John Martin
Reservoir
FIELD NOTES
State Park
Discovering...
Western Tanager
Birds
CHECKLIST of
Birds of John Martin Reservoir State Park
and Bent County, Colorado.
John Martin Reservoir and surrounding Bent County, Colorado, is one of the premier birding
locations in the interior United States, and is recognized nationally as an “Important Bird Area”
(IBA). The great majority of birds in Bent County are found within the boundaries of John
Martin Reservoir. Many bird species are restricted to a very specific habitat. The key to finding
species diversity is looking in proper habitat. Bent County is home to many different birding areas
including, but not limited to the areas that are listed in this brochure. This checklist includes birds
that can be seen at John Martin Reservoir and other areas of Bent County as well as birds that can
only be found in certain areas of the county.
We would like to thank Duane Nelson for his help toward the
creation of this brochure. His hard work created this list of birds
that can be seen in all of Bent County.
Killdeer
ABUNDANCE CODES
KEY TO SYMBOLS
*
confirmed breeder
^
probable though unconfirmed breeder
Res: yearlong resident breeding
Mig: present during migration only
Su:
John Martin Reservoir State Park
30703 Road 24, Hasty, CO 81044
(719) 829-1801
E-mail: john.martin.park@state.co.us
www.parks.state.co.us
CSP-JM-18M-5/06
Roadrunner
migrant bird that remains
through summer
A:
Abundant, seen in numbers on every visit to
appropriate habitat
C:
Common, seen in smaller numbers in
appropriate habitat
U:
Uncommon, present but may not be seen
on all visits
R:
Rare, predictable in occurrence, but may be
absent some years
Sp:
Spring migrant only
Fa:
Fall migrant only
VR:
not expected, but multiple county records
SV:
summer visitor, with no evidence
of nesting
X:
Accidental, only one or two records, few
records for Colorado
Wi:
migrant bird that remains throughout
the winter
I:
Irruptive, usually absent, but can be
common in flight years
BIRDING SITES IN BENT COUNTY
John Martin Reservoir State Park includes
Lake Hasty Campground and much of the
northeast portion of John Martin Reservoir.
Both sites provide excellent birding opportunities
throughout the seasons. John Martin State
Wildlife area includes the entirety of the reservoir,
and adjacent marshes, riparian forests and upland
habitat west nearly to the city of Las Animas.
3. Fort Lyon State Wildlife Easement – only
one mile south of Wood Thrush Grove,
this may be the largest elm grove in
Colorado. The best access is from Road
HH, 0.2 miles west of County Road 16.
A recent drought has killed many of the
elm trees, increasing the population of
woodpeckers, and possibly reducing the
number of other land birds. This is another
of Colorado’s premier land bird migration
hotspots. Take care not to disturb nesting
Great Blue Herons, recent colonists.
Additional birding sites in Bent County:
1. Van’s Grove – Part of the John Martin
State Wildlife Area, this birding site is
located on County Road JJ 0.8 mile west
of Bent County Road 18, and 1.2 miles
east of Bent County Road 17. The low
elm trees in this abandoned homestead
make viewing skulking birds easy, while
the isolated nature of the grove make it
an oasis for migrant land birds. Most
species of eastern warblers recorded in
Colorado have been seen in this unlikely
migrant trap.
2. Wood Thrush Grove – Part of the John
Martin State Wildlife Area, this site is
a tiny oasis of tall trees with abundant
undergrowth on the southeast corner of
Bent County Roads 16 and JJ. This site
is only 2.2 miles west of Van’s Grove.
Another of Colorado’s premier sites to look
for migrant land birds.
4. Ft. Lyon Marshes – One excellent marsh is
at the right-angle turn where Bent County
Road 16 becomes Bent County Road HH.
This is currently a good place to listen for
rails and bitterns after dark. Marshes in
this area have historically hosted rare
sparrows (including LeConte’s) in the
winter, but the invasion of cottonwood and
tamarisk trees has greatly compromised this
habitat. NOTE: Please follow American
Birding Association ethical guidelines and
refrain from playing tapes to draw these
sensitive species into view. Listen quietly
and consider counting marsh birds as
“heard only”.
5. Green Heron Slough – located 0.25
miles south of Bent County Road HH,
immediately opposite the Fort Lyon State
Wildlife Easement. A perennial stream
flows through the dike draining the Ft.
Lyon Hospital/Prison, and provides habitat
for water-loving migrants and resident
birds. The huge cattail marsh east of the
slough hosts almost every marsh bird
species, including rails, bitterns, sparrows
and wrens.
6. Adobe Creek Reservoir/Blue Lakes – located 13 miles north of Las Animas on Bent County Road
10. There is a stock pond on Road 10 8.1 miles north of State Highway 194 that, when containing
water, can be excellent for longspurs (especially McCown’s) in winter, as well as ducks and shorebirds
in migration. The short-grass prairie the first few miles north of the Ft. Lyon Canal hosts nesting
Long-billed Curlews, while Mountain Plovers can be found, with diligence, along Road 10 between
Roads UU and VV. Adobe Creek Reservoir is currently very low due to a current drought, and most
of the remaining pool is in Kiowa County, but, when full, the best birding, especially for shorebirds,
terns, gulls, waterfowl and herons, is in the Bent County part of the reservoir. When water levels are
optimal, birding is often phenomenal.
7. Setchfield State Wildlife Area – Many birders do not know that southern Bent County is a land
of canyons, cliffs, juniper woodlands and cholla cactus. Setchfield State Wildlife Area contains the
only public access into this habitat in Bent County. If solitude is a goal, keep this site in mind; it has
been described as the least-visited State Wildlife area in Colorado. While birds are thinly distributed
and may take effort to find, the birds are very different from those found in the northern part of the
county. Drive south from Las Animas on State Highway 101. Turn west on Road P, and follow it as
it winds south and west. Upon entering the canyon country, continue south on Road 10. An obscure
property boundary sign at a cattle guard just before a road fork marks the beginning of the State Wildlife
area. Veer Right onto Road J just past the large red mailbox. The best birding is near the old broken
dam on Muddy Creek, or up to the cliffs and junipers to the west. A great continuation of a vehicular
tour of this area continues west on Road J through surprisingly scenic Road Canyon (great for birding
from the car) to State Highway 109, where a short trip on a good paved road leads back to La Junta.
Some Good-Sense Rules for Wildlife Watching Etiquette
1. Observe animals from a safe distance. Get close by using binoculars, spotting scope or a camera with a
telephoto lens. You probably are too close if animals are looking at you with head up and ears pointed toward
you or are “jumpy” when you move or make a noise. If you see these signs, sit quietly or move slowly away
until the behavior changes. Be especially sensitive to adults with young.
2. Move slowly and casually, not directly at wildlife. Allow animals to keep you in view; do not surprise them.
3. Never chase or harass wildlife. Harassment of wildlife is unlawful.
4. Leave pets at home. At best they hinder wildlife watching; at worst they can chase, injure or kill wildlife.
5. Using the animals’ behavior as a guide, limit the time you spend watching if animals appear to be stressed.
6. Respect others who are viewing the same animals.
7. Do no feed wildlife.
8. Respect private property; ask first to watch on private land.
9. Resting is critical behavior for many animals; don’t encourage them to “do something” for your camera.
10. Avoid animals that behave strangely or aggressively. They may be ill.
Mountain Bluebird
This brochure made possible
through the collaborative efforts of
the following sponsors:
Birding Areas in Bent County
6
2
3
1
Denver
4
Limon
5
Colorado
Springs
Bent’s Fort Inn
Las Animas
Pueblo
La Junta
BENT
COUNTY
John Martin Reservior State Park
A
long the Santa Fe
Trail, Bent County
offers historic and
cultural attractions to
enhance your bird watching
experience. Come explore Boggsville
National Historic Site, last home of Kit
Carson; the Kit Carson Museum with
exhibits from pioneer history to WWII;
and the Old Trail Gallery where local
artisans display and sell their art work. For
more information about local services and
activities visit www.bentcounty.org.
7
1
Van’s Grove
2
Wood Thrush Grove
3
Fort Lyon State Wildlife Easement
4
Fort Lyon Marshes
5
Green Heron Slough
6
Blue Lake/Adobe Creek
7
Setchfield State Wildlife Area
American
ican Goldfinch
Las Animas
(719) 456-0011
1-800-WESTERN
www.bestwestern.com/bentsfortinn
Hot Eats Cool Treats
At the Hwy 50 stoplight in Las Animas.
Open 10 a.m. - 10 p.m., 7 days a week
(719) 456-2345
SWANS, GEESE, DUCKS
__Greater White-fronted Goose
__Snow Goose
__Ross’ Goose
__Canada Goose *
__Cackling Goose
__Trumpeter Swan
__Tundra Swan
__Wood Duck *
__Gadwall ^
__American Wigeon
__American Black Duck
__Mallard *
__Blue-winged Teal ^
__Cinnamon Teal ^
__Northern Shoveler
__Northern Pintail
__Green-winged Teal ^
__Canvasback
__Redhead ^
__Ring-necked Duck
__Greater Scaup
__Lesser Scaup
__Surf Scoter
__White-winged Scoter
__Black Scoter
__Long-tailed Duck
__Bufflehead
__Common Goldeneye
__Barrow’s Goldeneye
__Hooded Merganser
__Common Merganser
__Red-breasted Merganser
__Ruddy Duck
Ruddy Duck
GALLINACEOUS BIRDS
Mig R
Wi A
Wi C
Wi C
Wi R
Wi VR
Mig VR
Res U
Mig C Su R Wi R
Mig A Wi U
SV VR
Res A
Mig C Su U
Mig C Su U
Mig C Wi U
Mig C Wi U
Mig C Su R Wi U
Mig U Wi R
Mig C Wi R
Mig U Wi R
Mig R
Mig C Wi R
Mig R Wi VR
Mig R
Mig VR Wi VR
Wi R
Mig C Wi R
Wi A
Wi R
Wi U
Wi A
Mig U Wi R
Mig C
__Ring-necked Pheasant *
__Lesser Prairie Chicken ^
__Wild Turkey *
__Northern Bobwhite *
__Scaled Quail *
Res C
Res VR
Res U
Res U
Res U
LOONS AND GREBES
__Red-throated Loon
__Pacific Loon
__Common Loon
__Pied-billed Grebe
__Horned Grebe
__Red-necked Grebe
__Eared Grebe
__Western Grebe
__Clark’s Grebe
Su VR
Fa R
Mig U Wi VR
Mig U Wi R
Mig C Wi R
Mig VR
Mig C Wi R
Mig A Wi R
Mig A Wi R
PELICANS AND CORMORANTS
__American White Pelican
__Brown Pelican
__Neotropic Cormorant
__Double-crested Cormorant *
Mig A Wi R
SV X
SV X
Su C Mig A Wi R
HERONS, BITTERNS AND IBISES
__American Bittern ^
__Least Bittern ^
__Great Blue Heron *
__Great Egret
__Snowy Egret
__Little Blue Heron
__Tricolored Heron
__Reddish Egret
__Cattle Egret
__Green Heron ^
__Black-crowned Night-Heron
__Yellow-crowned Night-Heron
Su U
Su R
Res C
Mig U
Mig U
Mig R
Mig VR
SV X
Mig U, Su R
Su R, Wi X
Su U
SV VR
__White Ibis
__Glossy Ibis
__White-faced Ibis
SV X
Mig R
Mig C
VULTURES, HAWKS,
EAGLES AND FALCONS
__Turkey Vulture *
__Black Vulture
__Osprey
__Mississippi Kite *
__Bald Eagle ^
__Northern Harrier ^
__Sharp-shinned Hawk
__Cooper’s Hawk
__Northern Goshawk
__Red-shouldered Hawk
__Broad-winged Hawk
__Swainson’s Hawk *
__Red-tailed Hawk *
__Ferruginous Hawk *
__Rough-legged Hawk
__Golden Eagle *
__American Kestrel *
__Merlin
__Peregrine Falcon
__Prairie Falcon ^
Su C
SV X
Mig U
Su U
Wi C
Res U
Mig U Wi R
Mig U Wi R
Wi VR
Wi VR
Mig R
Su C
Res C
Res U
Wi U
Wi U Res R
Res C
Wi R
Mig U
Res U
RAILS AND CRANES
__Black Rail *
__King Rail
__Virginia Rail *
__Sora *
__Common Moorhen
__American Coot *
__Sandhill Crane
Su U
Su X
Res U
Res U Wi R
Su X
Res C
Mig C
SHOREBIRDS, GULLS, TERNS
__Black-bellied Plover
__American Golden-Plover
__Snowy Plover *
__Semipalmated Plover
__Piping Plover (Endangered)*
__Killdeer *
__Mountain Plover *
__Black-necked Stilt *
__American Avocet *
__Greater Yellowlegs
__Lesser Yellowlegs
__Solitary Sandpiper
__Willet
__Spotted Sandpiper *
__Upland Sandpiper
__Whimbrel
__Long-billed Curlew *
__Hudsonian Godwit
__Marbled Godwit
__Ruddy Turnstone
__Red Knot
__Sanderling
__Semipalmated Sandpiper
__Western Sandpiper
__Least Sandpiper
__White-rumped Sandpiper
__Baird’s Sandpiper
__Pectoral Sandpiper
__Sharp-tailed Sandpiper
__Dunlin
__Stilt Sandpiper
__Buff-breasted Sandpiper
__Short-billed Dowitcher
__Long-billed Dowitcher
__Wilson’s Snipe ^
__Wilson’s Phalarope
__Red-necked Phalarope
Mig U
Fa R
Su U
Mig U
Su U
Res C Wi R
Su U
Su U
Su U Mig C
Mig C Wi VR
Mig C
Mig U
Mig U
Su C
Mig R
Sp R Su X
Su U Mig U
Sp VR
Mig U
Mig VR
Mig VR
Mig C
Mig C
Mig C
Mig C Wi VR
Sp U
Mig C
Sp R Fa U
Fa X
Mig R
Mig U
Mig VR
Sp VR Fa R
Mig C
Res U
Mig C
Mig R
__Red Phalarope
Mig VR
__Parasitic Jaeger
Fa VR
__Long-tailed Jaeger
Fa VR
__Laughing Gull
SV VR
__Franklin’s Gull
Mig C
__Bonaparte’s Gull
Sp R Fa U Wi VR Su X
__Mew Gull
Fa VR
__Ring-billed Gull
SV Res C
__California Gull *
Res U
__Herring Gull
Wi C Su VR
__Thayer’s Gull
Wi R
__Iceland Gull
Wi X
__Lesser Black-backed Gull
SV VR Res R
__Glaucous Gull
Wi R
__Glaucous-winged Gull
Wi X
__Great Black-backed Gull
Wi R
__Sabine’s Gull
Fa R
__Black-legged Kittiwake
Fa VR
__Caspian Tern
SV R
__Common Tern
SV R
__Arctic Tern
Mig VR
__Forster’s Tern
Mig C
__Least Tern (endangered)*
Su U
__Black Tern
Mig C
DOVES
__Rock Pigeon *
__Eurasian Collared-Dove *
__White-winged Dove
__Mourning Dove *
__Inca Dove
Res C
Res U
SV VR
Res A Wi R
Fa Mig VR
CUCKOOS AND ROADRUNNER
__Black-billed Cuckoo
__Yellow-billed Cuckoo ^
__Greater Roadrunner ^
Su R
Su U
Res U
OWLS
__Barn Owl *
__Western Screech-Owl *
__Eastern Screech-Owl ^
__Great Horned Owl *
__Snowy Owl
__Burrowing Owl *
__Long-eared Owl
__Short-eared Owl
__Northern Saw-whet Owl
FLYCATCHERS
Res U Wi I
Res U
Res R
Res C
Wi I VR
Su C
Mig Wi R
Wi R
Wi R
GOATSUCKERS
__Lesser Nighthawk
__Common Nighthawk *
__Common Poorwill *
Mig VR
Su C
Su U
SWIFTS
__Chimney Swift *
Su C
HUMMINGBIRDS
__Black-chinned Hummingbird ^
__Calliope Hummingbird
__Broad-tailed Hummingbird
__Rufous Hummingbird
Su U
Fa VR
Sp Fa R
Fa R
KINGFISHERS
__Belted Kingfisher ^
Res U
WOODPECKERS
__Lewis’s Woodpecker *
__Red-headed Woodpecker *
__Red-bellied Woodpecker
__Yellow-bellied Sapsucker
__Red-naped Sapsucker
__Ladder-backed Woodpecker ^
__Downy Woodpecker *
__Hairy Woodpecker ^
__Northern Flicker *
Res R
Su U
Wi R
Mig R
Mig R
Res R
Res C
Res U
Res C
__Olive-sided Flycatcher
__Western Wood-Pewee
__Eastern Wood-Pewee
__Willow Flycatcher
__Least Flycatcher
__Hammond’s Flycatcher
__Gray Flycatcher
__Dusky Flycatcher
__Cordilleran Flycatcher
__Eastern Phoebe *
__Say’s Phoebe *
__Vermilion Flycatcher *
__Ash-throated Flycatcher ^
__Great Crested Flycatcher *
__Cassin’s Kingbird *
__Western Kingbird *
__Eastern Kingbird *
__Scissor-tailed Flycatcher
__Sulphur-bellied Flycatcher
Mig U
Mig C
Mig R
Mig U
Mig U
Mig R
Mig R
Mig R
Mig R
Mig R Su R
Mig U Su R
Mig VR Su VR
Su U
Su U
Su U
Su A
Su C
Mig R
Fa X
SHRIKES AND VIREOS
__Loggerhead Shrike *
__Northern Shrike
__White-eyed Vireo
__Bell’s Vireo
__Yellow-throated Vireo
__Plumbeous Vireo
__Cassin’s Vireo
__Blue-headed Vireo
__Warbling Vireo ^
__Philadelphia Vireo
__Red-eyed Vireo ^
Res U
Wi U
Sp Mig R
Mig VR
Mig VR
Mig U
Mig R
Fa R
Su U
Mig VR
Mig U
CORVIDS
__Steller’s Jay
__Blue Jay *
__Western Scrub-Jay ^
Fa Wi I VR
Res C
Fa Wi I U Res U
__Pinyon Jay
__Clark’s Nutcracker
__Black-billed Magpie *
__American Crow *
__Chihuahuan Raven *
__Common Raven *
Fa I
Fa I X
Res C
Res U
Res U
Res R
LARKS
__Horned Lark *
Res A
SWALLOWS
__Tree Swallow
__Violet-green Swallow
__Northern Rough-winged Swallow *
__Bank Swallow
__Cliff Swallow *
__Cave Swallow (under review by CBRC)
__Barn Swallow *
Mig U
Mig R
Su U
Mig U
Su A
Fa X
Su C
CHICKADEES, TITMICE
AND BUSHTITS
__Black-capped Chickadee *
__Mountain Chickadee
__Juniper Titmouse
__Bushtit ^
Res R
Wi I R
Res VR
Fa Wi I U
NUTHATCHES AND CREEPERS
__Red-breasted Nuthatch
__White-breasted Nuthatch
__Brown Creeper
SV Fa I U
WIU
Wi U
WRENS
__Rock Wren *
__Canyon Wren ^
__Carolina Wren
__Bewick’s Wren *
__House Wren *
__Winter Wren
Res C Wi R
Res R
Su VR
Res U
Su C
Wi R
__Sedge Wren
__Marsh Wren
Fa X
Wi C
KINGLETS, GNATCATCHERS
__Golden-crowned Kinglet
__Ruby-crowned Kinglet
__Blue-gray Gnatcatcher
Mig U
Mig C Wi R
Mig U Wi X
THRUSHES AND THRASHERS
__Eastern Bluebird *
__Mountain Bluebird
__Townsend’s Solitaire
__Veery
__Gray-cheeked Thrush
__Swainson’s Thrush
__Hermit Thrush
__Wood Thrush
__American Robin *
__Varied Thrush
__Gray Catbird
__Northern Mockingbird *
__Sage Thrasher
__Brown Thrasher *
__Curve-billed Thrasher *
Res R
Mig U Wi C
Mig U Wi R
Mig R
Sp R
Sp C Fa R
Sp C Fa R Wi VR
Mig VR
Res C
Fa VR
Mig U Wi VR
Su C Wi VR
Mig U Wi I
Su C Wi VR
Res U
STARLINGS, PIPITS AND WAXWINGS
__European Starling *
__American Pipit
__Sprague’s Pipit
__Cedar Waxwing
Res A
Mig C Wi R
Fa VR
Mig Wi I
WARBLERS
__Blue-winged Warbler
__Golden-winged Warbler
__Tennessee Warbler
__Orange-crowned Warbler
__Nashville Warbler
__Virginia’s Warbler
Mig R
Mig R
Mig R
Mig U
Mig R
Mig R
__Northern Parula
__Yellow Warbler ^
__Chestnut-sided Warbler
__Magnolia Warbler
__Yellow-throated Warbler
__Black-throated Blue Warbler
__Yellow-rumped Warbler
__Black-throated Gray Warbler
__Black-throated Green Warbler
__Townsend’s Warbler
__Hermit Warbler
__Blackburnian Warbler
__Pine Warbler
__Prairie Warbler
__Palm Warbler
__Bay-breasted Warbler
__Blackpoll Warbler
__Black-and-white Warbler
__American Redstart
__Prothonotary Warbler
__Worm-eating Warbler
__Ovenbird
__Northern Waterthrush
__Kentucky Warbler
__Connecticut Warbler
__Mourning Warbler
__MacGillivray’s Warbler
__Common Yellowthroat *
__Hooded Warbler
__Wilson’s Warbler
__Painted Redstart
__Yellow-breasted Chat ^
Mig R
Mig C Su U
Mig R
Mig R
Mig VR
Mig VR
Mig C Wi R
Mig R
Mig R
Mig U
Mig VR
Mig VR
Fa VR
Mig VR
Mig R
Mig VR
Mig R
Mig U
Mig U
Mig R
Mig R
Mig U
Mig U
Mig VR
Mig X
Mig R
Mig U
Su C Wi VR
Mig R
Sp U Fa C
Fa X
Su U
TANAGERS
__Summer Tanager
__Scarlet Tanager
__Western Tanager
Mig R
Mig VR
Mig U
TOWHEES, SPARROWS, LONGSPURS
AND BUNTINGS
__Green-tailed Towhee
__Spotted Towhee
__Eastern Towhee
__Canyon Towhee *
__Cassin’s Sparrow *
__Rufous-crowned Sparrow *
__American Tree Sparrow
__Chipping Sparrow
__Clay-colored Sparrow
__Brewer’s Sparrow
__Field Sparrow
__Vesper Sparrow
__Lark Sparrow *
__Sage Sparrow
__Black-throated Sparrow
__Lark Bunting *
__Savannah Sparrow
__Grasshopper Sparrow ^
__Baird’s Sparrow
__LeConte’s Sparrow
__Fox Sparrow
__Song Sparrow
__Lincoln’s Sparrow
__Swamp Sparrow
__White-throated Sparrow
__Harris’s Sparrow
__White-crowned Sparrow
__Dark-eyed Junco
__McCown’s Longspur
__Lapland Longspur
__Chestnut-collared Longspur
__Northern Cardinal ^
__Rose-breasted Grosbeak
__Black-headed Grosbeak
__Blue Grosbeak *
__Lazuli Bunting *
__Indigo Bunting *
Mig U
Mig C Wi R
Wi X
Fa Wi I Res U
Su C
Res R
Wi C
Mig A
Mig C
Mig C
Mig R
Mig A Wi X
Su C
Sp VR
Sp VR
Su A
Mig C Wi R
Su U
Sp VR
Wi R
Wi VR
Mig U Wi C
Mig C Wi R
Wi U
Mig U Wi R
Mig U Wi R
Mig A Wi C
Wi C
Mig U Wi R
Wi I U
Mig U Wi VR
Res R
Sp U
Mig U
Su C
Mig U Su R
Mig R Su R
__Painted Bunting
__Dickcissel *
Mig VR
Su I C
BLACKBIRDS AND ORIOLES
__Red-winged Blackbird *
__Western Meadowlark *
__Yellow-headed Blackbird
__Brewer’s Blackbird *
__Common Grackle *
__Great-tailed Grackle *
__Brown-headed Cowbird *
__Orchard Oriole *
__Baltimore Oriole
__Bullock’s Oriole *
__Scott’s Oriole
Res A
Res A
Mig U Wi R
Res U
Su C Wi R
Res U
Mig U Wi R
Su U
Su R
Su C
Su VR
FINCHES
__Purple Finch
__Cassin’s Finch
__House Finch *
__Red Crossbill
__White-winged Crossbill
__Pine Siskin
__Lesser Goldfinch ^
__American Goldfinch
__Evening Grosbeak
Wi R
Wi I R
Res C
Fa VR
Wi X
Wi I C
Su R
Res C
Fa I VR
WEAVER FINCHES
__House Sparrow *
__Greater Roadrunner ^
Res A
Res U
Belted Kingfisher