The Birding Hub
The Birding Hub

Stearns Lake

Colorado · Rocky Mountains

ModerateView on eBird
Habitat
Lake
Best Seasons
SummerFall
Difficulty

Moderate

Best Months

June-October

About This Location

Stearns Lake is a productive birding destination in Colorado, with 209 species recorded on eBird. This lake habitat attracts Snow Goose, Cackling Goose, and Canada Goose among many others. Elevation changes create diverse habitats, from riparian valleys to alpine meadows, supporting a wide range of species.

Location

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Notable Species

Snow GooseCackling GooseCanada GooseGadwallMallard

Live Bird Data

Powered by eBird / Cornell Lab of Ornithology

Notable Sightings

Blue-winged Teal

Spatula discors

3/5/2026Walden Ponds Wildlife Habitat--Walden & Sawhill Ponds all together3 observed

Acorn Woodpecker

Melanerpes formicivorus

3/5/2026Mountain View Cemetery (Boulder Co.)1 observed

Pacific Wren

Troglodytes pacificus

3/5/2026Tucker Gulch1 observed

Barn Swallow

Hirundo rustica

3/5/2026Walden Ponds Wildlife Habitat--Walden & Sawhill Ponds all together2 observed

Pacific Wren

Troglodytes pacificus

3/5/2026Tucker Gulch1 observed

Pacific Wren

Troglodytes pacificus

3/5/2026Tucker Gulch1 observed

Winter Wren

Troglodytes hiemalis

3/5/2026Plaster Reservoir1 observed

Acorn Woodpecker

Melanerpes formicivorus

3/4/2026Mountain View Cemetery (Boulder Co.)1 observed

Acorn Woodpecker

Melanerpes formicivorus

3/4/2026Mountain View Cemetery (Boulder Co.)1 observed

Yellow-bellied Sapsucker

Sphyrapicus varius

3/4/2026Mountain View Cemetery (Boulder Co.)1 observed

Western Bluebird

Sialia mexicana

3/4/2026University of Colorado Boulder--South Campus1 observed

Blue-winged Teal

Spatula discors

3/4/2026Walden Ponds Wildlife Habitat--Walden & Sawhill Ponds all together1 observed

Yellow-bellied Sapsucker

Sphyrapicus varius

3/4/2026Mountain View Cemetery (Boulder Co.)1 observed

Acorn Woodpecker

Melanerpes formicivorus

3/4/2026Mountain View Cemetery (Boulder Co.)1 observed

Acorn Woodpecker

Melanerpes formicivorus

3/4/2026Mountain View Cemetery (Boulder Co.)1 observed

Acorn Woodpecker

Melanerpes formicivorus

3/4/2026Mountain View Cemetery (Boulder Co.)1 observed

Acorn Woodpecker

Melanerpes formicivorus

3/4/2026Mountain View Cemetery (Boulder Co.)1 observed

Acorn Woodpecker

Melanerpes formicivorus

3/4/2026Mountain View Cemetery (Boulder Co.)1 observed

Acorn Woodpecker

Melanerpes formicivorus

3/4/2026Mountain View Cemetery (Boulder Co.)1 observed

Acorn Woodpecker

Melanerpes formicivorus

3/4/2026Mountain View Cemetery (Boulder Co.)1 observed

Recent Observations

Snow Goose

Stearns Lake

3/5/2026

1 birds

Cackling Goose

Stearns Lake

3/5/2026

400 birds

Canada Goose

Stearns Lake

3/5/2026

7 birds

Gadwall

Stearns Lake

3/5/2026

2 birds

Mallard

Stearns Lake

3/5/2026

3 birds

Green-winged Teal

Stearns Lake

3/5/2026

3 birds

Ring-necked Duck

Stearns Lake

3/5/2026

3 birds

Common Merganser

Stearns Lake

3/5/2026

2 birds

Rock Pigeon

Stearns Lake

3/5/2026

60 birds

Killdeer

Stearns Lake

3/5/2026

3 birds

Great Blue Heron

Stearns Lake

3/5/2026

1 birds

Bald Eagle

Stearns Lake

3/5/2026

2 birds

Red-tailed Hawk

Stearns Lake

3/5/2026

1 birds

Northern Flicker

Stearns Lake

3/5/2026

1 birds

American Kestrel

Stearns Lake

3/5/2026

1 birds

Black-billed Magpie

Stearns Lake

3/5/2026

3 birds

American Crow

Stearns Lake

3/5/2026

1 birds

Black-capped Chickadee

Stearns Lake

3/5/2026

3 birds

European Starling

Stearns Lake

3/5/2026

26 birds

American Robin

Stearns Lake

3/5/2026

1 birds

Birding Tips

  1. 1

    Scan the water surface methodically for diving ducks, loons, and grebes.

  2. 2

    Check the shoreline and mudflats for shorebirds and wading birds.

  3. 3

    Acclimate to altitude before hiking to high-elevation birding spots.

Amenities

Parking
Trails

More in Colorado

Rocky Mountain National Park

Colorado alpine park with accessible tundra birding and elevation-diverse habitats.

Pawnee National Grassland

Colorado shortgrass prairie with grassland specialists and nesting raptors at Pawnee Buttes.

Adobe Creek Reservoir (Blue Lake) - Bent Co

Lake birding hotspot in Colorado with 227 recorded species.

Birding Guides

The Ultimate Guide to Fall Bird Migration: Hawks, Sparrows, and Confusing Plumages

10 min read

How to Identify Birds Like an Expert: The Four Keys to Field Identification

11 min read

The Best Birding Apps in 2026: The Ultimate Digital Field Guide

7 min read

Frequently Asked Questions

When is the best time to visit Stearns Lake for birding?▼
The best months to visit Stearns Lake for birding are June-October. The best seasons are Summer and Fall.
What birds can I see at Stearns Lake?▼
Notable species at Stearns Lake include Snow Goose, Cackling Goose, Canada Goose, Gadwall, Mallard. The area supports lake habitats.
How difficult is birding at Stearns Lake?▼
Birding at Stearns Lake is rated as Moderate. Some trails may require moderate fitness and basic hiking ability.
What amenities are available at Stearns Lake?▼
Stearns Lake offers the following amenities: Parking, Trails.