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Watchable
Wildlife
Craig
Colorado/Moffat County Area Guide
Brown's
Park National Wildlife Refuge - lies along the Green River
and covers over 13,000 acres that are managed by the U.S.
Fish and Wildlife Service as a refuge for migratory waterfowl,
as well as wintering elk, moose and deer. The refuge provides
a driving tour route and is home to approximately 200 species
of birds including: mallards, bald and golden eagles, peregrine
falcons, redheads, teal, canvasbacks, other ducks, and canadian
geese. Many other animals can be observed seasonally.
Gates
of Lodore - is a spectacular canyon area of the Green
River located in the northern portion of Dinosaur National
Monument. World class river rafting (by permit only), as well
as a one-mile nature trail and campground make this an excellent
place to observe migrant waterfowl, golden eagles, prairie
falcons, red tail hawks and other birds. The area features
dramatic canyon walls, sagebrush, and pinyon/juniper woodlands.
Side-blotched and eastern fence lizards can be found in rocky
areas.
Cross
Mt. Wilderness Area - Big game, elk, deer, pronghorn antelope,
many species of mammals, birds, and reptiles inhabitate this
area. Located west of Maybell, north of Hwy 40.
Harpers
Corner Road - A self-guided driving tour from the Dinosaur
National Monument Visitor's Center on U.S. Hwy 40 to Echo
Park at the confluence of the Green and Yampa Rivers provides
visitors the opportunity to observe waterfowl, shorebirds,
raptors, mule deer, elk, and occasionally bighorn
sheep, beavers and river otters. Includes picnic area
and campground.
Sandwash
Basin - is a large arid area featuring scenic sagebrush
and juniper covered hills, as well as sandstone outcrops and
dramatic overlooks once inhabited by the Fremont culture.
Wildlife viewing opportunities exist for: prairie dog colonies,
pronghorn antelope, golden eagles, great horned owls, as well
as one of the countries last wild
horse herds, managed by the BLM. Four-wheel drive vehicles
are recommended. (No facilities)
Sage
Grouse Leks - are open elevated breeding grounds for sage
grouse located in the sagebrush country of Moffat County.
From mid-March through late May the grouse perform their ritual
courtship dance on these ancestral grounds. The male grouse
can be observed strutting for the females while they make
a resonant popping and hooting sound. The best time to observe
the grouse is just before dawn, so it is advised that you
scout the area in the afternoon. Use your car as a blind for
birdwatching and stay on roads and trails so as not to flush
the birds from the lek.
Cedar
Mountain - is an easily accessible picnic and nature trail
area located 7 miles northwest of Craig, Colorado. This sagebrush
and pinyon/juniper mountain provides nesting habitat for Bald
eagles and golden eagles. This area provides excellent viewing
of mule deer, jack rabbits, cottontails, ground squirrels,
songbirds, pinyon jays, turkey vultures, and other birds.
Pronghorn antelope are frequently observed along the route
to Cedar Mountain and bald eagles are seen year-round along
the Yampa River basin.
Morgan
Bottoms - is located just east of Hayden in Routt County.
The Bottoms is an excellent viewing area for seasonally migrating
sandhill cranes, with the largest populations viewable in
the spring and fall. In the spring, this area also provides
observation of sage grouse leks (breeding grounds) along County
Road 80, which are best viewed during dawn and dusk. This
is a privately owned land area, so wildlife viewing is from
the road only. For organized spring viewing trips contact
the Craig office of the Colorado Division of Wildlife.
Axial
Basin - south of Craig provides excellent observation
points for herds of elk, mule deer, and pronghorn antelope.
A 70 mile driving loop can be made from Craig along U.S. Hwy
40, Colorado Hwy 13, and County Road 17. Small mammals in
this area include rabbits, weasels, and coyotes. Golden and
bald eagles, sage grouse, rough-legged hawks, and other birds
are also seen as one crosses the Yampa River basin. Best viewing
is December thru March (check for winter driving conditions).
MAP
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