Site Details

descriptions and directions

Cottonwood Marsh photo by Peter Burke

Walker Pit - Douglas County
Aliases:
Ownership: Private (see directions for access)
Description: An old gravel pit, now a small, deep pond. During migration up to a few hundred dabblers and diving ducks stop over here. Canada Geese, coots, and killdeer, stop here. A large contingent of Cackling Geese has spent 2-3 winters here. Migrating swallows pour over the water on cloudy days. In recent years it attracted Eurasian Wigeon, Trumpeter Swan, Surf Scoter, and Colorado's first Arctic Loon. Look for Red-tailed Hawks that nest in the cottonwoods along Cherry Creek, on the east of the road.

The light comes over your back at the one and only viewing site, so usually you can view the birds well. Scope usually necessary.

A trail from the parking lot goes east, then south along Cherry Creek through a cottonwood/shrubby riparian area. Typical riparian birds occur here, especially in spring and summer. An occasional rarity too - White-eyed Vireo (a 5-minute wonder) and a territorial Yellow-throated Vireo (5 weeks). In winter 2014 beaver have dammed up the stream about a mile along the trail -- this could bring in new birds.




Habitat: Pond/Lake/Reservoir; riparian.
Elevation: 6073 feet
Directions: From the intersection of Colorado 83 and 86 in Franktown, go west ¾ mile to Walker Road. North ¼ mile; the road turns left, but go straight ahead and into the small parking area.
Restrictions/Hazards: Trail - dogs on leash, no motorized vehicles.
Other Wildlife:
Other Attractions:
Website:






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Latest Walker Pit Sightings from eBird

 


CBRC Records from Walker Pit

SpeciesAccession No.Date(s)
Eurasian Wigeon2014-041 03/15/2014
Arctic Loon2002-10511/17/2002 - 11/19/2002