Winter Bird Count at Fountain Creek Regional Park
2026-01-10 08:30 - 11:00 (America/Denver) | Fountain Creek Nature Center, 320 Pepper Grass Lane, Fountain, 80817
This event is not affiliated with Aiken Audubon, but you may be interested in this local bird activity!

Saturday, January 10, 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. Space is limited; please call Fountain Creek Nature Center at 719-520-6754 to sign up. A $5 donation per person recommended.

Birds & Brews - Fountain Creek Regional Park & Peaks N Pines Brewing
2026-01-11 09:00 - 12:00 | Fountain Creek Nature Center, 320 Pepper Grass Lane, Fountain, 80817
The woodlands, meadows, wetlands, creek, and ponds of Fountain Creek Regional Park make this one of the best places to observe a wide variety of birds in the region. Many species are possible on this guided walk, but we’ll be keeping our fingers crossed for Great-horned Owls, Marsh Wren, Virginia Rail, and any rarities hanging out at “the spa”. Afterwards we’ll cheers our birds at Fountain’s Peaks N Pines Brewing!
– Restrooms will be available at the Nature Center
– Difficulty: easy/moderate. This will be a 2.5 mile walk along mostly flat trails at a slow, birder’s pace.
– Bring your binoculars; if you need to borrow some, just request with your RSVP.
– Space is limited to 25 birders. RSVP by emailing Jessica at jessicaisbirding@gmail.com.

Ute Valley Park with Pat Paternostro
2026-01-17 08:00 - 11:00 | Ute Valley Park, 5465 7 Oaks Dr,, Colorado Springs, CO 80919 , CO, 80919, United States
Join Pat Paternostro and Aiken Audubon for a birding trip at Ute Valley Park, Colorado Springs. We will look for Nuthatch and Woodpecker species and hopefully find some wintering species such as Crossbills, Kinglets, and Finches. The walk has some uneven terrain along with slight hills and may be snowy or muddy.
We will meet at 1645 Vindicator Dr, Colorado Springs, the primary Ute Valley parking lot.
You can RSVP to Pat @ broncos30@hotmail.com

JANUARY MONTHLY MEETING:THE EFFECTS OF WILDFIRE SMOKE ON MIGRATING BIRDS
2026-01-21 18:00 - 21:00 | Colorado Parks and Wildlife Office, 4255 Sinton Rd, Colorado Springs, 80907
Join Aiken Audubon with Megan Miller presenting her research on The Effects of Wildfire Smoke on Migrating Birds.
Wildfire smoke is an emerging threat to birds at both the individual and population level. Limited studies associate smoke exposure with slower weight gain in House Wren nestlings, reduced banding capture rates and poorer body condition among those captured birds, and large-scale avoidance behavior from migrating birds. Megan investigated whether exposure to poor air quality could affect the oxidative balance system in passerines migrating through Southern Colorado during spring and fall migration.
Megan Miller has been a part of Colorado’s birding community since her first Christmas Bird Count in 2006. She completed a bachelor’s degree in Wildlife Biology in 2017 at Colorado State University and then spent some time doing field work across the country. She has worked on projects studying birds in apple orchards, seabirds, black-throated blue warbler ecology, and migration banding stations. In January 2025 she completed her masters degree at Colorado State University Pueblo on the impact of wildfire smoke on migrating birds. Megan received a grant from Aiken Audubon to help fund this research.

This is an in-person meeting held at the Colorado Parks & Wildlife Office; 4255 Sinton Road 80907. Our entrance to the building is located on the EAST side (back side) of the building; not the main entrance. Parking is encouraged in the south and west parking lots.
Snacks & Bird Talk (meet & mingle) 6:30pm
Meeting announcements 7:00pm
Program Presentation 7:15pm

photo credit:Megan Miller

Live Birds of Prey at Fountain Creek Nature Center
2026-01-31 10:00 - 11:30 | Fountain Creek Nature Center, 320 Pepper Grass Lane, Fountain, 80817
This event is not affiliated with Aiken Audubon, but you may be interested in this local bird activity!
Saturday, January 31, 10:00 a.m. – 11:30 a.m. (Link to Registration & Info)

Learn about hawks, owls, eagles, falcons, and vultures through a live birds of prey program with Nature & Wildlife Discovery Center! The presentation includes two or three 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 does to rehabilitate sick, injured, and orphaned birds of prey. Best for ages 8+. Prepaid registration online is required. $5 per person/$4 per member.

Red Rock Canyon Open Space with Pat Paternostro
2026-02-14 08:00 - 11:00 | Red Rock Canyon Open Space, 3550 W High St, Colorado Springs, CO, 80904, United States
Join Pat Paternostro and Aiken Audubon for a birding walk at Red Rock Canyon Open Space! We will hopefully find several species of raptors along with many of our wintering species such as Sparrows, Towhees, Nuthatch, Woodpeckers and Finches. The walk will include some inclines and uneven terrain and may be snowy or muddy.
We will meet at the open space parking lot which is located at 3550 W High St, Colorado Springs (off of Hwy 24).
You can RSVP to Pat @ broncos30@hotmail.com

Birds & Brews - Ute Valley Park & 105 West Brewing
2026-02-22 09:00 - 12:00 | Ute Valley Park, 5465 7 Oaks Dr,, Colorado Springs, CO 80919 , CO, 80919, United States
We’ll enjoy cool rock formations and great views as we search the woodlands and meadows of Ute Valley Park for birds like Cassin’s Finches, Bluebirds, Townsend’s Solitaires, and Nuthatches. Afterwards we’ll head over to NEW 105 West Brewing, the new occupants of what used to be Trinity Brewing, about 7 minutes away.
– This will be a moderate hike – we may walk three or so miles over uneven, hilly terrain at a birder’s pace. Depending on weather conditions the week before, the trails could be snowy or muddy.
– Bring binoculars, wear good hiking shoes, and dress for the Colorado Springs forecast. If you need to borrow a pair of binoculars, let mention it when you RSVP.
– Space is limited. RSVP by emailing Jessica at jessicaisbirding@gmail.com.
