Aiken Audubon Society

May Monthly Meeting | Celebrating Cranes in Northwest Colorado
2025-05-21 18:30 - 20:30 (America/Denver) | Colorado Parks and Wildlife Office, 4255 Sinton Rd, Colorado Springs, 80907
Join us this month, along with Megan Karschner, Executive Director of the Colorado Crane Conservation Coalition as we Celebrate Cranes in Northwest Colorado!
Megan began as CCCC’s Executive Director in April, 2024. Megan has lived and worked in the Yampa Valley for the past 15 years, most recently as an adjunct faculty member and tutor for Sustainability Studies at Colorado Mountain College. A graduate of Colorado Mountain College’s Outdoor Education and Sustainability Studies programs, Megan earned a master’s degree from Western Colorado University in Environmental Management.
Over the years, Megan has taught, directed and developed outdoor & nature-based educational programs. She has been involved with local food system efforts and has provided community workshops to children & adults in beekeeping, 4-H, food preservation, permaculture and sustainable gardening, and fiber arts.
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.
Win bags of bird seed in our chance drawing! Please bring cash if you would like to participate.
Bird seed donated Songbird Orchids & Wild Birds Unlimited. Proceeds benefit Aiken Audubon.
Snacks & Bird Talk (meet & mingle) 6:30pm
Meeting announcements 7:00pm
Program Presentation 7:15pm
Can’t join us in person? Watch and listen via Zoom!
Time: May 21, 2025 07:00 PM Mountain Time (US and Canada)
https://us06web.zoom.us/j/87343785363?pwd=[REDACTED]
Meeting ID: 873 4378 5363
Passcode: [REDACTED]
photo credit: Kathy Simpson

Join Kayleen Garrels for a Garden of The Gods Birding Walk! Offered every Thursday May through July!
2025-05-22 09:30 - 10:30, 2025-05-29 09:30 - 10:30, 2025-06-05 09:30 - 10:30 | Garden of the Gods Visitor Center, 1805 N 30th St,, Colorado Springs,, CO, 80904, United States
Join Kayleen Garrels for a Garden of The Gods Birding Walk! Offered every Thursday May through July!
The Garden of the Gods is launching a new registration system that lets you choose your price level—typically $5, $10, or $20—to sign up for a program. Aiken Audubon Society members can attend for free! This program will be offered weekly from May through July.
Garden of the Gods Park is a part of the Colorado Birding Trail meaning it is home to a variety of birds largely due it being a crossroads of six different ecosystems. Come explore several of our ecosystems on this guided birding walk geared towards beginners and intermediates to see and learn more about our local birds. The walk locations will vary month to month to include portions of the following trails: Gateway Trail, Foothills Trail, Dakota Trail, Bretag Trail, Ute Trail, Rock Ledge Ranch trails, and the Niobrara Trail. Optics recommended and binoculars available. Binoculars encouraged but not required, we will explore birding by sound as well. Questions? Call 719-219-0108.
Tickets are sold on a first come, first served basis. Please register at their site: https://gardenofgods.com/

Join Michael Stewart and Aiken to Mueller State Park May 23!
2025-05-23 08:00 - 13:00 | Mueller State Park, 21045 CO 67, Divide, CO, 80814
May 23, (Friday) 2025 Aiken Audubon Bird Walk and Grouse Mountain Hike (both rather short hikes)
9:00 a.m. Meet at Elk Meadows Trailhead (Mueller State Park)
Carpool – meet at 8: a.m., at Safeway Parking Lot, Manitou Springs, 3275 W Colorado Ave, Manitou Springs, far end of parking lot (near “creek”), look for red tesla
Limited to 15 participants, email me at stewartpms@gmail.com
Migrating birds are passing through Mueller for the annual flight north. Come see what birds are here along with a general nature hike. 1-mile slow-paced walk. Afterwards, those that want can go to the end of the road and hike up to Grouse Mountain Overlook. A beautiful overlook and highest point in the park. Led by Aiken member and Mueller volunteer naturalist Michael Stewart.
Dress for Colorado weather; bring water and snacks!

Join Joe LaFleur at Green Mountain Falls - May 24
2025-05-24 08:30 - 09:30 | Green Mountain Falls
Saturday, May 24, Bird Walk, Green Mountain Falls, 8:30-9:30 AM
Meet at the Painted Bear Store for a FREE guided bird walk around Gazebo Lake and along Fountain Creek. Learn to identify birds by sight and sound while also learning about the trees and plants where birds live.

Bird walks and programs by local author and wildlife biologist Joe LaFleur
More info: joe@betterbirdwatching.com, 719-301-8801

Join Michael Stewart and Starsmore every Saturday in May at 9a.
2025-05-24 09:00 - 11:00, 2025-05-31 09:00 - 11:00 | Starsmore Visitor and Nature Center, 2120 S. Cheyenne Cañon Rd., Colorado Springs, CO, 80906, United States
Join Michael Stewart and Starsmore every Saturday in May at 9a.
Saturday morning bird and general nature hikes at 0900 at Starsmore Visitor and Nature Center. Easy, 1 to 2 miles, wear appropriate walking attire – it may be muddy. For reservations call (719) 385-6086. Led by Michael Stewart, new participant in Audubon.

Michael Stewart
Bird and Nature Hike
0900 Saturday mornings (throughout February)
NCCP Starsmore Visitor and Nature Center
2120 S Cheyenne Canyon Rd.

Joint DFO & Aiken trip with Jessica Miller to Chico Basin, May 26 at 6a
2025-05-26 06:00 - 14:00 | Chico Basin Ranch, 22500 S Peyton Hwy, Colorado Springs, CO, 80928, United States
Join DFO & Aiken for a joint Chico Basin Trip with Jessica Miller – registration opens on 5/5 at 12n via dfobirds.org
May 26, 2025 @ 6:00 am – 2:00 pm
This trip is offered cooperatively by the Aiken Audubon Society and the Denver Field Ornithologists.
Chico Basin Ranch
5/26/2025 6:00 AM – 2:00 PM
Leader: Jessica Miller jessicaisbirding@gmail.com or 706-288-8112
Trip Difficulty: Moderate

Please sign up via DFO, at https://dfobirds.org/FieldTrips/UpcomingTrips.aspx
This trip is limited to the first 11 registrations.
Habitats to bird: Agricultural, Grassland, Wetland
Venture out to El Paso County’s #1 eBird hotspot, Chico Basin Ranch. We will explore the three sites open to birders – The woodlands where Bird Conservancy of the Rockies will be banding birds, The Headquarters pond, and Rose’s Pond. During our trip we will venture across county lines to scour vast prairie, woodlands, open water, wetlands, and riparian areas for a very wide variety of birds, including wonderful migrants. This trip is ideal for those that have never visited the ranch, but all levels of birders are welcome. We will utilize our full allotted time on the Ranch – 7:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Bring snacks, lunch, and lots of water. We will be in shade much of the time, but still plan for sun protection. Porta-potties will be nearby half of the time. Of course, bring your favorite birding gear like binoculars and a camera. (Don’t have binoculars? No problem – the trip leader can bring you some!) Wear comfortable walking shoes – we may walk 3 miles at a very slow birder’s pace. Our terrain can be uneven but mostly flat. Long pants are recommended. 5:30am – Denver-area participants will meet in Castle Rock to carpool down. 6:30 a.m. – everyone will meet in Fountain, CO before heading east to Chico. Closer to the trip, Jessica will provide the link and password to participants registered through DFO to purchase their ticket to visit the ranch. The ranch access fee is $15 per person. We will need a few drivers to volunteer to drive as carpooling is greatly preferred.
Registration opens on May 5, 2025 at 12n via dfobirds.org

Join Aiken and Melissa Wetzig at Stephanie's Trail, Thursday May 29th at 8a!
2025-05-29 08:00 - 10:30 | Stephanie’s Trail, 38.8213596, -104.8900446
Join Aiken and Melissa Wetzig for a great hike at Stephanie’s Trail, May 29th!

Meet on Bear Creek Rd near the water storage tank which is just south of Bear Creek Nature Center. There are several pull off parking spots near there.

(38.8213596, -104.8900446)
Registration is limited 10. Please rsvp to Melanie at mhelton016@gmail.com to reserve your spot!

8 am to 10:30 am

Approximately 2.5 miles making a round trip loop on portions of the Stephanie’s Trail, the Cub Trails, and Bear Creek Road in Bear Creak Canyon.

Single track trail, nice tree coverage, easy incline, approximately 200 feet elevation gain.

Possible birds- flycatchers, warblers, western tanagers, oven birds, wrens, nuthatches, swallows, hummingbirds and vireos, and possibly their nests.

Dress for CO weather! No bathroom facilities are available.

Join Joe LaFleur at Wilkerson Pass on May 31st
2025-05-31 08:30 - 10:30 | Wilkerson Pass Visitor Center, 26696 US-24, Lake George, CO 80827
Saturday, May 31, Bird Walks at Wilkerson Pass
8:30-9:30 AM & 9:30-10:30 AM
FREE bird walks along the one mile Puma Point trail. Learn to identify birds by sight and sound while also learning about the trees and plants where birds live. Meet at the Wilkerson Pass Visitor Center.

Bird walks and programs by local author and wildlife biologist Joe LaFleur
More info: joe@betterbirdwatching.com, 719-301-8801

Join Aiken & Mary Rudolph at Starsmore/Cheyenne Canyon - June 26 at 8a
2025-06-26 08:00 - 10:00 | Starsmore Visitor and Nature Center, 2120 S. Cheyenne Cañon Rd., Colorado Springs, CO, 80906, United States
Join Aiken and Mary Rudolph on Thursday, June 26th at 8a. Meet in the Starsmore Visitor Center parking at 8a.
– This will be a moderate hike – we may walk two or so miles over uneven, slightly hilly terrain at a birder’s pace. The trails may be wet; consider your footwear.
– There is a bathroom at our trailhead.
– Bring binoculars, wear good hiking shoes, and dress for the Colorado Springs forecast. If you need to borrow a pair of binoculars, let Melanie (mhelton016@gmail.com) know.
— No registration is required.

Let's Go Birding Together (with LGBTQ Outdoors)
2025-06-28 09:00 - 11:00
This birding event is not hosted by or in partnership with Aiken Audubon Society, but perhaps you are interested in this local opportunity with LGBTQ Outdoors!
Whether you are a fledgling birder or soaring with confidence, you’ll enjoy a leisurely morning searching for birds and building community along the way. Join LGBTQOutdoors Ambassador, Victoria Dinkel, and local bird-nerd, Jessica Miller, at one of the top birding hotspots in El Paso County. Bring binoculars if you have them or borrow a pair for free from the host site.
Register with LGBTQ Outdoors at THIS LINK. Hike length will be 2.5-3 miles, on a mostly flat, gravel trail. Birders of all levels welcome. Please wear close-toed shoes and sun protection, bring water and a camera if you would like.

*FULL* Birds & Brews - Mueller State Park & Paradox Brewing June 29
2025-06-29 08:00 - 12:00 | Mueller State Park, 21045 CO 67, Divide, CO, 80814
Birds & Brews – Mueller State Park & Paradox Brewing
Sunday, June 29, 8:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
Mueller State Park (8am) & Paradox Brewing (12pm)

– We will hike through the montane forest and meadows and past a couple ponds to find a variety of birds. This is a lovely time to visit, with nesting birds singing and wildflowers blooming! Afterwards we’ll relax in the shade at Paradox Brewing!
– This will be a moderate-difficult hike. Our route will take us 4 miles over moderate terrain at a birder’s pace.
– Bring binoculars and good hiking shoes. Dress for the Divide, CO forecast. If you need to borrow a pair of binoculars, let Jessica know when you RSVP.
– Free park entry if you have a Colorado State Parks pass. Or, a $10 vehicle charge will apply at the entrance.

– This trip is full, but you can join the waitlist by emailing trip leader Jessica Miller at jessicaisbirding@gmail.com

Full for walk & waitlist! Join Professor Brian Linkhart for a Flammulated Owl Event - Friday, July 11th
2025-07-11 18:30 - 21:30 | To Be Determined
This trip is full and so is our waitlist! We are excited to tell you about an upcoming bird walk on Friday, July 11th at 630p – Flammulated Owls!

Professor Brian Linkhart will lead this fantastic tour on behalf of Aiken. This is often good timing for being able to see owlets and maybe even see them access their nests!
Because of the popularity of this walk, we’re offering to our membership first from June 1 through June 15! We will need to cap it at 12 people, so if you’re interested – mark your calendar for June 1st at 8a and email Melanie Helton at MHELTON016@gmail.com. Melanie will register the first 12 people that respond. Each person (email) may only register for 2 people. After June 15th, the offering will be open to the general public if there are slots remaining….so register early!

We will meet at the Manitou Experimental Forest (MEF) and the hike details will be provided to you once you’ve been confirmed. Please note that we will be hiking in the dark through some rugged terrain and angled slope without headlamps or flashlights. If this doesn’t excite you, please don’t register!
We kindly request a $25 donation per person, cash or check made payable to Aiken; 100% supports Dr. Linkhart’s ongoing research. If you are in need of partial scholarship to cover this donation, please let me know.

I will be checking-in with the twelve confirmed individuals a few days beforehand to confirm. Please list your best contact information within the registration request (email and phone number) for each individual. I will work a waitlist to ensure that we have a full group!

Thank you for being a member of Aiken!

Kane Ranch Open Space with Kip Miller
2025-07-19 07:00 - 11:00 | Kane Ranch Open Space
El Paso County’s Kane Ranch Open Space provides a fun location for summer birding with prairie grasslands and a dry creek bed lined with tall cottonwoods.
While it’s getting to be that quiet time in the breeding season, we’ll hope to find a variety of summer residents still present. We’ll start with a walk out into the open
grasslands, searching for Burrowing Owl, Sage and Curve-billed Thrashers, Cassin’s and Lark Sparrows, Lark Bunting and Dickcissel. We’ll then return to the entrance area and turn our attention to the cottonwoods along the creek bed and the shrubby field adjacent to the parking area, where we might find three species
of kingbirds (Eastern, Western and Cassin’s), Bullock’s Oriole, Lazuli Bunting, Blue Grosbeak and other breeding and resident species. Total walking distance may be up to three miles round-trip, but at an easy birding pace on a mostly flat trail.
Kip Miller will lead this outing. Please contact him at kipGmiller@gmail.com to register. Group size limited to 12. Meet at the Kane Ranch Open Space parking lot. (Directions will be provided to all registrants.)

Birds & Brews - Rainbow Gulch Trail & BierWerks July 20
2025-07-20 08:00 - 12:00 | Rainbow Gulch
Birds & Brews – Rainbow Gulch Trail & BierWerks
Sunday, July 20, 8:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
Rainbow Gulch (8am) followed by BierWerks (12pm)
This easy/moderate 3.5 mile round trip will take us through the montane forests and briefly along the Rampart Reservoir. Along the way we will look for a great variety of summer birds like Williamson’s, Red-naped, and American Three-toed Woodpeckers, Red Crossbills, Evening Grosbeaks, and more. We’ll make sure to look low, too, for beautiful blooming wildflowers like Rocky Mountain Columbine and Fireweed! Afterwards we’ll kick up our feet and rehydrate at BierWerks down in Woodland Park.
– Difficulty: Easy/Moderate. This 3.5 out-and-back has less than 300 feet elevation gain.
– Bring binoculars and dress for the Woodland Park forecast.
– Few spots remain! RSVP by emailing trip leader Jessica Miller at jessicaisbirding@gmail.com

Clear Spring Ranch with Collin Hildreth
2025-08-09 07:30 - 11:30 | Clear Spring Ranch, Loren Lane, Fountain, CO, 80817, United States
Join Collin Hildreth for a morning exploring this county-managed, 970-acre park along Fountain Creek for late-summer breeding birds. In addition to the riparian forest, the park hosts extensive grasslands where sparrows, raptors, and other species can be found. Total walking distance may be up to three miles, but at an easy birding pace and on level trails and gravel roads.
No RSVP required. Just meet the group at the Clear Springs Ranch parking lot by 7:30 a.m. Don’t forget your binoculars and anything else you like to bring birding, like a camera. There are vault toilets at the trailhead.

*FULL* Birds & Brews - Manitou Lake & 110 Reserve August 10
2025-08-10 09:00 - 11:00 | Manitou Lake CO-67, CO-67, Colorado Springs, 80903, United States
Birds & Brews – Manitou Lake & 110 Reserve
Sunday, August 10, 9:00 – 11:00 a.m.

Manitou Lake (9am) followed by 110 Reserve (11am)
Manitou Lake is surrounded by evergreen forests, meadows, and wetlands formed by beaver dams. The diverse habitat, flat walking, and lovely scenery make this a great birding destination. On our way home we’ll stop by 110 Reserve in Woodland Park to enjoy their beer garden, maybe a cocktail, and snacks!
– Difficulty: Easy. This 2 mile hike is along mostly flat, uneven trails.
– Bring binoculars and dress for the Woodland Park forecast.
– At the entrance, a $11 fee per vehicle is charged (or $5/car with valid NP pass). Option to carpool/caravan from Old Colorado City area at 7:15am.
– This trip is at capacity, but you may join the waitlist by emailing trip leader Jessica Miller at jessicaisbirding@gmail.com

Park County Reservoirs with Denver Field Ornithologists
2025-08-25 06:30 - 15:30 | Antero Reservoir, Antero Reservoir, Colorado 80449, Hartsel, Colorado, 80449, United States
Park County Reservoirs with Denver Field Ornithologists (DFO)
Monday, August 25, 2025, 6:30 AM – 3:30 PM
Leaders: Joseph Tuttle & David Suddjian
Trip Difficulty: Moderate
This trip will focus on birding Antero Reservoir in lovely South Park. Late summer is a good time for shorebirds there, and a variety of other species may be seen. Antero has a history of rare birds, and we might get lucky. Depending on time, we may visit another location, too. We will walk up to a couple of miles on mostly level but uneven ground. Bring a hat, sunscreen, insect repellent, plenty of liquids, a snack and lunch. We will carpool from our meeting and rendezvous spots, and a rendezvous location in Park County will be announced in advance. Restrooms will be available at Antero Reservoir.
This trip is limited and registration will open at noon on 8/4/2025 on this webpage: https://dfobirds.org/FieldTrips/Register.aspx?TripID=22137. 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.

*FULL* Chico Basin Ranch
2025-09-08 06:30 - 14:00 | Chico Basin Ranch, 22500 S Peyton Hwy, Colorado Springs, CO, 80928, United States
This trip is full at 11 participants. You may join the waitlist by emailing trip leader Jessica at jessicaisbirding@gmail.com.
This trip is ideal for those that have never visited Chico Basin Ranch, but all levels of birders are welcome.
Venture out to El Paso County’s #1 eBird hotspot, Chico Basin Ranch. Together we will explore the three sites open to birders – The woodlands where Bird Conservancy of the Rockies will be banding birds, The Headquarters pond, and Rose’s Pond. During our trip we will venture across county lines to scour vast prairie, woodlands, open water, wetlands, and riparian areas for a very wide variety of birds, including wonderful migrants. Bring snacks, lunch, and lots of water. We will be in shade much of the time, but still plan for sun protection. Porta-potties will be nearby half of the time. Of course, bring your favorite birding gear like binoculars and a camera. (Don’t have binoculars? No problem – the trip leader can bring you some!) Wear comfortable walking shoes – we may walk 3 miles at a very slow birder’s pace. Our terrain can be uneven but mostly flat. Long pants are recommended.
We will meet in Fountain, CO by 6:30 a.m. to carpool/caravan east to Chico. We will utilize our full allotted time on the Ranch – 7:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
This trip is limited to 11 participants. Two weeks before the trip, the trip leader will provide the link and password to participants to purchase their ticket to visit the ranch. The ranch access fee is $15 per person. RSVP by emailing trip leader Jessica at jessicaisbirding@gmail.com.

*FULL* Chico Basin Ranch with Denver Field Ornithologists (DFO)
2025-09-09 05:30 - 14:00 | Chico Basin Ranch, 22500 S Peyton Hwy, Colorado Springs, CO, 80928, United States
Chico Basin Ranch with Denver Field Ornithologists (DFO)
Tuesday, September 9, 2025, 5:30 AM – 2:00 PM
Leader: Kip Miller
Trip Difficulty: Moderate
Habitats to bird: Grassland, Riparian, Scrub, Wetland
We’ve added a second fall opportunity to visit this popular El Paso County birding location. (The Sept 15 outing filled quickly….) This trip will explore the three sites at Chico Basin Ranch currently open to birders – The woodlands where Bird Conservancy of the Rockies will be banding birds, the Headquarters Pond and Rose’s Pond. This trip is ideal for those that have never visited the ranch, but all levels of birders are welcome. We will be in shade much of the time, but still plan for sun protection. Portable toilets will be nearby half of the time. Bring a sack lunch and drinks/water. We may walk up to three miles at a birder’s pace on mostly flat, but sometimes uneven terrain. Long pants are recommended.
Birders coming from the Denver region will meet at Castle Rock Lowe’s parking lot at 5:30 am, as indicated. Those coming from the El Paso County region and the leader will meet at Kirk Hanna Park (just north of the Chico Basin Ranch entrance) at 7 a.m. and then we will enter the ranch together. We are required to exit the ranch by 1:00 p.m., so the outing will conclude by that time at the latest. Closer to the trip, Kip will provide the link and password to participants to purchase their ticket to visit the ranch. The ranch access fee is $15 per person.
This trip is limited to 12 participants and registration is now open on this webpage: https://dfobirds.org/FieldTrips/UpcomingTrips.aspx. If you do not already have an account with DFO, visit https://dfobirds.org/, click “LOGIN” then click “Create Account” and follow the prompts.

*FULL* Sondermann Park with Jo Anne and Patty
2025-09-11 08:00 - 10:30 | Sondermann Park, 740 W Carmamillo St, Colorado Springs, CO, 80907, United States
September 11, 2025 @ 8:00 am – 10:30 am

Join Jo Anne Peterson and Patty Lovekin on September 11th, 8:00-10:30 a.m. at Sondermann Park, a 97-acre natural park where you can find many species in the large trees and along the creek. Easy walk across flat terrain with small hills.
Parking is tight, so you may want to carpool or park on the roadway across from the park’s entrance. The park is located at 740 W. Caramillo St., Colorado Springs, CO 80907

This trip is full at 15 birders. Join the waitlist by emailing fieldtrips@aikenaudubon.com

Hope to see you there!

Fall Bird Count at Fountain Creek Nature Center
2025-09-13 07:30 - 10:30 | Fountain Creek Nature Center, 320 Pepper Grass Lane, Fountain, 80817
This event is being hosted by Fountain Creek Nature Center. Any donations benefit the Friends of El Paso County Nature Centers.
Join the annual tradition and help record the number of bird species and populations found in Fountain Creek Regional Park during fall migration. After morning snacks, quick socializing, and group assignments, we’ll split up across the Regional Park to identify and count all the birds. All levels of birders are welcome, and binoculars can be borrowed for free from the Nature Center. This is a citizen science project and children under 7 years old may not enjoy the activity.
Spots are limited; sign up by emailing Jessica Miller, Nature Center Supervisor, at jessicamiller@elpasoco.com

Birds & Brews - Bear Creek East & Westfax Brewing
2025-09-14 10:00 - 12:00 | Bear Creek Regional Park – East, 2002 Creek Crossing, Colorado Springs, CO, United States
Bear Creek Regional Park East (10am) & Westfax Brewing Co (12pm)

We’ll explore Bear Creek, the beaver ponds along it, the meadows, and scrub oak habitat within Bear Creek Regional Park East. Afterwards we’ll head to Westfax Brewing for a beer!
– Bring binoculars and dress for the Colorado Springs weather forecast. Let Jessica know ahead of time if you need to borrow binoculars.
– Difficulty: Moderate. We will be on relatively flat terrain with some incline and will walk about 2 miles.
– Just a couple spots left! RSVP by emailing Jessica at jessicaisbirding@gmail.com

*FULL* Chico Basin Ranch with Denver Field Ornithologists
2025-09-15 06:30 - 14:00 | Chico Basin Ranch, 22500 S Peyton Hwy, Colorado Springs, CO, 80928, United States
Chico Basin Ranch with Denver Field Ornithologists (DFO)
Monday, September 15, 2025, 6:30 AM – 2:00 PM
Leader: Jessica Miller
Trip Difficulty: Moderate
This trip is ideal for those that have never visited the ranch, but all levels of birders are welcome.
Venture out to El Paso County’s #1 eBird hotspot, Chico Basin Ranch. We will explore the three sites open to birders – The woodlands where Bird Conservancy of the Rockies will be banding birds, The Headquarters pond, and Rose’s Pond. During our trip we will venture across county lines to scour vast prairie, woodlands, open water, wetlands, and riparian areas for a very wide variety of birds, including wonderful migrants. We will utilize our full allotted time on the Ranch – 7:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Bring snacks, lunch, and lots of water. We will be in shade much of the time, but still plan for sun protection. Porta-potties will be nearby half of the time. Of course, bring your favorite birding gear like binoculars and a camera. (Don’t have binoculars? No problem – the trip leader can bring you some!) Wear comfortable walking shoes – we may walk 3 miles at a very slow birder’s pace. Our terrain can be uneven but mostly flat. Long pants are recommended. Denver-area participants will meet in Castle Rock to carpool down at 5:30 a.m. Everyone will meet in Fountain, CO at 6:30 a.m. before heading east to Chico.
This trip is limited to 11 participants and registration will open at noon on 9/1/2025 on this webpage: https://dfobirds.org/FieldTrips/UpcomingTrips.aspx. If you do not already have an account with DFO, visit https://dfobirds.org/, click “LOGIN” then click “Create Account” and follow the prompts. Closer to the trip, Jessica will provide the link and password to participants registered through DFO to purchase their ticket to visit the ranch. The ranch access fee is $15 per person. We will need a few drivers to volunteer to drive as carpooling is greatly preferred.

2025 Social & Silent Auction
2025-09-17 18:00 - 20:00 | TriNity Brewing Co., 1466 Garden of the Gods Rd., Colorado Springs, CO, 80907, United States
PROUDLY SPONSORED BY
Wild Birds Unlimited
~~~~~Ticket sales have closed for this event.~~~~~
Thank you for all of the support!
Join us on Wednesday, September 17th for our Second Annual Social & Silent Auction!
TRiNiTY Brewing: 1466 Garden of the Gods Rd., Colorado Springs, CO, 80907
6:00pm – 8:00pm
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 2026!
Dinner will be provided by our generous event sponsor, with gluten free and vegan options available.

This is a ticketed event with limited seating. Ticket cost is $12 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.
Silent auction bidding will open promptly at 6:00pm, and close at 7:30pm. Online bidding will not be available; we hope you can join us!
Silent Auction Items & Many More to Come:
Falconry Experience – Broadmoor Outfitters
Birdy Gift Basket – Wild Birds Unlimited
Mosaic Class Gift Certificates – Shattered Glass Restored
Harvest Basket – Abeja Hive Honey Farm & Homestead
Restaurant Gift Cards & Glassware – Phantom Canyon
Watercolor Workshop Gift Certificate – Eric Fetsch Fine Art
“Garden Red-tail” Watercolor on Canvas – Eric Fetsch Fine Art
Full-Day Birding Trip to Rocky Mtn. National Park – Birding Man Wildlife Tours
Birding Trip to Chico Basin Ranch with John Drummond
Framed Art Piece – Little Wing Photo
Bird on Canvas – Ruben Rodriguez
Autographed Copy of “The Backyard Bird Chronicles” by Amy Tan – Wild Birds Unlimited
Spa Gift Basket – Inspire Movements
90-Minute Massage – Inspire Movements
Leica Scope & Tripod – Aiken Audubon Society
Bird Friendly Coffee & Sibley Guide to Birds – Aiken Audubon Board Members
Bird Friendly Coffee & Great Blue Heron Tumbler – Clark Jones & Melissa Wetzig
Birdy Wine – Paula Wegert
“Landing Thrasher” Art Piece – Beth Skukrud
Bird Store Gift Cards – This Place is for the Birds
To allow guests to enjoy this social event, our monthly guest speaker presentations will resume in October.

Birds & Beans – Beginner Birding Class at Bear Creek Nature Center
2025-09-27 07:30 - 09:00 | Bear Creek Nature Center, 245 Bear Creek Rd, Colorado Springs, CO, 80906
This event is hosted by Bear Creek Nature Center and benefits the Friends of El Paso County Nature Center.
Sip your coffee and see new birds during this beginner’s birding class with Mary Rudolph, local bird enthusiast and member of Aiken Audubon! Learn the basics of birding – calls, shape and size, using your binoculars, common birds of the area, and more, all while enjoying a coffee treat on us. Binoculars and birding guides available to borrow at the front desk.
$5 per person; prepaid registration required at www.elpasocountynaturecenters.com

*FULL* Birds & Brews - Rock Ledge Ranch & Red Leg Brewing
2025-10-05 09:00 - 12:00 | Rock Ledge Ranch, 3199 Chambers Way, Colorado Springs, CO, 80904, United States
Rock Ledge Ranch (9am) & Red Leg Brewing (12pm)

We’ll peruse the orchard, meadows, woodlands, and rock formations in search of a variety of migrants and resident birds. If time permits, we’ll walk into Garden of the Gods for birds like White-throated Swifts, Prairie Falcons, and Canyon Wren.
– This will be an easy/moderate hike – We’ll be on relatively flat terrain and may go three miles at a birder’s pace. One short area of trail is somewhat steep.
– Bring binoculars, wear good hiking shoes, and dress for the Colorado Springs forecast. If you need to borrow a pair of binoculars, let Jessica know when you RSVP.
– Afterwards we’ll head over to Red Leg Brewing, about 4 minutes away.
While this trip is full, it’s worth joining the waitlist. Email jessicaisbirding@gmail.com to join the waitlist.

October Monthly Meeting | Birding Central California
2025-10-15 18:30 - 20:30 | Colorado Parks and Wildlife Office, 4255 Sinton Rd, Colorado Springs, 80907
Birding Central California
Join Jessica (and special guest, Bruce) on a birding adventure around the San Francisco Bay and south to Monterey. You’ll hear how the diversity of habitats, hotspots, and seasons resulted in 200+ species, with the help of eBird and a little luck. Scour the coast and bay for shorebirds, spend an entire day at sea, and hike for warblers and condors. You’ll be inspired to visit this area and search for its unique birds in beautiful settings!
Jessica Miller is the Fountain Creek Nature Center supervisor, President of Aiken Audubon Society, and volunteer leader of the Birds and Brews field trip series. Before moving to Colorado seven years ago, she was the Recreation Director and Head Naturalist for Fripp Island Resort in coastal South Carolina. She’s also been a biological intern for Pea Island National Wildlife Refuge in North Carolina. She grew up in Georgia where she earned her B.S. in Biology from Augusta University. When she’s not pretending to be a normal human, she’s planning a birding trip!

This is an in-person meeting held at the Colorado Parks & Wildlife Office; 4255 Sinton Road 80907. SEE BELOW for Zoom link to attend virtually from home. 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
Join Zoom Meeting
https://us06web.zoom.us/j/5770180765?pwd=[REDACTED]
Meeting ID: 577 018 0765
Passcode: [REDACTED]
