Gunnison area wildlife
F
ollowing is a list of species occurring
in the Gunnison area, with descriptions,
showing birds and mammals that people
see on the Gunnison National Forest.
Birds
Gray Jays (Camp Robbers) are common in the Gunnison Basin
area. They usually fly low among the trees in coniferous woods.
Often their flight is relatively slow, punctuated with bursts of soft
flopping wingbeats and a sailing glide. The Gray Jay is a very social
bird that spends a lot of time around campgrounds. This bird is
light gray overall with dark eyes. A frequent visitor of camps, they
quickly learn to associate people with food. This bird may have
demonstrated to some of you how fearless or ‘tame’ they are and
how they have earned the nickname camp robber. Gray Jays are
typically noisy, gregarious, and easily observed birds.
Clark’s Nutcrackers may be seen in mature mixed coniferous
forests, usually near open rocky areas. They often fly around mountain slopes or perch on conspicuous trees or rocks, and they also
frequent high elevation areas near treeline. This bird feeds mainly
on seeds of pines. They typically cache pine seeds on southern
mountain slopes, which is an important factor affecting tree distribution since many seeds are not recovered and grow into new trees.
Their head, back, and underparts are pale gray and their wings are
black. They also have a long, pointed black beak. Clark’s Nutcrackers walk like a crow when they are on the ground, which is a good
behavioral characteristic that can be used to distinguish this bird
from jays (jays hop).
Gunnison Sage-grouse are an obligate of sagebrush plant communities. This species exists in 7 separate populations in southwest
Colorado and southeast Utah, with the largest population (approx.
3,600 birds) inhabiting the Upper Gunnison Basin. The Gunnison
Ranger District manages about 85,300 acres of occupied Gunnison
Sage-grouse habitat, comprising almost 11% of the overall occupied
habitat throughout the species’ range. This species is a candidate
for listing under the Endangered Species Act. For more information
and viewing opportunities please visit:
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http://www.siskadee.org
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http://www.western.edu/faculty/jyoung/gunnison-sage-grouse
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http://www.gunnisoncounty.org/sage_grouse.html
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http://wildlife.state.co.us/WildlifeSpecies/Profiles/Birds/
Gunnisonsagegrouse.htm
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http://www.fws.gov/mountain-prairie/species/birds/
gunnisonsagegrouse/
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http://www.blm.gov/co/st/en/fo/gfo/sage_grouse.html
Dusky Grouse (formerly called blue grouse) are large upland
game birds that occupy coniferous and mixed coniferous-deciduous forests. They can be difficult to see because of their excellent
camouflage coloration. The male (in courtship display) is mainly
blue-gray with brown wings and a long, black tail; in courtship
display the reddish air sacks are evident. The female (in the aspen)
is brown, finely barred with black.
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White-tailed Ptarmigan are high altitude ground dwelling birds.
They are found above treeline in alpine tundra habitat. Ptarmigans
have excellent coloration to avoid detection in both winter and
summer. During the summer they are a mottled brown and they
blend in with lichen covered rocks and alpine vegetation. In winter
they are pure white except for their black eyes and bill. Their legs
and feet are feathered, which protects them from the extreme cold
of the alpine winters. The photo was taken in October, which is
when ptarmigan are molting and developing their winter plumage.
Many other birds, including rufous and broad-tailed hummingbirds, mountain chickadees, brown creepers, Three-toed Woodpeckers, Red-naped Sapsuckers, and many Neotropical migrants
may also be seen on the Gunnison National Forest. River and
stream corridors are excellent places for birding, as aquatic habitats
and associated wetlands and riparian areas support the highest
diversity and numbers of birds compared to dry upland habitats.
The most common hawk seen in the Gunnison Basin area is probably the Red-tailed Hawk which may be seen soaring high in
the sky or perched on the tops of conifers. Swainson’s hawk and
northern harrier are also commonly seen. Golden eagles may be
seen year-round. The bald eagle and rough-legged hawk are winter
residents in the Gunnison Basin and can be frequently spotted from
Highway 135, County Road 730 (Ohio Creek Road), and Highway
50, often gliding or perched on trees or powerline poles. Roughlegged hawks are sometimes seen hovering in place above hay
meadows or shrublands looking for prey.
In the winter, Golden and Bald Eagles (a Bald Eagle is pictured on
the cover) can be spotted in the Gunnison and East River corridors
and in Taylor Canyon, often soaring above the cliffs or perched
on trees high among the canyon walls or along the Taylor River.
Northern Goshawks (a juvenile is shown) typically nest in mature
aspen and lodgepole pine forests on the Gunnison National Forest.
Here’s an online bird checklist that you can use for the Grand Mesa,
Uncompahgre and Gunnison National Forests:
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http://www.fs.usda.gov/Internet/FSE_
DOCUMENTS/stelprdb5172823.pdf
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Mammals
The Yellow-bellied Marmot is a large, golden brown rodent with
a bushy tail. They live in burrows and are frequently seen sitting
on large rocks where they have a good view of intruders. When a
threat appears, they sound an alarm with a loud chirp or whistle.
The American Pika is similar in shape to guinea pigs, and not
much bigger than a mouse. They are brownish in color with small,
rounded ears and no visible tail. The pika is a member of the rabbit
family. Interestingly, pikas clip green vegetation that they spread
in the sun to dry like hay. They store their ‘hay’ in dens deep in the
rocks, which sustains them during winter. Pikas are highly vocal
and social, often living in large colonies and constantly communicating with each other in shrill nasal bleats that are very distinct.
Marmots and pikas are common in rocky areas such as boulder
fields or talus slopes, especially above treeline in alpine areas.
Beaver are common in aquatic habitats. Look for beaver along
streams or marshy areas, such as those depicted here . Their key
habitat components are water, willows and/or aspen. They live
along streams where they build dams, lodges, and food caches.
Through their dam building activities, beavers help improve water
quality and create habitat for a large variety of aquatic organisms
(insects, fish, and amphibians), birds, and mammals. They create
water storage ponds that are often used by waterfowl. Look for
beaver in the evenings swimming silently in ponds. The best time
of year to observe beavers is during the fall, when they are busy
caching food and preparing for winter. When disturbed, a beaver
will sometimes slap the water with its tail to startle intruders.
Red Squirrels live in conifer forests and are common in lodgepole pine and spruce-fir forests. They are mostly dark brown. They
are often seen scurrying through the trees and running on the
ground between trees as they busily cache cones for winter. They
make nests out of grass and conifer needles and position them on
the limbs of conifer trees. Their nest sites are typically in the largest
spruce, lodgepole or Douglas fir trees within a forest stand. Their
cone cache sites are often at the base of the largest trees within a
forest stand.
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American (Pine) Marten are members of the weasel family. They
are brownish, varying from dark brown to blond, with a paler head
and underparts, darker legs, and orange or buff throat patch. Their
tail is long and bushy; pointed snout; and small ears. They are similar in size to a house cat. Pine martens inhabit subalpine and montane coniferous forests, especially mature or old growth spruce-fir
and lodgepole pine forests with abundant logs and dead trees. This
photo was taken using a trail cam at a bait site to determine presence within an area of the Gunnison National Forest.
Mule Deer can be observed in many areas of the Gunnison Basin
depending on the time of year. They are typically found in mosaics of meadows, aspen woodlands, alpine tundra, sub-alpine forest
edges, or montane forest edges where they feed on browse, forbs,
and grasses. During the winter mule deer are found in lower elevation areas with less snow, such as sagebrush shrublands.
Rocky Mountain Elk are found in a variety of habitats, including
semi-open forests and forest edges adjacent to parks, meadows, and
alpine tundra, open grassland or shrubland types and mature and
old growth forests. Elk are often spotted in herds in open meadows
with nearby forest for hiding cover. Expect to find elk in high elevation forested areas or alpine tundra during the summer, and lower
elevation montane forests and sagebrush country during winter. Elk
are light brown or tan and have a yellow rump.
Moose can be found along streams in wetland and riparian areas,
typically within a spruce forest, aspen and willow thickets. Note
the long, dark hair compared to the lighter-colored elk in the photo
above. Other notable characteristics include the “horse like” appearance of the moose’s face, and broadly flattened palmate antlers.
Moose are the largest member of the deer family; they are comparable to a horse in size, and have high, slumped shoulders, long
slender legs, and an inconspicuous tail.
Big cats such as Canada Lynx, bobcat and Mountain Lion are
secretive and often nocturnal animals; the chance of seeing one is
limited. Any sighting is a rare opportunity. Canada lynx were reintroduced to the state of Colorado by Colorado Parks and Wildlife
and occur on the Gunnison National Forest in subalpine spruce-fir
forests. Note: A Black Bear is featured on the back cover.
Wildlife viewing tips
Viewing
Wildlife
Gunnison
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F
or the best chance to see wildlife, learn the habits
of the species you wish to observe. Many wildlife species
are crepuscular – active in morning and evening. There
aren’t many animals out in the middle of the day. So plan to be
in the area that you wish to observe in the early morning or late
evening for the best chance of success.
When looking for wildlife, either from roads in the
comfort of your vehicle or on foot, head for open fields, forestmeadow edges, watering holes, wetlands or riparian areas. If
hiking, try to stay downwind and move through the woods
along the edge of meadows. Many animals, especially deer and
elk, travel during the early morning or evening hours when
they are moving between the meadows where they graze and
the forest where they take cover. Animals in motion are easier
to spot from a distance, so you can really increase your chance
of seeing wildlife when they are most active at dawn and dusk.
Respect wildlife. Don’t try to get too close and invade
their space. Observe the animal carefully to determine at what
distance it is comfortable allowing your presence. Watch for reactions such as head and ear movements. If the animal quits an
activity and begins watching you or prepares for flight, you are
too close. Elk and bighorn sheep often flee from long distances
once they spot you, which can be from as far as a half mile to
a mile away in expansive areas with little cover. In some areas
and at certain times of the year big game animals may become
habituated to human activity and presence when it occurs in
a consistent, routine pattern; however in areas where animals
are used to solitude, they are much more sensitive to human
disturbance.
Animals often appear gentle and harmless but they
can turn aggressive if they perceive themselves as threatened.
Consider any animal – particularly mothers with young – to be
unpredictable and give them and their young plenty of space.
If you bring a dog,
do not allow it to pursue or
harass wildlife. It is against
the law and with good reason.
Our well-fed canine companions do what dogs love to do –
following scent trails, looking
for critters to chase, pounce
on, play with or attack, which
stresses the wildlife. Too
much stress can kill the wildlife we enjoy. Wildlife may also
attack pets, especially if they feel threatened or if they perceive
that their young are in danger. For the best experience, please
use a leash or leave your dog in the car. Doing so will avoid
disturbing or displacing the wildlife you are hoping to see.
Do not feed wildlife! It is a temptation to offer tidbits to
animals, but for the animal’s sake, resist it. Proper nutrition for
wildlife exists in nature, not in your lunch box. Human food
can cause animals to become ill. Feeding increases concentrations of wildlife, which facilitates the spread of disease. Some
animals, such as bears, become aggressive as the natural fear of
humans disappears. You may even be bitten or attacked by the
animal. For both your health and the animal’s, please, do not
feed wildlife.
on the
National Forest
Black Bear are common on the Gunnison National Forest, but a
chance encounter is unlikely since bears are also secretive animals.
Encounters often occur in areas frequented by humans if there is a
food source where bears have learned to find food, such as campsites, dumpsters, or in residential areas within or near areas inhabited by bears. Bears that have learned to find human food lose their
natural fear of humans and can be very dangerous and unpredictable. The most effective way to prevent these types of conflicts is
to deny them access to human food and garbage. Ensure proper
food storage when camping – store food in a sack and use a rope
to hang it high in a tree away from your campsite, use bear-proof
food storage containers; and at home use bear proof trash cans and
dumpsters.
For more information on wildlife viewing opportunities, and
a variety of maps showing public and private lands, contact:
USDA Forest Service
Bald
Eagle
Mountain
Lion
Viewing wildlife
on the Gunnison Ranger District
Grand Mesa, Uncompahgre
and Gunnison National Forests
T
he Gunnison National Forest
provides great wildlife viewing
opportunities for enthusiasts. The
Gunnison Valley is surrounded by
high mountain peaks, many of which
exceed 13,000 feet in elevation. The Taylor, East,
Slate, and Gunnison Rivers wander through the
Gunnison Basin offering glimpses of riparian
habitat and wetlands that provides great birding
and fly fishing opportunities. Lodgepole pine,
aspen, Engelmann spruce-subalpine fir forests,
wide mountain parks, and sagebrush shrublands
provide habitat for a large variety of wildlife.
The species present and the areas they can
be found varies with season. So grab your
binoculars and let’s find some wildlife!
Be a “citizen scientist” by documenting and reporting
your wildlife observations! Online sources for this include
iNaturalist and Project Noah. If you own a smartphone such
as the iPhone or Android, you can download several citizenscientist apps for free, enabling your phone to function as a
tool for exploring nature, reporting wildlife sightings, and
connecting people with the natural world. Check the following
websites for tools to help you connect with wildlife:
Grand Mesa, Uncompahgre, & Gunnison National Forests
www.fs.usda.gov/gmug
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www.inaturalist.org
GUNNISON NATIONAL FOREST
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www.projectnoah.org
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www.wildobs.com
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www.conservationmagazine.
org/2011/09/smartphone-naturalist/
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www.bear-tracker.com
(to learn about animal tracks)
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http://www.fs.usanpn.org
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http://www.fs.usda.gov/Internet/
FSE_DOCUMENTS/stelprdb5172823.pdf (bird checklist for the
Grand Mesa, Uncompahgre and Gunnison National Forests)
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http://www.siskadee.org/view.htm (information on Gunnison
sage-grouse viewing at the Waunita Watchable Wildlife Site)
Gunnison Ranger District
216 N. Colorado St.
Gunnison, CO 81230
PHONE: (970) 641-0471
Paonia Ranger District
403 N. Rio Grande Ave.
MAIL TO: P.O. Box 1030
Paonia, CO 81428
PHONE: (970) 527-4131
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) prohibits discrimination
in all its programs and activities on the basis of race, color, national
origin, age, disability, and where applicable, sex, marital status, familial status, parental status, religion, sexual orientation, genetic information, political beliefs, reprisal, or because all or part of an individual's income is derived from any public assistance program. (Not all
prohibited bases apply to all programs.) Persons with disabilities
who require alternative means for communication of program information (Braille, large print, audiotape, etc.) should contact USDA’s
TARGET Center at (202) 720-2600 (voice and TDD). To file a complaint of discrimination write to USDA, Director, Office of Civil Rights,
1400 Independence Avenue, S.W., Washington, D.C. 20250-9410 or
call (800) 795-3272 (voice) or (202) 720-6382 (TDD). USDA is an
equal opportunity provider and employer.
T
o report species you see on the Gunnison National
Forest, contact Matt Vasquez, Gunnison Ranger District
wildlife biologist, at (970) 641-0471 or mgvasquez@fs.fed.us.
We would love to hear from you about wildlife you are
seeing on the National Forest!
