This time of the year is wonderful for bird watchers. Most people only think of spring and summer for optimum viewing of different species, but late winter and early spring offers numerous clear opportunities to see popular varieties because of the lack of cover from foliage.

Kaiyote Tours is recommended by Backpacker Magazine and Fodoris Travel Guides as an excellent winter birding guide company. With over 300 species of birds in Rocky Mountain National Park having a knowledgeable guide take you directly to the most prolific sighting areas is imperative. Kaiyote Tours has three tours that are especially nice.

Cub Lake: a moderate level hike. This is one of their top hikes for birds and wildlife. Trailhead is at 8080 feet: the hike is 4.6 miles round trip and there is a 540 foot elevation gain. Cub Lake is a large lily covered pond where Ring-necked ducks nest and bears like to swim. The trail starts along Moraine Park and follows along marshy ponds before it heads up to Cub Lake.

Hollowell Park and Mill Creek Basin Loop: this is an easy level hike. Trailhead is at 8400 feet elevation; it is 3.4 miles round trip and has a 620 foot elevation gain. This is a great hike for birds and wildflowers. The trail starts out in a small meadow where beavers have damned up Mill Creek and willow trees have filled in the area. The trial then follows the creek, which has many beautiful little cascades and rises through an aspen grove and then through pines where it drops down into Mill Creek Basin.

Upper Beaver Meadows Ute Trail: this is the most difficult hike they offer, but still quite manageable. Trailhead is 8,440 feet; its 4.3 round trip and 870 foot elevation gain to 9,310. This hike is great for birds, elk, coyotes and little critters. The trail starts out at the Upper Beaver Meadows picnic area and follows the Ute Trail to the top of the moraine with great views of Longs Peak and Moraine Park.

Call Kaiyote Tours at (970) 556-6103 or visit their website at http://www.kaiyotetours.com/colorado-birding-tours/birding-rocky-mountain-national-park.htm