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Colorado IBAs
Manitou Lake (and Manitou Experimental Forest Flammulated Owl Study Area)
Teller County
Size: 80 acres (Manitou Lake)1,117 acres (Flammulated Owl Study Area)
Elevation: 7650 - 8565 feet
Habitats:
Grassland, ponderosa pine, spruce/fir, open water, high elevation riparian, shore/bank, wetlands
Ownership:
Federal (U.S. Forest Service)
Land Use:
Recreation/tourism, undeveloped, hunting/fishing, research
IBA Criterion: 5
Site description
Location:
Manitou Lake is located north of the town of Woodland Park in central Colorado. The Manitou Experimental Forest Flammulated Owl Study Area is a separate site located 1.5 miles east of the lake.
Vegetative/natural features:
Manitou Lake consists of a 13-acre lake and 63 acres of ponderosa pine, wetlands, riparian, and grassland habitat. Prominent features include the lake, associated wetlands and riparian areas, and a category 1 fen area. The Manitou Experimental Forest Flammulated Owl Study Area is an 1,117-acre forest area consisting of open old-growth stands of ponderosa pine and Douglas-fir on south and west-facing slopes, dense younger stands of Douglas-fir and blue spruce on north aspects, and mixed quaking aspen and blue spruce in the drainages.
Ornithological Importance
This site is important for such species as Bald Eagle, Flammulated Owl, Red-naped Sapsucker, American Dipper, Western Tanager, Brown-capped Rosy Finch, White-faced Ibis, Great Blue Heron, Yellow Warbler, Common Snipe, Dusky Flycatcher, Veery, Yellow Throat, Song Sparrow, and Lincoln's Sparrow.
Breeding species:
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Average #
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Maximum #
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Flammulated Owl
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Research and educational activities:
Researchers have conducted studies on Flammulated Owls at this site for the past 18 years. Studies have included such topics as habitat use during breeding season, methods for monitoring Flammulated Owls, fidelity to territory and mate, nesting biology, longevity records, and preference for old growth forest.
Conservation/Management Issues
Serious threats:
- hydrologic changes resulting from sediment impairment in Trout Creek.
Minor threats:
- invasive/non-native plants requiring annual maintenance.
Potential threats:
- pollution from continuing development upstream.
Management details:
The site is owned by the U.S. Forest Service, and maintained by the USFS Rocky Mountain Research Station headquartered in Fort Collins. Manitou Lake is a Colorado Watchable Wildlife site.
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