Pueblo Area with Denver Field Ornithologists
2026-05-03 07:00 - 15:00 (America/Denver) | Pueblo Area
Pueblo Area with Jessica Miller – Joint Aiken & Denver Field Ornithologists Trip!

Sunday, May 3, 2026, 7:00 am – 3:00 pm
Trip Difficulty: Moderate
Let’s head down to Pueblo to peruse Runyon Lake, Pueblo City Park, Valco Ponds, and Pueblo Reservoir. It will be fun to see what migrants are coming through, and what rarities might appear! We will aim for 70+ species. Bring water, snacks, and lunch. Don’t forget sunscreen, a hat, your binoculars, a scope if you have one, and a camera if you like. If you would like to borrow a pair of binoculars, let the trip leader know. Bathrooms will be available regularly. Wear good walking shoes, our trip will be over relatively flat, easy, unpaved terrain. Carpool and caravan options from Denver, Colorado Springs, and Pueblo areas will be provided. The trip time listed on DFO is longer than here because they have to drive more!
This trip is limited and registration will open at noon on 4/12/2026. on this webpage: https://dfobirds.org/FieldTrips/Register.aspx?. If you do not already have an account with DFO, visit https://dfobirds.org/, click “LOGIN” then click “Create an account” and follow the prompts.
Photo: American Avocet, Karen Blackwood/Audubon Photography Awards

Birds & Brews - Paint Mines, Ramah, & Ascent Brewing
2026-05-10 08:00 - 13:30 | Paint Mines Interpretive Park, 29950 Paint Mine Rd, Calhan, CO, 80808, United States
Sunday, May 10, 8:00 a.m. – 1:30 p.m.

We will head for the northeastern corner of El Paso County to explore the Paint Mines Interpretive Park and Ramah State Wildlife Area. We’ll hope to find a variety of species – birds of prey, prairie lovers, migrant songbirds, shorebirds, who knows! Afterwards we’ll celebrate with a beer or NA refresher at Ascent Brewery in Falcon, CO.
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Anticipated Itinerary –
8:00am – OPTIONAL Meet to carpool/caravan at the Loaf & Jug on Space Village Rd (6857 Space Village Ave, Colorado Springs, CO 80915)
8:45am – Arrive at the Paint Mines to bird the prairie and rock formations (29950 Paint Mine Rd, Calhan, CO 80808)
10:45am – Leave the Paint Mines and continue up Hwy24 to Ramah SWA to bird a riparian oasis in the middle of nowhere. (39.088400, -104.216600)
12:00pm – Leave Ramah SWA and head for the brewery.
12:30pm – Arrive at Ascent Brewery (6630 Chief Rd, Peyton, CO 80831)
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– A restroom should be available at both birding destinations.
– Difficulty: easy/moderate. Walking will be easy along mostly flat trails, but our sites are exposed. We may walk about 3.5 miles. Plan for sun protection!
– Bring your binoculars; if you need to borrow some, just request with your RSVP. If you have a scope, it could come in handy at Ramah SWA.
– Plan to bring water and some snacks to get you through the morning!
– Note about visiting Ramah SWA: A valid hunting or fishing license OR SWA pass is required for everyone 16 or older to visit most SWAs. Purchasing an SWA pass or a hunting/fishing license is easy and can be done online, by phone at 1-800-244-5613, or at any of Colorado Parks and Wildlife sales locations. This is different than a State Parks Pass. The price ranges from $10/day to $$42/year.
– Please RSVP by emailing Jessica at jessicaisbirding@gmail.com as space is limited.
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Common Nighthawk at Paint Mines, Red-headed Woodpecker at Ramah SWA, Rock Wren at Paint Mines, Common Nighthawk at Ramah SWA. Photos by Jessica Miller

Paint Mines Interpretive Park & More with DFO
2026-05-20 05:00 - 14:00
Paint Mines Interpretive Park —Including El Paso County Hotspots
Wednesday, May 20, 2026, 5:00 AM – 2:00 PM
Leaders: Linda Purcell & Judy McKeon
Trip Difficulty: Moderate
Paint Mines is arguably one of the most visually compelling places in Colorado! With evidence of human life at this site dating back 9000 years – it has a remarkable history, even in the ancient Southwest! We will go directly to Paint Mines, in an effort to get the best light for photos during our early morning birding. After we leave Paint Mines, there will be another El Paso County stop at Fountain Creek Regional Park and Nature Center. On this trip we hope to see some spring migrants, as well as numerous other species. Dress appropriately, bring water, a snack, lunch. Rated moderate for the trip length and hilly conditions at Paint Mines. Bring binoculars, a camera (!), and a scope if you wish. A place and time will be announced for participants living in El Paso County to meet up with those coming from Denver. Plan to walk 3 -4 miles total. There are restrooms at Paint Mines and Fountain Creek, and we will plan to make other stops as well.
This trip is limited and registration will open at noon on 4/29/2026. on this webpage: https://dfobirds.org/FieldTrips/Register.aspx?TripID=22352. If you do not already have an account with DFO, visit https://dfobirds.org/, click “LOGIN” then click “Create an account” and follow the prompts.
