Name: EAST MEETS WEST – PLAINS TO PEAKS
Start: 2024-05-15T00:00:00.000Z
End: 2024-05-19T00:00:00.000Z
Location: Denver, CO, USA

Reefs to Rockies

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89 reviews

May 15 - 19, 2024

Group size: 4 - 7

EAST MEETS WEST – PLAINS TO PEAKS

Denver, CO, USA

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Reefs to Rockies

Email address verified

89 reviews

$2,250

Deposit: $250

May 15 - 19, 2024

Group size: 4 - 7

A Collaboration Trip with The Birdwatchers Store & Front Range Birding Company. Colorado’s varied topography makes it special and a haven for birders of all levels. The Great Plains cover the eastern part of the state. The Rocky Mountains bisect the state from north to south and the Colorado Plateau covers much of the western side. This diversity of habitats, from expansive plains to majestic peaks, provides habitat for a rich array of bird species. placing Colorado in the Top 10 States for number of birds recorded.

This 5-day itinerary showcases avian hotspots within a short drive from Denver. It’s scheduled during May prime time when migration and the beginning of breeding season intersect creating dynamic birding opportunities. We’ll travel in a custom American safari van with a conversion pop-top and spacious seating. This is not the traditional passenger van you may have traveled in on past trips. This one-of-a-kind vehicle has been specially designed by two wildlife biologists to allow for optimal viewing. It makes a perfect ‘blind’ and there’s ample room for everyone to view at the same time. Whether you’re a beginner or master birder, this trip is sure to please. Join The Birdwatchers Store and Reefs to Rockies for the first annual East Meets West – Plains to Peaks birding and wildlife adventure in Colorado.

Chip Clouse is a long-time bird tour leader and Reefs to Rockies’ Lead Naturalist Guide. He’s also ProStaff for Opticron optics. Originally enamored with tooth and claw predators, his fascination with birds started by volunteering with the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission to monitor Peregrine Falcon nest sites. The “Bird Bug” was cemented once he saw his first Western Tanager while working for the Peregrine Fund in Oregon. Chip’s career includes 20+ years of bird research and project management experience in nine states and the Caribbean nation of Grenada, a Masters in Conservation Biology from Colorado State University, five years with the American Birding Association, four years as an optics and accessory rep, and stints guiding at 15+ US birding festivals. He’s excited to share his love of Colorado birds, habitats and natural history on this trip.

Private Room Supplement

$375

Deposit: $0

Add if you prefer private, single occupancy accommodations.

Day 1 (Wed, May 15)
Day 1 (Wed, May 15)
Arrival and Rocky Mountain Arsenal
Early afternoon arrival to Denver International Airport. Our first birding stop is Rocky Mountain Arsenal National Wildlife Refuge, a 15,000-acre wildlife hotspot that offers diverse habitats with views of Downtown Denver and the Front Range as a backdrop. Our safari vehicle offers a unique wildlife experience as we explore the Arsenal in our pop-top vehicle in search of plains icons including Burrowing Owl, Western Meadowlark, Lark Bunting, sparrows, bison, coyote, and black-tailed prairie dog.

Accommodations: Holiday Inn Express & Suites Broomfield

Meals: Dinner

Plan to arrive to Denver International Airport (DEN) by 2 pm today.
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Day 2 (Thurs, May 16)
Day 2 (Thurs, May 16)
Great Plains and FRBC – Boulder
Great Plains grasslands rank as one of the world’s most threatened, most altered and least protected habitats. Often referred to as the American Serengeti, the Great Plains are home to an array of unique species. Today, we’ll head to prairie hotspots in northeastern Colorado. As we explore backroads in search of regional specialties including larks, longspurs, plovers, and raptors, your guide will share stories about what makes this region of Colorado so special. This evening, enjoy a welcome event at Front Range Birding Company’s Boulder store.

Accommodations: Holiday Inn Express & Suites Broomfield

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner
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Day 3 (Fri, May 17)
Day 3 (Fri, May 17)
Poudre Canyon, Cameron Pass, Walden, and North Park
This morning, we’ll make our way to higher elevations as we pass through diverse habitats including coniferous forests, aspen groves, sagebrush steppe, and riparian areas. Target species today include corvids, woodpeckers, nuthatches, and grouse and our drive will be incredibly scenic along the way. With any luck, we may even catch a glimpse of a moose, badger, or beaver in addition to our avian highlights before sundown.

Accommodations: North Park Inn

Meals: Breakfast and Lunch
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Day 4 (Sat, May 18)
Day 4 (Sat, May 18)
North Park, Granby, Berthoud Pass, Denver, and FRBC – Littleton
The Arapaho National Wildlife Refuge Auto Tour and Moose–Goose Nature Trail start our day in North Park. There should be ample opportunities for viewing waterfowl, Sora, and Sagebrush species like Sage Thrasher, Green-tailed Towhee, Brewer’s Sparrow and more. As we make our way back to Denver, we’ll stop at Windy Gap Reservoir near Granby for waterfowl, American White Pelicans and more and at Berthoud Pass for high elevation species including Pine Grosbeak and Cassin’s Finch. This evening, we’ll enjoy a Farewell Dinner along with a visit to FRBC’s Littleton Store.

Accommodations: Staybridge Suites – Denver South

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner
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Day 5 (Sun, May 19)
Day 5 (Sun, May 19)
Chatfield Basin and Departure
Located a short drive from FRBC’s Littleton store, the Chatfield Basin offers a unique and spectacular ecological, geological, and cultural setting along Colorado’s Front Range. It’s home to Chatfield State Park, designated an Important Bird Area, and Denver Audubon’s Nature Center. More than 300 species of birds have been recorded in the area and our East Meets West birding tour will end with visits to several area hotspots. Locations to be determined by group’s interests and sightings so far. Afternoon return to Denver International Airport in time for early evening flights home.

Meals: Breakfast and Lunch

Plan to depart Denver International Airport (DEN) after 5 pm today.
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Day 1 (Wed, May 15)

Arrival and Rocky Mountain Arsenal

Early afternoon arrival to Denver International Airport. Our first birding stop is Rocky Mountain Arsenal National Wildlife Refuge, a 15,000-acre wildlife hotspot that offers diverse habitats with views of Downtown Denver and the Front Range as a backdrop. Our safari vehicle offers a unique wildlife experience as we explore the Arsenal in our pop-top vehicle in search of plains icons including Burrowing Owl, Western Meadowlark, Lark Bunting, sparrows, bison, coyote, and black-tailed prairie dog.

Accommodations: Holiday Inn Express & Suites Broomfield

Meals: Dinner

Plan to arrive to Denver International Airport (DEN) by 2 pm today.

The entire trip was a blast! Our guides, driver and host's were all very friendly and informative.

By Sean W for American Academy Costa Rica 2025 on Mar 04, 2025

I had a great time. The variety of experiences, the food, the locations and the people were all excellent. A huge thank you to Ruben and Yvonne for creating a magical experience. I would travel with them again anytime.

By Tracy M for Magical Mexico with Denver Botanic Gardens 2025 on Mar 02, 2025

The birding was excellent. Chip is a good birding guide. My one complaint is that Chip does not plan dinners well. One night he was still fiddling around trying to find a place for us to eat and it was already 8:00 pm. We finally said, let's just go to Olive Garden. Plus, he likes food that guys like. We were a group of 8 women. We tend towards foods like chicken and brocolli, not spicy heavy BBQ - which by the way is ok once in a while. I think it would be helpful to have dinner reservations made in advance of our trip. I understand Chip's desire to avoid chain restaurants but sometimes that's the best choice available. Also it would be nice to have a little "down time" between birding and dinner time.

By Jane B for South Texas Winter Birding Hotspots - Whooping Cranes & More on Feb 28, 2025

My second time signing up for this trip and it fulfilled all my wildest hopes for finding so many unique owl species. We were thrilled to spend time and photograph 7 different species in the 6 days of the trip. Not to mention all the fun smaller birds (super cute Red Pols, Cross bills and Grosbeaks) and exciting mammals (pine marten!) Sheridan had our mojo going and an amazing travel group rounded out a wonderful adventure (despite sub zero temps - who noticed?)

By Melanie P for Minnesota’s Winter Owl and Wildlife Hotspots on Feb 27, 2025

This was a top-notch trip with fun people and a wonderful guide. Sheridan was incredibly knowledgeable and accommodating. She was also extremely respectful of the wildlife and their well-being. She was very good at making sure everyone's needs were met and focused on any target species we wanted to see. We all came away very pleased and excited about all the wildlife we saw. I am definitely looking forward to another trip with Reefs to Rockies.

By Julie P for Minnesota’s Winter Owl and Wildlife Hotspots on Feb 25, 2025

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EAST MEETS WEST – PLAINS TO PEAKS

EAST MEETS WEST – PLAINS TO PEAKS

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