Birds & Science >

Delta County
Size: 3,000 acres
Elevation: 4840 - 5250 feet

Habitats:
Primary – semidesert shrubland
Secondary – lowland riparian, wetlands, cliff/rock, grassland, open water, pinyon/juniper, sagebrush shrubland, shore/bank

Ownership: State (CO Division of Wildlife)

Land Use:
Primary – nature and wildlife conservation, hunting/fishing, undeveloped
Secondary – recreation/tourism, utility/right-of-way, research, prison

IBA Criteria: 1, 3

Site description

Location:
Escalante State Wildlife Area is located at the confluence of Roubideau Creek and the Gunnison River, west of the town of Delta in west-central Colorado.

Vegetative/natural features:
While most of the site is arid shrubland, it also contains excellent lowland riparian habitat along the creek and river. This is one of the few expanses of lowland riparian habitat in Colorado that enjoys legal protection. Cottonwood groves, a large heronry, and cliffside brush also provide important habitat.

Ornithological Importance

The water-based habitat at the site supports approximately 98% of the birds in the area, including breeding, migrating, and wintering birds of many species. These include 19 species of waterfowl (100-3,000 individuals); 16 species of raptors; 5 species of woodpeckers; 100+ passerines; and 10 species of sandpipers (fall migrants).

This site is one of the few in western Colorado with post-1970 records of Yellow-billed Cuckoos. It is also one of the best sites in Colorado for finding the Southwestern Willow Flycatcher. In 1998, an escaped fire from ditch burning scorched the area occupied by up to 7 pairs of Willow Flycatchers. Fortunately, the willows are sprouting back to compete with invading saltcedars.

Conservation/Management Issues

Serious threats:

• habitat conversion resulting from adjacent prison expansion and utility corridor development;
• disturbance to birds and habitat from road traffic associated with adjacent prison.

Minor threats:

• invasive/non-native plants;
• cowbird parasitism.

Management details:
Colorado Division of Wildlife prohibits public access on the Hamilton and Lower Roubideau tracts from March 15 to July 31 to protect nesting birds. Escalante SWA is a Colorado Watchable Wildlife site.