If you are looking for an extraordinary birding adventure, travel the Santa Fe Trail. The byway, rich in history, provides you with ample opportunities to immerse yourself in the history as well as the natural wonders of the West. Bring your binoculars to the Santa Fe Trail, a great place to explore the region's wildlife.
If birding and the comforts of a large town appeal to you, you can't miss La Junta. It is the largest town in southeastern Colorado. Along with being the largest place around, La Junta is an excellent place to stop if you want to see Wood Duck in the town’s park or Winter Finches and Mississippi Kites in the Fairview Cemetery.
As you journey in search of feathery friends, drop by the Van Landingham and Leiningher Ranches south of La Junta. You can catch a glimpse of Burrowing Owls and Scaled Quail. Be sure to keep an eye out for Ferruginous Hawk and Greater Roadrunner, or you might miss them on your visit. If you are in the mood for a short drive from the byway, head on down to Vogel Canyon in Colorado. The canyon is a great place to have a picnic, check out interpretive signs, or scan rock art. Here, you’ll find nesting Great Horned Owl and Common Poorwill. Other birds are attracted to the area because of the two permanent springs that can be found about a mile from the parking area down the canyon.
To see a wide variety of hawks, visit the Comanche National Grassland. Large numbers of Ferruginous hawks are found in the grassland, as well as McCown's and Chestnut-collared Longspurs, Mountain Plovers, Long-billed Curlews, and Burrowing Owls. You will see many birds along your adventure in the Comanche National Grassland.
Attend the Snow Goose Festival that is held every February in Lamar, Colorado. See the Snow Geese, Ross Geese, and Canadian Geese winter here. The grain-rich farmland and prairie habitat allow these birds to thrive here. If you are interested in Lesser Prairie Chickens, be sure to stop in Springfield, Colorado to see an amazing courtship display. See the Lesser Prairie Chickens start their display in spring.
Bent's Old Fort National Historic Site is a National Park Service facility that contains a riverbottom cottonwood forest, open grassland, and a marsh. It is also the first place in Colorado where Black Rail was spotted. In the park, actors dress in period costume to help portray the history of the old Santa Fe Trail. When you stop by Bent's Old Fort, make sure to bring your camera along with your scope to document the experience.
See the largest reservoir in southeastern Colorado. John Martin Reservoir State Park is a birders' delight. Shorebirds and waterbirds can be seen on the reservoir itself, or look in the grasslands, shores, and overlooks for Piping Plovers, Cassin's Sparrows, Ferrunginous Hawks, Lest Terns, and more. Any direction you look in the park will yield excellent wildlife viewing.
Cross the border into New Mexico and stop at Maxwell National Wildlife Reserve. You have the chance of encountering any combination of over 219 species of birds during your stop. If you happen to be in the reserve during the late fall, you will discover the reserves' plentiful waterfowl. Blue-winged teal, Gadwall, Mallard, Pied-billed Grebe, Canada Geese, Western Grebe, Cinnamon Teal, Eared Grebe, and American Coot have been known to nest in the reserve. Check out some of the grasslands to see some of the highest densities of Grasshopper sparrows found in New Mexico. Brewer's Sparrow, Cassin's Sparrow, and Savannah Sparrow are also commonly spotted in the grasslands. Take a glance in the cottonwood and elm woodlots to see Red-tailed hawks, Great Horned Owls, ravens, Mourning Doves, Swainson's Hawks, and warblers. During your stay at Maxwell National Wildlife Reserve, you will experience many excellent birding adventures.
Discover for yourself the several duck species found in Clayton Lake State Park. Listen for quacking as you search for the park for mallards, pintails, and teals. In addition, be sure to keep an eye out for Bald Eagles and Canada Geese. Discover for yourself the birds in Clayton Lake State Park.
Pecos National Park is another great place to glimpse a variety of birds. See Hermit Thrush, Western Bluebird, Golden-crowned Kinglet, and Western Meadow Lark. You may want to watch Blue Grosbeak hopping from branch to branch in the trees or the Mountain Chicadee singing its song. Any number of adventures can happen in Pecos National Park.
As you drive through northeast New Mexico, don't forget to drop by Sugarite Canyon State Park. While in the park, there are several species of common birds to view. Gray Catbird, European Starling, Warbling Vireo, and Stellar Jay may catch your eye, or if you are interested in raptors, you will have the chance to see Turkey Vulture, Sharp-shinned Hawk, Peregrine Falcon, and Golden Eagle. You can also watch the osprey diving for food. Other bird spotting's may include Downey Sapsucker, Dusty Flycatcher, and American Goldfinch.
Whether you are searching for Wood Duck in La Junta’s town park or checking out Western Meadow Lark at Pecos National Park, your birding experience will not be fruitless. You will be surprised at the byway’s many opportunities for bird watching. Santa Fe Trail in New Mexico and Colorado promises exciting bird and wildlife viewing. For more information be sure to visit Colorado's Birding Map and New Mexico's Birding website.
