We are excited about the 2025 Birding Festival! Save these dates:
May 7 - May 11, 2025
For an idea of the tours, lectures and bird sightings available, take a quick tour through our 2024 events.
Local Birding Hotspots
Click map to view larger image
To get to Denny Lake Park:
- Go one block south on Market St. from the Cortez Cultural Center and turn left (east) on Main St. Go 2.2 miles east on Main St. (US Hwy 160) to the entrance to Denny Lake Park on your right (south side of US Hwy 160).
To get to Totten Reservoir:
- Go one block south on Market St from the Cortez Cultural Center and turn left (east) on Main St. Go 3.3 miles east on Main St. (US Hwy 160) and turn left (north) onto County Road 29. Go 0.8 miles north on County Road 29 to the entrance to Totten Lake State Wildlife Area on your left (west side of County Road 29).
To get to Geer Natural Area:
- Go one block south on Market St. from the Cortez Cultural Center and turn left (east) on Main St. Go 0.7 miles east on Main St. (US Hwy 160) and turn left (north) onto Mildred Rd. Go 1.5 miles north on Mildred Rd. and turn left (west) onto County Road L. Go 0.5 miles west on County Road L to the entrance to Geer Natural Area on your left (south side of County Road L). Walk to Industrial Park Pond on trails in Geer Natural Area.
To get to Hawkins Preserve:
- Go 0.5 miles south on Market St. and turn right (west) onto West 7th St. Go 0.3 miles west on West 7th St. and turn left (south) onto South Oak St. Go south on South Oak St. 0.4 miles and turn right (west) onto Verde Vu Dr. Go 700 feet west on Verde Vu Dr. to the entrance to Hawkins Preserve on your left.
To get to Dolores Sewer Ponds (not shown):
- Go one block south on Market St. from the Cortez Cultural Center and turn left (east) on Main St. Go 1.9 miles east on Main St. (US Hwy 160) and turn left (north) onto CO 145. Go 9.4 miles north on CO 145. Just past the Dolores Fire Station, turn left onto B St. Turn left on the dirt road to the sewer ponds and McPhee Reservoir.
To get to Narraguinnep Reservoir (not shown):
- Go one block south on Market St. from the Cortez Cultural Center and turn right (west) on Main St. Go two blocks and follow signs for US Hwy 491 North (veering right). Go 7.6 miles north on US Hwy 491. Turn right (east) onto County Road S, then take an immediate turn left (north) onto County Road 22. Go 2.7 miles north on County Road 22 to CO 184. Turn right (east) on CO 184. Go .7 miles to the entrance to Narraguinnep Reservoir State Wildlife Area on your left (north side of US Hwy 184).
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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.
- A registration fee is required for all tours except as noted. Full registration includes keynote banquet and all lectures. Daily registration includes that day's lectures. Full registration is required in order to qualify for the free early bird t-shirt.
- 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 GSA rate of 66 cents per mile, divided among all participants in the vehicle.
- Tour size is generally 13 or less.
- Cancellations considered on a case-by-case basis up to 21 days prior to start of Festival. All cancellations 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. Usually, the leader will 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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