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14th Annual Mountain Plover Festival in Colorado Announced; Rare Wildlife Event For Birders, Nature Lovers and Families on Inaccessible Private Land

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Birders, nature lovers and families to enjoy unique bird watching event on ordinarily inaccessible private land, wildlife viewing, entertainment, food and history Friday through Sunday, April 24, April 24 and April 26, 2020 in Karval, Colorado. Photo credit: Danielle Dascalos Public Relations.

KARVAL, CO – Reservations are now being accepted for the 14th Annual Mountain Plover Festival, hosted by the Karval, Community Alliance, which takes place Friday through Sunday, April 24, April 24 and April 26, 2020 in Karval, Colorado, one of North America’s largest breeding grounds for this elusive bird.

Birders, nature lovers and families will enjoy unique bird watching on ordinarily inaccessible private land, wildlife viewing, entertainment, history and lots of great food, including an authentic Saturday night chuck wagon dinner. Local museums open for the weekend so that travelers can get a true glimpse of life on the prairie during their visit to Lincoln County, Colorado.

The Mountain Plover is a bird that begins arriving on Colorado’s central plains in early April. Plovers find the short grass prairie and fallow fields in the area to be excellent habitat and Karval, Colorado is one of the largest nesting grounds in the nation. Mountain Plovers migrate over the Rocky Mountains from California, hence the name “mountain,” and stay in the area usually through September.

Plovers find the short grass prairie and fallow fields in the area to be excellent habitat and Karval, Colorado is one of the largest nesting grounds in the nation. Photo credit: Danielle Dascalos Public Relations.

Birders visit this area from all over the world to spot the rare Mountain Plover. Often referred to as the “ghost of the prairie,” plovers blend in with the environment. The Mountain Plover Festival is a terrific time to travel the area in groups searching for nests that are tended by both female and male plovers. Third generation ranchers, the sons and daughters of Colorado homesteaders, lead day and evening tours on public and private land. Tour guides take guests through the spring hunting grounds of Native Americans, sharing stories and visiting local historic sites including a prairie school house.

“We bring the plover lovers to the bird,” Karval Community Alliance President Dan Merewether said. “Along with bird watching, our guests get the chance to mingle with farmers and ranchers who have lived on this land for generations, eat home style food including a chuck wagon dinner with authentic western entertainment and learn about conservation practices and the history of this unique part of Colorado.”

– Karval Community Alliance President Dan Merewether

Landowners and biologists are working together to study and preserve the nesting grounds of this elusive species. The Mountain Plover Festival in Karval is a unique opportunity to explore the human and natural communities of Colorado’s Eastern Plains which at this time of year can be full of song birds and other birding surprises.

Sunday morning offers the special opportunity to experience a guided tour of the Nature Conservancy’s Brett Gray Ranch.

Ticket Prices

Event Highlights:

  • Two day tours and one night tour – You’ll see up to 80 different species of birds and many other wild animals
  • Tours on private land
  • Country hospitality with all meals included
  • Photo Contest

Where to stay?

  • Stay with working farmers and ranchers. (Must make reservations for this early)
  • Electric hookups for motor homes are available.
  • Primitive camping sites available.
  • Closest motels are in Hugo (30 minutes)  and Limon, Colorado (45 minutes)

For lodging information contact: Debbie at 719-892-0864 or Katie at [email protected]

Local Areas of Interest:

  • Karval Reservoir – Enjoy 229 acres of stocked warm water fishing, camping, and wildlife viewing. Restrooms and shade shelters available. To get to Karval Reservoir, head 10 miles south from the junction of State Highways 94 and 109. From downtown Karval, the reservoir entrance is only two miles east and one mile south.
  • Kinney Lake – Fishing, wildlife observation, camping, and photography can all be enjoyed at Kinney Lake’s 354 acres. In warmer months the lake is stocked with trout. Campsites are also available. From Hugo, go 14 miles south on 109 to County Road 2G. Then drive 2.5 miles east to County Road 2J and one more mile east.
  • Hugo State Wildlife Area – Hugo State Wildlife Area is Lincoln County’s largest State Wildlife Area with 1,941 acres. Warm water fishing is stocked with trout in the spring. The area is also great for camping, hiking, and wildlife viewing. From Hugo, go 14 miles south on 109 and then 2.25 miles east on County Road 2G.
  • Lincoln County’s Hedlund House Museum – This historic home was built in 1877 and in August of 1972, Lincoln County dedicated it as the Hedlund House Museum. Today, the museum showcases life on the prairie and the unique lives of homesteaders who founded Hugo. To get there, watch for the brown museum sign as your enter the town of Hugo.
  • Limon Heritage Museum & Railroad Park – The life and legends of the plains come to life at this extraordinary small town museum which features the Limon Depot, Exhibit Building, and Railroad Park. To get there, watch for the brown museum sign as your enter the town of Limon.

For more information please contact: Danielle Dascalos 720-837-3845 [email protected]   www.mountainploverfestival.com

Get the latest updates and view photos of the Mountain Plover Festival on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mountainploverfestival/

George McGregor

Mr. McGregor is our staff news reporter who focuses primarily on reviewing and editing (if necessary) all media alerts and press releases for The Published Reporter. Media advisories, alerts and press releases can be sent via email to [email protected] and, if approved, will be published free of charge. There is no guarantee your release will be published; inclusion is at the discretion of our editors. We receive hundreds of media advisories and news alerts per day and choose a select few for publication. Please see our editorial guidelines and terms of service.

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