The northern Colorado foothills is the irregular band of transition where the eastern plains reach into the Rocky Mountains.  The elevation ranges from about 5,000 to 8,000 feet above sea level and encompasses a tremendous variety of habitats including reservoirs, ponds, lazy creeks, rushing mountain streams, brushy hillsides, and steep rocky canyons.  Depending on the time of year, some of  our target species include Western Grebe, White-throated Swift, Golden Eagle, Western Wood-Pewee, Cordilleran Flycatcher, Plumbeous Vireo, Woodhouse’s Scrub-Jay, Pygmy Nuthatch, Canyon Wren, American Dipper, Bullock’s Oriole, Black-headed Grosbeak, and Lazuli Bunting. 

Itinerary: Our Longmont base is the perfect starting point for exploring the foothills zone.  Depending on the season, we will visit nearby reservoirs, open country and dramatic canyons.  We can walk as much or as little as you wish and there are many great birding hotspots to visit.

The Birds:

The birds we might see will vary throughout the year and you can view a chart of what can be expected here.

Meeting Point:

Our usual departure point is Longmont which is located about 45 minutes north of Denver.

When to Visit: The Colorado Foothills can be visited any time of year.  

Difficulty: How much we walk is completely up to you and can be as easy as you wish or range up to gentle walks of several miles.

Travel Notes:  Our Longmont base is about 45 minutes north of either downtown Denver or Denver International Airport (depending on traffic in both cases!)   Our altitude can range from about  5,000 feet above sea level up to 8,500 feet.   Spring and summer days can be very hot and there is little shade so sunscreen and sun protection is critical.  Summer afternoons can bring passing rainstorms.  We typically enjoy a picnic-style lunch and also will plan carefully to make regular restroom stops.