Events Scheduled for Thursday, May 7, 2026
Photo courtesy of Charles Haspel
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TOUR #2
Mancos River in Mesa Verde National Park
6:00 am – 3:00 pm
Paul Morey, Chief of Natural Resources, Mesa Verde National Park; Sneed Collard III, author, keynote speaker
Explore this secluded, pristine terrain along the Mancos River with Mesa Verde’s natural resources manager. Besides learning the history of this part of MVNP, discuss future restoration and management of the area. Travel mostly off-trail on flat to uneven terrain through grass, big sage & juniper uplands and riparian areas dominated by willow and cottonwoods. Past species: Wild Turkey, raptors, flycatchers, swallows, Black-chinned & Broad-tailed hummingbirds, Plumbeous Vireo, Yellow-breasted Chat, Yellow-rumped & Black-throated Gray warblers and Lazuli Bunting. Moderate hike, up to three miles round trip. Approximately 35 miles driving round trip.
Photo courtesy of Carla Fox
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TOUR #3
Ute Mountain Ute Tribe Farm & Ranch
6:15 am – 3:00 pm
Fred Blackburn, Author, Naturalist & Historian; Chuck Haspels, Bird Photograher
Accompanied by a tribal member from the Ute Mountain Ute Wildlife Resources Division, the tour emphasizes the Ute Mountain Ute Tribe Farm & Ranch Enterprises and an isolated reservoir. Travel between these areas covers a segment of the Colorado Plateau that incorporates most of the reservation. Watch for Burrowing Owl, American Kestrel, several buteo species and possibly Barn Owl. Horned Lark, White-crowned, Black-throated & Sage sparrows, Gray Vireo, Gray Flycatcher and buntings also should be present. Target birds: Greater Roadrunner, Scaled & Gambel’s quails, Loggerhead Shrike and Scott’s Oriole. Migratory and summer residents at the reservoir may include rails, phalaropes, stilts, gulls, herons, geese and several duck species. Tour fee includes entrance and a tip for the Ute Tribal guide. Easy. Approximately 80 miles driving round trip.
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TOUR #4
Yucca House National Monument and Lower Montezuma Valley
6:30 am – 3:00 pm
John Cahill, Education Park Ranger, Mesa Verde National Park
Montezuma Valley is the rich agricultural, sagebrush, and Pinyon-Juniper area south of Cortez, nestled between Mesa Verde National Park and Sleeping Ute Mountain. At the heart of this productive birding destination is Yucca House National Monument and the land expanding access known as the Karwick Parcel. Yucca House is an extensive ancestral Puebloan site with partially standing rock walls, kiva outlines, a natural historic spring, and native vegetation. The adjacent local airport and hay farms also provide great raptor opportunities. The entire area is a local birding hotspot and has been the location for many unusual sightings. It is one of the best local areas for Burrowing Owl, Northern Harrier, shrikes, Sandhill Crane, and uncommon sparrows, but expect to see a variety of local bird species that thrive in the interface of open fields and high desert vegetation. Under the management of Mesa Verde National Park, we are fortunate to have an NPS ranger/birder lead this tour for the first time. Moderate with 1-2 mile hike. Approximately 35 miles driving round trip.
Photo courtesy of Tim Reeves
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TOUR #5
RSL Ranch in Lost Canyon & the Lakes at Summit Ridge
6:45 am – 3:00 pm
Brenda Wright and Coen Dexter, Colorado Birding Atlas II
Lost Canyon lies tucked between Haycamp Mesa and the flat lowlands north of Mesa Verde. This riparian corridor, which served early ranchers and loggers as the historic route for a narrow-gauge railroad and the Galloping Goose, attracts passerines and flycatchers. The beautiful stands of ponderosa forest are home to Grace’s Warbler, nuthatches, woodpeckers and accipiters. Summit Lake State Wildlife Area and Puett Reservoir attract waterfowl and shorebirds. The willows and trees surrounding the lakes harbor warblers, sparrows, flycatchers, bluebirds and more. SWA pass required. Easy road and trail hiking. Approximately 75 miles driving round trip.
Photo courtesy of Carla Fox
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TOUR #6
Happy Valley Draw & Hawkins Preserve ½ Day
7:00 am – 11:30 am
Kristina Kline, Lead Biologist, SWCA Environmental Consultants
On the south edge of Cortez is public access via a gravel drive to an old wastewater treatment plant, a surprisingly pleasant and productive spot for birding. Orioles and finches can be found in the residential cottonwoods at the top of the drive; and there is PJ and rocky outcrops walking down the drive towards McElmo Creek where we might find wrens, gnatcatchers, or bushtits. The broad base of McElmo canyon at this location is a sagebrush and saltbush plain, with sparrows, finches, corvids, small to large raptors and vultures.The abandoned buildings and fences serve as perches for Say’s Phoebe and other flycatchers. There is a smattering of wetland, and the narrow riparian corridor along the creek might hold warblers, Black-headed & Blue Grosbeak, Lazuli Bunting, swallows, Yellow-breasted Chat and maybe other surprises. Moderate, up to 2 miles of walking. Approximately 4 miles driving round trip.
LECTURE
“Birding 101 Workshop”
4:30 pm – 5:30 pm
Erik Hendrickson, Engineer, National Park Service, Retired
Prior to the Birding 101 and 201 field trips, a birding workshop will be held in a classroom setting to go over some basic information about birding, especially how to look for birds, and where to go to find them. The two most essential items for birding are binoculars and a field guide. The workshop will include a brief discussion on binoculars, including how to focus and how to “get on” a bird. There will be a short discussion of how to use a guide in the field. Spend time learning about where and when to look for birds. We’ll spend as much time as possible reviewing photographs of bird families, and species found in Southwest Colorado.
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Birding Festival General Information
- The Ute Mountain Mesa Verde Birding Festival is the major fundraiser for the Cortez Cultural Center. All proceeds benefit the Center.
- All tours require pre-registration. We recommend that you read tour descriptions and plan which trips you want prior to the opening of registration.
- A registration fee is required for all tours. Full registration includes all daily tours. Daily registration includes a single tour. Full registration is required in order to qualify for the free early bird t-shirt.
- All lunches are an extra cost and are provided by Sifted Catering unless otherwise noted.
- Unless otherwise noted, tours will return to the Center at approximately 3:00 pm.
- Carpools/caravanning will be used for all tours. Drivers will be reimbursed for gas by passengers at the rate of 70 cents per mile, divided among all participants in the vehicle.
- Tour size is generally 13 or less.
- Tours take place in varied habitats with altitudes ranging from 5000 - 9500'.
- Most tours are rated Easy to Moderate. Easy is usually driving with short to no walking at each stop. Tours with a Moderate rating list the approximate number of miles. If miles aren't listed but it is rated Moderate, that would indicate somewhat strenuous for a short distance.
- Cancellations considered on a case-by-case basis up to 21 days prior to start of Festival. All cancellations are subject to a processing fee.
- Availability of restrooms depends on the tour. Nearly all guides scout out restroom locations as well as bird species. Some tours are in parks or other facilities that have established restrooms. Some have outhouses. Others, the only option are bushes. The leader will usually mention the restroom plan at the beginning of the tour.
- All tours depart from and return to the Cortez Cultural Center.
- Tour times listed are the DEPARTURE time. Please arrive 15 minutes prior.
For Birding Festival information email diane.cherbak@gmail.com
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