New Fort Collins park is the place to spot dozens of species

By David Young

Walking through Fort Collins' new Kestrel Fields Natural Area on a cool February afternoon, Doug Swartz and Joe Kipper peer through their binoculars as an American kestrel falcon, the area’s namesake, sits on a power line. As the small raptor dives off the line and swoops across the field, Swartz and Kipper comment on the bird’s appearance to each other as it sails into the horizon.

The sighting is quite common in the new 73-acre natural area that serves as a new link in a corridor connecting the foothills and the Cache la Poudre River. With 1.4 miles of soft-surface trail, it’s a great new place for birders to visit, walk, and keep an eye out for the various species of birds and butterflies that frequent the area.

On this overcast late winter day, Swartz and Kipper, two avid Fort Collins birders, spot a northern harrier and a sharp-shinned hawk, in addition to the American kestrels and migrating sparrows in the area. Not seen this afternoon, but frequently spotted in the natural area, are ospreys, nighthawks, red-tailed hawks, bluejays, robins and more.

Heads up, birders

Kestrel Fields is a new spot for all outdoor lovers to check out. Swartz has been an instrumental volunteer in helping develop Kestrel Fields with the City of Fort Collins and he often walks the open space with his binoculars.

“It is still very young, but it is one of these places over time, in the next 10 to 20 years, that will progressively get better as the habitat matures,” Swartz said as he walked the trail. “I think it is going to be full of birds as time goes by.”

Kestrel Fields Natural Area eBird database showcases 70 different species of birds observed and recorded in the area, many by Swartz and Kipper. The two are excited for other birders to continue adding sightings to the database in order to track how the area evolves when it comes to the birds and their habitats.

A portion of Kestrel Fields is covered in large sunflowers, which Swartz and Kipper note are great for attracting birds in the summer.

The community has supported the new area and helped fundraise for habitat restoration.

Community farm

In addition to the birding and walking opportunities at the new open space, Kestrel Fields also has a unique venture with Poudre Valley Community Farms. This is an active farm agriculture pilot program that covers half of the new open space.

Conservation agriculture is a type of farming that reduces the need for chemicals and fertilizers by naturally improving soil health and biodiversity. The farm leases the land from the City of Fort Collins and Swartz notes that the natural restoration efforts will help improve the habitat for birds and insects over time, creating an even better environment.

This is not the first farming endeavor between Poudre Valley Community Farms and the City of Fort Collins Natural areas. The two have worked together since 2019 on 250 acres of city-owned land called Flores Del Sol Natural Area. Poudre Valley Community Farms also has a service contract with the city for grazing rights at Pryor Natural Area.

“This new innovative progressive farming practice is interesting. We’ll see how it plays out with birds,” Swartz said. “Good things are going on here.”

How to get there

To check out Kestrel Fields, access the trail from West Vine Drive, Lawrence Drive, Liberty Street or Havel Avenue in Fort Collins. There is no parking available onsite at the new natural area, so access is by foot from the surrounding areas.

The multi-use trails are open year-round to walkers, cyclists and horses. With the active farm, the trails on the south and west sides of the natural area are closed to public use from April through November.

See the trail map for more information. And keep in mind that visitors are required to stay on the trails throughout the area.