Larimer County
Author(s): Diana Beatty, Nicholas Komar
County Seat: Fort Collins
Size: 2,604 square miles
Low Elevation: 4,779 ft. - Cache la Poudre River on the Weld border
High Elevation: 13,560 ft. - Hagues Peak
Best Birds: Kelp Gull (2003), Tropical Parula (2005), Streak-backed Oriole (2007-2008)
Checklist: Larimer County Checklist
Introduction: Larimer County is one of the largest counties of Colorado, and extremely varied in ecosystems, with high Rocky Mountain peaks, rivers, foothills, prairie grasslands and rich agricultural areas (map). The southeastern corner is populated by the growing cities of Fort Collins and Loveland, and this large human development provides an unnatural but attractive ecosystem to many species of birds. The reservoirs created to provide drinking and irrigation water also attract a great variety of birds, including many rarities. Most visiting birders will associate Larimer County with Rocky Mountain National Park.
Bibliography:
Komar, N. 2005. Sandhill crane nesting in Larimer County. Colorado Birds 39(1):15-16.
Rashid, S. 2005. Small owls of Rocky Mountain National Park. Colorado Birds *39(1):17-23.
Roederer, S. 2002. Birding Rocky Mountain National Park. Spring Creek Press: Estes Park, Colorado.
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Birding Sites
Bellvue - LaPorte
Habitat: Foothills, Meadow, Cliff Face, River, Pond/Lake/Reservoir
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Big Thompson Canyon
Habitat: Foothills, Cliff Face, River, Ponderosa Forest
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Big Thompson River Trail
Habitat: Lowland Riparian, Stream, Urban/Suburban
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Bobcat Ridge Natural Area
Habitat: Mountain Meadow, Foothill Shrub, Ponderosa Forest, Lowland Riparian, Stream, Cliff face
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Cameron Pass and upper Poudre Canyon
Habitat: Spruce-Fir Forest, Mixed Conifer Forest
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Carter Lake County Park
Habitat: Ponderosa Forest, Foothill Shrub, Pond/Lake/Reservoir
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Cottonwood Hollow Natural Area
Habitat: Pond/Lake/Reservoir, Marsh
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CSU Environmental Learning Center
Habitat: Lowland Riparian, Pond/Lake/Reservoir, Marsh
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Dixon Reservoir/Pine Ridge Natural Area
Habitat: Ponderosa Forest, Foothill Shrub, Lowland Riparian, Hedgerow/Shelterbelt, Pond/Lake/Reservoir
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Estes Park
Habitat: Urban/Suburban, Pond/Lake/Reservoir, Stream, Ponderosa Forest, Mountain Meadow
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Fort Collins City Park/Grandview Cemetery
Habitat: Park/Cemetery, Pond/Lake/Reservoir
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Fossil Creek Reservoir
Habitat: Pond/Lake/Reservoir, Grassland/Prairie, Marsh
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Hamilton Reservoir
Habitat: Grassland/Prairie, Pond/Lake/Reservoir
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Horsetooth Mountain County Park
Habitat: Ponderosa Forest, Grassland/Prairie
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Horsetooth Reservoir
Habitat: Foothill Shrub, Pond/Lake/Reservoir, Urban/Suburban
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Laramie River Road
Habitat: Sagebrush, Aspen Grove, Mountain Meadow, Wet Meadow, Pond/Lake/Reservoir, Spruce-Fir Forest, Streamside Willow
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Long Pond and surrounding lakes
Habitat: Pond/Lake/Reservoir, Urban/Suburban
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Lory State Park
Habitat: Ponderosa Forest, Spruce-Fir Forest, Lowland Riparian
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Lower Poudre Canyon
Habitat: Ponderosa Forest, Spruce-Fir Forest, Foothills Shrub, Lowland Riparian, Stream, Cliff Face, Pond/Lake/Reservoir
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Poudre River Trail (Ft. Collins section)
Habitat: Lowland Riparian, Urban/Suburban
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Rist Canyon
Habitat: Lowland Riparian, Mountain Meadow, Ponderosa Forest, Foothill Shrub, Mixed Conifer Forest
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Riverbend Ponds Natural Area
Habitat: Lowland Riparian, Pond/Lake/Reservoir, Marsh
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Rocky Mountain National Park (Larimer section)
Habitat: Alpine Tundra, Krummholz, Spruce-Fir Forest, Stream, Streamside Willow, Lodgepole Forest, Mountain Meadow, Aspen Grove, Mixed Conifer Forest, Ponderosa Forest, Pond/Lake/Reservoir
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Spring Creek Trail
Habitat: Lowland Riparian, Urban/Subruban, Pond/Lake/Reservoir
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Sylvan Dale Guest Ranch
Habitat: Stream, Foothill Shrub, Ponderosa Forest
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Wellington Lakes
Habitat: Pond/Lake/Reservoir, Hedgerow/Shelterbelt
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Wellington State Wildlife Area/Cobb Lake State Wildlife Area
Habitat: Grassland/Prairie, Hedgerow/Shelterbelt, Pond/Lake/Reservoir, Marsh
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