Explore some of the best birdwatching spots in Converse County.

From riverside trails and shady parks to red-rock canyons and open grasslands, Converse County offers excellent opportunities to spot Wyoming birdlife year-round.

From open meadows to pine forests, shady streams to picturesque rock formations, Converse County’s varied landscapes make it a birdwatcher’s paradise. There are more than 20 birding hotspots in the county, with some of the most active areas concentrated around Douglas’s Riverside Park Bike Path, Ayres Natural Bridge Park, Glenrock Municipal Park, and the Thunder Basin National Grassland.

Riverside Park is located on the east bank of the North Platte River in Douglas and is home to a variety of riparian and river waterfowl. Within the city limits, a paved, ADA-accessible bike trail gently meanders through the park, offering plenty of opportunities for wildlife and birdwatching. It is not uncommon for birders to see 140 species in the park throughout the year, including mergansers, Great Blue Herons, Belted Kingfishers, and various finch and sparrow species. Benches and picnic areas are also found throughout the park.

Ayres Natural Bridge Park, located 15 minutes west of Douglas, is one of Converse County’s hidden gems. Birdwatchers here have recorded more than 130 species. This picturesque red-rock canyon offers opportunities to see flycatchers, Warbling Vireos, Bullock’s Orioles, Violet-green and Cliff Swallows, Yellow-breasted Chats, Yellow Warblers, and occasionally American Dippers along La Prele Creek. Please note that dogs are not allowed at the park, even if they remain in your vehicle, but dog boarding is available nearby at The Station.

Glenrock Municipal Park is another great birdwatching stop. Located at the confluence of the North Platte River and Deer Creek, this large park is wooded with deciduous trees. Stroll along Al’s Walking Path and look for some of the 130 species sighted here, including Nuthatches, Wild Turkeys, Woodpeckers, American Redstarts, Wilson’s Warblers, and other warbler species.

Thunder Basin National Grassland in northern Converse County is home to unique open-country birdlife. Visitors may spot Greater Sage-Grouse, Sharp-tailed Grouse, American Avocets, Killdeer, Upland Sandpipers, Long-billed Curlews, Golden Eagles, Ferruginous Hawks, Brewer’s Sparrows, Lark Buntings, Burrowing Owls, and occasionally Mountain Plovers. The grasslands are also prime habitat for Wyoming’s state bird, the Western Meadowlark, whose cheerful song is often one of the first signs of spring in the Cowboy State.