Douglas County evening birding — Walker Road gravel ponds near Franktown
Free guided evening bird walk at Walker Road Gravel Ponds and Cherry Creek Trail near Franktown, CO. Shorebirds and waterfowl on the ponds. Jun 24, 5:30–7:30 PM MDT.
Why we picked this
The Walker Road gravel ponds south of Denver attract shorebirds and waterfowl that are hard to find elsewhere in the metro — exposed mudflats and open water draw species the urban parks rarely see.
Denver Audubon ventures south to Douglas County for this evening birding outing at the Walker Road Gravel Ponds near Franktown — a set of industrial ponds and adjacent Cherry Creek Trail sections that consistently produce good bird lists. Gravel pits often develop into excellent birding spots as the water levels fluctuate, exposing mudflats that attract shorebirds and drawing waterfowl away from more disturbed urban sites.
The evening timing is well-suited to these open-country locations, where late light catches birds on the water and the surrounding open land comes alive with grassland sparrows and raptors before sunset. Douglas County sits at the transition between plains and foothills, adding to species diversity.
The walk runs two hours from 5:30 to 7:30 PM. A $5 suggested donation supports Denver Audubon programs, but participation is free. Check the registration link for the current meeting point details near Franktown.