A walk at sunrise through Sawhill and Walden Ponds reveals an abundance of wildlife, right in our own backyard. It is an easy hike along miles of old roads and narrow paths. 

Even with the traffic on 75th Street, the nearby wastewater treatment plant and the noise of small planes, the ponds which were once gravel pits and the surrounding area have become essential habitat for a diverse wildlife community. 

On a cold February morning, one observer saw a great horned owl, red-tailed hawk, several downy woodpeckers and flickers, and a black-capped chickadee. Also present that morning were familiar waterfowl, such as mallard ducks and Canada geese, plus the less common varieties of goldeneyes and canvas-backed ducks. 

The area is home to mammals, too. On that morning, a muskrat swam its way across a pond, and a beaver dam looked like a mound of sticks from the distance. 

The cottonwood stands are home to rabbits, raccoons, squirrels, foxes, coyotes, deer, and skunks, as well as an array of birds. A recently excavated fox den can be seen from a path. 

Steve Jones of the Boulder County Nature Association said that before dawn, the foxes have barked at him. "They seem to think the woods belong to them, once the sun goes down." 

With the coming of spring, waterfowl that has wintered in warmer climates return to the ponds. Among the first to arrive are the pintail and green-winged teal, which favor shallow marsh waters. Ring-necked ducks, grebes, northern shovelers, widgeon, and coot also work their way back home. Blue-winged and cinnamon teal arrive in mid-April, joining the mallards that frequent the marshy areas.

April brings flocks of yellow-headed blackbirds. Swallows begin to return by mid-April. Robins return, although many of them have stayed all winter.

For many birds, Boulder County is merely a rest stop on the migratory highway. So spring and fall can bring surprise visits from birds that are just passing through.

Red fox pups are usually born in March, first appearing above ground in early April and sometimes seen romping near the entrances of dens. A spring snowfall provides a great opportunity to see fox tracks and those of other animals.

At Sawhill Ponds, interpretive signs teach everything from the names of trees and history of pond development to the structure of a beaver dam.

The experts say, to improve chances of seeing wildlife, move slowly and quietly. It is important to view wildlife from a distance without interrupting their normal activities. Do not lure the animals with food. Dogs must be leashed.

Resources are available to learn more about Walden and Sawhill Ponds and other nearby natural areas. The City of Boulder Parks and Open Space Department sponsors informative nature talks and hikes in many locations around Boulder. Boulder County Parks and Open Space volunteer naturalists lead sunset walks at various sites during the summer months. 

Steve Jones and Ruth Carol Cushman, authors of the Colorado Nature Almanac and the Boulder County Nature Almanac, offer hikes to those who attend their seminars and lectures. 

The Wild Bird Center sponsors a bird walk every Saturday morning. The location of each hike is decided spontaneously, depending on the size of the group and other factors. Participants meet at the Center at 7:20 a.m. and leave for the site promptly at 7:30 a.m. Children are welcome as long as they are interested in what’s going on and are quiet so as not to scare the birds.

Sawhill and Walden Ponds are located off 75th Street, between Jay and Valmont Roads. Watch for the signs. Hikers can begin either at the Sawhill Ponds area, which is managed by the city of Boulder, or the Walden Ponds area, which is managed by Boulder County. The two are connected by dirt trails.