Grassland

Explore Nor theast Colorado A Colorado birding expert’s guide to Northeast Colorado

Spot the state bird at Pawnee National Grasslands

By Brittany Anas

Colorado is a premiere birding destination in North America. In fact, the state has more species on its official list (514) than any other interior state, according to Peter Burke, the managing editor of “Colorado Birds,” which is the quarterly journal of Colorado Field Ornithologists.

The Nor theastern part of the state, in par ticular, is a special draw for birders, as you can get a glimpse of Colorado’s state bird here and also witness remarkable mating rituals.

“Nor theast Colorado of fers some of the best oppor tunities to view prairie chickens and grouse as they strut their stuff on springtime leks,” Burke says. Lek behavior is a cour tship display and the ones you can spot in the region are among the most spectacular avian mating rituals in the world, he explains.

Nor th of Fort Morgan, the Pawnee National Grasslands is also a known destination for birders. It’s home to breeding mountain plovers and burrowing owls, Burke says.

You also have a special oppor tunity to spot Colorado’s state bird, lark buntings, in the Pawnee National Grasslands, Burke says. These dapper sparrows prefer grassland habitats. A breeding male is black with snow-white wing cover ts. The females and immature males are brown with white in the wings. Keep an eye (and ear) out for the male flight displays: He ascends 20 to 30 feet,

American White Pelicans spend a lazy afternoon in the waters at Prewitt Reservoir State Wildlife Area. (Callie Jones/Journal-Advocate)

then floats back to the ground with outstretched wings, while singing. As many as five or six males may per form the same song.

Plus, numerous reser voirs in the region provide year-round habitat for water fowl as well as critical refuge for migrating shorebirds, raptors and other species in spring and fall, according to Burke.

Nearby, Barr Lake State Park, just 15 miles from Denver International Airpor t, Burke says, is a terrific birding location and ser ves as the headquar ters for Bird Conser vancy of the Rockies, which has science, education and stewardship programs.