Mt Herman Trail to Monument Rock with Pat Paternostro
2026-08-22 07:00 - 11:00 (America/Denver) | CO
Join Pat Paternostro and Aiken Audubon for a bird walk on the Mt Herman trail in Monument. We will look for resident and migratory species including Green-tailed Towhee, Cassin’s Finch, and Lazuli Bunting.
The walk is mostly on flat ground with a few slight inclines and is roughly 3 miles.
We will meet at 7am at the Mt Herman trail parking lot, located at the corner of Mt Herman Rd and Nursery Rd (Google Maps link).
If you would like to attend, please RSVP by emailing Pat at broncos30@hotmail.com.

Photo: Cassin’s Finch, Bruce Dunbar

Birding By Book | "The Feather Detective"
2026-08-31 17:30 - 19:00 | CO
Birding by Book is a book club for those who love birds AND books! The club meets to discuss selected book titles and create community among birders in the Pikes Peak area.
Read The Feather Detective: Mystery, Mayhem and the Magnificent Life of Roxie Laybourne by Chris Sweeney at your leisure, then join us on Monday, August 31st for book club discussion.
The fascinating and remarkable true story of the world’s first forensic ornithologist—Roxie Laybourne, who broke down barriers for women, solved murders, and investigated deadly airplane crashes with nothing more than a microscope and a few fragments of feathers.
In 1960, an Eastern Airlines flight had no sooner lifted from the runway at Boston Logan Airport when it struck a flock of birds and took a nosedive into the shallow waters of the Boston Harbor, killing sixty-two people. This was the golden age of commercial airflight—luxury in the skies—and safety was essential to the precarious future of air travel. So the FAA instructed the bird remains be sent to the Smithsonian Institution for examination, where they would land on the desk of the only person in the world equipped to make sense of it all.
Her name was Roxie Laybourne, a diminutive but singular woman with thick glasses, a heavy Carolina drawl, and a passion for birds. Roxie didn’t know it at the time, but that box full of dead birds marked the start of a remarkable scientific journey. She became the world’s first forensic ornithologist, investigating a range of crimes and calamites on behalf of the FBI, the US Air Force, and even NASA.
The Feather Detective takes readers deep within the vaunted backrooms of the Smithsonian’s National Museum of Natural History to tell the story of a burgeoning science and the enigmatic woman who pioneered it. While her male colleagues in taxidermy embarked on expeditions around the world and got plum promotions, Roxie stayed with her birds. Using nothing more than her microscope and bits of feathers, she helped prosecute murderers, kidnappers, and poachers. When she wasn’t testifying in court or studying evidence from capital crimes, she was helping aerospace engineers and Air Force crews as they raced to bird-proof their airplanes before disaster struck again.
In The Feather Detective, award-winning journalist Chris Sweeney charts the astonishing life and work of this overlooked pioneer. Once divorced, once widowed, and sometimes surly, Roxie shattered stereotypes and pushed boundaries. Her story is one of persistence and grit, obsession and ingenuity. Drawing on reams of archival material, court documents, and exclusive interviews, Sweeney delivers a moving and amusing portrait of a woman who overcame cultural and scientific obstacles at every turn, forever changing our understanding of birds—and the feathers they leave behind.
Roadrunner Bookshop is offering new copies of The Feather Detective at a 15% discount to book club members. Please email your request to place an order along with your RSVP.
Seating is LIMITED, and a reservation is required.
RSVP by emailing BirdingByBook@gmail.com.
photo credit: Simon & Schuster

Austin Bluffs Open Space with Collin Hildreth
2026-09-12 06:30 - 11:00 | Austin Bluffs Open Space (38.909919, -104.789987)
Austin Bluffs is a relatively under-birded site on the north side of the city. We will hike along some interesting geography through foothills meadows and pine oak forests. Besides year-round residents and summer breeding birds, fall migrants may give us some surprises!
Difficulty: Moderate. We will hike ~3-4 miles over uneven trails.
Bring binoculars and dress for the Colorado Springs forecast. You might like to bring a snack and water.
No public restroom on site.
We will meet at UCCS Parking Lot 580, located at 5331 N Nevada Ave, Colorado Springs, CO 80918 (across the street from Trader Joe’s)

Photo: Lazuli Bunting / Melissa James / Audubon Photography Awards

2026 Social and Silent Auction
2026-09-16 18:00 - 20:00 | CO
Join us on Wednesday, September 16th for our Annual Social & Silent Auction!
This year, the event will take place at the Public House at the Alexander – 3104 N Nevada Ave, Colorado Springs, CO 80907 from 6:00pm – 8:00pm. Silent auction bidding will open promptly at 6:00pm, and close at 7:30pm. Online bidding will not be available.
As summer comes to a close and we look forward to fall migration, we hope you will join us for an evening of food, fellowship and fundraising. 100% of funds raised will be used to support Aiken Audubon Society’s educational programs, monthly guest speakers and research grants in 2027!
Dinner will be provided by our generous event sponsor, Wild Birds Unlimited, with gluten free and vegan options available. The menu will feature a taco bar, including dessert and non-alcoholic beverages. Alcoholic beverages will be available for an additional purchase.
This is a ticketed event with limited seating. Ticket cost is $20 per person.
Tickets will be issued under the purchasers name, if you are gifting the tickets or someone will be attending in your place, please send them your confirmation email with the tickets.
TICKETS ARE AVAILABLE FOR PURCHASE NOW ON THE AIKEN AUDUBON WESBITE – CLICK BELOW TO GET YOUR TICKETS TODAY!

Aiken Audubon Social and Silent Auction Tickets

Sample of Auction Items

3 Gift Certificates – 1x $100, 2x $50
This Place is for the Birds

Item / Gift Basket
Wild Birds Unlimited

CMZoo EdVenture Excursion - San Luis Valley - October 5-9
2026-10-05 - 2026-10-09 | CO
This opportunity is not affiliated with Aiken Audubon, but we think you might be interested!
Registration closes September 1, 2026
Explore the breathtaking landscapes of Southern Colorado, from the vast San Luis Valley to waterfalls, prairies, and high-desert habitats. Along the way, enjoy opportunities to spot native wildlife, including songbirds, mule deer, and other species unique to the region. This adventure combines scenic beauty, wildlife viewing, and some of Colorado’s most spectacular dark skies.

Monday, October 5 – Friday, October 9, 2026
$1500 per person
Transportation and Lodging included in cost
Sandhill Crane viewing at Monte Vista Wildlife Refuge
Easy and adventurous hike at Zapata falls
Blanca Wetlands exploration and ranger talk
Daytime exploration and stargazing at Great Sand Dunes National Park
Registration closes September 1, 2026

For more information and to sign up, visit https://www.cmzoo.org/events-programs/custom-animal-experiences/bring-the-zoo-to-you/edventure-excursions/
Photo: Sandhill Crane, Monte Vista National Wildlife Refuge, Colorado / Paul Sment / Audubon Photography Awards
