Chico Basin Ranch with Denver Field Ornithologists (DFO)
Monday, September 15, 2025, 6:30 AM – 2:00 PM
Leader: Jessica Miller
Trip Difficulty: Moderate

This trip is ideal for those that have never visited the ranch, but all levels of birders are welcome.

Venture out to El Paso County’s #1 eBird hotspot, Chico Basin Ranch. We will explore the three sites open to birders – The woodlands where Bird Conservancy of the Rockies will be banding birds, The Headquarters pond, and Rose’s Pond. During our trip we will venture across county lines to scour vast prairie, woodlands, open water, wetlands, and riparian areas for a very wide variety of birds, including wonderful migrants. We will utilize our full allotted time on the Ranch – 7:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Bring snacks, lunch, and lots of water. We will be in shade much of the time, but still plan for sun protection. Porta-potties will be nearby half of the time. Of course, bring your favorite birding gear like binoculars and a camera. (Don’t have binoculars? No problem – the trip leader can bring you some!) Wear comfortable walking shoes – we may walk 3 miles at a very slow birder’s pace. Our terrain can be uneven but mostly flat. Long pants are recommended. Denver-area participants will meet in Castle Rock to carpool down at 5:30 a.m. Everyone will meet in Fountain, CO at 6:30 a.m. before heading east to Chico.

This trip is limited to 11 participants and registration will open at noon on 9/1/2025 on this webpage: https://dfobirds.org/FieldTrips/UpcomingTrips.aspx. If you do not already have an account with DFO, visit https://dfobirds.org/, click “LOGIN” then click “Create Account” and follow the prompts. Closer to the trip, Jessica will provide the link and password to participants registered through DFO to purchase their ticket to visit the ranch. The ranch access fee is $15 per person. We will need a few drivers to volunteer to drive as carpooling is greatly preferred.