Millions of years of history point to one thingblack mesa campground is basically the most epic place ever. The highest point in oklahoma at 4,973 feet, black mesa summit can be reached with a scenic 4. Parks directory of the united states state parks oklahoma location. This park is in oklahomas panhandle and got its name from the layer of black lava rock that coated. Big day at black mesa, oklahoma bird watchers digest. Such sightings are added to the park s resource management data file, providing a detailed permanent record that assists researchers. Black mesa, oklahoma location and trail map directions to trailhead. Thayer birding software makes the toprated birding software for windows and mac computers. Black mesa is located in oklahomas panhandle along the tri state border with colorado and new mexico. So, you can handle all your data locally and still contribute to citizen science in a heartbeat. Black mesa state park and nature preserve is one of the top bird watching spots in oklahoma where more than 100 species of birds that attract birders to the. This creek feeds into the lake carl etling which is known for excellent trout fishing in the winter. Within the preserve, wildlife of the shortgrass prairie blend with species which are typical of the foothills of the southern rocky mountains. Locally, matt has worked for the nature conservancy, patagonia lake state park, road scholar and local birding and butterfly festivals.
Park name county or counties area in acres date founded streams and or lakes notes. Surprisingly the real black mesa lies miles west of black mesa state park. Black mesa state park and the preserve all around it is definitely an amazing experience. Conversely, when birding along some of the paved roads during the week, be aware that many people who live out in the boonies commute to san diego, so be watchful of rush hour morning traffic. Black mesa state park kenton 2020 all you need to know. Always know your counts for any location you track right on the main window. Ponds, aglands for mountain plover and other birds, black mesa state park and lake etling. There is a decidedly western influence in its biota, with many bird species seen nowhere else in oklahoma. The route to the summit of black mesa is owned by the nature conservancy, which has purchased much of the land in the area and is maintaining its natural beauty for the coming generations. Stay on hwy 325 as it bends sharply to the west toward kenton.
Black mesa birding trek the black mesa area is a special place that lies in the very shadow of the rocky mountains. Located close to kenton at the tip of the oklahoma panhandle, black mesa feels like a whole new world if you have crossed oklahoma from the east to the west for a visit. Discover the difference between bird songs and calls, and learn popular mnemonics for recognizing sounds made by common backyard birds. The summit itself is a small bastion of black mesa state park. Named for the prehistoric black lava rock that previously coated black mesa campgrounds land, its now a popular site for those in oklahoma as well as nearby colorado and new mexico.
In elementary school, matt taught birding id to his fellow classmates. Its highest and lowest points follow this trend, with its highest peak, black mesa. Marvin davis writes about an exhilarating day of birding in the cimarron valley and the black mesa country of westernmost oklahoma. And, diverse habitats mean large numbers of species. Birding in san diego offers more than 515 species of birds. The center piece of this preserve is the black mesa. Is this a mustdo if you are traveling with a big group greater than 5. A very unique state park situated within a sandstone canyon created by the south fork tributary of carrizzo creek. Black mesa state park is adjacent to lake carl etling and offers rv, tent and equestrian campsites, picnic facilities, boat ramps and a mooring buoy, trout fishing in season, a playground, restrooms with showers and a group camp with bunkhouses. Bird watching in mesa verde is not as impressive as some specialized areas, but it is an exciting and worthwhile experience.
The reasons why is because the judges tend to be professional photographers that have high standards and the winning and final images to make it to the end, well they are pretty darn good. Rising above the horizon, the black mesa stands majestically as the highest point in oklahoma. Black mesa state park is an oklahoma state park in cimarron county, near the western border of the oklahoma panhandle and new mexico. Fill out a wildlife sighting card if you see something rare or unusual. Over 100 species of birds are frequently spotted amidst the plateaus and junipers that dot this rugged landscape. The black mesa itself is northwest of the park proper and is also a state park area. Black mesa state park, established in 1959, is in the western tip of oklahomas panhandle and consists of 549 acres of land, of which 259 acres are leased, and 90 acres are state owned, and lake carl etling a 200 acre lake. Black mesa state park parks state hwy 325, kenton, ok. Palomar mountain state park, palomar mountain 19952 state park road home of the worldrenowned palomar observatory and to the bandtailed pigeons the signature palomar birds, this mountain habitat offers birders the opportunity to see a different set of birds with some looking to nest in the huge cedars and pines. Black mesa state park is nestled in a sandstone canyon carved by the south fork tributary of carrizo creek. Many western birds are found nowhere else in the state. The park is located about 15mi away from its namesake, black mesa, the highest point in oklahoma 4973ft above sea level. Black mesa state park s campground, picnic areas and.
Check out the audubon society of central oklahoma for free birding trips and programs. This park is a highly recognized birdwatching site and has many other wildlife viewing opportunities including a hiking trail. Top birding hot spots in north america thayer birding software. There is a decidedly western influence in its biota, with many bird species seen nowhere else in. Wildlife lovers also might have the chance to see antelope, bighorn sheep, bobcats and more. Overview programs visit the lab job opportunities news releases. Black mesa state park and nature preserve bird watchers. Visit black mesa state park on your trip to kenton or united. Information for black mesa, oklahomas highest point at 4,973. Hike through the black lava rocks coating the mesa, whose origins date back to 30 million years ago. The nature preserve is located 15 miles from the state park and features oklahomas highest elevati.
While most of these routes are obviously free of charge, some pass through state park lands which require a day use fee. Other wildlife in the area includes black bear, bobcat, mountain lion, mule deer, bighorn sheep and antelope. Eagles, quail, magpies, and jays are often seen in this untouched landscape. Information about birding at black mesa state park. Birding trail listing great florida birding trail virginia birding and wildlife trail audubon niagara birding trail connecticut river birding trail great river birding trail birding drives dakota great plains trail of oklahoma great pikes peak birding trail southwest new mexico birding trail great montana birding and wildlife trail utah birding trails great washington state birding trail.
Fill up your gas tank and plan on a 30mile drive from boise city to the first early morning stop at the overlook on the south side of the black mesa state park 11 see directions above. At black mesa in the west, regulars include scaled quail, says phoebe, ashthroated flycatcher, western scrubjay, canyon wren, mountain. Lace up your hiking boots, grab your binoculars and head to the oklahoma panhandle where youll find a birding paradise black mesa state park and nature preserve. Black mesa state park and nature preserve state highway 325. This park is in oklahomas panhandle and got its name from the layer of black lava rock that coated the mesa about 30 million years ago. There are four ibas designated in mesa county, click the links below to learn more about them. Birds, birding trips and birdwatching tours in state of oklahoma.
The park is located about 15 miles 24 km away from its namesake, black mesa, the highest point in oklahoma 4,973 feet 1,516 m above sea level. Birding state parks in california bird watchers digest. Next drive down into the park and walk along the edges of carrizzo creek for riparian birds. The mesa was named for the layer of black lava rock that coats it. Scythebill is a desktop application for birders to keep track of their life lists and birding records. Plan a birding trip to black mesa state park and camp among the rugged rock formations where you can picnic, hike, fish and enjoy abundant watchable wildlife. Is this place or activity closed during certain parts of the year. Hotels near black mesa state park, kenton on tripadvisor. The direct and official information for black mesa state park in kenton, oklahoma. From boise city in the extreme western end of the oklahoma panhandle take state hwy 325 west for about and then for 10 miles. Grassy knolls, craggy ridges, steep canyons, rushing creeks, hillsides of native trees, sweeping vistasthe wild spaces that define the wilderness.
Black mesa state park, ok oklahoma state parks rv guide. The nature preserve consists of approximately 1,600 acres. The 5 closest hotels to black mesa state park, kenton. The black mesa area is transitional land between the prairies and the rocky mountains. She and marilyn colyer worked on park bird surveys for over 25 years, trying to keep the files updated and the information current and accurate. These are the characteristics across 87,000 acres in the henry w. Experts and locals help you see more birds, and youll meet other vis. The black mesa nature preserve, located north of the community of kenton, contains four distinct plant communities.
Oklahoma is the 28th most populous and 20thlargest state. From the start of this little adventure i have been on, there were several that i came across that have intrigued me. Highline state park colorado national monument grand valley riparian corridor unaweep seep natural area western slope birding network this is a yahoo group. View recent trips to black mesa state park and recent sightings. The information you want, when you want it, at your fingertips. I only refrained from 5 stars because i wish there was better signage at some of the sites, but thats why i created a guide with photos and a map that you will find referenced at the bottom of this. Best bird watching trails near mesa, arizona alltrails. The black mesa area is oklahoma on mountain standard time.
He went on to study psychology at syracuse university before moving to arizona in 1998 to pursue his passion of bird watching and bird leader. There is a lot more to bird watching than just watching. Black mesa birding trek lesser prairiechicken festival. Hike up the black mesa preserve to the highest spot in oklahoma. With an elevation of 4,973, at the high point monument lures hikers from all over the world.
Vancouver reifel bird sanctuary pacific rim national park reserve 49. At black mesa in the west, regulars include scaled quail, says phoebe, ash throated flycatcher, western scrubjay, canyon wren, mountain. Spring summer fall winter black mesa state park birding guide. Black rivermima prairie glacial heritage preserve littlerock. Theres plenty of great birdlist software and birding software available today, but.
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