Arrival into Montrose, Colorado

Apr 3

This will be my first time in Colorado, the Centennial State! Granted, I have transferred through the Denver airport multiple times en route to California or Arizona (maybe even New Mexico?), but I will finally get to explore the central Rockies and the western plateau country. (Yes, I transferred through Denver, again, to get to Montrose.)

I made last-minute plans to come here only two weeks ago, when I hemmed and hawed whether to make the trek here. Naturally, the main reason to come here is the Gunnison Sage-Grouse, which is only located in this part of the state. What’s more, one of the only sites to observe this Colorado endemic is on private land near the Waunita Watchable Wildlife Area, about twenty minutes east of Gunnison. Was it silly to come all this way to see one species of grouse boom on a lek about 1km from the road. If you’re a birder, like me, then the answer is definitely in the affirmative.

After using points to secure tickets arriving into Montrose and departing Denver, I began my initial birding research into the area. I purchased two books—Birding Colorado from Falcon Guides and the ABA bird guide to Colorado—and stalked notable sightings on eBird. I would recommend both.

Results on eBird are modest: Spring migration seems to have begun in earnest. I got excited about potentially seeing American Dippers and Dusky Grouse. Don’t expect to see reports of Gunnison Sage-Grouse, as this is a sensitive species.

In addition to the birds, I made plans to see the Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park and Telluride while in southwestern Colorado.

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I arrived in Montrose around 9pm today after flying out of Milwaukee at 3pm. My flight leaving Denver was slightly delayed by snow, an occurrence that did not surprise me, as this spring has yet to completely transition from winter. After landing and picking up my rental, a black Mazda SUV, I came to the Minecart Motor Lodge, a cute motel 5-10 minutes away from the airport.

Now, I am settling in for the night, with dreams about the high country and its avian residents waiting for me.