Information on Bird Identification Near Denver, CO

Birding in Denver is a rewarding experience.

Denver and its surrounding counties contain a wide variety of habitats, elevations, greenbelts, and reservoirs frequented by hundreds of birds throughout the year. Several active birding groups offer field trips, seminars, and volunteer activities designed to help improve bird identification skills. From bald eagles and blue herons to burrowing owls and spotted towhees, birds migrating along the Central Flyway pass through the Denver metro area and can be a delight to watch and identify.

Denver Birds

City Park in Denver is a favorite nesting place for snowy egrets.

The Denver metro area offers outdoor habitats and indoor opportunities for brushing up on bird identification. Denver's City Park is a front-row seat for viewing black-crowned night herons, snowy egrets, and double-crested cormorants. Several species of ducks can be found along the city's South Platte River. Chatfield State Park, Barr Lake State Park, and Cherry Creek contain reservoirs which attract hundreds of migrating birds. The Denver Museum of Science and Nature offers educational exhibits for tips in bird identification.

Audubon Society of Greater Denver

Bird banding is a great way to learn about unfamiliar species.

With its wildlife-rich location along the South Platte River, the Denver Audubon Society offers novices and experts an array of birding experiences. Field trips and classes from local Master Birders help participants gain valuable experience in bird watching. Every spring, the center is the site for a joint project with the Rocky Mountain Bird Observatory involving bird banding. Visitors can observe the capture and banding of any of the more than 300 species that pass through the area each year.

Other Birding Groups

Several Denver area bird-watching groups offer field trips.

The Denver Field Ornithologists schedule birding trips every weekend year-round and meet monthly, except May, June, July and December, at the Denver Museum of Nature and Science. Visit www.dfobirders.org more information. Rocky Mountain Bird Observatory is headquartered at Barr Lake State Park and is dedicated to conserving birds and their habitats. Volunteer opportunities are available at www.rmbo.org. Colorado Field Ornithologists maintain the Colorado Rare Bird Alert list and offer area field trips. Details are available at www.cfo-link.org.

Chatfield State Park

Osprey frequent Chatfield State Park.

Located fifteen miles southwest of Denver, Chatfield State Park is the home of an estimated 345 species of birds, including the state’s largest population of American redstarts and least flycatchers. Rare birds include the bald eagle, sharp-tailed grouse, peregrine falcon, burrowing owl, and osprey. The reservoir also attracts a wide range of waterfowl. The Denver Audubon Society is located within the park, and offers regular treks with expert birders.

Barr Lake State Park

Visit a wetland or lake to see numerous species.

Just 20 miles west of Denver, Barr Lake State Park is one of the region’s most important birding sites. Some 300 species have been recorded, including bald eagles, northern harriers, western grebes, Swainson’s hawks, yellow-headed blackbirds, great blue herons, snowy egrets and prairie falcons. Take the trail around the lake and stop along the way at special observation points for good viewing. Drop by the park’s nature center for a list of recently viewed birds.

References

• "Birding Colorado"; Hugh Kingery; 2007.
• Audubon Society of Greater Denver: Nature Education at Its Best
• Colorado Department of Natural Resources: Nature at Chatfield State Park
• Colorado Field Ornithologists: About CFO
• Rocky Mountain Bird Observatory: About Us

Resources

• Chatfield Basin Conservation Network: Conserving Connections for Nature and People
• On Route: Denver Mile High City