Extraordinary Birding Adventures on the Santa Fe Trail

Santa Fe National Forest (NM) [1]

If you are looking for an extraordinary birding adventure, travel the Santa Fe Trail. Rich in history, the byway provides you with ample opportunities to immerse yourself in the heritage as well as the natural wonders of the West. Bring your binoculars to the Santa Fe Trail, a great place to explore the region's wildlife.

If birding and the comforts of a large town appeal to you, you can't miss La Junta. Along with being a town with great modern amenities, La Junta is an excellent place to stop if you want to see Wood Ducks in the town park or Winter Finches and Mississippi Kites in the Fairview Cemetery.

Roadrunner in Field on Santa Fe Trail (CO) [2]

As you journey in search of feathery friends, drop by the Van Landingham and Leiningher Ranches south of La Junta. You can catch a glimpse of Burrowing Owls and Scaled Quail. Be sure to keep an eye out for Ferruginous Hawks and Greater Roadrunners, or you might miss them on your visit. If you are in the mood for a short drive from the byway, head on down to Vogel Canyon in Colorado. The canyon is a great place to have a picnic, check out interpretive signs, or scan rock art. Here, you’ll find nesting Great Horned Owls and Common Poorwills. Other birds are attracted to the area because of the two permanent springs that can be found about a mile from the parking area down the canyon.

To see a wide variety of hawks, visit the Comanche National Grassland. Large numbers of Ferruginous Hawks are found in the grassland, as well as McCown's and Chestnut-Collared Longspurs, Mountain Plovers, Long-billed Curlews, and Burrowing Owls. You will see many birds along your adventure in the Comanche National Grassland.

Attend the Snow Goose Festival that is held every February in Lamar, Colorado. See the Snow Geese, Ross Geese, and Canadian Geese winter here. The grain-rich farmland and prairie habitat allow these birds to thrive here. If you are interested in Lesser Prairie Chickens, be sure to stop in Springfield, Colorado, to see an amazing courtship display. See the Lesser Prairie Chickens start their display in spring.

Bent's Old Fort, Highway 194 (CO) [3]

Bent's Old Fort National Historic Site is a National Park Service facility that contains a riverbottom cottonwood forest, open grassland, and a marsh. It is also the first place in Colorado where a Black Rail was spotted. In the park, actors dress in period costume to help portray the history of the old Santa Fe Trail. When you stop by Bent's Old Fort, make sure to bring your camera along with your scope to document the experience.

John Martin Reservoir [4]

See the largest reservoir in southeastern Colorado. John Martin Reservoir State Park is a birders' delight. Shorebirds and waterbirds can be seen on the reservoir itself, or look in the grasslands, shores, and overlooks for Piping Plovers, Cassin's Sparrows, Ferrunginous Hawks, Lest Terns, and more. Any direction you look in the park will yield excellent wildlife viewing.

Maxwell Wildlife Reserve (NM) [5]

Cross the border into New Mexico and stop at Maxwell National Wildlife Reserve. You have the chance of encountering any combination of over 219 species of birds during your stop. If you happen to be in the reserve during the late fall, you will discover the reserves' plentiful waterfowl. Blue-Winged Teals, Gadwalls, Mallards, Pied-Billed Grebes, Canada Geese, Western Grebes, Cinnamon Teals, Eared Grebes, and American Coots have been known to nest in the reserve. Check out some of the grasslands to see some of the highest densities of Grasshopper Sparrows found in New Mexico. Brewer's Sparrows, Cassin's Sparrows, and Savannah Sparrows are also commonly spotted in the grasslands. Take a glance in the cottonwood and elm woodlots to see Red-tailed Hawks, Great Horned Owls, Ravens, Mourning Doves, Swainson's Hawks, and Warblers. During your stay at Maxwell National Wildlife Reserve, you will experience many excellent birding adventures.

Clayton Lake State Park (NM) [6]

Discover for yourself the several duck species found in Clayton Lake State Park. Listen for quacking as you search the park for mallards, pintails, and teals. In addition, be sure to keep an eye out for Bald Eagles and Canada Geese. Discover for yourself the birds in Clayton Lake State Park.

Pecos National Park is another great place to glimpse a variety of birds. See Hermit Thrushes, Western Bluebirds, Golden-Crowned Kinglets, and Western Meadow Larks. You may want to watch a Blue Grosbeak hopping from branch to branch in the trees or the Mountain Chicadee singing its song. Any number of adventures can happen in Pecos National Park.

Sugarite Canyon State Park (NM) [7]

As you drive through northeast New Mexico, don't forget to drop by Sugarite Canyon State Park. While in the park, there are several species of common birds to view. Gray Catbirds, European Starlings, Warbling Vireos, and Stellar Jays may catch your eye, or if you are interested in raptors, you will have the chance to see Turkey Vultures, Sharp-Shinned Hawks, Peregrine Falcons, and Golden Eagles. You can also watch the Osprey diving for food. Other bird spottings may include Downey Sapsuckers, Dusty Flycatchers, and American Goldfinches.

Pecos Wilderness In Santa Fe National Forest (NM) [8]

Whether you are searching for a Wood Duck in La Junta’s town park or checking out Western Meadow Larks at Pecos National Park, your birding experience will not be fruitless. You will be surprised at the byway’s many opportunities for bird watching. Santa Fe Trail in New Mexico and Colorado promises exciting bird and wildlife viewing. For more information be sure to visit Colorado's Birding Trail and New Mexico's Audubon Society.