Birds & Brews - Paint Mines, Ramah, & Ascent Brewing
2026-05-10 08:00 - 13:30 (America/Denver) | 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
2026-05-18 05:00 - 14:00
Paint Mines Interpretive Park —Including El Paso County Hotspots
Monday, May 18, 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 4/27/2026. 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.

May Monthly Meeting:Corvids and Conifers, Pinyon Jays in Wyoming's Bighorn Basin with Corey Anco
2026-05-20 18:30 - 20:30 | Colorado Parks and Wildlife Office, 4255 Sinton Rd, Colorado Springs, 80907
Join Aiken Audubon Society as Corey Anco presents on May 20, 2026 via Zoom about
Corvids and Conifers: Pinyon Jays in Wyoming’s Bighorn Basin
Presenter: Corey Anco, Willis McDonald, IV Curator of Natural Science, Draper Natural History Museum, Buffalo Bill Center of the West
Pinyon Jay (Gymnorhinus cynaocephalus) sightings and flock sizes have declined significantly since the 1960s. While the reasons for this decline vary by location, very little is known about the Pinyon Jay near the northern extent of its distribution. In 2024, the Draper Natural History Museum, in partnership with the Bureau of Land Management, Museum of Wildlife and Fish Biology at the University of California, Davis, Northwest College, and the US Fish and Wildlife Service initiated a study to characterize habitat use by Pinyon Jays across limber-pine woodlands in Wyoming’s Bighorn Basin. In this presentation, we’ll share highlights from the first few field seasons of this project and explore the Pinyon Jay’s curious relationship with seed-bearing pines.
Corey Anco is the Willis McDonald, IV Curator of Natural Science at the Draper Museum. He holds a B.S. in Environmental Science from Lewis University, a Master of Environmental Management from Duke University, and an M.S. from Fordham University. At the Draper Natural History Museum, Corey’s research focuses on understudied species and ecosystems, addressing knowledge gaps to support emerging management and conservation needs of state and federal resource agencies. His interest in Pinyon Jays stems from their complex social structure, unique adaptations, and resilience in harsh, arid environments.
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.
If you would prefer to attend via zoom, here is the link:
Join Zoom Meeting
https://us06web.zoom.us/j/5770180765?pwd=[REDACTED]

Doors Open: 6:30pm
Meeting announcements: 7:00pm
Program Presentation: 7:15pm
photo credit: Corey Anco
