Chukar:   More birders come to the Grand Junction area looking for chukar partridge than for any other species of bird.  West central Colorado is probably the eastern most spot in North America where there is a reasonable chance of finding them.  The best places to look are in Coal Canyon north of I-70 from Exit 46; and at the base of the Book Cliffs accessed by driving to the north end of any of the following three roads:  27 1/4 Road, 25 Road, and 21 Road. The key to finding them is in covering a lot of ground, and listening for their "chuhka chuhka chuhka" calls, followed by good binocular work scoping the rocks.

Blue Grouse:   In summer, these birds are found in most habitats above the pinyon pine-juniper zone. They are best found, like chukars, by fast walkers covering a lot of ground. The summer range of deer and elk are good places to look for blue grouse.  In late spring and early summer, the deep pitched "boomp, boomp" of strutting cocks can lead the birder to a rewarding sight.

Flammulated Owls:   Look for these owls in aspen, Douglas fir, and ponderosa pine. While the Uncompahgre Plateau (Divide Road off of Hwy 141) is probably the best place to try to call these brown eyed owls, they can also be found on Douglas Pass (35 miles north on Hwy 139, from Exit 15 off I-70). Overuse of the tape recorder, especially at high volume, is not the best technique for finding them.

Gray Flycatchers, Gray Vireos, and Scott's Oriole:   Gray flycatchers can be found in all pinyon pine-juniper woodlands. Gray vireos are rather common in the lowest elevation juniper stands west of Grand Junction and northwest of the town of Gateway.   Scott's orioles are much more local in the scattered junipers of the desert edges west of Grand Junction.   A place to find all three is in the Rabbit Valley area, Exit 2 off I 70. Going either way at this exit leads to juniper woodland that can be searched.

Sage Sparrows:   As the name implies, these birds are in sagebrush and the best place to find them is just past the cattle guard on BS Road, 8.2 miles west of 16.5 Road.   This junction is a half mile north of the Glade Park Store, a well known crossroads south of the Colorado National Monument.   Any other large expanse of low country sagebrush is worth a check for sage sparrows and sage thrashers.

Raptors:  On the second or third weekend of February, each year, the Grand Valley Audubon Society conducts a raptor field trip leaving each morning at 9:00AM from the BLM parking lot.  From 14 to 17 species are seen.  Excellent views of a variety of individual birds and at least 8 species of eagles, hawks and owls as well as shrikes are to be found.  There is no speedier way to learn how to identify raptors than having several experts find plenty of birds for you and discuss the variations in plumages.  Bald and golden eagles, red-tailed hawks, northern harriers, American kestrels, barn owls and  western screech owl are guaranteed.  Ferruginous hawks, prairie falcons, merlins, long-eared owls and great horned owls are expected finds.  On your own, driving west of Loma on Hwy 50 and M.8 Rd (parallel to I-70) to the Utah line is sure to turn up eagles and hawks.  Reliable sites for owls shift and are kept somewhat confidential by birders.  Contacting local birders or the BLM might help gain access to this information.