Aiken Audubon Society

Field Trip: Prospect Lake Tuesday Waterbird Walks - Nov 9 to Nov 30, 9:30 a.m.
2021-11-09 09:30 - 12:00 (America/Denver) | Prospect Lake, South Union Blvd, Colorado Springs, CO, United States
Despite its urban location, Prospect Lake in Colorado Springs’ Memorial Park is a well-known waterbird magnet during migration and in winter when open water remains available. With this in mind, Aiken Audubon will be offering weekly birding walks around the lake on Tuesday mornings from November 9 through November 30. We’ll watch for ducks, geese, grebes, gulls and more – as well as the occasional raptor attracted by these birds. Walking distance around the lake is approximately 1.25 miles. We will start from the main parking lot on the lake’s east side, off of South Union Boulevard (adjacent to the Peace Officer’s Memorial). Remember to bring along warm layers in the event of chilling fall breezes.
Kip Miller will lead these outings. For more information or to reserve a space, please contact Kip at hlbirdguide@gmail.com.

Aiken Monthly Meeting: Birds of the Alpine – White-tailed Ptarmigan and Brown-capped Rosy Finch
2021-10-20 19:00 - 20:30
Though many intrepid explorers hike Colorado’s high elevation mountains, only a lucky few get to view the magical birds of the alpine – the southern white-tailed ptarmigan and brown-capped rosy-finch. Ptarmigan, in almost a constant state of molt, use their remarkable camouflage to disappear from predators and human alike whereas rosy-finches breed in steep, inaccessible cliffs at extreme elevations. Come learn about these incredible birds and gain an appreciation of how they survive and thrive in the harsh alpine tundra of Colorado. Two researchers, Amy Seglund (Colorado Parks and Wildlife) and Greg Wann (former graduate student at Colorado State University) will take you on a journey to describe both the natural history of ptarmigan and rosy-finches as well as share results of their research findings that have spanned over 10 years. Together their research has helped provide a better understanding of the distribution and health of these species in Colorado, in addition to identifying threats that may impact populations into the future.

Field Trip: Red Rock Canyon
2021-10-17 08:00 - 11:00 | Red Rock Canyon, 3550 W High St., Colorado Springs, CO, 80904, United States
Red Rock Canyon Open Space is a 1,474-acre city park in Colorado Springs, Colorado. It is situated on the west side of the city, adjacent to Manitou Springs and south of U.S. Route 24.
Address: 3550 W High St, Colorado Springs, CO 80904
We’ll walk a loop around at an easy birding pace, expected to last ~3 hours. Hiking/walking shoes are suggested. Jessica Miller will lead this outing; please contact her at jessicabmiller43@gmail.com to register. Meet at the open space parking lot off of W. High St. Details will be provided upon registration.

Beginner Birding Workshop & Hike at Palmer Park
2021-10-15 08:00 - 10:30 | Palmer park, 3344-3376 Paseo Rd, Colorado Springs, CO, 80909, United States
Join us for a morning of birding and Leave No Trace! Representatives from the Aiken Audubon Society and TOPS park staff will share a short presentation in the basics of bird identification followed by hike exploring the trails for birds. This event is intended for people who have never been birding or know very little about birds. It is a free, family-friendly event, though our furry relatives should remain at home for this one.
This hike is part of the 2021 Leave No Trace Hot Spot Week! For a complete list of the week’s events, please visit ColoradoSprings.gov/HotSpotWeek. Remember, you can make an impact by not leaving one!

Click here for more details and registration.

Big Sit! @ Fountain Creek Regional Park
2021-10-09 07:00 - 17:00 | Fountain Creek Regional Park, 398-386 Peppergrass Ln., Fountain, CO, 80817, United States
Aiken Audubon will participate in The Big Sit challenge (an international birding event open to anyone) October 9th at Fountain Creek. We’ll be there from 7a to 12n close to the South Rice Ponds location. Aiken will have a large white board to record every bird seen or heard, if positively identified. A large 60x scope will be shared with masked individuals, if interested.
All observations must be made from within a circle of no more than 17ft in diameter! We’ll have a roped off area with chairs and snacks – feel free to bring your own chair, too. It’s a good way to relax while watching birds and enjoying good company.
It’s a lot of fun to participate in this international event – please join us for as little or as long as you’d like! Hope to see you on Saturday! Any questions, please email Debra Nord at debra.nord@gmail.com.

Aiken Audubon Monthly Meeting: Mountain Plover Conservation
2021-09-15 19:00 - 20:00
What do you know about the Mountain Plover? A “shorebird” of sorts, that doesn’t use the shore…much. This plover, unlike many other plovers, uses habitats only found in the Great Plains and is often found on private lands in agricultural settings. Working with private land owners is key to securing the future of this once common shorebird. Join Bird Conservancy of the Rockies Habitat Coordinator Angela Dwyer to learn about how they have worked to conserve Mountain Plovers and their habitats in the Great Plains.
Angela Dwyer has been a Habitat Coordinator with Bird Conservancy of the Rockies since 2012. She has a Master’s Degree in Wildlife Management from Stephen F. Austin State University. After graduate school, she worked in bird conservation for the National Audubon Society in both North Carolina and Colorado. At Bird Conservancy, she works at the intersection of grassland bird conservation and collaboration on private lands. She works on several collaborative conservation projects and oversees four Private Lands Wildlife Biologists. She is passionate to share more about the natural connections with birds and livestock on our grassland ecosystems.

Aiken Audubon Monthly Meeting: Healthy Freshwater Ecosystems for Birds and People
2021-05-19 08:00 - 17:00
Water connects us all. Clean and reliable water supplies are essential to our 400+ species of birds and way of life in Colorado. All of us depend on healthy flowing rivers: agricultural producers, cities and towns, businesses, recreation, and the environment. Join the water discussion and find out why 2021 is a big year for Colorado water. Amid the update of the Colorado Water Plan, the beginning of the renegotiation around the Colorado River, drought, and wildfire resilience and recovery, one thing is clear: we all play a role in sustaining Colorado’s water future.
Join Abby Burk, western rivers regional program manager for Audubon Rockies, for an engaging presentation on freshwater ecosystems, current issues in Colorado water and what all of this means for birds and people.

Aiken Audubon Monthly Meeting: Greater Sage-Grouse — Largest Conservation Effort in U.S. History
2021-04-21 19:00 - 20:30
Greater sage-grouse are symbolic of the vast open lands of the West. This imperiled bird has brought unexpected partners together and been the center of unprecedented conservation actions. However, these actions were never given a chance to be implemented. With habitat conditions degrading, will a change in political leaders and new science reinvigorate efforts to protect this bird and sagebrush country?
Daly Edmunds is Director of Policy & Outreach for Audubon Rockies. Daly is responsible for furthering the Sagebrush Ecosystem Initiative on a state and regional scale – working with government representatives, conservation organizations, and community leaders throughout the West.
Photo: Greater Sage-Grouse / Evan Barrientos / Audubon Rockies
