Travel Tips & Trends

New website for Colorado birdlovers

Do you know what a western tanager is? Do you yearn to see birds in their natural habitats? Colorado has more than 400 bird species and looking for them is a great way to enjoy the outdoors.

The Colorado Division of Wildlife recently started a new website, www.coloradobirdingtrail.com, designed to help people discover all kinds of wildlife, but especially birds. The site offers numerous suggestions for locations around the state where both the novice and advanced wildlife watcher can find something to see.

The website has organized wildlife viewing into three zones: Eastern Plains, Rocky Mountains and Western Colorado. Within each zone are various trails (named for local bird species), each containing 10-25 recommended viewing locations. Each of these locations has its own page which includes details of the type of habitat, the species you are likely to find there, directions to the best areas, opening hours and costs if these are applicable (some viewing sites are on private land), how accessible the area is for handicapped birders, and much more.

If you are new to birding or wildlife watching, the site also offers birding basics and wildlife watching tips, as well as suggestions on publications and equipment to help you identify birds and animals.

For more information visit www.coloradobirdingtrail.com.