Waneka Lake/Greenlee Preserve
Colorado · Rocky Mountains
Moderate
June-October
Free
Open daily, 5:00 AM - 11:00 PM
About This Location
Waneka Lake/Greenlee Preserve is a productive birding destination in Colorado, with 272 species recorded on eBird. This lake habitat attracts Cackling Goose, Canada Goose, 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
Brewer's Sparrow
Spizella breweri
Wilson's Phalarope
Phalaropus tricolor
Bank Swallow
Riparia riparia
Broad-tailed Hummingbird
Selasphorus platycercus
Mallard x Mexican Duck (hybrid)
Anas platyrhynchos x diazi
Eastern Phoebe
Sayornis phoebe
Black-chinned Hummingbird
Archilochus alexandri
Greater Scaup
Aythya marila
Western Sandpiper
Calidris mauri
Tricolored Heron
Egretta tricolor
Fox Sparrow
Passerella iliaca
White Ibis
Eudocimus albus
Gray Catbird
Dumetella carolinensis
Northern Cardinal
Cardinalis cardinalis
Recent Observations
Species reported at this location in the last 14 days
Canada Goose
Blue-winged Teal
Northern Shoveler
Gadwall
American Wigeon
Mallard
Green-winged Teal
Rock Pigeon
Eurasian Collared-Dove
Mourning Dove
American Coot
American Avocet
Killdeer
Western Grebe
Swainson's Hawk
Downy Woodpecker
Northern Flicker
Say's Phoebe
Blue Jay
Black-billed Magpie
Birding Tips
- 1
Scan the water surface methodically for diving ducks, loons, and grebes.
- 2
Check the shoreline and mudflats for shorebirds and wading birds.
- 3
Acclimate to altitude before hiking to high-elevation birding spots.
- 4
A spotting scope is essential here — many waterbirds stay far from shore and are difficult to identify with binoculars alone.
- 5
Winter months bring peak waterfowl diversity — visit November through February for the best duck and goose viewing.
Amenities
Nearby Attractions
- Greenlee Preserve
- Rock Creek Trail
- Walden Ponds Wildlife Habitat
More in Colorado
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Adobe Creek Reservoir (Blue Lake) - Bent Co
Lake birding hotspot in Colorado with 227 recorded species.
Colorado Birding Guide
Complete guide to birding in Colorado →