Summit County, Colorado, is best known for its four major ski destinations: Breckenridge, Keystone, Copper Mountain and Arapahoe Basin. This high-altitude playground is also well worth visiting in the summer, especially for birders and wildflower enthusiasts.
Dillon Reservoir in Dillon, Colorado
Lying just over 9,000 feet in elevation, Dillon Reservoir (also known as Dillon Lake) covers 3,233 acres within nearly 27 miles of shoreline, and is bordered by the high mountain towns of Dillon, Frisco and Silverthorne. The reservoir, originally a small natural lake on the Blue River (a blue-ribbon fly fishery), was expanded enormously by a dam constructed in 1961 in order to satisfy growing water needs in Denver, some 70 miles to the east.
In addition to providing much of Denver's water supply, the reservoir is a tourist attraction, augmenting the appeal of nearby ski resorts. Rainbow trout are stocked annually, providing winter ice fishing as well as summer angling, and marinas at Frisco and Dillon provide motor boat and sailboat rentals and events. One of its lesser-known features, tucked away on the western shore of the reservoir, is the Dillon Nature Preserve.
The Dillon Nature Preserve
The Dillon Nature Preserve was established in 1996 when the town of Dillon, together with Denver Water, annexed an open space area on the Roberts Tunnel Peninsula. Three years later, Volunteers for Outdoors Colorado built two loop trails which pass through mixed forest and meadow to several scenic overlooks. Together, the two loop trails and the connecting Denver Water road cover less than three easily-walked miles within the preserve.
The Bluebird Project at Dillon Reservoir
A joint project between the Colorado Division of Wildlife and Denver Audubon, the Bluebird Project was established to create a 'trail' of nesting boxes across the state. Loss of natural habitat and competition from other cavity-nesting birds, such as European Starling, have threatened all three species of US bluebirds. The Bluebird Project was designed to counter this by providing a significant statewide trail of nesting boxes, built and maintained by volunteers using kits provided by the Project.
One of those volunteers is Bonnie Baker, a local resident who has worked toward protecting the area's bluebirds for more than a decade. Baker placed and now maintains nearly 50 nesting boxes around the reservoir, many of which can be found within the preserve. The program's success is obvious on a summer walk through the preserve, where numerous Mountain Bluebirds can be seen foraging for insects and grubs, carrying the prey back to feed their young. The boxes also benefit other impacted cavity nesting birds, such as Tree Swallows and Mountain Chickadees.
Bird Watching at the Nature Preserve
In addition to Mountain Bluebirds, the shoreline, lake and adjacent forest are home to many other resident and migratory birds. Along and in the lake look for Osprey, Canada Geese, Mallard, Green-winged Teal, Red-tailed Hawk and California Gull, among others.
From the shoreline trail inland watch for Pine Siskin, Mountain Chickadee, Tree Swallow, Yellow and Wilson's Warbler, Song and White-crowned Sparrow, American Robin, Cedar Waxwing and Cordilleran Flycatcher. Hairy Woodpecker, Northern Flicker and Red-naped Sapsucker are common among the Engleman Spruce forest, and Rufous, Calliope and Broad-tailed Hummingbirds often are found feeding on Scarlet Gilia or sap wells created by sapsuckers. Many birds offer photographic opportunities.
Dillon Preserve's Summer Wildflowers
Flowers paint the roadsides throughout the area during summer months, and when spring rains are abundant, as in 2011, wildflowers explode. The Dillon Nature Preserve is one of the easiest places to enjoy and photograph wildflowers, as well as Mountain Bluebirds.
Dillon, like other area towns, sponsors a variety of summer activities including occasional wildflower walks. Pat Taylor, a local wildflower expert, led one of these on July 16, 2011 that drew nearly 100 participants to the Nature Preserve. The two-hour walk rewarded the crowd with dozens of species and sweeping swaths of rainbow colors. Mariposa Lilies, Nodding Sunflower, tall stalks of Green Gentian, Bedstraw, Locoweed and Sulphur Flower competed for attention with Harebell, blue and red Penstemon, Larkspur, Cinquefoil and Cliff Anemone. As often is the case the state flower, Colorado Blue Columbine, was prized by photographers.
Getting to the Dillon Nature Preserve
From the Dillon exit (205) on I-70, drive four miles on Highway 6 toward Keystone past the southern end of Dillon Reservoir. Turn right on a paved road directly across from the Dillon cemetery into a parking area. Follow the paved bicycle/walking path toward the lake a quarter mile to the signed Denver Water road, taking care to watch for bicyclists. The Water road leads into the preserve and is restricted to pedestrians. The loop trail connector is about one-half mile from the Water road intersection, and the two loop trails lie another half mile beyond. Summer wildflowers and birds are abundant both on the main road and the trails.
Summit County Flowers and Birds
Colorado's high country offers many summertime reasons to visit, including biking, hiking, fishing and golf. Birders and wildflower enthusiasts are equally rewarded, and some locations, like the Dillon Nature Preserve, are conveniently close to local accommodations.
For information about related area attractions, see the following articles:
- Summer Birding at Keystone, Colorado
- Birds and Wildflowers at Lily Pad Lakes near Silverthorne
- Birding Lower Cataract Lake in Colorado
Resources:
http://www.townofdillon.com
http://wildlife.state.co.us/volunteer/opportunities/bluebirdproject.htm
Kurbjin, Janice, 'Bluebirding at the Dillon Preserve', July 16, 2011, Summit Daily News, Frisco, Colorado
Bob Bowers - A lifelong naturalist and amateur ornithologist, Bob's avocation is studying, photographing and writing about birds.
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