Trip Registration

This overnight trip has been created to take advantage of early morning birding on the Tamarack Ranch State Wildlife Area rather than trying to leave super early from the Denver area. A suitable location (to be determined) will be identified where we can rendezvous for carpooling on the first day. From the rendezvous location,we will do some birding at one or two hotspots on the way northeast (e.g., Brush SWA, Prewitt Reservoir, Messex SWA, Sterling Cemetery on Thursday, June 11th. We will overnight at a hotel in Sterling on June 11. On June 12 we will proceed early to the Tamarack Ranch SWA for an enjoyable morning of birding. The SWA is rather large so we will play it by ear as to what areas we will bird. The SWA is a riparian corridor adjacent to cultivated farm fields and wetlands in the lower reaches of the South Platte River floodplain. We will look for eastern species such as Baltimore Oriole, Red-headed and Red-bellied Woodpecker, Northern Cardinal, Yellow-billed Cuckoo, Great-crested Flycatcher, Bell's Vireo, Red-eyed Vireo, Eastern Bluebird, and Eastern Towhee, as well as other likely nesting species such as Yellow-breasted Chat, Orchard Oriole, Black-headed Grosbeak, Blue Grosbeak, Indigo and Lazuli Buntings. We will try for the Upland Sandpiper at a location close to the town of Crook. There should also be time to explore the environs of northeastern Colorado to try for any rarities that may show up nearby either before or during our trip. 

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. We could schedule another rendezvous northeast along I-76 like Hudson. Participants are responsible for securing their own overnight lodging in Sterlingm and for their own meals. The leader will be staying at the Holiday Inn Express & Suites - Sterling. DFO has a driver reimbursement policy of $0.50 per mile divided by the number of participants in the car. It is expected to be around 300 miles round trip from a north metro area rendezvous location (to be determined). This will mean about $40 per person in gas, at the driver's discretion, assuming four individuals per car. The trip difficulty is shown as strenuous due to the time in the car, and some of the rough (and potentially wet) trails on the SWA. Bathroom facilities are limited in and near the SWA. However, we can visit gas station convenience stores before spending extended hours at remote locations. The weather can be cooler in the mornings but warm to hot by the afternoon. Dress in layers and expect mosquitos and biting insects. Bring food, snacks and water for the times in the field. We will have dinner together on the first day in Sterling at an Italian restaurant and will likely be buying breakfast to go from a convenience store for an early start the next morning. We will have lunch at a Mexican restaurant in Brush on the way back toward Denver for those that are interested. Should you find that a conflict has arisen, please cancel as soon as possible so that others may have a chance to join. If you do not feel well, please be considerate to your fellow birders and remain at home.