Birds & Science >
Colorado IBA
Browns Park National Wildlife Refuge
http://brownspark.fws.gov
Moffat County
Size: 13,455 acres
Elevation: 5,400 feet
Habitats:
Primary – semidesert shrubland
Secondary – grassland, wetlands, lowland riparian, pinyon/juniper, open water
Ownership: Federal (U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service)
Land Use:
Primary – nature and wildlife conservation
Secondary – hunting/fishing, recreation/tourism, research
IBA Criteria: 1, 2, 4 (waterfowl)
Site description
Location: Browns Park National Wildlife Refuge is located in an isolated valley along the Green River in northwest Colorado, 95 miles from Craig. The Utah-Colorado state line forms the western boundary, while Dinosaur National Monument borders the site on the south. The remainder of the land surrounding the site is managed by the Bureau of Land Management.
Vegetative/natural features: The region is semi-arid, and receives less than 10 inches of precipitation a year. The site consists of 1,245 acres of wetland habitat, 1,112 acres of riparian habitat, 1,906 acres of grassland, 7,930 acres of semidesert shrubland, and 1,083 acres of pinyon-juniper habitat. The Refuge contains two rare plants – the Ute ladies-tresses orchid and Gibben’s beardtoungue.
Historic features: The site contains three National Historic sites: the Lodore School built in 1911, the Two Bar Ranch, and the probable site of Fort Davy Crockett.
Ornithological Importance
The site provides habitat for approximately 222 species of birds. Migratory and breeding waterfowl and waterbirds use the wetlands, while migrating and breeding songbirds use the riparian habitat. Peak use of wetland habitat can total 20,000 waterbirds in spring and fall.
Breeding species:
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Average #
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Maximum #
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Western Grebe
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26
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41
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Clark’s Grebe 3 5
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3
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5
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Redhead
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143 pairs
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194 pairs
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American Bittern
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Northern Harrier
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Loggerhead Shrike
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Brewer’s Sparrow
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waterfowl
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963 pairs
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> 2,000
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Migrant species:
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Average #
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Maximum #
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White-faced Ibis (spring, fall)
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American Wigeon 930 (fall)
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Gadwall 810 (fall)
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Wintering species:
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Average #
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Maximum #
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Bald Eagle
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7
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13
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Conservation/Management Issues
Serious threats:
1. invasive/non-native plants;
2. hydrologic changes.
Efforts to address threats: Refuge marshes are closed to visitors between March 1 and July 31 to reduce disturbance to nesting waterfowl.
Management details: The mid-1960s construction of Flaming Gorge Dam upstream from the refuge drastically changed the hydrologic regime of the Green River, causing damage to riparian habitats. The dam prevents annual flooding of the river, which historically created and maintained the wet meadows. The elimination of this flooding has resulted in a loss of fine textured soils and the intrusion of non-native vegetation. This may in turn affect the numbers and types of birds able to use this site.
The primary purpose of the Browns Park National Wildlife Refuge is to provide nesting and migration habitat for Canada geese, ducks, and other migratory birds. It is a Colorado Watchable Wildlife site.
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