The Nebraska Prairie Chicken Dance
We were discussing places to go and things to do, and I suggested we visit the Greater Prairie Chickens. Mike, as usual, did the research and confirmed that this was the perfect time of year to see them in Nebraska, one of the few states where this special bird can be found.
Colorado
Our trip began in Denver on a cold, misty morning at the Rocky Mountain Arsenal National Wildlife Refuge. We quickly found our target birds, Black-billed Magpies, along with a prairie dog colony near the entrance. After passing a herd of mule deer, we checked the first pond with little luck. However, a tip from another birder led us to the south pond, where we were rewarded with sightings of Common Goldeneyes, Cinnamon Teals, and Buffleheads.
Our next stop was Cossens Lake. While we didn’t find the reported Tundra Swans, we did enjoy close-up views of Cinnamon Teal, American White Pelicans, and Wilson’s Snipe. The area was full of surprises, including a camel in a yard and a flock of around 50 Wild Turkeys—one of the largest we’ve ever seen.
Our final stop in Colorado was Jackson Lake State Park, a great spot for camping and boating. Here, we saw a beautiful Mountain Bluebird, a family of Bald Eagles, and a mesmerizing murmuration of Red-winged Blackbirds. We also spotted a muskrat in the canal.
Nebraska
The main purpose of our trip was to observe the Greater Prairie Chicken in McCook, Nebraska. The Prairie Chicken Dance Tour requires all participants to attend a very informative orientation the night before. Our guides, Angus and Carol, were passionate and knowledgeable, making the session very helpful.
The following morning, we drove to Angus’s cattle ranch before sunrise. They had converted goat trailers into viewing stations, each with a seat and an open window for the much-anticipated show. The temperature was in the 20s, so we were very thankful for the provided blankets and hand warmers! As dawn broke, we could hear and faintly see the birds. The drumming of the Prairie Chickens, along with the songs of the Horned Lark and Western Meadowlark, was a real treat for our ears.
We observed thirteen male and two female Greater Prairie Chickens. It was an unforgettable experience watching the males dance to attract the females. To avoid disturbing the birds, we had to wait for them to fly off, a period our guide referred to as the “hostage phase.” Thankfully, the birds eventually left, allowing us to head back for a delicious breakfast. Each of us received a prairie chicken pin to commemorate the experience.
On our way back to Colorado, we passed several cattle feedlots. The cattle are raised to about 700 pounds before being moved to these lots, where they gain another 500 pounds before going to market. Each feedlot contains thousands of cattle, and you can smell them long before you see them. While traveling through the Kansas prairie, we got our best-ever view of a Golden Eagle.
Colorado – Part II
Back in Colorado, we visited the Garden of the Gods, with its stunning red rock formations and many walking paths. We spotted several of our target birds: Prairie Falcon, White-throated Swift, Townsend’s Solitaire, Bushtit, and Spotted Towhee.
Sunday was a beautiful day, so we drove up Pike’s Peak Highway. The gorgeous winter scenery and high-altitude birds made for a great morning. We added Stellar’s Jay and Mountain Chickadee to our list.
Our next stop was Evergreen Cemetery in Colorado Springs. Cemeteries are often rich in birdlife, and this one was no exception. We spotted a Western Bluebird, a White-breasted Nuthatch, a Say’s Phoebe, and a Northern Flicker—great finds!
Our final destination was UTE Valley Park, located in a residential area. At the beginning of the trail, we saw and heard a Woodhouse’s Scrub-Jay—a bird that has been the last one we’ve spotted on three of our trips to Denver. We also noted how common the brilliantly colored House Finches and Black-billed Magpies were in the neighborhood.
We ended our trip with dinner at Elway’s in the Denver Airport, finally getting to enjoy some Colorado beef. This whirlwind weekend was a wonderful reminder of our “little big year” back in 2015.
Trip Birds: 64 Year Birds: 23 Life Birds: 1
Next Up: Ohio and Niagara
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