Find Longspurs

The longspurs are a Colorado speciality species.  Both McCown's and Chestnut-collareds are found during summer months their primary area being the Pawnee National Grasslands.  Laplands show up during winter months often mixed with Horned Lark flocks on the prairie--or at your feeder (like mine!).

Chalk Bluffs Road (Cheyenne, WY) - Follow Hwy 85N out of Greeley to 3.0 miles N of CO/WY border. Turn E on Chalk Bluffs Road. Proceed E until it turns due N. Turn N and look for longspurs along road until stop sign (approximately eight miles). This road is very reliable from start of summer until fall migration start for both Chestnut-collardeds and McCown's.

Hwy 85/WCR 114 - Walk SE corner to windmill in distance looking for Chestnut-collareds. Traditional location for Chestnut-collareds.

Pawnee Driving Bird Tour - Pick up the tour map at Crow Valley Campground or the Pawnee National Grasslands Ranger District office on Hwy 85/O St in Greeley. Reliable for McCown's and hit-or-miss for Chestnut-collareds along WCR 96 and WCR 104.

In Washington County, driving along KK Road between WCR 19 and WCR 20 have had both Chestnut-collareds and McCown's.

Lapland Longspurs - Are usually found throughout winter in large Horned Lark flocks on Pawnee NG and adjacent CPER. WCR 122 and WCR 124 ponds often host Laplands. WCR 37 north of WCR 122 to WCR 128 usually hosts Laplands, too, usually found on Nunn Christmas Bird Count.

Local favorite Lapland drive is N on Morgan CR4 (becomes Weld CR 105), continuing to WCR 80W to WCR 85N. Turn N on WCR 85 proceeding to WCR 84W to Hwy 392.

In Kiowa County, Adobe Creek Reservoir (Blue Lake) is known for wintering longspurs.