Field Trips

Festivals

Saturday, June 21 6:30-8:30 am
Guided Bird Walk
for birders of all levels. Bear Creek Nature Center, Reservations required: 719-520-6387. Free.

Saturday, June 21, 1 - 2 pm
Summer's Hummers
Join ornithologist and photographer Steve Vaughan for an indoor presentation on these teeny feathered wonders, then go outside to find them along the trails.  Bear Creek Nature Center, Reservations required: 719-520-6387 Cost: $3.00/person

Monday, June 23, 7 am - ??
Emerald Valley
Join El Paso County naturalist Ken Pals in exploring the biological diversity of this alpine meadow off Stage Coach Road. Slipper orchids and other native plants will be top priority, followed by butterflies, and then birds such as Band-tailed Pigeon, flycatchers, vireos and hummingbirds. Consider bringing a camera.

We’ll rendezvous at Cheyenne Mountain High School east parking lot at 7:00 am and carpool to Emerald Valley. Be prepared to ride or offer to drive. High clearance vehicles are recommended. Passengers should contribute $5 to drivers for gas.

Bring the usual things (binoculars, field guides, water, lunch, sun screen, camera, rain gear, ability to ford small streams).

Reservations are required. Group size is limited to 12 people as parking is limited at the site.

Call Ken Pals at Fountain Creek Nature Center to reserve a spot: 719.520.6745, mtnpals@juno.com

Saturday, July 26 8:00-10:00 a.m. 
Bird Banding Demonstration for Families 
Bird enthusiasts of all ages will assist with capture, data collection, and release of live songbirds. Learn to identify species and the importance of studying our feathered friends. Bear Creek Nature Center, Reservations required: 719-520-6387 Cost: $3.00/person

Field Trips & Events with Arkansas Valley Audubon Society

SATURDAY, JUNE 14, LA VETA, 9 AM – 4 PM:  Join us for a day of birding in and around beautiful, cool La Veta.  There’s plenty of birding right in town and access to higher altitudes for mountain species too.  Meet at the Town Park on West Ryus, the first paved street after the RR tracks (turn west off Hwy 12/Main Street).  From there we will carpool with the smallest number of vehicles possible during the trip.  Contact Donna Emmons at 369-9704 or emmons7@yahoo.com.  In La Veta, contact Beverly Jensen at goldiloucks@yahoo.com or Stirling Lathrop at 719-742-6655 or lbsterize@yahoo.com.      

SATURDAY, JUNE 28, NATURE AND RAPTOR CENTER, 8 – 11 AM:  The 4th Saturday Birdwalk begins at the parking lot of the Nature Center, on 11th Street west of Pueblo Blvd.  Join an Audubon member for an easy stroll along the river trail.  This is an excellent outing for families and beginning birders are especially encouraged to attend.  There is no charge for the birdwalk, but there is a $3.00 parking fee.  Contact Donna Emmons at 369-9704 or 676-5666 or the Nature Center at 549-2414 or www.gncp.org. 

SUNDAY, JUNE 29, BUTTERFLY COUNT, LAKE DOROTHEY STATE WILDLIFE AREA:  This long-running butterfly count is in cooperation with Sugarite Canyon SP, NM, which adjoins the SWA at the border near Raton.  Butterfly experts from both states attend but you don’t have to be an expert to participate. On Sunday, June 29, meet in the parking lot at the SWA at 9 am.  This count usually ends about 2 pm, which is when the daily rains show up.  Contact Mark Yaeger at 543-2724 or 545-8407 with questions.  On SATURDAY, JUNE 28, naturalist and trip leader, Steve Cary, will give a slide presentation as a primer for the next day’s count.  Check the NM SP website- www.emnrd.state.nm.us/PRD/Sugarite.htm - to find out about the weekend’s activities and camping possibilities.  A Colorado Habitat Stamp is required.
 
SATURDAY JULY 12, PUEBLO MOUNTAIN PARK ENVIRONMENTAL CENTER, BEULAH, 9 AM – NOON:  AVAS has coordinated with Park Director, Dave Van Manen, to compile a butterfly list for the Park and started with 25 species last year.  Join us to continue to build the list.  All levels of expertise are welcome for this netless count.  We also look at wildflowers and birds, of course.  Contact Mark at 543-2724 or 545-8407.  Check out the Park’s website – www.hikeandlearn.org - for directions.

SATURDAY, JULY 26, NATURE AND RAPTOR CENTER, 8 – 11 AM:  The 4th Saturday Birdwalk begins at the parking lot of the Nature Center, on 11th Street west of Pueblo Blvd.  Join an Audubon member for an easy stroll along the river trail.  This is an excellent outing for families and beginning birders are especially encouraged to attend.  There is no charge for the birdwalk, but there is a $3.00 parking fee.  Contact Donna Emmons at 369-9704 or 676-5666 or the Nature Center at 549-2414 or www.gncp.org

SATURDAY, AUGUST 16, WET MOUNTAIN VALLEY, LAKE DEWEESE SWA, 8 AM – 4 PM:  This continues to be one of the most popular trips on the schedule, year after year, thanks to organizers and leaders, Dave Silverman, Rye, Jane Pedersen, Durango, and Leon Bright, Pueblo.  Birders of all skill levels are encouraged to attend.  Novices will find plenty of help from experienced birders who are happy to help identify birds and give tips on how to gain the most enjoyment from the trip.  Several people usually bring scopes and allow others a close-up look.  Participants may bird all day or however long they wish.  All-day birders will probably see over 100 species.
To get to the meeting place, Lake DeWeese SWA (don’t forget your Habitat Stamp), travel to Westcliffe and head north on State Hwy 69.  At the north edge of town, turn right on the Lake road and continue about four or five miles.  Follow the pavement through the settlement until you reach the lake and parking area.  The group will first scan the lake for waterfowl and shorebirds then check the riparian area below the dam for songbirds.
On the drive back to Westcliffe and lunch in the city park there, the group will view nearby short-grass prairie for sparrows and other birds of that habitat.  In the afternoon the group will go a few miles north to check feeders and natural areas in the lower montane habitat.
Since this trip attracts a large number of participants, CARPOOLING IS ESSENTIAL DURING THE FIELD TRIP.  Contact Dave, 719-489-3565 or silvireo@hotmail.com, Leon, 719-561-1108 or urraca2@comcast.net and Jane, janelcsw@aol.com. 

SATURDAY, AUGUST 23, NATURE AND RAPTOR CENTER, 8 – 11 AM:  The 4th Saturday Birdwalk begins at the parking lot of the Nature Center, on 11th Street west of Pueblo Blvd.  Join an Audubon member for an easy stroll along the river trail.  This is an excellent outing for families and beginning birders are especially encouraged to attend.  There is no charge for the birdwalk, but there is a $3.00 parking fee.  Contact Donna Emmons at 369-9704 or 676-5666 or the Nature Center at 549-2414 or www.gncp.org

Trip Tip:  bring water, snack/lunch, binoculars and field guides.  Wear comfortable shoes and layers of clothing. Also, please have some cash.  You may be expected to share gas costs and park fees if applicable.

In the event of bad weather, check with the trip leader for status of trip.