Trip Registration

This two-night trip will target a visit to wonderful Cottonwood Canyon in far southeastern Colorado to try to find the Crissal Thrashers that have been present for some time. There is no guarantee the thrashers will still be there, but we will try, and Cottonwood Canyon is unique and a wonderful Colorado place to visit, not matter what. The plan is to rendezvous at the Lowe’s parking lot in Castle Rock on April 15th for carpooling. The current plan is for just two cars of four individuals each. However, if there is more interest, the leader is open to potentially increasing the trip to a third car or even perhaps meeting another car of birders coming from another direction. If the latter, we will schedule a second rendezvous someplace to be determined. 

On April 15 we will drive to La Junta, where we will spend two nights in a hotel. Participants are responsible for securing their own overnight lodging and all meals. The leaders will stay at the La Junta Holiday Inn Express.  We will bird along the way down, visiting some reservoirs for shorebirds and other water birds in Crowley and Otero counties. On April 16 we will make an early start and travel southeast to Cottonwood Canyon in Las Animas and Baca counties. Our trip timing is early for many migrant landbirds so it is unclear exactly what we may find. In addition to our target Crissal Thrasher at Cottonwood Canyon (fingers crossed), we may also see Greater Roadrunner, Long-billed Curlew, Golden Eagle, Swainson’s Hawk, Ladderback Woodpecker, Chihuahuan Raven, Eastern Phoebe, Bewick’s Wren, and Rufous-crowned Sparrow, and maybe early migrant Summer Tanager or Lazuli Bunting. On April 17 we will  take advantage of the hotel breakfast and then bird our way back toward Castle Rock and Denver, visiting birding hotspots in Otero, Crowley and maybe Bent counties, and probably seing some of the specialties listed above, plus shorebirds, swallows and more. 

We will follow DFO's recommended driver reimbursement policy of $0.50 per mile divided by the number of people in the car. It is expected to be around 450 miles round trip from Castle Rock. Riders should be prepared to reimburse drivers about $60 per person, assuming four individuals per car. The trip difficulty is rated strenuous due to long drives, three days of birding, and some walking on rough terrain. Bathroom facilities will be limited at times, especially on April 16. However, we will try to visit visit gas station convenience store restrooms or places with vault toilets before spending extended hours at remote locations. The weather at this time will likely be rather chilly in the morning with some warming as the sun comes up (assuming we have decent weather). Dress in layers and be sure to bring a hat, gloves, and sunscreen. Bring the food, snacks and water you will need for our times traveling and in the field. We will have dinner together both nights in restaurants in La Junta. An early start on April 16 will require breakfast on the go instead of at the hotel that morning. If any participants are feeling ill just before the trip please cancel for the well being of everyone.