Colorado Grouse: Apr 17—26, 2009

Lesser Prairie-Chicken — Photo: Barry Zimmer

Centered around the unique and wonderful mating displays of five species of grouse, this tour also takes in the scenic beauty, birds, and wildlife from all four corners of Colorado. Incredible scenery and close looks at incomparable grouse displays.

Five species of grouse inhabit the prairies and inter-mountain valleys of North America: the Greater and Gunnison sage-grouse, Sharp-tailed Grouse, and the Greater and Lesser prairie-chickens. All are noted for their spectacular mating displays, and all can be exceedingly difficult to find away from their leks or display grounds. From the sandhills of southeastern Colorado to the high sagebrush parklands of the north, we will see some of the most fascinating rituals in the bird world: the booming of the prairie-chickens, the wild dance of the Sharp-tails, and the strutting of the huge sage-grouse.

Between Pueblo and Springfield we may be treated to side by side views of Clark's and Western grebes, Snowy Plovers, trees full of colorful Yellow-headed Blackbirds, and such southwestern specialties as Scaled Quail and Curve-billed Thrasher.

Farther south and east, beautiful canyons shade streamside cottonwood groves where Lewis's Woodpeckers abound. Nearby towns of Black-tailed Prairie Dogs also support nesting Burrowing Owls, and grasslands are home to Cassin's and Grasshopper sparrows. We will bird the Pawnee Grassland, a vast expanse of shortgrass prairie where Ferruginous Hawk, Prairie Falcon, Mountain Plover, and McCown's and Chestnut-collared longspurs all nest.

Though the high mountains are still under snow, the lower forests are accessible. Here we may find Golden Eagle, Dusky Grouse, Williamson's and Red-naped sapsuckers, Mountain Bluebird, Cassin's Finch, and many other mountain species. Mammal viewing should be excellent throughout the trip, and the mountain scenery is breathtaking.

Average to good accommodations and food; easy to moderate terrain, elevation 3,500-11,500 ft; long drives and only one two-night stay; cold to mild climate, with potential for inclement weather.