Private Pawnee Grassland Birding and Wildlife Day
Explore Pawnee National Grassland and Crow Valley for prairie specialists, migrant passerines, raptors and other shortgrass wildlife on a private day.
About this tour
Travel from the Denver or Boulder area to the broad shortgrass prairie of Pawnee National Grassland for a private day focused on birds adapted to open country. The 193,000-acre protected landscape provides the core setting, while a stop at Crow Valley adds woodland cover that can concentrate migrant passerines.
Possible grassland specialties include Mountain Plover, Chestnut-collared Longspur, Thick-billed Longspur, Long-billed Curlew, Grasshopper Sparrow, Brewer’s Sparrow and Lark Bunting. The guide also scans for Ferruginous Hawk, Swainson’s Hawk, Prairie Falcon, Burrowing Owl, Loggerhead Shrike and Common Nighthawk. Targets vary with migration, breeding cycles and weather.
The private program runs from 07:00 to 17:00 for one to four guests. Transportation from most Denver and Boulder metro locations, professional guiding, lunch, snacks, water, binoculars and a spotting scope are included. The day mixes road-based scanning with field stops and photography where access and conditions allow.
Planning a wider trip? Read our birdwatching guide to United States.
Birds you can spot
Spizella breweri
target
Athene cunicularia
target
Calcarius ornatus
target
Chordeiles minor
target
Buteo regalis
target
Ammodramus savannarum
target
Calamospiza melanocorys
target
Lanius ludovicianus
target
Numenius americanus
target
Anarhynchus montanus
target
Falco mexicanus
target
Buteo swainsoni
target
Rhynchophanes mccownii
target
Itinerary
Day 1
Pawnee prairie and Crow Valley
Depart at 07:00 and travel to Pawnee National Grassland. Scan shortgrass habitat for plovers, longspurs, raptors and other prairie specialists, then use Crow Valley when appropriate for migrant passerines. Lunch and photography stops are built around conditions before the return around 17:00.
Locations & map
- Pawnee National Grassland - Colorado United States (Shortgrass prairie and open-country birding, with a possible Crow Valley migrant stop.)
Availability & pricing
Availability: Available on request · Season: Year-round by arrangement
Included
- Private transportation - Door-to-door transportation within the stated Denver/Boulder pickup area.
- Professional naturalist guide - Private guiding and field interpretation.
- Field equipment - Binoculars and spotting scope are available.
- Snacks and water - Snacks and water during the outing.
Transport & stays
- Private road transport The route is selected for season, conditions and target interests. | Meet: Denver or Boulder metro area | Pickup: Hotel pickup within most Denver and Boulder metro locations; an alternative meeting point is arranged outside the normal radius.
Policies & FAQ
Are bird sightings guaranteed?
No. The guide selects promising habitats and recent conditions, but all birds and wildlife are wild and sightings cannot be guaranteed.
Where does the tour begin?
Pickup is available within most Denver and Boulder metro locations. A practical meeting point is arranged for addresses outside the usual pickup area.
Send inquiry
Ask about this tour before booking. Your preferred date is optional and availability will be confirmed after your inquiry.