Black Swift— Photo: Michael O'Brien

Western Colorado offers an outstanding diversity of habitats, each with its own special array of birds and other wildlife. With some of the most breathtaking scenery in the country as a backdrop, there could hardly be a better place to study the ties between habitat and bird distribution. June is peak breeding season, and the mountains, canyons, and valleys will be full of birdsong and nesting activity. This short introductory tour offers an excellent opportunity for viewing Colorado’s birds and other wildlife during their busiest time of year, and will focus on the relationships between birds and the habitats they use.

Based in Montrose, we will sample arid canyons along Escalante Creek and Colorado National Monument, deep gorges at Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park, montane forest of the Uncompahgre Plateau, and mountain meadows of Grand Mesa. We should encounter numerous bird species characteristic of this region such as Chukar, Dusky Grouse, Black Swift, Lewis's Woodpecker, Williamson's Sapsucker, Gray Flycatcher, Gray Vireo, Pinyon Jay, American Dipper, "Slate-colored" Fox Sparrow, and Pine Grosbeak. Along the way, mammals will also be conspicuous and we may see yellow-bellied marmot, white-tailed prairie dog, elk, and bighorn sheep.

Very good accommodations; good food; multiple-day stay at one location; easy terrain, sometimes at high elevation; warm to cool climate.