North of Ridgway, this reservoir is the only significant body of water in Ouray County. As such, it is a magnet for migrating waterbirds and almost anything could be found here, given enough visits, particularly as the reservoir ages and develops a more diverse ecology. Examples of species that have been found on the reservoir that are rare in western Colorado include Pacific Loon and Glossy Ibis. The terrestrial habitats in Ridgway State Park are dominated by Pinyon-Juniper, thus species typical of those habitats (Pinyon Jay, Juniper Titmouse, and Black-throated Gray Warbler) abound. In the riparian gallery forest on the south side of the park, typical breeding species include Western Wood-Pewee, Warbling Vireo, White-breasted Nuthatch, and Western Tanager. However, migration in this area, particularly in fall, can bring any number of interesting species. Among those that have occurred here are Cassin's Vireo, Northern Waterthrush, and Magnolia and Hooded warblers. Note: A State Parks pass (daily or annual) is required for entrance.

Habitat: Pond/Lake/Reservoir, Pinyon-Juniper Forest, Lowland Riparian

Directions: From Ridgway, travel north on US 550 to the Dallas Meadows entrance to Ridgway State Park. To look at the lake, turn north past the entrance kiosk and then quickly left. One can drive out onto the shore here, with the usual caveats about care when driving on lake shores that might be wet. If the shore is too wet or one cares not to drive there, one can continue north on the Park road to its terminus to get reasonable views of the lake and shore. To visit the nice gallery forest at the south end, turn south past the entrance kiosk and travel to the end of the road and park; then take the trail that departs from near the bathrooms west toward the Uncompahgre River. To continue the tour of the reservoir and Park, return to US 550 and travel north to the main entrance to the Park. However, on your way (particularly, if one is not planning on entering the Park), don't forget to scan the water from US 550 (there are wide shoulders onto which one can pull off to effect this). There are two locations to scan, the first being the arm of the reservoir that our directions just left and the second is the marina. From the main part of the park, one can bird the lake at the marina and at the dam end of the water. There is also fine landbirding in the extensive Pinyon-Juniper, with the campground hosting a particularly diverse mix of breeding species, including Black-throated Gray Warbler. If arriving from the north, one will simply follow these directions in reverse.

Acknowledgments: Hotspot information was originally compiled on Birding Colorado, a service of Colorado Field Ornithologists. CFO thanks all the original contributors.