Pawnee National Grassland

Colorado · Rocky Mountains

ModerateOfficial Site

Habitat

Grassland

Best Seasons

SpringSummer

Difficulty

Moderate

Best Months

May-June

Entrance Fee

Free

Hours

Open 24 hours

About This Location

Pawnee National Grassland on the eastern Colorado plains preserves vast shortgrass prairie habitat that supports an outstanding community of grassland specialists. The Pawnee Buttes area is famous for nesting raptors, and the grasslands are among the best places to find McCown's Longspur and Mountain Plover.

Location

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Notable Species

Mountain Plover McCown's Longspur Ferruginous Hawk Burrowing Owl Lark Bunting

Live Bird Data

Notable Sightings

Blue-winged Teal

Spatula discors

3/4/2026Cherry Creek SP--Cottonwood Creek Wetlands1 observed

Chipping Sparrow

Spizella passerina

3/4/2026Cherry Creek SP--Pelican Point area1 observed

Sandhill Crane

Antigone canadensis

3/4/20261127 E Willamette Ave, Colorado Springs US-CO 38.84166, -104.8034625 observed

Acorn Woodpecker

Melanerpes formicivorus

3/4/2026Mountain View Cemetery (Boulder Co.)1 observed

Long-tailed Duck

Clangula hyemalis

3/4/2026Rueter-Hess Reservoir (restricted access)2 observed

Acorn Woodpecker

Melanerpes formicivorus

3/4/2026Mountain View Cemetery (Boulder Co.)1 observed

Acorn Woodpecker

Melanerpes formicivorus

3/4/2026Mountain View Cemetery (Boulder Co.)1 observed

Tree Swallow

Tachycineta bicolor

3/4/2026Totten Reservoir3 observed

Greater Yellowlegs

Tringa melanoleuca

3/4/2026Holbrook Reservoir5 observed

Acorn Woodpecker

Melanerpes formicivorus

3/4/2026Mountain View Cemetery (Boulder Co.)1 observed

Acorn Woodpecker

Melanerpes formicivorus

3/4/2026Mountain View Cemetery (Boulder Co.)1 observed

Rock Wren

Salpinctes obsoletus

3/4/2026Platte River Rd, Littleton US-CO (39.4807,-105.1186)1 observed

Sandhill Crane

Antigone canadensis

3/4/2026Big Johnson Reservoir & Bluestem Prairie Open Space4 observed

Sage Thrasher

Oreoscoptes montanus

3/4/2026Kane Ranch Open Space2 observed

Barrow's Goldeneye

Bucephala islandica

3/4/2026Ridgway SP--Bay View Day Use Area3 observed

Common Grackle

Quiscalus quiscula

3/4/2026Prospect Ponds Natural Area2 observed

Winter Wren

Troglodytes hiemalis

3/4/2026Prospect Ponds Natural Area1 observed

Winter Wren

Troglodytes hiemalis

3/4/2026Prospect Ponds Natural Area1 observed

Barrow's Goldeneye

Bucephala islandica

3/4/2026Tucker Lake1 observed

Barrow's Goldeneye

Bucephala islandica

3/4/2026Tucker Lake1 observed

Recent Observations

Rock Pigeon

3802 Brighton Boulevard, Denver, Colorado, US (39.773, -104.975)

3/4/2026

1 birds

Spotted Towhee

Little Dry Creek Trail

3/4/2026

1 birds

Northern Flicker

Little Dry Creek Trail

3/4/2026

2 birds

Cedar Waxwing

Little Dry Creek Trail

3/4/2026

6 birds

Sandhill Crane

Wild Wing Park

3/4/2026

60 birds

Double-crested Cormorant

Runyon Lake, Pueblo CO

3/4/2026

9 birds

Hooded Merganser

Runyon Lake, Pueblo CO

3/4/2026

3 birds

European Starling

Runyon Lake, Pueblo CO

3/4/2026

1 birds

Gadwall

Runyon Lake, Pueblo CO

3/4/2026

6 birds

American Coot

Runyon Lake, Pueblo CO

3/4/2026

23 birds

Green-winged Teal

Runyon Lake, Pueblo CO

3/4/2026

2 birds

Lewis's Woodpecker

88 Hat Creek Ct, Durango US-CO (37.3065,-107.7842)

3/4/2026

1 birds

Canada Goose

Runyon Lake, Pueblo CO

3/4/2026

9 birds

American Robin

Runyon Lake, Pueblo CO

3/4/2026

2 birds

Ring-billed Gull

Runyon Lake, Pueblo CO

3/4/2026

2 birds

American Wigeon

Runyon Lake, Pueblo CO

3/4/2026

6 birds

Bufflehead

Runyon Lake, Pueblo CO

3/4/2026

1 birds

Blue Jay

Runyon Lake, Pueblo CO

3/4/2026

2 birds

Mallard

Runyon Lake, Pueblo CO

3/4/2026

20 birds

Great Blue Heron

Runyon Lake, Pueblo CO

3/4/2026

4 birds

Birding Tips

1
Drive the Pawnee Buttes road slowly and scan for ground-nesting birds
2
Late May is best for breeding plumage longspurs

Amenities

Parking

Nearby Attractions

Pawnee Buttes

More in Colorado

Rocky Mountain National Park

Colorado alpine park with accessible tundra birding and elevation-diverse habitats.

Birding Guides

Understanding Bird Migration: When, Where, and Why Birds Migrate

12 min read

Top Spring Migration Hotspots Across America

10 min read

Fall Migration Guide: Hawks, Sparrows, and More

10 min read

Frequently Asked Questions

When is the best time to visit Pawnee National Grassland for birding?▼

The best months to visit Pawnee National Grassland for birding are May-June. The best seasons are Spring and Summer.

What birds can I see at Pawnee National Grassland?▼

Notable species at Pawnee National Grassland include Mountain Plover, McCown's Longspur, Ferruginous Hawk, Burrowing Owl, Lark Bunting. The area supports grassland habitats.

How difficult is birding at Pawnee National Grassland?▼

Birding at Pawnee National Grassland is rated as Moderate. Some trails may require moderate fitness and basic hiking ability.

Is there an entrance fee at Pawnee National Grassland?▼

There is no entrance fee at Pawnee National Grassland. Hours: Open 24 hours.

What amenities are available at Pawnee National Grassland?▼

Pawnee National Grassland offers the following amenities: Parking.