The Annual Ute Mountain Mesa Verde Birding Festival Provides A Popular Venue For Visiting Southwestern Colorado During The Second Weekend In May. Nestled Between Alpine And Mesa Forests And Scenic Desert Canyons, The Four Corner's Intriguingly Diverse Landscapes, And Mild Climate, Have Drawn People To The Region For Generations. Ancestral Pueblo Farmers Dwelled In Places Now Known As Mesa Verde, Hovenweep, And Canyon Of The Ancients. Today's Meadows, Pastures, Cultivated Fields, Historic Orchards, Stock Ponds And Reservoirs Establish Habitat For A Wide-Spectrum Of Migratory And Resident Birds. Some Species, Such As Lucy's Warbler, Are Found No Place Else In Colorado.

Hosted By The Cortez Cultural Center, The Ummv Birding Festival Draws Upon The Expertise Of Regional Wildlife Specialists Who Volunteer As Tour Guides And Guest Lecturers. Each Year New Tours, And Repeat Favorites, Explore An Array Of Birding Hotspots That Attract Avian Species From Loons And Grebes To Sparrows, Grosbeaks, And Finches. Overnight Tours Within Easy Driving Distance Offer Different Environs And The Prospect Of Encountering Species Not Found Within The Cortez Area.

Southwest Colorado's First Birding Records Date To The 1880s. Tours That Combine Birding With Regional Archaeology, Ecology, And History Take Ummv Birders Into The Realms Of Gulls, Shorebirds, Waterfowl, Osprey, Peregrine Falcon, Bald And Golden Eagles, Elusive Owls, Woodpeckers, Flycatchers And Phoebes, American Dipper, Towhees, Crossbills, And Colorful Bluebirds, Tanagers, And Warblers. The Festival's Birding Tally Has Climbed To 180 Species.

The Ummv Birding Festival Designs Activities And Tours To Fit A Gamut Of Abilities, Ages, And Interests. Early Evening Lectures, Social Hours, A Bird-Themed Art Show, And Banquet Add To The Festival's Five Days Of Enjoyment — Learning, Socializing, And Most Importantly Birding.

Schedule Of Events:

May 7, 2025

Festival Check-In, Cortez Cultural Center Gallery
12:00 Pm – 7:00 Pm
Full Registration Fee & Banquet $85
Daily Registration Fee $15
Banquet Only Fee  $55
Lectures Included With Each Day's Registration,
Otherwise $5 At Door

Tour 1
Falcons And Eagles And Owls…Oh My! 1
Tyler Lausten, Wildlife Photographer; Carolyn Gunn, Veterinarian, Retired

2:00 Pm – 8:30 Pm; $50
The Ever-Popular Raptor Tour Within The Cortez Area Has Expanded To Incorporate Early Evening Hours. Species Could Include Bald And Golden Eagles, Osprey, Turkey Vulture, Northern Harrier, Red-Tailed Hawk, American Kestrel, Great-Horned Owl, And Barn Owl. Some Of These Species Might Be Observed On Or Near Their Nests. Peregrine Falcon, Cooper's Hawk And Sharp-Shinned Hawk Are Other Raptor Possibilities. Easy. Box Dinner By Holly Provided. Approximately 65 Miles Round Trip.
A Raptor Seen During The Birding Festival
Photo Courtesy Of Diane Cherbak

Tour 2
Falcons And Eagles And Owls…Oh My! 2
Kurt Hillman, Geological Engineer, Retired/Span>

2:15 Pm – 8:30 Pm; $50
The Ever-Popular Raptor Tour Within The Cortez Area Has Expanded To Incorporate Early Evening Hours. Species Could Include Bald And Golden Eagles, Osprey, Turkey Vulture, Northern Harrier, Red-Tailed Hawk, American Kestrel, Great-Horned Owl And Barn Owl. Some Of These Species Might Be Observed On Or Near Their Nests. Peregrine Falcon, Cooper's Hawk And Sharp-Shinned Hawk Are Other Raptor Possibilities. Easy. Box Dinner By Holly Provided. Approximately 65 Miles Round Trip.
Birds And Bites Welcome Reception
5:00 Pm – 7:00 Pm, Cortez Cultural Center Gallery
Join Fellow Bird Enthusiasts During The Ummv Birding Festival's Welcome Reception. Enjoy Beer, Wine, Coffee Bar, Appetizers And The Bird Art Exhibit.
 
Lecture
"Nature's Educators Live Raptor Presentation"

5:30 Pm – 6:30 Pm; $5
Join Nature's Educators To Meet And Learn About 4 Live Native Raptor Ambassadors! Find Out What Their Personal Stories Are, What They Eat, Special Adaptations And Identification Tips, And How We Can Help Conserve These Incredible Predators In The Wild. Be Sure To Bring Your Inquiring Mind And Camera!

May 8, 2025

Tour 3
Mancos River In Mesa Verde National Park
Paul Morey, Chief Of Natural Resources, Mesa Verde National Park

6:00 Am – 3:00 Pm; $55
Explore This Secluded, Pristine Terrain Along The Mancos River With Mesa Verde's Wildlife Biologist. Besides Learning The History Of This Part Of Mvnp, Discuss Future Restoration And Management Of The Area. Travel Mostly Off-Trail On Flat To Uneven Terrain Through Grass, Big Sage & Juniper Uplands And Riparian Areas Dominated By Willow And Cottonwoods. Past Species: Wild Turkey, Raptors, Flycatchers, Swallows, Black-Chinned & Broad-Tailed Hummingbirds, Plumbeous Vireo, Yellow-Breasted Chat, Yellow-Rumped & Black-Throated Gray Warblers And Lazuli Bunting. Moderate Hike, Up To Three Miles Round Trip. Lunch Provided. Approximately 55 Miles Round Trip.
Black Phoebe, Photo By Carla Fox
Photo Courtesy Of Carla Fox

Tour 4
Bradfield Bridge
Linda Raczek, Biologist, Retired

6:15 Am – 3:00 Pm; $55
Situated On The Dolores River In A Migratory Corridor Below Mcphee Dam, The Bradfield Bridge Area Offers River Habitats That Entice A Broad Array Of Species Including Black Phoebe, Peregrine Falcon, White-Throated Swifts, Yellow-Breasted Chat, Canyon Wren, Lazuli Bunting, Wild Turkey And Belted Kingfisher. Swallows, Warblers, Raptors, Woodpeckers, Waterfowl And Shorebirds Add To The Mix. The Scenic Sandstone Canyon May Even Offer A Sighting Of River Otters. Tours Within This Region Historically Have Brought Some Of The Ummv Birding Festival's Highest Species Tallies. Swa Pass Included. Easy. Lunch Provided. Easy. Lunch Provided. Approximately 60 Miles Round Trip.

Tour 5
Middle Mcelmo Creek Corridor
Diane Cherbak, Citizen Scientist And Festival Chairman, Ummv Birding Festival

6:30 Am – 3:00 Pm; $55
Perennial Mcelmo Creek Courses Often Overlooked Prime Birding Areas Near The Heart Of Cortez. A Meandering Stream, Oxbow Ponds, Wetlands, Clay Bank Gullies, Arroyos And A Narrow Floodplain Offer Diverse Habitats For Raptors, Owls, Killdeer, Mourning Dove, Greater Roadrunner, Bullock's Oriole, Wilson's Snipe, Black Phoebe, Lazuli Bunting, Bluebirds, Jays, Swallows, Wrens, Warblers And Sparrows. Easy With Some Hiking. Lunch Provided. Approximately 30 Miles Round Trip/
Black-Backed Gull, Photo By Tim Reeves
Photo Courtesy Of Tim Reeves

Revised
Tour 6
Where There Is Water: Simon Draw And Totten Reservoir
Erik Hendrickson, Engineer, National Park Service, Retired

6:45 Am – 3:00 Pm; $55
We'll Start Our Day At Simon Draw Wildlife Area, Approximately 120 Acres Managed By The Bureau Of Reclamation With Constructed Wetlands Surrounded By Ag Fields, Sagebrush, And A Smattering Of Pinyon-Juniper Woodland.  Simon Draw Is Normally Closed In Spring For Waterfowl Nesting, But The Ummv Birding Festival Has Special Permission To Visit And Help Document Birds We Find.  The Wetlands Attract Ducks, Possible Migrating Shorebirds, Rails, Herons, And Blackbirds; Sparrows, Orioles, Swallows, Warblers And Maybe Sage Thrasher Or Shrikes Are Found In The Scrub Surrounding The Constructed Ponds. Bald Eagles And Other Raptors Nest At Simon Draw.  Totten Reservoir Is One Of The Best Places To Bird In Montezuma County (Ebird Hotspot 1). Constructed In 1907, Totten Holds Some Of The Oldest Bird Records In The County. Look For Ducks, Grebes, Herons, Ibis And Marsh Birds Such As Yellow-Headed Blackbird And Sora.  After Lunch At Totten Reservoir, We'll Pass Through Cortez On Our Way To A Nearby Birding Hotspot To Be Decided By The Group: Probably Mcphee Or Summit Reservoir, Depending On What Birds Have Been Seen Recently.  Anywhere There Is Water, We're Likely To Find Birds. Swa Pass Included. Easy. Lunch Provided. Approximately 30 Miles Round Trip.
A Blue Grosbeak Spotted At The Birding Festival, Photo By Carla Fox
Photo Courtesy Of Carla Fox

Tour 7
Happy Valley Draw & Hawkins Preserve ½ Day
Eric Moore, Owner, The Lookout, Prescott, Az

7:00 Am – 11:30 Am; $30
On The South Edge Of Cortez Is Public Access Via A Gravel Drive To An Old Wastewater Treatment Plant, A Surprisingly Pleasant And Productive Spot For Birding. Orioles And Finches Can Be Found In The Residential Cottonwoods At The Top Of The Drive; And There Is Pj And Rocky Outcrops Walking Down The Drive Towards Mcelmo Creek Where We Might Find Wrens, Gnatcatchers, Or Bushtits. The Broad Base Of Mcelmo Canyon At This Location Is A Sagebrush And Saltbush Plain, With Sparrows, Finches, Corvids, Small To Large Raptors And Vultures. The Abandoned Buildings And Fences Serve As Perches For Say's Phoebe And Other Flycatchers. There Is A Smattering Of Wetland, And The Narrow Riparian Corridor Along The Creek Might Hold Warblers, Black-Headed & Blue Grosbeak, Lazuli Bunting, Swallows, Yellow-Breasted Chat And Maybe Other Surprises. Moderate, Up To Two Miles Walking. Approximately 4 Miles Round Trip.
 
Lecture
"Raptor Id"
Dr. Catherine P. Ortega, President, Durango Bird Club

5:30 Pm – 6:30 Pm; Free
Do You Ever Wonder How Someone Identifies Raptors From Inside A Car Going 60 Mph? You Can Do It Too. Catherine Ortega Will Show You Some Quick And Dirty Tricks That Will Allow You To Identify Raptors, Either Perched Or In Flight. An Occasional Raptor Gets Away Before You Can Confidently Identify It, And Some Raptors Just Seem To Defy Identification. There Is No Shame In This; The 5% Mystery Birds That Get Away Keep Raptor Identification Challenging And Fun.

May 9, 2025

Tour 8
Upper Dolores River And Twin Spruce Ponds State Wildlife Area
Ryan Votta, Asst. Manager, Durango Fish Hatchery, Colorado Parks & Wildlife

5:45 Am – 3:00 Pm; $55
This Tour Will Begin With Quick Stops At Narraguinnep And Mcphee Reservoirs Which Are En Route To The Town Of Dolores. We Will Use Our Scopes To Scan For Waterfowl, Shorebirds, Gulls, And Grebes. Moving On To Dolores, We Will Spend About An Hour At One Of The Best Places To Bird In Montezuma County, The Dolores Ponds Ebird Hotspot. The Diverse Habitat At This Location Offers Riparian Areas Where The Dolores River Enters Mcphee Reservoir, Pinyon-Juniper, Red-Rock Cliffs, And A Series Of Shallow Ponds. We Will Listen For Singing Canyon Wrens, And Hope To Spot Interesting Species Like Peregrine Falcon, Black-Throated Gray Warbler, And Cliff Swallow. From Here We'll Follow Hwy 145 Along The Scenic Dolores River Making Several Stops On Our Way. Lunch At Twin Spruce Ponds Swa Where We'll Look For Spotted Sandpiper, Orange-Crowned Warbler, And Steller's Jay. We Will Finish The Tour At The Rio Lado Wetlands Hoping To Encounter American Dipper, Fox Sparrow, And Macgillivray's Warbler. Swa Pass Included. Moderate Amount Of Walking, With About 7-8 Stops Throughout The Day. Lunch Provided. Approximately 95 Miles Round Trip.
Birding Friends, Lower Yellow Jacket Canyon, Photo By Erik Hendrickson
Photo Courtesy Of Erik Hendrickson

Tour 9
Ponderosa: Old & New
Don Marsh, Senior Systems Analyst, Retired And Ebird Reviewer

6:00 Am – 3:00 Pm; $55
This Tour Focuses On The Vast Ponderosa Forest Habitat Located North Of The Town Of Dolores. First Exploring A Healthy Ponderosa Forest, Then A Rare Remnant Of Old Growth Ponderosa, And Finally A Lakeshore Nearby Will No Doubt Produce A High-Species Day Of Birding! The Boggy Draw Area Is A Great Place To See Red Crossbill, Red-Naped Sapsucker, White-Breasted-, Pygmy- And Red-Breasted Nuthatches, Dusky Flycatcher, Even The Occasional Sora In The Small Pond/Marsh Area. Farther North, The Group Will Visit Mcphee Park, A Dedicated Remnant Of Old-Growth Ponderosa From Pre-Lumbering Days. This Pocket Of Massive Trees Has The Feel Of A Redwood Grove, Harboring Many Cavity Nesters—Swallows, Wrens, Bluebirds—As Well As Less Common Williamson's Sapsucker And Grace's Warbler, And Other Species In The Oak Underbrush, Such As Green-Tailed Towhee. In Both Areas, Keep An Eye Out For Raptors, Such As Accipiters And Owls. The Final Destination Will Be House Creek Campground, Which Is Located On Mcphee Reservoir, And Offers A Chance To See Sparrows, Migrants, Shorebirds, And Waterfowl. Basic Restrooms Available At Two Of The Locations. Hiking At Each Location Is More Of A "Stroll", Easy To Moderate But Up To 2 Miles Total. Lunch Provided. Approximately 60 Miles Round Trip.
Bradfield Bridge Tour At The Birding Festival, Photo By Linda Raczek
Photo Courtesy Of Linda Raczek

Tour 10
Montezuma Land Conservancy

Rsl Ranch In Lost Canyon And The Lakes At Summit Ridge
John Bregar, Oil & Gas Geologist/Geophysicist, Retired

6:15 Am – 3:00 Pm; $55
Lost Canyon Lies Tucked Between Haycamp Mesa And The Flat Lowlands North Of Mesa Verde. This Riparian Corridor, Which Served Early Ranchers And Loggers As The Historic Route For A Narrow-Gauge Railroad And The Galloping Goose, Attracts Passerines And Flycatchers. The Beautiful Stands Of Ponderosa Forest Are Home To Grace's Warbler, Nuthatches, Woodpeckers And Accipiters. Summit Lake State Wildlife Area And Puett Reservoir Attract Waterfowl And Shorebirds. The Willows And Trees Surrounding The Lakes Harbor Warblers, Sparrows, Flycatchers, Bluebirds And More. Swa Pass Included. Easy Road And Trail Hiking. Lunch Provided. Approximately 75 Miles Round Trip.
 
Tour 11
Among The Ancients
Stephen Tarnowski, Montezuma County Birder

6:30 Am – 3:00 Pm; $55
High Desert And Sage Landscapes Surrounding Remnants Of Ancient Dwellings Offer Bird-Rich Habitats. Open Fields Around Lowry Pueblo Are Ideal For Spotting Buteos, Eagles, Falcons, Horned Lark And Bluebirds. Intermittent Pinyon-Juniper And Cottonwood Stands, And Rocky Side-Canyons Entice Say's Phoebe, Gray Vireo, Woodpeckers, Titmice, Wrens, Flycatchers, Warblers, Towhees, Black-Throated, Vesper, Lincoln's & White-Crowned Sparrows And Perhaps A Loggerhead Shrike Or Cassin's Kingbird. Stop At A Private Ranch With Riparian And Pinyon-Juniper Habitats. Easy. Lunch Provided. Approximately 75 Miles Round Trip.

Tour 12
Happy Valley Draw & Hawkins Preserve ½ Day
David Faulkner, Natural Resource Biologist, Retired

6:45 Am – 11:30 Am; $30
On The South Edge Of Cortez Is Public Access Via A Gravel Drive To An Old Wastewater Treatment Plant, A Surprisingly Pleasant And Productive Spot For Birding. Orioles And Finches Can Be Found In The Residential Cottonwoods At The Top Of The Drive; And There Is Pj And Rocky Outcrops Walking Down The Drive Towards Mcelmo Creek Where We Might Find Wrens, Gnatcatchers, Or Bushtits. The Broad Base Of Mcelmo Canyon At This Location Is A Sagebrush And Saltbush Plain, With Sparrows, Finches, Corvids, Small To Large Raptors And Vultures. The Abandoned Buildings And Fences Serve As Perches For Say's Phoebe And Other Flycatchers. There Is A Smattering Of Wetland, And The Narrow Riparian Corridor Along The Creek Might Hold Warblers, Black-Headed & Blue Grosbeak, Lazuli Bunting, Swallows, Yellow-Breasted Chat And Maybe Other Surprises. Moderate, Up To Two Miles Walking. Approximately 4 Miles Round Trip.
Numerous Small Birds Are Spotted At The Birding Festival. Photo By Diane Cherbak.
Photo Courtesy Of Diane Cherbak

Tour 13
Denny Lake & Totten Reservoir ½ Day
Eric Moore, Owner, The Lookout, Prescott, Az

7:00 Am – 11:30 Am; $30
Some Of The Best Birding Around Cortez Is Close To Home. Denny Lake Is Within City Boundaries, And Totten Reservoir Is Just Outside. City Parks Have Always Been Ideal Places To Look For Birds. At An Age When They Couldn't Afford Binoculars, Roger Tory Peterson And His Friends Famously Climbed Trees In New York City's Central Park Before Dawn In Order To Be In Position To See Migrating Songbirds. Ken Kauffman Once Described The Ideal Birding Hotspot As Having A Mix Of Dry Uplands, Wetlands, A Body Of Water, Trees, Shrubs, And Fields With A Wide Walking Path (All Features Which Attract Birds, Except The Path, Which Is Just Nice For Birders), And Denny Lake Park Has All Of These. Totten Reservoir, Which Dates To 1907, Has The Record For Most Species Of Birds Observed In Montezuma County In The Ebird Database, With 236 Species. Denny Lake Isn't Far Behind, With 196 Species. Both Denny And Totten Attract Birds All Year Round, But They Are Especially Productive In Spring. They Are Just Nice Places To Go And Close To Town With Lots Of Fun Birds To See. Swa Pass Included. Easy. Approximately 4 Miles Round Trip.
Black-Capped Chickadee, Photo By Diane Cherbak
Photo Courtesy Of Diane Cherbak
Lecture
"Birding 101 Workshop"
Erik Hendrickson, Engineer, National Park Service, Retired

3:30 Pm – 4:30 Pm; Free
Prior To The Birding 101 And 201 Field Trips, A Birding Workshop Will Be Held In A Classroom Setting To Go Over Some Basic Information About Birding, Especially How To Look For Birds, And Where To Go To Find Them. The Two Most Essential Items For Birding Are Binoculars And A Field Guide. The Workshop Will Include A Discussion On Binoculars; Including How To Focus, How To "Get On" A Bird, And What Kinds Of Binoculars Are Available. Review The Many Field Guides Available, Discuss Their Different Features, Strengths And Weaknesses, And How To Use A Guide In The Field. Spend Time Learning About Where And When To Look For Birds, Focusing On Birding Hotspots In Southwest Colorado, And Touching On Places Famous For Birds But Further Away. Learn When To Look For Birds:  Yes – It's Best To Get Up Really Early In The Morning, But There Are Birds Every Time Of Day. Learn About Which Seasons Are Best (With Lots Of Emphasis On Spring And Fall Migration). The Workshop Will Talk About Other Resources For Birders:  Apps For Smartphones, Books, Magazines, Websites, And Birding Organizations. Learn A Little About The Science Of Birds (Ornithology) And How It's Related To Birding (Some…), And Really Emphasize How To Make Birding Enjoyable For Everyone, However They Want To Look For Birds.

May 10, 2025

Tour 14
Ebirding On Global Big Day
Ryan Votta, Asst. Manager, Durango Fish Hatchery, Colorado Parks & Wildlife

5:30 Am – 3:00 Pm; $55
Are You Interested In Learning About Ebird? Would You Like To See Upwards Of 75 Species On A Single Tour? If Yes, Then Help Us Celebrate Ebird's Global Big Day And World Migratory Bird Day, By Signing Up For This New Tour. We Will Spend Our Day Exploring Several Of Montezuma County's Top Birding Hotspots. We Will Cover A Wide Variety Of Habitats In Search Of Specific Target Birds At Each Location. During The Day We Will Also Learn About Ebird And Its Functionality. This Tour Will Travel From Dry Pinyon-Juniper Terrain (Bewick's Wren, Juniper Titmouse, Ash-Throated Flycatcher), To Riparian Migrant Traps (Bullock's Oriole, Black-Headed Grosbeak, Migratory Warblers), Covering Local Lakes And Reservoirs (Waterfowl, Shorebirds, Grebes, Gulls), And All The Way Up To Almost 9,000 Feet Elevation (Broad-Tailed Hummingbird, Green-Tailed Towhee, Red-Naped Sapsucker). This Will Be A Moderate To Fast-Paced Tour That Covers Quite A Bit Of Ground. Our Goals For The Day Are To Learn About Ebird, Observe As Many Species As Possible, And Enjoy Our Time Out In Nature. Easy To Moderate With Some Hiking At Elevation. Lunch Provided. Approximately 75 Miles Round Trip.
Only 2 Spaces Remaining!
Returning
Tour 15
Yellow Jacket Cyn & Cannonball Mesa
John Bregar, Oil & Gas Geologist/Geophysicist, Retired; Amanda White, Biologist, Vice-President Durango Bird Club

5:45 Am – 3:00 Pm; $55
We Are Returning This Year To One Of Our Original And Most Requested Tours. A Hike Into Yellow Jacket Canyon, Where The First Breeding Pair Of Lucy's Warbler In The County Was Observed. As We Like To Joke, It Is "Not For The Faint Of Heart", Since It Requires A Hike In And Out Once Vehicles Reach The Most Rugged Part Of The Dirt Track. In Reality, The Hike In Is A Pleasant Mile And A Half, But Fair Warning, The Hike Out Can Be Hot And Buggy. Totally Worth It. This Riparian Corridor Is An Astonishing And Rich Juxtaposition Of Arid Canyon Walls, Big Cottonwoods And Box Elders. In Addition To Hopefully Seeing The Population Of Lucy's Warbler And Their Unique Nesting Holes, It Is Also Possible To See Summer And Western Tanager, Bullock's Oriole, Song Sparrow, Wilson's, Mcgillivray's And Yellow Warbler, Canyon And Rock Wren And Gambel's Quail. If Time Allows, A Side Trip Up Cannonball Mesa On The Way Out Can Be A Chance To See Wild Horses, Horned Lark, Black-Throated Sparrow And Raptors. Rated Moderate To Difficult With Three-Mile Hike; Warm Temps Likely (80s). High Clearance Vehicle Advised. Lunch Provided. Approximately 80 Miles Round Trip.
Western Tanager, Seen At The Birding Festival, Photo By Diane Cherbak
Photo Courtesy Of Diane Cherbak

Tour 16
Mesa Verde National Park
John Cahill, Education Park Ranger, Mesa Verde National Park

6:00 Am – 3:00 Pm; $55
Explore A Variety Of Birding Locales In This World-Famous National Park, Well Known For Archaeological Sites And Varied Pristine Habitats. Possible Sightings Include Accipiters, Peregrine Falcon, Downy Woodpecker, Virginia's & Black-Throated Gray Warblers, Juniper Titmouse, Ash-Throated & Dusky Flycatchers, Western Tanager, Western Wood-Pewee, Lazuli Bunting, Green-Tailed & Spotted Towhees, Rock & Bewick's Wrens, Clark's Nutcracker, Red-Breasted Nuthatch, Swifts And Hummingbirds. Easy To Moderate. Lunch Provided. Approximately 75 Miles Round Trip.

Tour 17
Montezuma Land Conservancy

Birding Echo Basin
Steve And Emilee Tarnowski, Montezuma County Birders

6:15 Am – 3:00 Pm; $55
Bird Scenic Echo Basin And Up To Higher Altitudes. With A Broad Habitat Diversity Of Gently Rolling Hills, Meadows, Ponderosa Pine Forest, Spruce/Fir Forest, Riparian Areas And A Significant Pond, Sightings Might Include Waterfowl, Bald Eagle, Osprey, Red-Naped Sapsucker, Lewis's Woodpecker, Purple Martin, Olive-Sided Flycatcher, Warblers, Vireos, Bluebirds, Jays, Nuthatches And Swallows. Bird On Private Historic Reddert Ranch & R121 Ranch Properties. Weather Permitting, Explore The Jersey Jim Fire Lookout And Transfer Park. Easy To Moderate With Some Hiking. Lunch Provided. Approximately 50 Miles Round Trip.
Birders At The Birding Festival, Photo By Diane Cherbak
Photo Courtesy Of Diane Cherbak

Tour 18
Ute Mountain Tribal Park
Don Marsh, Senior Systems Analyst, Retired And Ebird Reviewer

6:30 Am – 3:00 Pm; $80
Combine Birding With Experiencing Mancos Canyon's Archaeological Sites. Saltbush And Sage Bottomlands Invite Sage Thrasher, Burrowing Owl, Scaled & Gambel's Quails And Lark, Sage & Black-Throated Sparrows. Willows And Cottonwoods Along The Streambed Attract Yellow-Breasted Chat, Tanagers, Warblers, Indigo & Lazuli Buntings And Blue Grosbeaks. Glyph-Inscribed Cliffs Provide Habitat For Raptors, Swifts, Wrens And Owls. Bridges May Harbor Nesting Black Phoebes. Vireos And Flycatchers Also Frequent The Pinyon-Juniper Uplands. Easy. Lunch While Overlooking Ancient Cliff Dwellings. Tour Fee Includes Park Entrance And A Tip For The Ute Tribal Guide. Approximately 50 Miles Round Trip.
Having Lunch At The Birding Festival
Photo Courtesy Of Diane Cherbak

Tour 19
Carpenter & Geer Natural Areas ½ Day
Eric Moore, Owner, The Lookout, Prescott, Az

6:45 Am – 11:30 Am; $30
Located At The North Edge Of Cortez, Geer Park's Year-Round Pond Attracts A Multitude Of Waterfowl, Wading Birds And Swallows. Scrub-Jay, Northern Flicker, Sparrows, Hummingbirds, Warblers And Finches Favor An Adjacent Arroyo. The Tour Will Be Expanded To Include Carpenter Natural Area Featuring A Paved Trail And A Network Of Primitive Trails Along A Creek With Rocky Mesas. Sagebrush Fields With Scattered Junipers And Other Desert Grasses And Shrubs Provide For An Array Of Species Possibilities. Easy With Up To A Two-Mile Walk. Approximately 4 Miles Round Trip.

Tour 20
Birding 101 ½ Day
Erik Hendrickson, Engineer, National Park Service, Retired

7:00 Am – 11:00 Am; $30
This Tour Is Designed To Emphasize "The Basics" Of Birding: Getting Out Early In The Morning, Staying Close To Home, Having Fun, And Learning About Birds And The Habitats Where They Are Found. Just The Basics, In A Fun, Learning Environment Where Everyone Contributes To Observations. Basically, Duplicating Birding Trips That Local Montezuma County Birders Do Throughout The Year – Recognizing Common Bird Species And Migrants, Pointing Out Key Field Marks, Especially On Distant Birds And Especially On Birds Not Seen Very Often. The Festival Is Timed To Increase Chances Of Seeing Migrating Waterfowl And Songbirds, To See Newly Arrived Raptors, Flycatchers And Swallows, And To See Local Year-Round Sagebrush And Pj Inhabitants At Denny Lake And Totten Reservoir Swa. Swa Pass Included. Easy. No Registration Fee Required. Limit 8. Approimately 5 Miles Round Trip.
Thomas Preserve, Photo By Carla Fox
Photo Courtesy Of Carla Fox

Tour 21
Birding 201 ½ Day
Erik Hendrickson, Engineer, National Park Service, Retired

12:00 Pm – 4:00 Pm; $30
An Afternoon Continuation Of Birding 101. This Tour Is Not More Advanced, But Ventures A Little Further From Cortez, Making Stops At Narraguinnep Swa, Mcphee Recreation Area (San Juan Nf), And Summit Reservoir Swa (Montezuma County's "Iconic Reservoirs"). As Birding Is Often Slower In The Afternoon, Focus Will Be On Identification Of Each Bird Encountered, Asking Questions And Discussing Markings Observed To Aid In Identification. The Tour Will Be Paced According To Bird Activity, Adjusting Time At Each Location Depending On The Birds Identified. The Afternoon Will Be Spent Scanning For Waterfowl And Shorebirds At The Reservoirs, Using Spotting Scopes As Necessary, And Walking Short Trails Looking For Forest Species And Migrating Songbirds. Swa Pass Included. Easy. No Registration Fee Required. Limit 8. Approximately 60 Miles Round Trip.
 
Scott Harris, Ummv Birding Festival 2025 Keynote Speaker
Scott Harris, Ummv 2025 Keynote Speaker
Dinner, Silent Auction, Keynote Speaker — Cortez Conference Center

5:30 Pm – Social Hour And Silent Auction Opens
6:15 Pm – Dinner
7:15 Pm – Silent Auction Closes
7:30 Pm – Keynote Speaker: Scott Harris, "Raptorquest: Chasing America's Raptors"
Hear About Scott's Year-Long Adventure Tracking Down Every Species Of Raptor In The Lower 48 States. He Spent 17 Months Chasing 53 Raptors Across 34 States—His Version Of A Raptor Big Year. Raptorquest Is About His Adventures, Misadventures, Successes And Failures. From -36 Degree Days, To Ones Over 100 Degrees, To Getting On The Bird Just In Time, To The Frustrations Of Missing One By Minutes. It's About The Birds—Of Course—But It's Also About The People He Met, The Things He Learned And Why He's Already Working On His Next Adventure.

May 11, 2025

Tour 22
Ismay's Yellow Jacket Canyon & Mcelmo Canyon
Melissa May, M.S., Mountain Studies Institute, Executive Director

6:00 Am – 3:00 Pm; $55
Yellow Jacket Canyon In The Canyons Of The Ancients National Monument Cradles Permanent Riparian Corridors With Big Cottonwoods And An Understory Unique To Southwest Colorado – The Only Known Location In Colorado For Nesting Lucy's Warbler. Additionally, There Will Be A Visit To A Private Property Within Mcelmo Canyon's Red Bluffs. Summer Tanager, Gray Flycatcher, Gray Vireo, Black-Headed Grosbeak, Bullock's Oriole, Hummingbirds, A Variety Of Warblers And Cooper's Hawk Are Possibilities. Easy With Up To A Mile Hiking; Warm Temps Likely (80s). Lunch Provided. Approximately 80 Miles Round Trip.

Tour 23
Mancos: An Old West Habitat
Diane Cherbak, Citizen Scientist And Festival Chairman, Ummv Birding Festival

6:15 Am – 3:00 Pm; $55
A Trip Through The Mancos Valley Is Like A Journey Into The Past. Many Historic Ranches That Have Existed For Over 150 Years Continue To Operate. Cattle Drives Still Pass Through The Streets Of Mancos. Mining, Logging And A Railroad Also Have Left Their Marks To Provide A Variety Of Birding Habitats. Waterfowl Nest Or Feed In The Numerous Stock Ponds And Reservoirs. Red-Winged & Yellow-Headed Blackbirds, Brown-Headed Cowbird, Sora, Virginia Rail And Common Yellowthroat Can Be Expected In The Associated Cattail/Bulrush Marshes. The Riparian Woodland Characterized By Cottonwood, Willow And Buffalo Berry Could Add Western Screech-Owl, Western Kingbird, Bullock's Oriole, Great Blue Heron, Spotted Towhee And Magpie. The Agricultural Lands Add Habitat For Western & Mountain Bluebirds, Mourning Dove And Horned Lark. The Pastures And Meadows Are Prime Hunting Grounds For American Kestrel, Red-Tailed Hawk, Common Nighthawk And Northern Harrier. Easy. Box Lunch At Mancos Brewery Provided. Approximately 40 Miles Round Trip.
Scrub Jay, Photo By Erik Hendrickson
Photo Courtesy Of Erik Hendrickson

Tour 24
Montezuma Land Conservancy

Trail Canyon
Mike Thompson, Professional Geologist And Ebird Reviewer For Southwest Colorado

6:30 Am – 3:00 Pm; $55
Trail Canyon, An Isolated Oasis, Features Historic Homesteader Ranches Now In Conservancy. Located North Of Mcelmo Creek, The Dramatic Geography Includes Sheer Canyon Walls And A Beautiful Waterfall. The Riparian, Juniper, Cottonwood And Sage Prairie Habitats Lie Within A Migratory Path And Provide Opportunities To See A Variety Of Flycatchers, Vireos, Yellow, Wilson's, Orange-Crowned & Maybe Macgillivray's Warblers, Yellow-Breasted Chat, Lazuli Bunting, Blue Grosbeak, American Kestrel, Accipiters And The Occasional Golden Eagle. Strenuous Hiking Of Five To Seven Miles Round Trip. Lunch Provided. Approximately 30 Miles Round Trip.

Date: May 7 - 11, 2025

Location: Cortez Cultural Center, 25 North Market Street Cortez, CO 81321

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