Bird Walk in My Neck o' the Woods!

AVAS Bird Walk: Saturday, August 16 2008
Lake DeWeese SWA, 8 AM – 4 PM

Custer County, Colorado - 487 species of birds! See bird list here.

This continues to be one of the most popular trips on the schedule for the Arkansas Valley Audubon Society (AVAS), thanks to organizers and leaders: Dave Silverman, Rye; Jane Pedersen, Durango; and Leon Bright, Pueblo. Birders of all skill levels are encouraged to attend. Novices will find plenty of help from experienced birders who are happy to help identify birds and give tips on how to gain the most enjoyment from the trip. Several people usually bring scopes and allow others a close-up look. Participants may bird all day or however long they wish. All-day birders will probably see over 100 species. I can tell you from personal experience...the folks on these trips are fabulous!

To get to the meeting place, Lake DeWeese SWA (don’t forget your Habitat Stamp), travel to Westcliffe and head north on State Hwy 69. At the north edge of town, turn right on the Lake road and continue about four or five miles. Follow the pavement through the settlement until you reach the lake and parking area. The group will first scan the lake for waterfowl and shorebirds then check the riparian area below the dam for songbirds.

On the drive back to Westcliffe and lunch in the city park there, the group will view nearby short-grass prairie for sparrows and other birds of that habitat. In the afternoon the group will go a few miles north to check feeders and natural areas in the lower montane habitat.

Westcliffe is south of the Arkansas River Canyon in the Wet Mountain Valley at 7888’ and is surrounded by alpine valley scenery. Mountain grassland in the valley extends for about 35 miles between the Sangre de Cristo and the Wet Mountains.

An adult Caspian Tern was observed by Silverman at the west end of Lake Deweese on August 5…we should have good birding! I'll tell you all about it later... ;)