The Best Western Colorado Birdwatching Spots in December

Western Colorado’s lakes and reservoirs may not see many people out on the water in December, but they sure are a hotspot for birdwatching. As lakes in Mesa, Delta, and Montrose counties chill over and the trees drop their leaves, these places become perfect for spotting waterfowl.

Keep scrolling to learn more about some of the best December bird-watching hotspots in Western Colorado, and a few things to know before you head out.

Why Winter Works for West Slope Birding

Bodies of water like Highline Lake in Loma take a break from watercraft to give migrating birds a place to stop as they travel over the Centennial State. This includes migrant waterfowl, wintering raptors, and resident birds. In Western Colorado, bird watchers and birding participants have recorded 200+ species statewide and thousands of individual birds. It’s really impressive how active the winter birdlife is.

Before You Head Out — Gear & Timing Tips

While surprises can happen any time of day, most Western Slope bird watchers aim for dawn’s early light, and about an hour before sunset, when waterfowl are the most active.  Dress in layers, carry a thermos, and maybe even bring some hand warmers for extra warmth. If you want to spot eagles or geese, you might bring binoculars or a small spotting scope. So many of Colorado’s best spots for birdwatching include our state parks, so check parking and access fees before you go. A park like Highline Lake State Park offers extra perks like wildlife kiosks and downloadable bird checklists to help you identify some of the most common birds.

Where To Bird — Top Winter Hotspots

If you only head out once this month, hit up these birding gems:

• Highline Lake State Park — According to Colorado State Parks, a premier waterfowl staging area, expect snow geese, swans, ducks, bald and golden eagles, and even sandhill cranes. Access is easy via the Mack Mesa Loop or the main lake trail, and wildlife kiosks offer viewing scopes for close-up looks. Tip: Arrive just after sunrise for still water and the best chance at spotting loons or rare winter waterbirds.
• Colorado National Monument — Winter opens canyon rim views and cliff-side perches, ideal for seeing raptors soaring over mesas and scrubland birds clinging to pinyon-juniper slopes. Use the Rim Rock Drive and the easy canyon-rim pull-outs to scan for golden eagles or red-tailed hawks.
• McInnis Canyons National Conservation Area - Rugged desert canyons and riparian strips bring possible sightings of canyon-dwelling wrens, scrub species, and raptors. Trails near Fruita and Loma offer varied vantage points for birding — especially good after a cold front clears the skies.
• Rifle Falls, and the Rifle Gap - Farther east, Rifle Falls and the Rifle Gap corridor deliver winter sightings of bald eagles, goshawks, and water-loving species drawn to the falls and reservoir edge.
• Paonia State Park and North Fork Valley - This area mixes riparian corridors and mountain edges where wintering waterfowl and songbirds take advantage of the valley’s slightly warmer pockets.
• Delta Wetlands and Surrounding Ag Fields - Near Delta, Colorado, are winter hot zones for cranes, ducks, and large mixed flocks that move across the valley floor, often visible right from roadside pullouts or irrigation corridors—an area frequently highlighted in local Christmas Bird Count reports.

Get our free mobile app