April Monthly Meeting: An Unplanned Journey with Birds with Amy Seglund
2026-04-15 18:30 - 21:00 (America/Denver) | CO
An Unplanned Journey with Birds
Join Amy Seglund, Species Conservation Program Manager for Colorado Parks and Wildlife and last year’s Colorado Field Ornithology convention Keynote Speaker in our Aiken Audubon April monthly meeting as she presents via Zoom.
As a young graduate student, she had her mind set on studying mammalian carnivores. Then, a birding moment changed her life and led her down an unexpected path in avian conservation. She will share some highlights and accomplishments of her path and why birds are wonderful to study.
Amy Seglund has worked for Colorado Parks and Wildlife for the past 19 years as a Species Conservation Program Manager. Much of her work has focused on two alpine bird species, the southern white-tailed ptarmigan and brown-capped rosy-finch. Amy’s newest endeavor is to understand pinyon jay breeding biology. Before coming to Colorado, Amy worked with Utah Division of Wildlife Resources for 4 years as a conservation biologist with her efforts focused on peregrine falcons, yellow-billed cuckoos, southwestern willow flycatchers, and Lewis’s woodpeckers. Amy received her MS in wildlife biology at Humboldt State University where her graduate research focused on the Pacific fisher. She spent 2 years in Guatemala in the Peace Corps assessing the avifauna in the cloud, subtropical, and spine forests. Amy was the 2023 recipient of the Richard G. Levad Award which honors individuals who have made outstanding contributions to bird conservation.

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: Amy Seglund

Dinosaur Ridge Hawk Watch - Aiken Members Only
2026-04-19 08:00 - 16:00 | CO
Visit the Dinosaur Ridge Hawk Watch in Morrison, CO! This site is a recipient of a Foothills & Prairie Grant in both 2025 & 2026. We will meet to carpool/caravan in Colorado Springs before heading up to Morrison to visit the hawk watchers and see their work in action – counting migrating birds of prey! We’ll stop on the way back to bird South Platte Park a little, since we’ll be passing right by.
“Named for its world-renowned fossil beds, Dinosaur Ridge is also a window into the seasonal movement of birds of prey such as hawks, eagles, falcons and more, over Colorado’s Front Range. These raptors migrate in the spring along the eastern mountainous edge of the Rockies in part because mountain updrafts enable them to soar and conserve energy during their long journeys north to their breeding grounds.”
We will meet to carpool/caravan in Colorado Springs at 8am. We will be back at 4pm at the latest. Plan to bring lunch and drinks. Don’t forget your binoculars, but if you need to borrow some, mention it with your RSVP.
This trip is limited to 13 Aiken members. Any household that has donated any amount to Aiken Audubon Society in the past one year is considered a member. Thank you for supporting Aiken Audubon and our avian conservation and education efforts! To register, email trip leader Jessica at jessicaisbirding@gmail.com.

Bear Creek East Field Trip
2026-04-25 08:00 - 11:00 | Bear Creek Regional Park – East, 2002 Creek Crossing, Colorado Springs, CO, United States
Join Pat Paternostro and Aiken Audubon for a birding trip at Bear Creek Park East (El Paso). We will walk along the creek and surrounding areas in search of resident species and returning migrants such as Chipping Sparrow, Blue-gray Gnatcatcher and Eastern Phoebe. The walk will take place on relatively flat ground with minimal elevation change. We will meet at the parking lot adjacent to the community garden, 2002 Creek Crossing St. If you would like to attend, please RSVP Pat at broncos30@hotmail.com.

Chico Basin Ranch with Denver Field Ornithologists
2026-04-27 06:00 - 14:00 | CO
Chico Basin Ranch with Denver Field Ornithologists (DFO)
Monday, April 27, 2026, 5:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.
Leader: Jessica Miller
Trip Difficulty: Moderate
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 5:00 am. Those coming from the El Paso County region will join the Denver crew and the leader at the Loves Gas Station at Exit 132 at 6:00a.m. We need volunteers with high clearance vehicles to drive on ranch roads. We will bird the ranch 6:30 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. Closer to the trip, Jessica 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 11 participants and registration will open at noon on April 6 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.

Pueblo Area with Denver Field Ornithologists
2026-05-03 07:00 - 15:00 | Pueblo Area
Pueblo Area with Jessica Miller – Joint Aiken & Denver Field Ornithologists Trip!

Sunday, May 3, 2026, 7:00 am – 3:00 pm
Trip Difficulty: Moderate
Let’s head down to Pueblo to peruse Runyon Lake, Pueblo City Park, Valco Ponds, and Pueblo Reservoir. It will be fun to see what migrants are coming through, and what rarities might appear! We will aim for 70+ species. Bring water, snacks, and lunch. Don’t forget sunscreen, a hat, your binoculars, a scope if you have one, and a camera if you like. If you would like to borrow a pair of binoculars, let the trip leader know. Bathrooms will be available regularly. Wear good walking shoes, our trip will be over relatively flat, easy, unpaved terrain. Carpool and caravan options from Denver, Colorado Springs, and Pueblo areas will be provided. The trip time listed on DFO is longer than here because they have to drive more!
This trip is limited and registration will open at noon on 4/12/2026. on this webpage: https://dfobirds.org/FieldTrips/Register.aspx?. 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.
Photo: American Avocet, Karen Blackwood/Audubon Photography Awards

Birding By Book | "What the Robin Knows"
2026-05-04 17:30 - 19:00 | CO
Aiken Audubon’s 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 What the Robin Knows by Jon Young at your leisure, then join us on Monday, May 4th for book club discussion.

Award-winning naturalist and author Jon Young’s What the Robin Knows reveals how understanding bird language and behavior can help us to see more wildlife.
A lifelong birder, tracker, and naturalist, Jon Young is guided by three basic premises: the robin, junco, and other songbirds know everything important about their environment, be it backyard or forest; by tuning in to their vocalizations and behavior, we can acquire much of this wisdom for our own pleasure and benefit; and the birds’ companion calls and warning alarms are just as important as their songs.
Deep bird language is an ancient discipline, perfected by Indigenous peoples the world over, and science is finally catching up. This groundbreaking book unites the Indigenous knowledge and the author’s own experience of more than four decades in the field to lead us toward a deeper connection to the animals and, in the end, a deeper connection to ourselves.
“This elegant book will deepen the kinship between humans and other species. It decodes our common language.”—Richard Louv, author of Our Wild Calling: How Connecting with Animals Can Transform Our Lives and Save Theirs

Seating is LIMITED, and a reservation is required.
RSVP by emailing BirdingByBook@gmail.com.
Roadrunner Bookshop is offering new copies of What the Robin Knows at a 15% discount to book club members. Please email your request to place an order along with your RSVP.
photo credit: HarperCollins.com

Birds & Brews - Paint Mines, Ramah, & Ascent Brewing
2026-05-10 08:00 - 13:30 | 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
2026-05-20 05:00 - 14:00 | CO
Paint Mines Interpretive Park —Including El Paso County Hotspots
Wednesday, May 20, 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 4/29/2026. 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
