Monticello Lake photo by Tim Avery

• eBird Checklist
• Flickr Photos

Description:
Monticello Lake is a small 5 acre lake on the north slope of the Abajos, surrounded by mixed oak and aspen woodlands.  The open slopes are dominated by this habitat, while the peaks of the Abajos linger to the south. Conifer stands mixed in nearby, along with riparian habitat along Spring Creek to the east, provide a variety of habitats.  There is a dirt road along the west side of the lake, along with a pit toilet.  Access is limited to when the snow melts in the spring, and when it arrives again in the fall.  Typically by the time the lake is accessible the ice is gone. 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, this lake, Road 101 along the slope, and end up on the west at Foy Lake.

Birding:
In the past people have birded Monticello Lake while birding the North Slope of the Abajos, but the new hot spot was only just created in 2015.  The birding in the area looks like it would be awesome during the summer given the great range of habitats here.  The actual lake is so small that there are never a ton of birds on it, with CANADA GEESE and MALLARDS usually present when the water is open.  Other waterbirds will show up form time to time during migration, including EARED GREBE.  The surrounding open habitat usually has a few MOUNTAIN and WESTERN BLUEBIRDS, while WILD TURKEY are occasionally seen on the road nearby.  Looking at the nearby habitat I would assume you can pick up YELLOW WARBLER, LAZULI BUNTING, and DUSKY FLYCATCHER along nearby Spring Creek.  The hills to the south are going to have your regular mountain fair including WARBLING VIREO, HERMIT THRUSH, CHIPPING SPARROW, WESTERN WOOD-PEWEE and other Aspen specialists.  The coniferous portions should have a variety of finches, woodpeckers, etc.  Birders don't tend to make it down here in the summer, so what might actually be here is still pretty wide open of discussion.  If you find yourself in Monticello in June or July do yourself a favor and make your way in to the Abajos and see what you can find!

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 7.1 miles till you reach Monticello Lake on your right.