x CR 38, Upland Sandpipers are possible.
If you're in the season and the mood to scan more flooded fields for ibis and shorebirds, check out the wet spots on the west side of CR 41 near Behrens Reservoir. The reservoir itself, a deep berm-sided dugout, is all but invisible from the road due to topography. A Eurasian Wigeon was seen here once--I have no idea how.
Habitat - Pond/Lake/Reservoir, Wet Meadow, Grassland/Prairie
Directions - To get to Beebe Draw, follow directions as to Lower Latham (q.v.), and head south on either CR 43 or CR 47. To get to Behrens Reservoir, from the intersection of CRs 43 and 48 just west of Lower Latham, turn south onto CR 43 and go 1 mile to CR 46. Take a right (west) onto CR 46 and travel 1 mile to CR 41. The reservoir and the wet areas are just north of this intersection.
Delorme - 31 B5
Roads of Colorado - 57 F1
Loloff Reservoir
Description - This small reservoir on a private farm seems to be one of the most reliable shorebird sites in the county in both spring and fall. Despite its small size it can sometimes teem with birds. Short-billed Dowitcher has occurred here several times and better birds are possible.
The small ponds along CR 59 nearby are mostly marsh with some open water and some shorebird potential. They can be excellent, having produced Colorado's first Fulvous Whistling-Duck in 1990, among other lesser wonders.
Habitat - Pond/Lake/Reservoir, Marsh
Directions - Take US 34 to CR 59 (9.5 miles east of the US 34/85 intersection in Greeley, and 27.5 miles west of I-76), and go south for 1.7 miles to CR 50. Take a right (west) onto CR 50 and travel 1 mile to CR 57. Loloff Reservoir is just north of this intersection.
Delorme - 31 B6
Roads of Colorado - 42 4A, 58 A1
Union Reservoir
Aliases - Calkins Lake
Description - Union Reservoir, marked as Calkins Lake on some maps, is an excellent birding site. It is privately owned, and membership is necessary to access the lakefront park along the south shore, but the lake can be well scanned from several areas along the north shore as well as from the southeast corner. It is big enough that birds across the lake are rarely identifiable, so scanning from all these spots can swell your list. As long as there is open water, the lake attracts large numbers of ducks and grebes. Loons are a good bet in migration, as are herons, egrets and pelicans. Some narrow marshes run along the north shore. Union is particularly noteworthy for its records of rare gulls, jaegers, and good shorebirds (the latter usually along the north shore, particularly in the northwest corner).
Habitat - Pond/Lake/Reservoir, Marsh
Directions - To get to Union Reservoir you will have to get onto County Line Road (Weld CR 1), which can be reached from the north off of CO 66 (4 miles west of I-25, and 2.5 miles east of US-287), or the south off of CO 119 (similar distances as above). To reach the north side of Union, turn off of County Line Road onto CR 28 (0.8 miles south of CO 66, and 2.2 miles north of CO 119). Scan from the various vantage points along this road. Turning right at the intersection of CRs 28 and 3, 1.1 miles from County Line Road, will produce a few more points from which to scan the lake. To get to the south side, turn off of County Line Road onto CR 26 (0.8 miles north of CO 119, 2.2 miles south of CO 66), and scan from the vantage points about 3/4 of a mile down this road.
Delorme - 30 C2
Roads of Colorado - 56 C2, 57 D2
LUNA Reservoir
Description - LUNA Reservoir, not marked on most maps, is so known by the birding community thanks to the playful Bill Kaempfer, who dubbed it the "Large Un-NAmed Reservoir." Despite its anonymity, this body of water has attracted good birds, including at least one and possibly two species of jaeger in the fall of 2004. Ducks, grebes, small gulls and phalaropes can be numerous in migration. Keep in mind that the land immediately to the west across the road is in Broomfield County, in case any obliging rarities decide to make forays.
Habitat - Pond/Lake/Reservoir
Directions - Take either exit 232 (onto CR 8) or 229 (onto CO 7, but be sure to turn left onto CR 2 just east of the exit) off of I-25 and travel 1 mile east to CR 11. LUNA Reservoir is on the east side of the road, a little over 2 miles south of CR 8, and a little under a mile from CR 2.
Delorme - 30 D3
Roads of Colorado - 57 D3
Grover and the CR 124 pond
Aliases - CR 124 Pond (Weld)
Description - The tiny town of Grover has "unexploited migrant trap" written all over it. Its mature shade trees are even more isolated than those at Crow Valley Campground. They generally lack underbrush and many are in people's yards, but on those spring days when Crow Valley is hopping, who knows what could land here?
About seven miles west of Grover, along CR 124 just west of CR 77, is a small agricultural reservoir that can be excellent for shorebirds, waterfowl, gulls, terns and the like. It is always worth a check when you are in the area.
Habitat - Hedgerow/Shelterbelt, Park/Cemetery, Grassland/Prairie, Pond/Lake/Reservoir
Directions - To reach Grover, go north on CR 77 from Briggsdale for 15 miles to CR 120. Turn right (east) onto CR 120 and travel 5 miles to CR 87. CR 120 follows CR 87 to north for a mile, and than east into the town of Grover. Grover can also be reached by taking CR 390, which intersects with CO 14 16.5 miles east of Briggsdale. Go north on CR 390, through the town of Keota, for 20 miles to reach Grover. To reach the pond on CR 124, go two miles past the CR 77/120 intersection and turn left (west) onto CR 124. The road bisects the pond 2.5 miles from CR 77.
Delorme - 94 A1, 21 A7
Roads of Colorado - 26 B4-C4
Pawnee Buttes and Pawnee N. Grassland (E. section)
Description - Like a miniature Monument Valley, these two fat rock spires decorate a high eroded escarpment in the eastern Pawnee National Grassland. White-throated Swift and raptors including Golden Eagle and Prairie Falcon nest in the immediate vicinity. In summer Rock Wrens will be hard to miss, and Cassin's Sparrows may perform display flights from the yucca stalks.
The short, rough Grassland Road 681 provides access to some nice public land west of the Buttes. The grassy ridge to the south of here may attract migrating Sprague's Pipits in October. Birds like Brown Thrasher may lurk down in the vegetated gully to the north. Another Spraguey-looking spot is the high flat area just north and west of the main Pawnee Buttes trailhead (Don't confuse with the other trailhead, which does not have a view of the buttes.)
The eastern section of the Pawnee is more patchwork than the western section, but all the specialty birds can still be found by driving around. One good location for Mountain Plovers is along the south side of CR 100 for several miles west of the town of Keota.
Habitat - Cliff Face, Grassland/Prairie, Yucca
Directions - From Briggsdale, head east on CO 14 fourteen miles to CR 105. Turn left (north) Continue north on CR 103 through the "town" of Keota to a T intersection with CR 104. Turn right (east) on CR 104, go three miles, and turn left (north) on CR 111. Just after the road bends sharply left (west), turn north onto CR 685 and follow signs to the trailhead. To get to GR 681, instead of turning onto GR 685, follow the road (now CR 112) west to CR 107 and turn north. GR 681 is on the right in about a mile.
Delorme - 94 A1-A3-B1-B3
Roads of Colorado - 43 D1-D2
De France Reservoir and nearby ponds
Aliases - Twin Mounds Reservoir, Newell Lake, Hummel Reservoir
Description - A middle-sized steep-shored private reservoir with a few mature cottonwoods around the fringe, De France is easy to scan from the road. While you are here, don't neglect the farm pond a half-mile north, west of the road, sometimes known as Twin Mounds Reservoir. It is shallower, with emergent vegetation around the edges, and can be popular with divers, dabblers and shorebirds.
On the Weld/Larimer county line north of CR 48 is a nice little easy-to-scan pond which looks like it might have some shorebird potential.
Newell Lake is a good-sized reservoir with good potential for various waterbirds. Nearby Hummel Reservoir is an okay-looking lake with a nice marsh on the west side. Both lakes are very easily scanned from the road.
Habitat - Pond/Lake/Reservoir, Marsh
Directions - To De France Reservoir, from I-25 take exit 252 and go west for 1 mile along CR 48 to CR 7, turn right (north) and go north for 1 mile to CO 60. Take a left onto CO 60 and go west for a little over a mile to CR 5 (which is 3 miles east of US-287). De France Reservoir is 1 mile south of CO 60 along CR 5. To reach Hummel Reservoir, go south from De France Reservoir along CR 5 for 1 mile to CR 46, and take a left (west). Hummel Reservoir is on the left in 1/3 of a mile. To reach Newell Lake, continue west on CR 46 from Hummel Reservoir for a half-mile to CR 3, and turn left (south). Newell Lake is 1/3 of a mile south along this road.
Delorme - 30 B2
Roads of Colorado - 56 C1, 57 D1
Hill Lake and nearby ponds
Aliases - Hartford Reservoir
Description - Easily-viewed Hill Lake looks good for ducks. Another private lake a mile south may also attract waterfowl, and has some nice marshes on the west side close to the road. Hartford Reservoir is a small, unpromising, steep-shored private lake surrounded by mature cottonwoods. It can barely be scanned from the south along CR 42.
Habitat - Pond/Lake/Reservoir, Marsh
Directions - Hill Lake can be reached from the north by taking exit 250 (CR 44) off I-25, and from the south taking exit 245 (CR 34) off I-25, and traveling east for 2 miles to CR 14. Hill Lake is 2 miles south of CR 44 on CR 14, and 3 miles north of CR 34. To reach Hartford Reservoir, go 1 mile north of Hill Lake to CR 42, taking a right (east), and following the road around the bend for 3/4 of a mile to the vantage point for the reservoir.
Delorme - 30 B3
Roads of Colorado - 57 D1
Rockwell and Thomas Reservoirs and Highland Lake
Aliases - Thomas Reservoir, Highland Lake
Description - Good for ducks, Rockwell also has roadside marshes. It can be scanned well from the southeast. Thomas Reservoir (not to be confused with the nearby Lake Thomas) is a small private lake ringed by nice marshes, which in turn are ringed by mature cottonwoods. Several farm ponds to the west maintain similar habitats, but Thomas is more easily birded from the road. To the south, Highland Lake is operated as a private park. Full access requires the purchase of a day pass, but the day pass is not necessary to scan the lake from the county road, or to bird the nice mature trees along the road.
Habitat - Pond/Lake/Reservoir, Marsh, Park/Cemetery
Directions - To get to Highland Lake, take exit 245 off of I-25 and go west on CR 34, through the town of Mead, for two miles to CR 5. Take a right (north) onto CR 5 and go 1 mile north to the lake. Take a right at the "T" with CR 34.7 to go around the east side of the lake. Thomas Reservoir is 1 mile north of Highland Lake along CR 5, just across CR 38. Rockwell Reservoir can be reached by going west at the intersection of CRs 5 and 38 (just south of Thomas Reservoir) for 1 mile, to CR 3, and going right (north) for 1 mile to the reservoir, on the left.
Delorme - 30 B2-C2
Roads of Colorado - 56 C1, 57 D1
Sandstone Ranch Community Park
Description - This new City of Longmont park may have some potential for migrant landbirds, especially in the line of willows along the north-south creek west of the visitor's center, and maybe right around the visitor center itself. Rock Wrens may breed along the scenic sandstone cliffs, and raptors can be good overhead, particularly in winter. The city plans to connect this park with the rest of its trail system via a bike path along the St. Vrain, which will undoubtedly be great for birding when constructed.
Habitat - Lowland Riparian, Stream, Cliff Face, Hedgerow/Shelterbelt
Directions - From I-25 and CO 119 east of Longmont, head west on CO 119 to the park entrance, on the south about three miles west of the interstate.
Delorme - 30 C2
Roads of Colorado - 57 D2
Foster, Sanborn and Mulligan Reservoirs
Aliases - Sanborn Reservoir, Mulligan Reservoir
Description - Foster Reservoir, a good-sized private body of water, can be scanned from Foster Ridge Drive to the north from a distance of a quarter-mile. It can be scanned a little closer, but through more vegetation, from the south along CR 28. On your way from one end of Foster to the other you will pass Sanborn Reservoir, a medium-small private lake with decent scanning from the east along CR 7. Mulligan Reservoir is good-sized, but can only be scanned from a great distance, along CR 7 to the southwest, where parking is difficult.
Habitat - Pond/Lake/Reservoir, Marsh
Directions - To reach the northern vantage point for Foster Reservoir, take exit 243 off of I-25 (CO 66) and go west for about a half-mile to Foster Ridge Drive, on the left. Take this road to its end to scan the lake. To get to the southern vantage point, go past Foster Ridge Drive on CO 66 to CR 7 (1 mile from I-25), and take a left (south). Go 1 mile to CR 28 and take a left (east). The reservoir can be scanned from this road, about a half-mile east of CR 7. Sanborn Reservoir is back on CR 7, just north of CR 28. Mulligan Reservoir is scannable only from CR 7, about a half-mile north of CO 66.
Delorme - 30 C2-C3
Roads of Colorado - 57 D2
Lake Thomas
Description - Not to be confused with Thomas Reservoir, which is about four miles northwest on the other side of I-25. Lake Thomas is large, with great potential for all manner of waterbirds. Views are good from the south along CR 32, but parking is not. Nonetheless there are a few scattered pullouts along this fairly busy road.
Habitat - Pond/Lake/Reservoir, Marsh
Directions - From the CO 66 exit off I-25 (exit 243), head east two miles to CR 13 and turn left (north). In one mile, turn left (west) onto CR 32. The lake is to the north.
Delorme - 30 C3
Roads of Colorado - 57 D2
Frank Milavec Memorial Lake
Aliases - Firestone Lake
Description - This lake, formerly known as Firestone Lake and formerly northwest of the town that has nearly engulfed it, is the focus of a park with some nice birding potential. The lake is medium-large, deep and rocky-shored, and thus likely attractive especially to diving ducks and gulls. Along the west shore are some easily accessible trees, including a thin line of tall cottonwoods along a marshy canal and a couple of thicker groves. A nice little marsh lies at the northeast corner of the property. Across the street are the town sewage ponds, which can be partially scanned from the shopping complex parking lot, and are perhaps also visible from the Firestone Trail, which runs up the east side of the road.
Habitat - Pond/Lake/Reservoir, Hedgerow/Shelterbelt, Marsh
Directions - From the CO 52 exit off I-25 (exit 235), go east one mile to CR 11. Turn left (north) and go one mile to CR 18. Turn right (east) and continue one mile to CR 13. Turn left (north). The parking lot for the reservoir is on the left across from the shopping center. The sewage ponds are on the right a little farther north.
Delorme - 30 D3
Roads of Colorado - 57 D2
Sand Hills Reservoir
Description - This place has great potential for shorebirds when the water is low, and decent potential for waterfowl and gulls at other times. It is bordered by a little marsh and a few cottonwoods; scanning is good from the road to the south.
Habitat - Pond/Lake/Reservoir, Marsh
Directions - The best way to get to Sand Hills Reservoir is to take CO 52 to CR 23 (7 miles east of exit 235 off I-25, a bit under 2 miles west of US-85 in Fort Lupton), and go north for 2.5 miles to a "T" with CR 18. The reservoir can be scanned from this road, in either direction from CR 23.
Delorme - 30 D3
Roads of Colorado - 57 E2
Keenesburg
Description - Probably the best spot to check in this isolated town would be Schey Park, which has a few big trees with some migrant potential. Northwest of town is a seasonal pond on the north side of CR 18, just east of CR 53, which can have ducks and such when wet.
Habitat - Park/Cemetery, Urban/Suburban
Directions - Keenesburg is along I-76 at exit 39. To get to Schey Park, head straight south from the interstate exit across the railroad tracks. The park is on the right in a few blocks.
Delorme - 31 D6
Roads of Colorado - 58 A2
Banner Lakes State Wildlife Area
Description - Public access here is geared primarily towards hunters, and access is seasonally restricted in some complicated ways--see the Division of Wildlife website for more details. If you can get in, you will find numerous small to medium-size ponds, many ringed with marshes, Russian-olives, and junipers. Roosting owls may be present in winter, and American Bittern can be found in summer. A few cottonwoods may heighten the migrant potential in spring and fall. Unfortunately the best line of trees, along the road to the ranger's residence south of CO 52, is off-limits to the public. The younger cottonwoods that line the western boundary canal north of the road are more accessible and may be worth checking.
Habitat - Pond/Lake/Reservoir, Marsh, Hedgerow/Shelterbelt
Directions - From the Hudson exit off I-76 (exit 31), go four miles east on CO 52. The main parking lot is on the left (north) just past CR 53. Another parking lot and access point is a half mile farther east on the right (south).
Delorme - 31 D6
Roads of Colorado - 57 F3, 58 A3
Wattenburg ponds
Description - There are a few wet spots in the vicinity of the tiny town of Wattenburg. Along CR 6 east of US 85 is a small, grassy-shored and easily-scanned pond. Its companion lake, just to the northeast, can barely be glimpsed from the road. West of Wattenburg, at CR 19 x CR 8, is a decent little lake with potential for geese and ducks, with great visibility from the road. South of there, there is a small but sometimes productive pond on the north side of CR 2 between CR 15 and CR 17. A few cottonwoods shade the spot, attractive to diving ducks and perhaps gulls. Scanning is best done from the circular pullout just to the east. CR 2 is the Adams County line; if you are coming from the south, the pond is between Holly and Quebec.
Habitat - Pond/Lake/Reservoir, Marsh
Directions - Wattenburg is just over a mile west of US-85 on CR 6, 3 miles north of Brighton, and 3.5 miles south of Fort Lupton. The ponds along CR 6 are just under 2 miles east of US-85, on the north side of the road. The ponds along CR 8 can be reached by going west from Wattenburg on CR 6 for 3 miles to CR 19, and taking a right (north) for 1 mile to CR 8. The ponds are just west of this intersection on CR 8.
Delorme - 30 D3, 31 D4
Roads of Colorado - 57 D3-E3
Johnstown Reservoir
Description - A large, deep rocky-shored holding pond that can attract waterfowl and possibly gulls. Off limits, but scannable from Lake Park on the west side.
Habitat - Pond/Lake/Reservoir, Urban/Suburban
Directions - From I-25 exit 252, head east half a mile on CO 60. Turn north (left) on High Plains Boulevard, then east (right) on Rocksbury Lane. The park is straight ahead, at the end of Rocksbury. Park along Alabaster Way.
Delorme - 30 B3
Roads of Colorado - 57 D1
Koenig and Oklahoma Reservoirs
Aliases - Oklahoma Reservoir
Description - Koenig is a small, easy-to-scan, grassy-shored lake with a little bit of marsh. Oklahoma is medium-sized, bordered by thin marshes and a few cottonwoods, with good potential for waterfowl including diving ducks.
Habitat - Pond/Lake/Reservoir, Marsh
Directions - Both these reservoirs are reached by taking US-34 west from I-25 (exit 257) for 2.5 miles to CR 13. To get to Koenig Reservoir, turn right (south) onto CR 13 and go 1 mile to CR 56. Going east (left) on CR 56, the reservoir is on the left in about 3/4 of a mile. To reach Oklahoma Reservoir, go north on CR 13 for just over 2 miles. The reservoir is on the right just north of CR 60.
Delorme - 30 A3
Roads of Colorado - 41 D4
Kodak Watchable State Wildlife Area and Poudre River Trail (western section)
Aliases - Poudre River Trail (western section)
Description - This is a nice spot with many mature cottonwood stands and a few Russian-olives and willows. The Cache la Poudre River flows through the property. There is not a whole lot of underbrush, but this should be a good place to find common breeding birds of the riparian corridor and flocks of migrants in season.
On the opposite (north) side of the river is a parking lot and access point for this section of the Cache la Poudre River Trail. Wild Turkeys can occasionally be seen along the Poudre to the east of here. By following the trail north across the road from the parking lot, you can scan a pond just to the east, on the Eastman Kodak property. The trail is public but all off-trail travel is prohibited--this should not be a problem as the pond can be adequately scanned from the trail. In the winter it can be covered shore-to-shore with geese.
Habitat - Pond/Lake/Reservoir, Stream, Hedgerow/Shelterbelt, Lowland Riparian
Directions - From US 34 east of I-25 exit 257, head north on CO 257. The entrance to the SWA is on the right (east) just before the Cache La Poudre River. Access to the Poudre River trail and the Kodak Pond are on the right just past the river.
Delorme - 30 A3
Roads of Colorado - 41 D4
Windsor
Aliases - Windsor Lake
Description - The highlight of Windsor birding is Windsor Lake, a medium-large, deep, rocky-shored lake nearly circumnavigated by a walking trail. The main access is via Boardwalk Park in the southwest corner. The lake trail can also be accessed via the southeast corner (at the north end of Chimney Park Drive) or from the northwest corner, from which you can also scan a smaller lake on the west side of Seventh Street (CO 257).
If you're in Windsor during landbird migration, don't fail to check out Windsor Main Park, which has a good variety of mature deciduous shade trees. Northeast of the park and just southeast of Windsor Lake, Lakeview Cemetery might be worth a check for migrants or winter finches, although the trees there are a little sparse.
The southern part of Windsor contains Poudre Park and the adjacent Eastman Park, the current western terminus of the Poudre River Trail. The Trail currently runs along pretty marginal riparian habitat between Eastman Park and CO 257, just over a mile to the east. If you like golf course ponds, don't miss the ones both north and south of this stretch of the river. The stretch of the river just to the west of the bridge at Eastman Park looks much more productive, with extensive second growth and some mature trees, but at this time it can only be birded from the opposite (north) shore of the river.
Habitat - Pond/Lake/Reservoir, Urban/Suburban, Stream, Park/Cemetery, Lowland Riparian
Directions - Windsor is four miles east of I-25 on CO 392. Best access to Windsor Lake is north of CO 392 on the east side of 7th Street (CO 257). Windsor Main Park is south of CO 392, at about 4th and Locust. To get to Poudre and Eastman Parks, head south from CO 392 on 7th Street to just north of the Poudre River and turn right (west). Look for signs.
Delorme - 30 A3
Roads of Colorado - 41 D3
Windsor Reservoir
Description - The largest and usually the most productive lake in northern Weld County, Windsor is difficult to scan. The best scanning is from the southeast, from the end of the dam at the intersection of the very busy CR 74 and CR 19. The lake can also be scanned, at a slightly greater distance but in more expansive fashion, from the north along CR 78. The outlet canal, which crosses CR 74 about a half-mile west of CR 19, can harbor wintering Killdeer and Wilson's Snipe, and should be checked at other seasons. It can be scanned from a pullout on the north side of CR 78.
Habitat - Pond/Lake/Reservoir, Hedgerow/Shelterbelt
Directions - To get to the South Side, take exit 265 off of I-25 (which is CO 68/Harmony Road). Go east, over the Weld County line (where the road becomes CR 74) for 5.5 miles. The small pullout and trail along the dam are just before the intersection with CR 19. To get to the North Side, take exit 269 off of I-25 (CO 14) and go east for 5 miles to CO 257. Turn right (south), and go 2 miles to CR 78. Take a left (east), and scan the lake, to the south, from along the road about a mile from CO 257. You can get from the north side to the south side by taking CO 257 2 miles further south to CR 74.
Delorme - 20 D3
Roads of Colorado - 41 D3
Black Hollow Reservoir
Description - Black Hollow Reservoir, ringed with large cottonwods and small willows, can be scanned pretty well from a distance, especially from the southeast, from the top of the hill south of the jog in CR 19.
Habitat - Pond/Lake/Reservoir, Hedgerow/Shelterbelt
Directions - To reach Black Hollow Reservoir, take exit 269 off of I-25 (CO 14) and go east for 6 miles to CR 19. Take a left (north) onto CR 19 and go 2 miles to the jog in the road and the best vantage point.
Delorme - 20 D3
Roads of Colorado - 41 D2-E2
Drake Lake and nearby lakes
Aliases - Smith Reservoir, Mahood Reservoir, James Lake
Description - Drake is a nice little lake with a great roadside marsh and a couple of scattered trees. There is shorebird potential here, especially on the east side of the road. Smith Reservoir is a hunting-club pond which is barely scannable from the road. The nearby James Lake is also barely visible from the north. Mahood Reservoir is a small gravelly pond ringed with Russian-olives.
Habitat - Pond/Lake/Reservoir, Marsh
Directions - To get to Drake Lake, go 8 miles east of I-25 on CO 14, and take a right (south) on CR 23. The lake is on the right (west) in a half-mile. To get to Smith Reservoir, take CO 14 for 4 miles east of I-25 and go south on CR 15. The reservoir is 1.5 miles south of SR14, on the right (west). To reach Mahood Reservoir, go south on CR 19 from CO 14. The lake is on the left in less than a half-mile. James Lake is reached by taking a right at the "T" of CR 19 and CR 80, just south of Mahood Reservoir. The lake is to the south in a half-mile.
Delorme - 20 D3
Roads of Colorado - 41 D3-E3
Severance area
Aliases - Woods Lake, Angel Lake, Franklin Lake, Law Reservoir
Description - The good-sized Woods Lake, ringed with trees, attracts improbably vast legions of geese in the winter. Rare ones are regularly found here. It can be scanned from several points along CR 74, but take care to pull all the way off the road.
Angel Lake is an interesting swampy little place ringed with cottonwoods and willows. Scanning requires care, as there is only one decent place to pull over on the north side of the road, and it is not obvious.
Franklin Lake itself can be barely scanned at a distance from the north along CR 74, but its marshes are closer to the road. Just to the east, past the entrance to the Baldridge subdivision, is a small seasonal pond with shorebird potential. Another similar pond is a half mile south on the west side of CR 25.
The very small Law Reservoir must be better than it looks, since Hudsonian Godwit has shown up here, although that was probably before the encroachment of the subdivisions. Use caution when pulling over, as the shoulder is very narrow.
Habitat - Pond/Lake/Reservoir, Marsh, Urban/Suburban
Directions - To get to Woods Lake, take exit 265 off of I-25 (CO 68/Weld CR 74) and go east for a little over 9 miles. The lake is on the right, just east of the intersection with CR 27 (which is 5.2 miles west of Eaton and US-85). Angel Lake is just west of that intersection, on the north side of the road. Franklin Lake is on the south side of CR 74, 9 miles from I-25. Law Reservoir is on the west side of CR 23, a half mile south of CR 74, on the south side of Severance.
Delorme - 20 D3, 21 D4
Roads of Colorado - 41 E3
Ault area
Aliases - Clark Lake
Description - Southeast of town, the medium-sized Clark Lake is ringed with marshes and cottonwoods. It can be good for waterfowl, particularly geese. Another winter goose hangout is the small, rocky-shored pond that lies a mile south along CR 39. Southwest of town, the pond at CR 31 x CR 80 is distant but scannable, with marsh on the west side of the road.
Ault itself has a small city park with a number of mature conifers that might be worth checking for winter finches.
Habitat - Pond/Lake/Reservoir, Marsh, Park/Cemetery
Directions - The medium sized town of Ault is at the intersection of CO 14 and US 85, a little over 14 miles east of I-25, and 12 miles north of Greeley. To reach Clark Lake, go east of Ault on CO 14 for 2.7 miles to CR 39. Take a right (south) for 1/2 mile to CR 80 and go west (right). The lake is a quarter-mile west of this intersection, on the north side of the road. The pond at CRs 31 and 80 is reached by going west from Ault on CO 14 for 2.2 miles and taking a left (south) onto CR 31. The pond is on the left in a mile, across from the intersection with CR 80.
Delorme - 21 D5
Roads of Colorado - 41 E3-F3
Pierce area
Aliases - Antelope Reservoir, Crom Reservoir
Description - It's a little distant, but Antelope Reservoir can be scanned from the bend of the road to the south. It might have some shorebird potential when water levels are right. Crom Reservoir has good shorebird potential here on both sides of the road. The nearby town of Pierce doesn't look like much but its trees might have a migrant or two in season.
Habitat - Pond/Lake/Reservoir, Park/Cemetery
Directions - Pierce is along US-85, a little over 4 miles north of Ault. Crom Reservoir is reached by going west of Pierce on CR 90 (on the north side of town) for 1 mile and taking a left (south) onto CR 31. The reservoir is on the left (west) in just under a half-mile. To get to Antelope Reservoir, go east from Pierce on CR 90 for 2 miles and take a left (north) onto CR 37. The reservoir is north of the road in one mile, at the corner with CR 92.
Delorme - 21 C4-C5
Roads of Colorado - 41 E2
Seeley Reservoir SWA and nearby lakes
Aliases - Neff Lake, Hogarty Reservoir, Neuman Lake
Description - Seeley Reservoir State Wildlife Area is a medium-sized lake which has attracted some good geese and gulls. It is best scanned from the dirt parking lot on the west shore, where CR 66 bends south around the lake. The weeds around the parking lot can be good for winter flocks of Zonotrichia and American Tree sparrows.
Scan medium-sized Neff Lake from the southeast, through the grove of scraggly elms. It can attract good numbers and diversity of waterfowl in the colder months. Hogarty Reservoir, opposite Neff on the south side of the road, is small and easily scanned with just a hint of marsh.
No trees ring the grassy-shored Neuman Lake, which is best scanned from one of a very few pullouts along CR 33.
Habitat - Pond/Lake/Reservoir
Directions - From US 34 in Greeley, go north on 35th Avenue to the T intersection at the lake. The SWA parking lot is on the west side of the lake. From the SWA parking lot, to get to Neuman Lake, follow CR 66 (AA St.) west three-quarters of a mile and turn right (north) on 47th Ave. To get to Neff Lake and Hogarty Reservoir, continue north one mile and turn left (west) on CO 392. Neff is on the right (north) side of the road and Hogarty is directly opposite it.
Delorme - 31 A4-A5
Roads of Colorado - 41 E3
Reservoirs North and East of Greeley
Aliases - Darling Reservoir, Cozzens Lake, Lindies Lake, Briscoe Lake, Howards Lake
Description - A number of rather widely-scattered ponds can be found in this area. My personal favorite of the bunch is Darling Reservoir, a small private lake with a rocky and marshy shoreline unless water levels are low, in which case shorebirding here can be great. The southern end of the reservoir, along the road, boasts a single-file line of truly impressive mature cottonwoods, with some Russian-olives filling in as undergrowth in places. All the trees are off-limits, but careful and conscientious birders might find some goodies by walking the (exceedingly narrow!) road shoulder.Cozzens Lake, near the town of Eaton, is an often-empty puddle that can be good for shorebirds.
Lindies Lake is an unspectacular pond with some marshy margins that is perhaps best scanned from the small cul-de-sac at the north end of Vista Lake Drive. You might also scope it from the north, from a very few pullouts along CO 392.
Briscoe Lake is rather distant from the road but scannable from the southeast. Its shoreline is part marsh, part rock, and part weedy shrubs, and when water levels are low it may have shorebird potential.
The small, cottonwood-ringed Howards Lake is empty (as of February 2005), but if it fills, it could be scanned adequately from the southeast along CR 70. Shorebirds have been reported from here in the past. Contra DeLorme, CR 70 is no longer a through road past the lake.
A couple of deep, rocky-sided, treeless dugout ponds on the southwest corner of CR 51 and CR 62 1/2 (6250) may be worth checking for geese in the colder months.
Habitat - Pond/Lake/Reservoir, Marsh, Hedgerow/Shelterbelt
Directions - To get to Darling Reservoir, head north from Greeley on US 85 two miles to CR 66 and turn right (east). Darling is on the north side of the road in 3.5 miles. To get to Lindies Lake, continue on CR 66 to CR 51 and turn left (north); Lindies is on the right in about a mile, just before CO 392. To continue from here to Howards Lake, turn right (east) on CO 392 and continue a mile to CR 53, then turn left and go a mile to CR 70 and turn right. Howards Lake is visible through the trees near where the road is closed. To get to Cozzens Lake, from US 85 just south of Eaton, go east on CR 72; the lake (when it exists) is south of 72 a short distance west of CR 41. To get to the ponds at CR 51 x CR 62.50, head east from the US 85 bypass in Greeley on CO 263 five miles to CR 51 and turn left (north). The ponds are one mile north on the left; turn left on 6250 for more scanning opportunities. To get to Briscoe Lake, stay on CO 263 as it merges with CO 37 and follow it as it bends north, then turn right (east) on CR 62. Briscoe Lake is barely visible well to the north of CR 62, about a half mile east of CO 37.
Delorme - 31 A5-A6
Roads of Colorado - 41 F3-F4, 42 A3-A4
Mitani-Tokuyasu State Wildlife Area
Description - Popular with hunters, this SWA also provides birders with access to a quarter mile of mature riparian cottonwoods along the north shore of the South Platte. The access road is dirt, and may be impassable to passenger cars even when dry.
Habitat - Lowland Riparian, Stream
Directions - From the junction of CO 14 and US 85 in southeast Greeley, head north on the US 85 bypass about two miles to 8th Street (CO 263). Turn right (east) and go 5 miles to the entrance road on the right (south). When driving the entrance road, keep to the right (west) of the fence.
Delorme - 31 A6
Roads of Colorado - 41 F4
Poudre River Trail (71st Ave to 95th Ave)
Aliases - 85th Avenue Gravel Pit, Siebring Reservoir
Description - The River Trail here, especially between 85th and 95th Avenues, spends a lot of time away from the river, but allows scanning of some worthwhile gravel pit reservoirs. The 85th Avenue Gravel Pit is attractive to mergansers and to geese, as is the larger Siebring Reservoir just to the west. Bald Eagles have nested along this section of the creek, within the closed area.
Habitat - Pond/Lake/Reservoir, Lowland Riparian
Directions - From US 85 just north of Greeley, take the 11th Avenue exit and follow 11th south back along the highway to O Street. Turn right (west) on O. Follow O to 71st or 83rd Avenue and turn left (south), crossing the river, and look for trail access. To get to the 95th Avenue access, from the 83rd Avenue access continue west on CR 62 to 95th Avenue. Some of the reservoirs can be scanned from CR 62 if you are in a hurry.
Delorme - 31 A4
Roads of Colorado - 41 E4
Poudre River Trail (Greeley section) and Greeley Gravel Pits
Aliases - Greeley Gravel Pits
Description - The section of the River Trail that runs through Greeley proper is plagued by a riparian habitat that is marginal, to say the least--you probably cannot expect much here in the way of landbirds at any season. However, the trail does permit scanning of a number of gravel pits, some of which have attracted swans as well as decent ducks, gulls and geese. Several other gravel pits, including some north of the river, can be scanned from area roads.
Habitat - Pond/Lake/Reservoir, Lowland Riparian, Stream
Directions - To Island Grove Regional Park: from the US 85 Business Route in north Greeley, turn west on 3rd Street and follow it west half a mile to a T intersection with 14th Avenue. Turn right (north) on 14th and follow it to the park entrance. To other gravel pits: continue north on US 85 out of town to the 11th Avenue exit and follow 11th south back along the highway to O Street. Turn right (west) on O. One gravel pit is visible to the south of O street, behind the Justice Center; it can be scanned from its northeast corner, from the parking lot of County Human Services (take the first right off 17th Street south of O). Continue west on O to 25th or 35th Street, both of which head south across the river, providing scanning opportunities of nice gravel pits and river trail access. Several gravel pits can only be scanned from the river trail between 25th and 35th or west of 35th. Another couple can be seen by following 35th south to F and turning right (east)—the pits are to the north of the road. Still more gravel pits are along O street west of 35th.
Delorme - 31 A5
Roads of Colorado - 41 E4-F4
Greeley (except north end)
Aliases - Bittersweet Park, Sanborn Park, Glenmere Park, Linn Grove Cemetery, Brower State Wildlife Area, Evans Sewage Ponds
Description - A rapidly expanding town, Greeley has quite a few places to bird, especially if you are interested in sorting rarities out of large flocks of winter geese.
Two of Greeley's parks, Bittersweet Park and Sanborn Park, are noteworthy primarily because they contain ponds. At present writing (spring 2005) Sanborn Park's pond has been completely drained for construction purposes. Bittersweet Park has a larger pond anyway, and a better guest list, one that features Brant and American Black Duck.
Two more of Greeley's parks have some decent landbird habitat. These are Glenmere Park and Greeley West Park. Glenmere has a pond, complete with resident exotic waterfowl and a Black-crowned Night-Heron colony, but its real attraction is its many trees, including lots of mature, dense conifers. To the south, the underbrush along the draw through the residential neighborhood can attract good birds in migration. Greeley West Park has lots of underbrush with a few wet ditches and larger cottonwoods and one very small pond. It looks like a good spot for sparrows and skulking warblers in migration.
Linn Grove Cemetery can function as a decent migrant trap. It is a very large cemetery with numerous trees in the medium-to-large size range. A duck pond on the north end of the cemetery can be scanned from 16th Street; beware the resident, non-countable Mute Swan.
The southeast corner of Greeley and the east end of the town of Evans have a cluster of places to check. Two medium-sized private lakes which flank US 34 just east of town can only be scanned from the shoulder of this busy divided four-lane highway. South of US 34 on 1st Avenue, a triangular pond can just barely be glimpsed to the east through vegetation. A quarter mile further south lie the Evans Sewage Ponds on the west side of the road; they are nearly invisible due to their high embankment, but tall people and those willing to stand on their cars will have a great view of the water. Just east of these ponds is Brower State Wildlife Area, which is probably the nicest of the sites in this part of town. It provides access to a sizeable stretch of the bottomland riparian forest along the South Platte River, and should be checked at all seasons for landbirds and such waterbirds as frequent the South Platte sandbars.
The small Lake in Ashcroft Draw is a deep gravel pit that often does not contain much water, but can attract waterfowl in the colder months.
Habitat - Urban/Suburban, Pond/Lake/Reservoir, Park/Cemetery, Lowland Riparian, Stream
Directions - To Bittersweet Park: from US 34 west of US 85, turn north on 35th Avenue and proceed 1.5 miles to the park, which is on the left (west). To Sanborn Park: from US 34 west of US 85, turn north on 35th Avenue and proceed one mile to 20th Street. Turn right (east) on 20th. The park is a quarter mile ahead on the right (south). To get to Glenmere Park from US 34, take 23rd Avenue north half a mile to Reservoir Road and turn right (east). Reservoir curves around the northwest corner of the UNC campus and merges with 20th Street. Follow 20th east for one block and turn left (north) onto 14th Avenue. At Glenmere Boulevard (not Glenmere Road, which dead-ends at the park), turn left (west). To Greeley West Park: from US 34 west of US 85, turn north on 35th Avenue and proceed one mile to 20th Street. Turn left (west) on 20th and drive half a mile to 40th Street. Turn left (south) on 40th, which leads to the park. To Linn Grove Cemetery: from US 85 in east Greeley, turn right onto 18th Street (US 34 Business Route) and follow it one mile east to Cedar Avenue. The main entrance to the cemetery is a short distance north on Cedar. To the Evans Sewage Pond: from the junction of US 34 and US 85 in southeast Greeley, head east on US 34. Exit at the first opportunity (an unmarked frontage road—no official exit or stoplight). Take the frontage road back west to a T intersection with 1st Avenue, and turn left (south) on 1st. The Triangular pond is on the left (east) in half a mile; it is difficult to view. The Evans Sewage Ponds are about a half mile farther south on the right (west) side of the road. To get to Brower SWA, continue south past the Evans Sewage Ponds to 37th street (CR 54) and turn left (east). The SWA parking lot is just past the bridge on the north side of the road. To get to the lake in Ashcroft Draw, from US 34, head south on 47th Avenue (CR 33) a little over a mile; the lake is on the southwest corner of 47th (CR 33) and 37th Street (CR 54).
Delorme - 31 A5
Roads of Colorado - 41 E4-F4
Galeton
Description - Very small and isolated, Galeton might act as a decent migrant trap in season. Start your search at Pearl Park on the west end of town.
Habitat - Park/Cemetery, Urban/Suburban
Directions - Galeton is just under seven miles east of Eaton on CR 74. Pearl Park is on the southwest corner of CR 74 and Grandview.
Delorme - 21 D6
Roads of Colorado - 41 F3
LaSalle
Description - There's a nice city park in this town with scads of mature deciduous trees, possibly worth checking in migration.
Habitat - Park/Cemetery, Urban/Suburban
Directions - LaSalle is along US 85 just south of where it crosses the South Platte River, south of Greeley. The city park is on the west side of US 85 between 3rd and 4th Avenues.
Delorme - 31 B5
Roads of Colorado - 41 F4, 57 F1
Prospect Reservoir
Description - This large private reservoir, ringed by some mature cottonwoods, is barely scannable from the south end of the jog in CR 59. Below the dam the road winds through a good number of private Russian-olive thickets, a good place to look for robins, waxwings and other goodies in winter.
The nearby seasonal ponds at CR 6 x CR 61 are worth a stop in shorebird season. Don't take my word for it--ask Colorado's first Ruff!
Habitat - Pond/Lake/Reservoir, Marsh, Hedgerow/Shelterbelt
Directions - From I-76 at Hudson (exit 31), take CO 52 east seven miles to CR 59 and turn right (south). Prospect Reservoir is four miles south on the right (west) side of the road.
Delorme - 31 D6-D7
Roads of Colorado - 58 A2
Saint Vrain State Park
Aliases - Barbour Ponds State Recreation Area
Description - This state park, formerly known as Barbour Ponds State Recreation Area, manages to contain only a small fraction of the plethora of gravel pit ponds that stretch through it in a wide band from southwest to northeast. Due to the human traffic in the park, the ponds outside it often host more birds, although there is a heronry at the park's west end. Several nice ponds can be scanned from CO 119 between I-25 and Longmont. Several more nice ponds east of I-25 can be scanned from a busy frontage road. Two miles east, still more gravel ponds can be scanned from the side of CR 13 near where it crosses the Saint Vrain. All these gravel pits can be quite good for diving ducks, especially in winter, when Bald Eagles frequent the area. One of the marshy ponds along the state park entrance road once hosted a Common Moorhen.
URL - Saint Vrain State Park
Habitat - Pond/Lake/Reservoir, Marsh
Directions - From I-25 at CO 119, take CO 119 west to CR 7 and turn right (north). Follow the road around a right turn to the park entrance.
Delorme - 30 C3
Roads of Colorado - 57 D2
Stoneham Pond
Description - This remote wet spot can be very good for shorebirds when water levels are right, and is conveniently located on the fastest route from Prewitt to Crow Valley.
Habitat - Pond/Lake/Reservoir
Directions - Stoneham is along CO 14, 74 miles east of I-25 in Fort Collins and 25 miles west of Sterling. From CO 14/CO 71, take Marble avenue south through Stoneham. This becomes CR 147.5. The pond is a quarter mile south of town on the west side of this road.
Delorme - 94 B3
Roads of Colorado - 43 F2
Painter Road (CR 386)
Description - Stretching between I-76 at Roggen and US 34 near Dearfield, Painter Road can be good especially in winter for Short-eared Owl (at twilight) and other raptors and for winter longspurs. Cassin's Sparrow is possible in summer.
Habitat - Grassland/Prairie, Yucca
Directions - From Denver, head east (northeast) on I-76 to Roggen (exit 48). Go south from the exit to Front Street (the I-76 frontage road) and turn left (east). Follow this road about a mile east to Painter Road on the left (north).
Delorme - 94 C1-D1
Roads of Colorado - 58 B1-B2
Ireland Reservoir #5
Description - This, the largest of the Ireland Reservoirs and pretty much the only one worth birding, is an intermittent medium-sized lake with some cottonwoods, some Russian-olives, some marsh, and some potential for mudflats. Neotropic Cormorant and Red-shouldered Hawk have been seen here. You may have to climb up the roadside berm to get a clear view of the water.
Habitat - Pond/Lake/Reservoir, Marsh, Hedgerow/Shelterbelt
Directions - From I-76 at Hudson (exit 31), take CO 52 east two miles to CR 49 and turn left (north). The reservoir is about a half mile north on the east side of the road.
Delorme - 31 D6
Roads of Colorado - 57 F3
Lochbuie
Description - A nice pond just east of this little town can be very well scanned from a wide pullout on the north side of CR 2. It's got some decent marsh and some shorebird potential. South of CR 2 are two more distant ponds, which are described under the entry for the Mile High Duck Club Lakes in Adams County. Check wet fields in this area for ibis in season.
The sewage ponds at Lochbuie may be worth a check especially during hard freezes. They are just east of the town and west of I-25.
Habitat - Pond/Lake/Reservoir, Marsh
Directions - Lochbuie is along I-76 at exit 25.
Delorme - 31 D5
Roads of Colorado - 57 E3-F3
Fort Lupton
Aliases - Pearson Park
Description - Pearson Park in Fort Lupton has nice mature riverbottom cottonwoods, access to the South Platte, and marshy ponds. It has featured breeding Great Horned Owls as well as migrants.
Habitat - Lowland Riparian, Marsh, Pond, Stream
Directions - From the intersection of CO 52 and US 85 in Fort Lupton, head west on 52 across the South Platte River. The park will be on the right (north) just west of the river.
Delorme - 31 D4
Roads of Colorado - 57 E3