I’m always surprised by the birds and other wildlife I see at Bear Creek Regional Park. On a recent summer visit, a vocal flock of Lesser Goldfinches greeted me outside the nature center. Soon a Broad-tailed Hummingbird flashed past. A mule deer lazily crossed the path and paused in the underbrush while Spotted Towhees scratched the ground.
At the nature center, hummingbirds sipped from red feeders, and a beautiful Western Scrub-Jay scolded from a Douglas fir. While I watched the feeder birds from a bench, Common Ravens called from the west.
The park is especially great to bird in May, when migrant songbirds push through. Watch for Yellow, Virginia’s, and Oranged-crowned Warblers, as well as vireos, flycatchers, and Western Tanager.
In fall, when the weather has cooled and the cottonwoods are bare, the jays and towhees are still present, as are Say’s Phoebe, juncos, Pine Siskin, and Red Crossbill. Elk wander down from their summer range in the mountains and roam freely through the park. Winter brings Wild Turkey, Rough-legged Hawk, and maybe a Bald Eagle. — Doris Cruze
Doris Cruze is past president of the Audubon Society of Greater Denver. She also wrote about Red Rocks Park, Morrison, Colorado, Hotspot Near You No. 117.
Directions
Bear Creek Regional Park features meadows, forests, and ravines. From north- or southbound I-25, take exit 141 onto Hwy. 24 (Cimarron St.) and drive west two miles to 26th St. Turn left and continue southwest as the street becomes High Dr. and then Bear Creek Rd. After 1.6 miles, turn left into the Bear Creek Nature Center parking lot.
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At a Glance
Click on the coordinates below to view location:
38°49’46.07″N 104°52’43.99″W
Habitat
Riparian areas, cottonwoods, dense scrub oak, open meadows, creek, ponderosa-pine forest.
Terrain
Mostly hilly. One paved trail with boardwalk, wheelchair-accessible. Three other trails, gravel and of moderate difficulty.
Birds
Spring and summer: Peregrine Falcon, Greater Roadrunner, Northern Saw-whet and Great Horned Owls, Broad-tailed and Black-chinned Hummingbirds, Lewis’s and Hairy Woodpeckers, Western Kingbird, Ash-throated, Gray, Hammond’s, and Cordilleran Flycatchers, Plumbeous and Warbling Vireos, Black-billed Magpie, Canyon Wren, Gray Catbird, Western Tanager, Lazuli Bunting, Orange-crowned, Virginia’s, MacGillivray’s, Wilson’s, and Yellow Warblers. Fall and winter: Snow and Canada Geese, ducks, Bald Eagle, Rough-legged Hawk, Ring-necked Pheasant, Dusky Grouse, Western Screech- and Long-eared Owls, Bushtit, American Dipper, Northern Shrike.
When to go
Year-round. Spring and summer for warblers and hummingbirds. Winter for ducks and raptors.
Amenities
Bear Creek Nature Center has exhibits, programs, maps, guided tours, checklists, and restrooms.
Access
County park. Free. Trails open every day, dawn to dusk. Nature center open year-round Wednesday through Friday 9-2, Saturday 9-4.
Tips
Elevation is 6,200 feet. Summer temperatures can be warm and the sun intense. Bring plenty of water and sunscreen.
For more info
Bear Creek Nature Center, (719) 520-6387.
Colorado Springs Visitor Information Center, (800) 368-4748.
Colorado Field Ornithologists
Colorado Birding Trail
Sites nearby
Garden of the Gods Park
Six miles north of Bear Creek Regional Park. White-throated Swift, Lazuli Bunting, and more.
Pike’s Peak Toll Rd.
Eight miles west on Hwy. 24. Horned Lark, American Pipit. Ptarmigan and rosy-finches possible at the peak.
American Birding Association
Headquarters is at 1618 W. Colorado Ave., about two miles from park.