10/16/2022
- 10/18/2022 6:00 AM - 7:00 PM
Leader:
David Suddjian dsuddjian@gmail.com or 831-713-8659
Trip Difficulty: Strenuous
Directions
See trip description for meeting instructions
This trip is limited to the first 11 registrations.
This is a 3-day birding trip Oct 16-18 focused on birding in Mesa and Delta Counties, and with birding expected in Eagle, Garfield, and Pitkin counties, too. DFO has never visited Delta County on a field trip, and only rarely these other western Counties. We will look for a wide variety of water bird species, and a variety of land birds typical of the western Colorado region and season. Late October is a good time for something unusual or less common at one of the reservoirs we will visit, or at a feeder. Some western species like Gambel's Quail and Chukar and a few others are possible. We will overnight in hotels in Grand Junction and Delta. The itinerary is being developed but presently is planned like this (details will change and develop):
* Day 1: Depart Denver area early and proceed out I-70, birding at a few stops in Eagle and Garfield Counties as we work west. Possible stops could be hotspots such as the Gypsum Ponds and Silt Island Park. We will seek to bird Vega SP in the afternoon, and reach Grand Junction by the end of the day. Overnight at Grand Junction.
* Day 2. We will bird good fall hotspots in Mesa County probably including Highline Lake, Horsetheif Canyon and Connected Lakes, and move south into Delta County for some birding there, perhaps including Confluence Park. Overnight at Delta.
* Day 3. We will bird in Delta County including Fruitgrowers Reservoir and other spots between Delta and Paonia, Fruitgrowers should have some Sandhill Cranes, and is under-birded in the fall. We will conclude heading through Pitkin County and returning to Denver area via I-70 from Glenwood Springs.
These will be adventurous, full birding days, with some long drives. Expect walks of up to a mile at a few places, but mostly shorter walks at each birding place. We hope for nice fall weather, but storm forecasts could lead to trip cancelation. We will carpool with 3 cars as a goal. Riders share in the driving expenses. DFO's recommended .50/mile divided by the number of people in the car can be a guide, but for longer trips it is expected drivers and riders will make suitable reimbursement arrangements as seem appropriate. This trip will travel about 500 miles in total. Participants are responsible for their own food and hotel lodging. We can plan for a group meal at a restaurant together each evening for those who would like to join. Register online or contact the leader.