LOCAL BIRDING

We regularly lead field trips, so check out our Events Calendar!

Colorado Field Ornithologists Online El Paso County Birding Guide

A great resource that includes birding locations with descriptions, a county list, as well as eBird hotspots and other properties that are great birding locations around Colorado Springs.

Recent Sightings

eBird Rare Bird Alert for the Pikes Peak Region (and Denver area)

COBIRDS

Colorado Field Ornithologists maintains an online rare bird alert known as COBirds.

You must be subscribed to post a message to COBirds, but anyone may view recent and historical posts.

Bear Creek Park and Nature Center

245 Bear Creek Road, Colorado Springs, CO 80906
Phone 520-6387

From I-25 Exit 141, go west on US Hwy 24 to 26th Street. Turn left (south) on 26th and proceed about 2 miles to Bear Creek Road.

Open Tuesday – Saturday, 9 am – 4 pm. Closed on major holidays. Please note—if a holiday falls on a Monday, the nature center is closed on the following Tuesday.

Hike the foothills, search for mule deer, and discover Bear Creek! Scrub oak thicket, ponderosa pine forests, meadows, a mountain creek, and abundant foothills wildlife attract children and adults to Bear Creek Regional Park and Nature Center. Interpretive programs, special events, guided and self-guided tours, and media presentations are offered all year.

Outside, two miles of self-guiding nature trails wind through the short grass prairie, scrub oak woodlands and cottonwood riparian communities. The nature trails are for “foot traffic only” and pets are prohibited.

The nature center offers nature-related programs for all ages. Register online. Call 719-520-6387 for more information and to register by phone.

Fountain Creek Park and Nature Center

320 Pepper Grass Lane, Fountain, CO 80817
Phone 520-6745

From I-25 Exit 132A, go east on CO 16 to US Hwy 85, then south one-half mile. Turn west on Cattail Marsh Rd to parking area.
Open Tuesday – Saturday 9 am – 4pm. The nature center is closed on major holidays. Please note—If a holiday falls on a Monday, the center is closed on the following Tuesday.

Several man-made ponds along Fountain Creek attract a variety of wildlife, including deer, weasels, rodents, and of course, birds. The center also has an extensive series of classes for toddlers through adults. While the Center is closed on Mondays, the trails are open and available every day.

The nature center offers nature-related programs for all ages. Register online. Call 719-520-6745 for more information and to register by phone.

Big Johnson Reservoir

Big Johnson is the best reservoir in El Paso County for waterfowl, and during migration and winter (when it’s not frozen) is teeming with ducks of many species, gulls, as well as loons and grebes. During migration all these and some shorebirds are present. Also keep an eye out for terns, prairie-dogs and Burrowing Owl around the reservoir, and Scaled Quail by the parking area. Sparrows and Lapland Longspurs can be found during the winter by walking around the lake.

Chico Basin Ranch

Chico Basin Ranch is an 87,000-acre family-run, working cattle ranch that operates on the high prairie 30 miles southeast of Colorado Springs, Colorado. It has one of the highest species counts for birds in anywhere in Colorado. Learn more…

Venetucci Farm Birding

The self-guided birding trail at Venetucci is currently closed. However, David Rudin occasionally leads bird hikes on the property. Visit the website for more information.

Pinello Ranch

Pinello Ranch is closed. We will keep you posted should the situation change.

Colorado Birding Trails

Join us on the Colorado Birding Trail and experience a wildlife adventure of your own! Explore Colorado’s incredible diversity of wildlife and the habitats they depend on in an unbelievably spectacular setting. From the dry grasslands of the short-grass prairie to the snowy peaks of the Rocky Mountains, Colorado has more than 400 species of birds for you to seek, find and observe in a seemingly endless variety of fantastic habitats. See you on the trail! You can pick up hard copies of the Colorado Birding Trail booklets at the Dept. of Wildlife office at 4255 Sinton Rd. They’re free! The information is also available online.

Birding Sites by Colorado County

This site contains a very helpful interactive map of hotspots, synced with eBird, checklists for each county, and special species and habitats: Colorado County Birding

Find and Share Raptor Hot Spots

Looking for a great local viewing spot for Bald Eagles or have a hawk migration location to share with fellow bird lovers? Check out Audubon’s raptor map—which includes everything from raptor rehab facilities and Audubon nature centers to great places for hawk and eagle watching. Add your favorite raptor spot, share photos and leave tips for other birders. Post a raptor hot spot or find one near you.

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