Bald Eagle
Tour Options
Each outing with Box Canyon Birding is designed specifically for the client. The following tours are merely suggestions to help you envision your adventure. You get to personalize your time with me, which can be as generalized or specific as you would like. The seasonality of birding is considered, as well as pace, physicality and duration. What remains consistent throughout is educational, inspiring and FUN time spent in nature. Birding is available to everyone – people of all ages, as well as varying physical, emotional and cognitive abilities are welcomed! Fee structure is based on time. There is no per person charge, but group size may be limited. In general, if we meet at a specific site and go for a walk, the fee is $200. If we visit multiple sites and are birding for half a day, the fee is $300. If we enjoy a full day of birding together, the fee is $500. Reach out to design your tour and let’s get out there!
(COVID protocols are in place.)
Telluride Town Walk
There is a surprising amount of habitat variability in a short walk through Telluride, so we often encounter a rich diversity of species.
American Dipper - begging fledgling.
There is a surprising amount of habitat variability in a short walk through Telluride so we often encounter a rich diversity of species. We typically meet in Town Park, check out the beaver pond and follow the river trail downstream to the valley floor and back. This usually takes about two to three hours and covers approximately two and a half miles roundtrip, over level ground with good footing. Charismatic resident species, such as American Dipper and Black-billed Magpie, as well as three species of trout, are joined by a host of migrant species, which varies throughout the year.
Some birds you may see on this tour:
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Miramonte Magic Tour
Miramonte Reservoir is one of only two large bodies of water in the county. This oasis acts like a magnet for wildlife of all kinds, particularly water-loving migratory birds.
Long-billed Dowitcher — adult in breeding plumage
There is a dramatic assortment of landscape features in San Miguel County but one thing conspicuously lacking is large bodies of water. Miramonte Reservoir was created by Colorado Parks and Wildlife for trout fishing and is one of only two large bodies of water in the county. This oasis acts like a magnet for wildlife of all kinds, particularly water-loving migratory birds. Two hundred species have been reported from this site over the years with many ducks, shorebirds, grebes and waders found nowhere else in the county. All those birds tend to concentrate raptors there as well. Miramonte is a little over an hour from Telluride and we pass through multiple habitat types getting there and back. This half-day outing is sure to generate an impressive list of interesting birds.
Some birds you may see on this tour:
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Regional Specialties
Southwestern Colorado is home to a rich diversity of bird species, some of which are difficult to come by in other regions, or absent altogether.
Brown-capped Rosy-Finches
Southwestern Colorado is home to a rich diversity of bird species, some of which are difficult to come by in other regions, or absent altogether. If there is a specific species or suite of birds you need help tracking down, I likely have a productive location scouted out for whatever you are seeking.
Some birds you may see on this tour:
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Birding for Beginners
Once you bring the amazing sights and sounds of birds into your conscious being, you will be blown away but how much you have been missing.
Red-breasted Nuthatch
Rarely do people give birding a try for the first time and say: “Nah, that’s not for me.” Once you bring the amazing sights and sounds of birds into your conscious being, you will be blown away by how much you have been missing. We can start off as simply as “what makes a bird a bird” and “how to use binoculars.” In fact, I have quality Zeiss binoculars to share if you don’t own binoculars. One of the wonderful things about birding is you can’t do it wrong. There is no such thing as a silly question or too many questions. I have two young children so I don’t mind repeating myself over and over again.
Some birds you may see on this tour:
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Identification Workshops
Have you been frustrated trying to identify birds? Perhaps a dedicated outing to demystify one of these troublesome groups is just what you need.
Rufous Hummingbird — immature male
Certain families of birds can be particularly challenging to tease apart. Have you been frustrated trying to identify hummingbirds, sparrows, shorebirds, raptors, flycatchers or waterfowl? Perhaps a dedicated outing, at a seasonally appropriate time of year, to demystify one of these troublesome groups is just what you need. I love teaching and have a patient and articulate approach to education.
Some birds you may see on this tour:
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Wrights Raptors
Wrights Mesa is an agricultural landscape centered around the town of Norwood, a quick driving tour around the area consistently produces excellent looks at a number of hawks, eagles and falcons.
Golden Eagle and Common Raven at a Coyote carcass
Wrights Mesa is an agricultural landscape centered around the town of Norwood, approximately 45 minutes from Telluride. This open habitat at 7,000’, with dramatic views of mountain ranges in all directions, is inviting to a rich diversity of birds of prey each winter. A quick driving tour around the area consistently produces excellent looks at a number of hawks, eagles and falcons. Both Bald and Golden eagles; Red-tailed, Ferruginous and Rough-legged hawks, Northern Harrier, Prairie Falcon and American Kestrel are all possibilities. This tour is best from November through March but can be enjoyed any time of year.
Some birds you may see on this tour:
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Sandhills at Sunset
The extensive grain fields surrounding the community of Delta provide plenty of forage for thousands of wintering Sandhill Cranes.
Sandhill Cranes
The extensive grain fields surrounding the community of Delta provide plenty of forage for thousands of wintering Sandhill Cranes. After a day of feeding on “Olathe sweet corn” spillage, the cranes return in the late afternoon to large communal roosts along the Gunnison River. The skeins of bugling cranes set against the setting sun is truly a sight to behold. Thousands of geese and ducks winter in this area as well. Extending the tour to include time at Confluence Park in downtown Delta and/or Sweitzer Lake State Park to study waterfowl makes for a fantastic half-day adventure.
Some birds you may see on this tour:
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Photography Focus
If your primary passion is photography, Eric will happily cater to your specific desires.
Western Bluebird – male delivering food to the nest
If your primary passion is photography, I’d be happily cater to your specific desires. Often, trying to capture images of birds, mammals, insects or landscapes requires moving (or not moving at all) at a different pace. I will do my best to put you in the best position to come away with pleasing images, while ensuring the welfare of all wildlife.
Some birds you may see on this tour:
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Take a Hike!
Have Eric join you any time of year, on your favorite hike or snowshoe, to interpret the sights and sounds all around you.
Vermilion Peak
Are you a hiker or do you just love spending time in nature and have always wondered about the wildlife around you? Do you enjoy hearing birds while hiking but never knew what was making those interesting sounds? I’m happy to join you any time of year, on your favorite hike or snowshoe, to interpret the sights and sounds all around you.
Some birds you may see on this tour:
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Night Birding
Some of the most interesting species in our region sleep the day away so a nocturnal adventure provides the best chance to encounter them.
Common Poorwill out hunting at dusk
Some of the most interesting species in our region sleep the day away so a nocturnal adventure provides the best chance to encounter them. Eight species of owls, two nightjars and two rails breed in San Miguel County and I have secret spots for them. Lots of mammals in the region are nocturnal or crepuscular as well, so you never know what we might discover after sunset.
Some birds you may see on this tour:
and hear (turn your volume up!)…
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Patch Birding
Eric is happy to meet you wherever you’d like, sit and just let the birds come to us. Slow birding can lead to new discoveries about behavior you’ve never expected.
Telluride Valley Floor
Do you have a favorite trail, park or backyard you’d like help discovering which birds live there? Do you want to be able to recognize your avian neighbors? Perhaps mobility is a challenge for you. I’d be happy to meet you wherever you’d like, sit and just let the birds come to us. Slow birding can lead to new discoveries about behavior you’ve never expected.
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County Listing
Birding by county is a great way to motivate you to explore new areas.
Wilson’s Warbler
Birding by county is a great way to motivate you to explore new areas. Being efficient about finding species in an area you don’t visit regularly or are unlikely to get back to demands a keen eye for quality habitat and a mind for logistics. I truly enjoy planning outings of this nature and would be happy to help you make the most of your time in various counties of southwestern Colorado.
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