Foy Lake photo by Tim Avery

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Description:
Foy Lake is a small (maybe 5 acre) lake, nestled into the mountains on the north slope of the Abajos.  With steep hillsides covered in mixed Aspen, conifer, and oak woodlands rising to the south the imposing mountains loom over the small body of water.  To the west, oak gives way to mixed juniper woodlands; while a mix of mostly oak, aspen and juniper gently slope down to the north.  The edge of the lake is bordered by cattails, giving it marshy sections, while several species of large shrubs at the base of the slopes provide a riparian habitat. A pit toilet is available, as well as camping.  In order to get a better picture of the status and distribution of birds in the area, this location along with others along Road 101 on the north slope have been split out into their own locations. A nice drive out of Monticello and you can bird Dalton Springs, Monticello Lake, Road 101 along the slope, and end up on the west here at Foy Lake.

Birding:
Foy Lake is a little further drive back into the mountains, but the birding seems to be a little more productive here than at nearby Monticello Lake, given the proximity to the range of habitats.  Various waterfowl may be present once the water is ice free in the spring. CANADA GEESE and MALLARD can usually be found, while other waterbird migrants like REDHEAD and PIED-BILLED GREBE might be present.  The surrounding hills can provide numerous corvids, including STELLER'S JAY, WESTERN SCRUB-JAY, BLACK-BILLED MAGPIE, COMMON RAVEN, and even CLARK'S NUTCRACKER.  Not a whole lot of birders ever make it here in to the Abajos, and the area is in generally unknown to birders.  Lots of things to be discovered in the area, with status and distributions of mountain species in this part of the state being largely undocumented.  There are virtually no reports form birders here in the summer months, so what actually might be here is up for debate.

Directions:
From the intersection of 200 South and Main Street/US-191 in Monticello, head west on 200 south for .3 miles.  Turn left onto Abajo Drive, which after .4 miles turns into Creek Road heading west into the mountains.  Continue another 9.3 miles, and then stay left at the fork going another 1.1 mile till you reach Foy Lake.