Aiken Audubon Society

Falcon and Friends Birdwatch - Garden of the Gods Sponsored
2022-05-16 09:00 - 10:30 (America/Denver) | Garden of the Gods Parking Lot #2 (North Main Parking Lot), 30th Street, Colorado Springs, CO, 80904, United States
Falcon and Friends
Monday Mornings – 9:00-10:30 – Observation Deck above restrooms at P2
Free Program (No preregistration required)
Park Volunteer and Interpreter Michele McMurray will have spotting scopes and binoculars out to view our local prairie falcons along with other feathered friends and wildlife of the park. Stop by the observation deck located on top of the restrooms at parking lot #2 (North Main Parking Lot).

The Next CFO Convention
2022-05-19 08:00 - 2022-05-23 17:00
Colorado Field Ornitholgists Convention
MAKE IT A HIGHLIGHT OF YOUR BIRDING YEAR

PUEBLO CONVENTION MAY 19-23, 2022

CFO’s next convention is scheduled for May 19 – 23, 2022 in Pueblo, CO. Pueblo and the surrounding area is an amazing location for Colorado birding. The access to a variety of habitats, leads to Pueblo County having the largest county bird list of any in the state. This is one of the easiest areas in which to see most of the southeast canyon specialties, and Pueblo Reservoir, one of the largest bodies of water in the state, has attracted just about every rare waterbird you can think of. Join your fellow CFO members to explore this wonderful part of the state.

https://cobirds.org/Conventions/Next.aspx

Active Adults Series: Spring Birding Photography Workshop at Fountain Creek
2022-05-21 08:00 - 10:00 | Fountain Creek Nature Center, 320 Pepper Grass Lane, Fountain, 80817
Active Adults Series: Spring Birding Photography Workshop at Fountain Creek
Saturday, May 21, 8:00 a.m.- 10:00 a.m.
Spring is a wonderful time to view birds. Join award-wining photographer, Mike Pach, as he helps you capture photos of spring migrants. All skill levels welcome. Bring your camera and tripod (optional). We will meet at Fountain Creek Nature Center. Limit 15 participants. $20 per person. Pre-paid registration is required.
El Paso County Nature Centers

World Migratory Bird Day - The Sounds of Nocturnal Migration - October 8
2022-10-08 18:00 - 19:30
In celebration of fall World Migratory Bird Day on SATURDAY October 8, Audubon Rockies is partnering with Great Salt Lake Audubon in presenting The Sounds of Nocturnal Migration, a free webinar about nocturnal bird migration, how it’s monitored, and the risks that nocturnal migratory birds face.
Why do birds migrate at night, how are they monitored, and how you can help minimize the threats nocturnal migratory birds face? You’ll get answers to these questions and more during @AudubonRockies’ free webinar, The Sounds of Nocturnal Migration, on October 8! Come learn about Audubon’s conservation efforts, the newest conservation technology, and how you can play a part in all of it. Register now! https://act.audubon.org/a/sounds-nocturnal-migration?ms=chapters-eng-web-website_rockies-water-20221008-rockies-gillmor-sounds_nocturnal_migration-toolkit

Active Adults: Birding 101
2022-10-13 18:00 - 20:00 | Bear Creek Nature Center, 245 Bear Creek Rd, Colorado Springs, CO, 80906
Join us for a two-part session for Beginning Birders! Aiken Audubon leaders will teach about bird identification, behavior and habitats, birding ethics, and choices for binoculars, scopes and field guides.
Pre-registration required. $10 per person for both classes, $8 per Nature Center member.
October 13, 6-8p and October 15, 8a-12n.
Register here and scroll down to Activity number:103000-62 (requires account with El Paso County to register).

Jr. Bird Club - Fountain Creek Nature Center
2022-10-22 08:00 - 11:00 | Fountain Creek Nature Center, 320 Pepper Grass Lane, Fountain, 80817
Jr. Bird Club
Saturday, October 22, 8:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m.
Nature lovers ages 8 to 15 are invited to spend time together outdoors and practice their birding skills! In this meeting, we will learn about the very first birds… Yea, this one is 66 million years in the making! Lesson, craft, and birding walk included. $10 per child.
ONLINE REGISTRATION available: CLICK HERE

Fountain Creek Nature Center, 320 Pepper Grass Lane, Fountain, CO 80817
719-520-6745; www.elpasocountynaturecenters.com

Walk Rock Ledge Ranch & Visit Orchard House - Limit met - waitlist only
2022-10-29 08:00 - 11:00 | Rock Ledge Ranch, 3199 Chambers Way, Colorado Springs, CO, 80904, United States
Join us on October 29, 2022 for this great opportunity!
We’ll meet at 8a in front of Rock Ledge Orchard House and bird walk around the ranch. Afterward, we’ll join in the Orchard House for a presentation led by Melissa Keown.
In 1907, General Palmer commissioned the construction the Orchard House and invited his sister-in-law, Charlotte and her husband, William Sclater to live at the ranch. William Sclater was a well-known British ornithologist, who authored a book on the birds of Colorado. Join us to hear the details!
The registration will be limited to a 20 person maximum and there will be a $4 per person requested donation, benefitting Rock Ledge Ranch. If interested, email MHELTON016@gmail.com with your name(s) and phone number to confirm your spot. ****** The limit is met. If you’re interested in being waitlisted, let me know.
The bird walk will be at a leisurely pace. Dress appropriately for Colorado’s October weather! All levels of birders are welcome. You’re encouraged to bring binoculars (if you’d like to borrow a set, please let me know).

Avian Collection - Colorado College Museum Tour
2022-11-09 15:00 - 16:30 | Barnes Science Building, 1040 N Nevada Ave,, Colorado Springs, Colorado Springs, 80903
Come tour the Avian Collection at Colorado College on November 9th at 3p! We will meet at the east-facing entrance at 3p and we can view the avian collection from 3-430p. Masks are optional, but appreciated.
If you’re interested in joining us, please let me know – we are limited to a 14 person maximum.
mhelton016@gmail.com for your reservation!

Colorado Springs Christmas Bird Count
2022-12-17 | Bear Creek Nature Center, 245 Bear Creek Rd, Colorado Springs, CO, 80906
Join us for the Colorado Springs Christmas Bird Count on December 17! The Christmas Bird Count is the longest-running citizen science project in the United States and dates back to 1901. It provides valuable data about the wintering distribution and abundance of birds across the U.S. and you can help! You don’t have to be a bird expert and can contribute right from your back yard or join Aiken Audubon as we canvass our count circle in Colorado Springs. If you would like to participate, please reach out to Tyler Stuart (our Christmas Bird Count Coordinator for the past 10 years!) and let him know that you would like to join us. Following the count, we will have a potluck dinner at Bear Creek Nature Center to go over all the sightings from count.

Winter Bird Count - Fountain Creek
2023-01-14 08:30 - 11:00 | Fountain Creek Nature Center, 320 Pepper Grass Lane, Fountain, 80817
Winter Bird Count
Saturday, January 14, 8:30 a.m. – 11:00 a.m.
All levels of birders are invited to help us observe and record the bird species in Fountain Creek Regional Park. Preregistration is required and space is limited. $5 donation per person recommended.

This event is sponsored by El Paso County Nature Centers
El Paso County Nature Centers

Jr. Bird Club - Fountain Creek Nature Center
2023-01-21 08:00 - 11:00 | Fountain Creek Nature Center, 320 Pepper Grass Lane, Fountain, 80817
Jr. Bird Club
Saturday, January 21, 8:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m.
Nature lovers ages 8 to 15 are invited to spend time together outdoors and practice their birding skills! In this meeting we will learn about winter adaptations and survival strategies. Drop off your child for a lesson, craft, and birding walk! Prepaid registration required. $10 per child.
This event is sponsored by El Paso Nature Centers
El Paso County Nature Centers

Live Birds of Prey
2023-01-28 10:00 - 11:00 | Fountain Creek Nature Center, 320 Pepper Grass Lane, Fountain, 80817
Live Birds of Prey
Saturday, January 28, 10:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m.
Learn about hawks, owls, eagles, falcons, and vultures through a live birds of prey program with Nature & Wildlife Discovery Center! The presentation includes two different birds of prey and a discussion of adaptations, predator/prey relationships, natural history, and personal stories of the birds presented. You’ll also hear about the work the Center foes to rehabilitate sick, injured, and orphaned birds of prey. Prepaid registration required. $5 per person/$4 per member.

This event is sponsored by El Paso County Nature Centers
El Paso County Nature Centers

Winter Bird Festival
2023-01-28 10:00 - 14:00
Winter Bird Festival

January 28, 2023 10:00 AM –2:00 PM
2120 S. Cheyenne Canyon Road | Colorado Springs, CO | 80906

(719) 385-6086

Admission: Free to attend, but donations are always appreciated.
Event Summary

The Winter Bird Festival will be hosted at Starsmore Visitor and Nature Center in North Cheyenne Cañon Park and will have many family-friendly activities including crafts, bird-themed activities, and bird walks!

Building for the Birds - Offered through El Paso Nature Centers
2023-03-11 10:00 - 12:00 | Fountain Creek Nature Center, 320 Pepper Grass Lane, Fountain, 80817
Building for the Birds
Saturday, March 11, 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
Build a nesting box for common backyard birds, learn who they are and their calls. An adult able to handle tools must accompany children. Bring a hammer and pliers if you have them. Other materials provided. Prepaid registration required. $12 per kit/$10 per member kit.

Fountain Creek Adult Birding Club - Available through El Paso Nature Centers
2023-03-16 18:30 - 20:30 | Fountain Creek Nature Center, 320 Pepper Grass Lane, Fountain, 80817
Become a more experienced, confident birder over the next year by slowly learning details, tips, and tricks each month! Birding is a hobby that increases your observational skills, connecting you to nature even more. You’ll get outside and move more, see more, and feel accomplished. This club will meet twice per month for one classroom session and one field trip for a total of 24 meetings. At the end of our club year, participants attending 18/24 meetings will receive a certificate. Don’t have binoculars? You can borrow a pair from the Nature Center!
Thursday evening classroom sessions will be held in-person at Fountain Creek Nature Center. Lessons will include discussions of how each month’s focus group of birds’ anatomy, movement, diet, and habitat are all connected. We will define major identifying characteristics seen in the field for each species and become familiar with sounds. Dates are subject to change, but unlikely to.
Saturday morning field trips will be at various places throughout El Paso County. These outings will give you real-life experience of locations to explore and seasonal species to discover. Dates and locations are subject to change in the event of inclement weather.

$250 per person / $220 per member

Click here to register! Members, create an account if you don’t have one already, then call 719-520-6745 to have a staff person apply your discount.

Anticipated schedule of classes and field trips; dates and locations subject to change
Thursday, March 16th, 6:30 p.m. —8:30 p.m. CLASS: Intro—materials, methods, goals, digital help, social opportunities, ethics
Saturday, March 18th , 8:00 a.m.—11:00 a.m. FIELD TRIP: Fountain Creek Regional Park
Thursday, April 20th, 6:30 p.m. —8:30 p.m. CLASS: Feeder birds: chickadees, nuthatches, creeper, bushtit, woodpeckers, doves
Saturday April 22nd, 8:00 a.m.—11:00 a.m. FIELD TRIP: Stratton Open Space
Thursday, May 25th, 6:30 p.m. —8:30 p.m. CLASS: Wading and other water birds
Saturday, May 27th, 8:00 a.m.—11:00 a.m. FIELD TRIP: Big Johnson Reservoir & Bluestem Prairie Open Space
Thursday, June 22nd, 6:30 p.m. —8:30 p.m. CLASS: Shorebirds
Saturday, June 24th, 8:00 a.m.—11:00 a.m. FIELD TRIP: Fountain Creek Regional Park
Thursday, July 27th, 6:30 p.m. —8:30 p.m. CLASS: Swifts, swallows, hummingbirds
Saturday, July 29th, 8:00 a.m.—11:00 a.m. FIELD TRIP: Red Rocks Open Space
Thursday, August 24th, 6:30 p.m. —8:30 p.m. CLASS: Warblers & Vireos
Saturday, August 26th, 8:00 a.m.—11:00 a.m. FIELD TRIP: Adams Open Space & Kane Ranch
Thursday, September 21st, 6:30 p.m. —8:30 p.m. CLASS: Birds of prey
Saturday, September 22nd, 8:00 a.m.—11:00 a.m. FIELD TRIP: Clear Spring Ranch
Thursday, October 19th, 6:30 p.m. —8:30 p.m. CLASS: Ducks and other dabblers, divers, paddlers
Saturday, October 21st, 8:00 a.m.—11:00 a.m. FIELD TRIP: Big Johnson Reservoir & Bluestem Prairie Open Space
Thursday, November 2nd, 6:30 p.m. —8:30 p.m. CLASS: Corvids and Flycatchers
Saturday, November 4th, 8:00 a.m.—11:00 a.m. FIELD TRIP: Bear Creek Nature Center
Thursday, December 7th, 6:30 p.m. —8:30 p.m. CLASS: Sparrows & Icterids, tanagers & allies
Saturday, December 9th, 8:00 a.m.—11:00 a.m. FIELD TRIP: Kettle Lakes
Thursday, January 18th, 6:30 p.m. —8:30 p.m. CLASS: Gulls—terns
Saturday, January 20th, 8:00 a.m.—11:00 a.m. FIELD TRIP: Prospect Lake at Memorial Park
Thursday, February 15th, 6:30 p.m. —8:30 p.m. CLASS: Who haven’t we covered? Kinglets, gnatcatcher, wrens, mimids, quail, turkey, ptarmigan, grouse, nighthawks
Saturday, February 17th, 8:00 a.m.—11:00 a.m. FIELD TRIP: Clear Spring Ranch

Fountain Creek Nature Center
320 Pepper Grass Lane
Fountain, CO 80817

Junior Bird Club - offered through El Paso Nature Center
2023-04-15 09:00 - 12:00 | Fountain Creek Nature Center, 320 Pepper Grass Lane, Fountain, 80817
Junior Bird Club
Saturday, April 15, 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
Nature lovers ages 8 to 15 are invited to spend time together outdoors and practice their birding skills! In this meeting, we will learn about the very first birds… yeah, this one is 66 million years in the making! Lesson, craft, and birding walk included. Prepaid registration required. $10 per meeting.
El Paso County Nature Centers

Join Audubon Rockies Thursday, April 27
2023-04-27 12:00 - 13:00
Audubon Rockies is hosting an event Thursday, April 27, at noon MT that may be of interest: Conservation photographer Dave Showalter will be joining us for an epic visual journey through the vast Colorado River watershed as he discusses his new book, Living River: The Promise of the Mighty Colorado. You can find more info and register for free here. You can also view the trailer here.

Spring Bird Count offered through El Paso Nature Centers - Fountain Creek
2023-05-13 07:00 - 11:00 | Fountain Creek Nature Center, 320 Pepper Grass Lane, Fountain, 80817
Spring Bird Count
Saturday, May 13, 7:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m.
Beginning to advanced birders count and record the numbers of bird species and populations found in Fountain Creek Regional Park during the height of spring migration. $5 donation recommended to support our bird feeders.
Online registration available through: https://communityservices.elpasoco.com/nature-centers/

Active Adults: Sunset Bird Photography Workshop - Available through El Paso Nature Centers
2023-05-13 18:00 - 20:00 | Fountain Creek Nature Center, 320 Pepper Grass Lane, Fountain, 80817
Active Adults: Sunset Bird Photography Workshop
Saturday, May 13, 6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.
Spring is a wonderful time to view birds, and the wetlands and woodlands at Fountain Creek Nature Center provide a perfect place for them to flock to. Join award-winning photographer, Mike Pach, as he helps you capture photos of spring migrants in the soft evening light. All skill levels welcome. Bring your camera and tripod (optional). Be prepared to photograph the sunset. Prepaid registration required. $20 per person.

Pikes Peak Birding and Nature Festival
2023-05-18 06:00 - 2023-05-21 17:00
Pikes Peak Birding and Nature Festival is right around the corner!
Early Bird Registration opens on March 25!

See Pikespeakbirdingandnaturefestival.org for more information!

Fall Bird Count with Fountain Creek Nature Center
2023-09-09 07:30 - 10:30 | Fountain Creek Nature Center, 320 Pepper Grass Lane, Fountain, 80817
Fall Bird Count
Saturday, September 9, 7:30 a.m. – 10:30 a.m.
Join the annual tradition and help record the number of bird species and populations found in Fountain Creek Regional Park during fall migration. $5/person donation.

ONLINE REGISTRATION: available at https://communityservices.elpasoco.com/nature-centers/
Fountain Creek Nature Center, 320 Pepper Grass Lane, Fountain, CO 80817; 719-520-6745; www.elpasocountynaturecenters.com

Aiken Audubon Silent Auction
2023-09-20 17:30 - 19:00 | Colorado Parks and Wildlife Office, 4255 Sinton Rd, Colorado Springs, 80907
Join us for our inaugural Aiken Audubon Silent Auction on Wednesday, September 20th!
The first monthly meeting of our 2023-2024 program year will be held at the Colorado Parks and Wildlife office at 4255 Sinton Rd. in Colorado Springs. A silent auction and taco bar are special additions to this month’s meeting. A special kick-off to a great year ahead!
Proceeds from the silent auction will help fund Aiken Audubon educational programs, avian research grants and local conservation efforts.
Arrive at 5:30pm to enjoy a taco bar with fellow birders and the opportunity to browse and bid on numerous silent auction items to include:
Birdy Gift Baskets
Gift Certificates
Art
Birding Tours
Wine
and more…
To see a complete list of auction items, click here; Aiken Audubon Auction Item List
Bidding will take place from 5:30-7:00pm. All bidding will close promptly at 7:00pm prior to meeting announcements and the presentation of our guest speaker Tiffany Kersten. If you would like to bid over Zoom, please join us online at 5:00 over Zoom! We’ll provide instructions for how to bid when the auction opens. Bidding will begin at 5:30pm.
Join Zoom Meeting
Meeting ID: 880 6374 5877
Passcode: [REDACTED]
There is no cost for the taco bar, but donations are greatly appreciated.
Food & seating are VERY LIMITED so please arrive early. No RSVP needed.
THANK YOU TO OUR DONORS for making this auction possible!

Angler’s Covey Fly Fishing Shop
Antelope Ridge Mead
Birding Man Adventures
Buckley’s Homestead Supply
Coaltrain Wine & Liquor
Don’s Garden Shop
Ivywild Blooms
John Drummond
Linda Hodges
OCC Brewing
Phantom Canyon Brewing Co.
Poor Richard’s Books & Gifts
Ruben Rodriguez
Songbird Orchids
Wild Birds Unlimited

Colorado Springs Christmas Bird Count
2023-12-16 | Bear Creek Nature Center, 245 Bear Creek Rd, Colorado Springs, CO, 80906
Join us for the Colorado Springs Christmas Bird Count on December 16! The Christmas Bird Count is the longest-running citizen science project in the United States and dates back to 1901. It provides valuable data about the wintering distribution and abundance of birds across the U.S. and you can help! You don’t have to be a bird expert and can contribute right from your back yard or join Aiken Audubon as we canvass our count circle in Colorado Springs. If you would like to participate, please reach out to Tyler Stuart (our Christmas Bird Count Coordinator for the past 10 years!) and let him know that you would like to join us. Following the count, we will have a potluck dinner at Bear Creek Nature Center to go over all the sightings from count.

Great Backyard Bird Count at Fossil Beds - February 17, 9a-1p
2024-02-17 09:00 - 13:00 | Florissant Fossil Beds, 15807 Co Rd 1, Florissant, CO, 80816, United States
The Friends of the Fossil Beds have held a citizen science event for the Great Backyard Bird Count for the last 9 years. It goes from 9 AM to 1 PM. They offer short bird walks to count birds and record the count. They also have other activities for the families and children such as making bird feeders and scavenger hunts.

No registration is necessary, just show up for any or all of the bird count!
Any questions, please contact Sally at sammckind@aol.com

May 11th: Starsmore Visitor Center's Annual North Cheyenne Cañon Humming Bird Festival
2024-05-11 10:00 - 14:00 | Starsmore Visitor and Nature Center, 2120 S. Cheyenne Cañon Rd., Colorado Springs, CO, 80906, United States
Visit https://coloradosprings.gov/starsmore for more information

Photo from Songbird Orchids

Pikes Peak Birding and Nature Festival
2024-05-16 06:00 - 2024-05-19 12:30
Hold the dates for Pikes Peak Birding and Nature Festival.
www.pikespeakbirdingandnaturefestival.org
Early Bird registration opens March 23

Join Aiken's Grant Recipient, Jennifer Redmond, for Kestrel Banding!
2024-06-10 08:30 - 10:30 | Bluestem Prairie Open Space, 6254 Goldfield Dr, Colorado Springs, CO, 80911, United States
Jennifer Redmond, an Aiken Audubon Grant recipient, will be banding the Kestrel nestlings from the Bluestem Open Space nest box project, June 10th at 830a!

If you’d like to join us for this rare treat, please email mhelton016@gmail.com with your name and phone number. There are 8 slots available for the first responders!

The confirmed attendees will meet at Bluestem Open Space and then drive through the open space to the two nest boxes. We will not publicize the exact nest box locations.

Background on Jennifer and the project:
I am a 2023 Aiken Audubon Grant recipient. We currently have three active boxes. Two are in Bluestem Open Space and one is in Corral Bluffs Open Space. I am partnering with the City of Colorado Springs Open Space to monitor the boxes. We will be banding the nestlings from the boxes at Bluestem in the early morning of Monday, June 10th. We will band the two nestlings at Corral Bluffs during the last week of June.

Birding 101 with Aiken Audubon - Register with El Paso Nature Center
2024-06-13 18:00 - 20:00 | Bear Creek Nature Center, 245 Bear Creek Rd, Colorado Springs, CO, 80906
Birding 101 with Aiken Audubon

Date: Thur & Sat, June 13 & 15
Time: 6-8pm (Thur) & 8am-12pm (Sat)
Audience: 18+
Cost: $10 per person/$8 per member

Meeting Details

06/13/2024 –06/13/2024
Time: 6:00 pm – 8:00 pm
Days: Thu, Sat
Bear Creek Nature Center
245 Bear Creek Nature Center
Colorado Springs, CO, 80906
(719)520-6387

Hummingbird Homecoming - offered by Fountain Creek Nature Center
2024-06-22 10:00 - 12:00 | Fountain Creek Nature Center, 320 Pepper Grass Lane, Fountain, 80817
Hummingbird Homecoming
Saturday, June 22, 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
With their speed, grace, agility, tiny size, and love of flowers, hummingbirds have captured the hearts and imaginations of countless people. Learn about their migrations, adaptations, and influence on cultures. You’ll discover our Colorado species and how to invite them to your yards, plus favorite viewing locations nearby. Recommended ages 10+.
$5/nonmember, $4/member. Prepaid registration required at www.elpasocountynaturecenters.com

Fountain Creek Regional Park Annual Fall Bird Count
2024-09-14 07:00 - 11:00 | Fountain Creek Nature Center, 320 Pepper Grass Lane, Fountain, 80817
Join Fountain Creek Nature Center and Steve Getty for their Annual Fall Bird Count on September 14th, 7a-11a.
If you’re interested, please email Jessica Miller at jessicamiller@elpasoco.com to register!
