Birds & Science >
Colorado IBAs
Fountain Creek Regional Park
El Paso County
Size: 435 acres
Elevation: 5560 feet
Habitats:
Grassland, lowland riparian, open water, shore/bank, wetlands
Ownership:
Municipal (El Paso County)
Private (private individuals)
Land Use:
Primary – nature and wildlife conservation
Secondary – fishing, recreation/tourism
IBA Criteria: 4 (heronries, landbirds), 5
Site description
Location:
Fountain Creek Regional Park, and two adjacent private parcels, are located between the towns of Widefield and Fountain, north of the Colorado Springs State Wildlife Area and east of Fort Carson.
Vegetative/natural features:
The site contains five distinct natural communities: creek, cottonwood/willow woodlands, meadow, marsh, and pond. Fountain Creek and a series of spring-fed ponds run through the park. The Fountain Creek Regional Trail runs beside the largest pond, Rice’s Pond (which is privately-owned, but included within the IBA). The Chilcotte Irrigation Ditch runs along the trail through the southern half of the park.
Ornithological Importance
The site provides essential wetlands habitat and resources for resident and migrant species. Observers have recorded over 250 bird species in the park. A heronry is located on adjacent private land (which is included within the IBA), and the herons’ main source of food is found in the ponds within the park.
Year-round species:
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Average #
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Maximum #
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Great-horned Owl
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1 pair
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3-5 pairs
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Breeding species:
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Average #
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Maximum #
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Great Blue Heron
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50-60 pairs
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>75 pairs
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Bullock’s Oriole
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2 pairs
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12 pairs
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Swainson’s Hawk
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1 pair
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3-4 pairs
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Migrant species:
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Average #
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Maximum #
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Great Blue Heron
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50-60 pairs (spring)
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>75 pairs (spring)
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Yellow-rumped Warbler
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60 (spring, fall)
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88 (spring, fall)
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Orange-crowned Warbler
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39 (spring)
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Downy Woodpecker
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10 (spring)
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21 (spring)
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Wintering species:
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Average #
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Maximum #
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Green-winged Teal
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27
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28
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American Wigeon
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45
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60
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Virginia Rail
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12
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Research and educational activities:
Fountain Creek Nature Center, located in the park’s Cattail Marsh Wildlife Area, is the site of numerous interpretive programs. The program focus is hands-on environmental education and educational displays for adults and children. The interpretive staff leads over 100 general group programs and over 160 school programs annually.
Conservation/Management Issues
Serious threats:
- disturbance to birds from highway, train, airplane, and military noise;
- hydrologic changes from flooding (e.g., an April 2000 flood changed the course of Fountain Creek and destroyed large areas of cottonwood habitat).
Minor threats:
- invasive/non-native plants (Russian olive, Siberian elm, tamarisk);
- introduced animals (house sparrows, starlings);
- habitat conversion of surrounding areas.
Potential threats:
Management details:
Fountain Creek Regional Park is a Colorado Watchable Wildlife site.
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