Trip Registration

DFO goes southwest this May with David Suddjian on a birding tour of nine counties in our state’s spectacular southwest region. We will target the final four counties DFO has never visited on a field trip: Mineral, Archuleta, Dolores, and San Juan counties. Southwest Colorado has iconic mountain and mesa landscapes, wonderful forests, and a rich variety of migrants and nesting birds. This tour will be designed to visit key locations in each county and to look for birds in a variety of settings. We will seek specialties like Lucy’s and Grace’s Warblers, Scott’s Oriole, Black-throated and Sagebrush sparrows, Gray Vireo, Gambel’s Quail, Lewis’s Woodpecker, Flammulated Owl, Purple Martin, and a wide array of other migrants.

Day 1: May 19. Depart the Denver area early. Birding in Mineral and Archuleta counties, visiting areas near Wolf Creek Pass and Pagosa Springs. Birds of mountain forest and alpine settings, as well as majestic Ponderosa pines and lakes. Overnight at Durango at Comfort Inn & Suites Durango (455 South Camino Del Rio, Durango, CO 81303).

Day 2: May 20. Birding in La Plata County in the Durango area and up into the San Juan Mountains. Overnight at Cortez at Quality Inn near Mesa Verde (1120 East Main, Building A, Cortez, CO 81321).

Day 3: May 21. Birding in Montezuma County near Cortez in the mesa and canyonlands, and into the San Juan Mountains. Overnight at Cortez at Quality Inn near Mesa Verde.

Day 4: May 22. Birding in Dolores County in the Dolores River watershed, near Dove Creek, and up into the San Juan Mountains for wonderful forests. Overnight at Cortez at Quality Inn near Mesa Verde.

Day 5: May 23. Depart Cortez to head over the San Juan Mountains. Birding in San Juan and Ouray counties. High mountain birding and down much lower along the Uncompaghre River at Ridgeway State Park. Overnight at Montrose at Quality Inn & Suites Montrose - Black Canyon (2751 Commercial Way, Montrose, CO 81401).

Day 6: May 24. Depart Montrose For Denver. Birding in Mesa County near Grand Junction at the Colorado National Monument looking for Gray Vireo, Black-throated Sparrow and Gambel’s Quail.

A full listing of species and detailed itinerary and birding plan will be provided.

We will have full days of birding, and long drives on the first and last days. We will try one optional evening owling effort. Plan for a variety of weather, including possible high tempoeratures some days. Walking distances will probably not exceed 2-3 miles per day; some may be on on trails and in hilly terrain. We will try to take advantage of hotel breakfasts, but lunch will be out in the field. We will have a group dinner each evening at a local restaurant, no doubt enjoying some good Mexican food some days. This trip is limited to 12 participants (including the leader). 

All participants will be carpooling in three cars, belonging to participants as determined in advance; they will serve as the principal drivers. Note: we will refrain from eating in the cars, and take advantage of opportunities outside the vehicles to snack and eat. 

Participants will be responsible for paying for their lodging and food. A $250.00 trip fee will cover transportation expenses for the trip (following the DFO mileage rate), and help defray the leader's expenses for transportation and meals. Any funds not needed for these expenses will be returned to the trip's participants after the trip. A deposit of $100 is due by March 19, and may be refunded if registration is canceled before April 19. The remaining $150 is due by April 19, and the trip fee is not refundable after Aprl 19. 

As noted above, we will be staying at the Comfort Inn & Suites in Durango, the Quality Inn near Mesa Verde at Cortez, and the Quality Inn & Suites at Montrose-Black Canyon. Participants are advised to make reservations at these hotels as soon as possible. Book directly through choicehotels.com