[cobirds] SE CO wanderings - Comanche Grasslands, et al.

I explored SE CO for the first time on Sun-Tuesday. I had a target list of 10 potential lifers. Alas, not a one was found. However I really enjoyed the exploring and camping. Fortunately the persistent, lovely songs of the canyon wren soothed the disappointment over nary a Lewis or ladder-backed woodpecker.

In the interest of perhaps helping future explorers here are some notes:

• The MVUM maps from the forest service are both necessary and insufficient for finding your way around. E.g. I never found Cottonwood Canyon! Perhaps access to it has been removed by the surrounding land owners? If so then coloradocountybirding.org should be updated!
• Carrizo Canyon was a wonderful oasis. The petroglyphs were a treat.
• Picture Canyon was worth the extra distance. A roadrunner posed for me as I left the canyon.
• Vogel Canyon and Higbee Cemetery were underwhelming.
• Picketwire Canyon was beautiful, albeit a bit broad and sparse for birding. I camped at the TH overlooking the river/canyon and the views were great. The dino tracks were cool and worth the 10 miles hike.
• I did not find a road to Two Buttes Res.
• I had been a bit concerned that it might be muddy after the big blizzard last week. But Ha! It dries out fast down there! The dirt roads are in amazing condition, much better than Pawnee. You can cover a lot of distance going 60mph with no wash boarding!
• If in Las Animas don't ask Google for directions to John Martin Res State Park! It took me along the barren, sandy road on the south side of the res. I eventually back tracked and followed 50 east on the north side. Certainly not many trees at that res.

Ron Bolton

Berthoud

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