Marathon Basin: The Post and Prairie Dog Colony

The Marathon Basin is a natural bowl between the Glass Mountains on the north and east and Santiago Mountains on the south and southwest. The Post contains the remains of old Fort Pena Colorado, established in 1879 to protect settlers from hostile Indians; it was abandoned in 1893. Today The Post is a popular picnicking site that can be busy on weekends. The historic Gage Hotel, in the center of Marathon, was built by Alfred Gage in 1927 as headquarters for his extensive ranch. It has since been renovated for a popular hotel and restaurant. Marathon also contains a number of craft shops and the James Evans Gallery. Key Birds: “Mexican Duck” (Mallard), Harris’s Hawk, Scaled Quail, Greater Roadrunner, Golden-fronted Woodpecker, Black and Say’s Phoebes, Vermilion Flycatcher, Common Raven, Verdin, Cactus Wren, Black-tailed Gnatcatcher, Curve-billed Thrasher, Phainopepla, Pyrrhuloxia, Black-throated Sparrow, House Finch, and Lesser Goldfinch are present year-round. Swainson’s Hawk, Lucifer Hummingbird, Elf and Burrowing Owls, Lesser and Common Nighthawks, Black-chinned Hummingbird, Scissor-tailed Flycatcher, Cassin’s and Western Kingbirds, Chihuahuan Raven, Varied and Painted Buntings, Cassin’s Sparrow, Bronzed Cowbird, and Orchard, Hooded, Bullock’s, and Scott’s Orioles occur in summer. Ferruginous Hawk; Eastern, Western, and Mountain Bluebirds; Sage and Crissal Thrashers; Green-tailed Towhee; Clay-colored, Brewer’s, and Vesper Sparrows; and Lark Bunting can usually be found in winter. This eTrail provides detailed information on birding strategies for this specific location, the specialty birds and other key birds you might see, directions to each birding spot, a detailed map, and helpful general information.