A great blue heron stands in calm water with reflection.

Walden Ponds Wildlife Habitat - Walden & Sawhill Ponds all together

Colorado · Rocky Mountains

Habitat
MountainForest
Best Seasons
Difficulty

Challenging

Best Months

June-October

Entrance Fee

Free

Hours

Open daily, sunrise to sunset

About This Location

Walden Ponds Wildlife Habitat - Walden & Sawhill Ponds all together is a productive birding destination in Colorado, with 300 species recorded on eBird. This mountain and forest habitat attracts Canada Goose, Northern Shoveler, and Gadwall among many others. Elevation changes create diverse habitats, from riparian valleys to alpine meadows, supporting a wide range of species.

Location

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Notable Species

Live Bird Data

Powered by eBird / Cornell Lab of Ornithology

Notable Sightings

Rare or unusual species spotted nearby in the last 14 days

Brown Thrasher

Toxostoma rufum

7/12/2026Rabbit Mountain1 observed

Red Crossbill (Ponderosa Pine or type 2)

Loxia curvirostra

7/12/2026Kanemoto Park and Neighborhood, Longmont US-CO1 observed

White-throated Sparrow

Zonotrichia albicollis

7/12/2026Walnut Creek--Great Western Reservoir to Simms St.1 observed

Lazuli Bunting

Passerina amoena

7/12/2026Walnut Creek--Great Western Reservoir to Simms St.1 observed

Cackling Goose

Branta hutchinsii

7/12/2026Meadowlake Park1 observed

Northern Cardinal

Cardinalis cardinalis

7/12/2026Golden Ponds Park and Nature Area1 observed

Eastern Warbling Vireo

Vireo gilvus

7/12/2026Standley Lake Park--north shore1 observed

Field Sparrow

Spizella pusilla

7/12/2026Coal Creek Open Space (Jefferson Co.)1 observed

Eastern x Mountain Bluebird (hybrid)

Sialia sialis x currucoides

7/12/2026Fowler Trail1 observed

Eastern Bluebird

Sialia sialis

7/12/2026Fowler Trail1 observed

Black Phoebe

Sayornis nigricans

7/11/2026Walden Ponds Wildlife Habitat--Walden & Sawhill Ponds all together1 observed

Pine Siskin

Spinus pinus

7/11/2026Broomfield Commons Open Space--Tom Frost Reservoir1 observed

Recent Observations

Species reported at this location in the last 14 days

Canada Goose

27/12/2026

Mallard

17/12/2026

Eurasian Collared-Dove

17/12/2026

Mourning Dove

57/12/2026

Killdeer

27/12/2026

Double-crested Cormorant

17/12/2026

Snowy Egret

17/12/2026

Great Blue Heron

17/12/2026

American White Pelican

27/12/2026

Turkey Vulture

37/12/2026

Osprey

17/12/2026

Belted Kingfisher

17/12/2026

Downy Woodpecker

17/12/2026

Say's Phoebe

27/12/2026

Eastern Kingbird

17/12/2026

Blue Jay

17/12/2026

Black-capped Chickadee

27/12/2026

Bank Swallow

17/12/2026

Tree Swallow

27/12/2026

Northern Rough-winged Swallow

17/12/2026

Birding Tips

  1. 1

    Bring layers as mountain weather changes rapidly at elevation.

  2. 2

    Check exposed ridges and thermals for soaring raptors and swifts.

  3. 3

    Acclimate to altitude before hiking to high-elevation birding spots.

  4. 4

    Scan the canopy edges at dawn for migrating warblers and other songbirds during spring and fall.

  5. 5

    Bring quality optics — a good pair of binoculars (8x42 or 10x42) makes all the difference in species identification.

Frequently Asked Questions

When is the best time to visit Walden Ponds Wildlife Habitat - Walden & Sawhill Ponds all together for birding?
The best months to visit Walden Ponds Wildlife Habitat - Walden & Sawhill Ponds all together for birding are June-October. The best seasons are Summer and Fall.
What birds can I see at Walden Ponds Wildlife Habitat - Walden & Sawhill Ponds all together?
Notable species at Walden Ponds Wildlife Habitat - Walden & Sawhill Ponds all together include Canada Goose, Northern Shoveler, Gadwall, American Wigeon, Mallard, American Robin, House Finch, Dark-eyed Junco, Green-winged Teal, Redhead, Ring-necked Duck, Ring-billed Gull. The area supports mountain, forest habitats.
How difficult is birding at Walden Ponds Wildlife Habitat - Walden & Sawhill Ponds all together?
Birding at Walden Ponds Wildlife Habitat - Walden & Sawhill Ponds all together is rated as Challenging. The terrain can be challenging and may require good physical fitness and preparation.
Is there an entrance fee at Walden Ponds Wildlife Habitat - Walden & Sawhill Ponds all together?
There is no entrance fee at Walden Ponds Wildlife Habitat - Walden & Sawhill Ponds all together. Hours: Open daily, sunrise to sunset.
What amenities are available at Walden Ponds Wildlife Habitat - Walden & Sawhill Ponds all together?
Walden Ponds Wildlife Habitat - Walden & Sawhill Ponds all together offers the following amenities: Parking, Trails.