UPCOMING PROGRAMS

February 15 • Eric DeFonso
Birding Peru

With a checklist of about 1,800 species, including 103 endemics, Peru is a destination on many world-birders’ minds. Peru is a large country with a staggering array of habitat types and elevations, ranging from dry tropical forests to moist montane forests, vast intermountain valleys, high-elevation puna grasslands, and rocky coastal breeding grounds among the richest oceanic surface waters in the world, to the legendary lowland Amazonian rainforests.

In 2011, northern Colorado birding regular Eric DeFonso embarked on a year-long journey through much of tropical South America, and spent over three months in Peru. While there he explored these highly diverse habitats, learning about the birdlife
firsthand and often alone, and also serving as a volunteer for 2 months at a private reserve not far from Manu National Park.

He will share his remarkable experiences in Peru as he searched for birds typical of the region as well as rare and localized endemics, and will also discuss the conservation challenges in a country feeling immense pressure to develop yet so rich in natural treasures.

Eric DeFonso began birdwatching 18 years ago as a casual hobby, but his interest has now turned into a consuming passion. He has a Masters degree in Atmospheric Science from the University of California, Davis, and worked in the private sector in computing for several years before changing course and following his love of birds wherever it leads him. He has since become a certified Master Naturalist for the City of Fort Collins, served on the Board of Directors for Fort Collins Audubon, worked as a volunteer educational bird handler at the Rocky Mountain Raptor Program, and in
addition to photography he also has become an experienced bird-sound recordist, logging recordings.

Raptor ID: Download Debbie Barnes' Raptor ID brochure, mentioned in the January 2012 program..

PROGRAM LOCATION and DETAILS
(Click here for a map and directions.)

Programs are usually held on the third Wednesday of the month, September through November, and January through May, at the Division of Wildlife building located at 4255 Sinton Rd. 

Coffee and socializing at 6:30 pm; Program begins at 7 pm and runs to about 8:30 pm. Please use back entrance. There is no charge and reservations are not required.

	PAST PROGRAM HIGHLIGHTS Aiken is famous! Our September program featuring the Air Force Academy falcons and their handlers was written up in the AFA newsletter: "Colorado Springs bird watchers meet the Falcons." Can you act like a bird? Check out these happy folks at one of our past programs: Photo: Risë Foster-Bruder Hootie the Owl is always entertaining. Photo: Leslie Holzmann

Photos: Leslie Holzmann