Aiken Audubon Society

Falcon and Friends Birdwatch - Garden of the Gods Sponsored
2022-05-02 09:00 - 10:30 (America/Denver) | Garden of the Gods Parking Lot #2 (North Main Parking Lot), 30th Street, Colorado Springs, CO, 80904, United States
Falcon and Friends
Monday Mornings – 9:00-10:30 – Observation Deck above restrooms at P2
Free Program (No preregistration required)
Park Volunteer and Interpreter Michele McMurray will have spotting scopes and binoculars out to view our local prairie falcons along with other feathered friends and wildlife of the park. Stop by the observation deck located on top of the restrooms at parking lot #2 (North Main Parking Lot).

Migration Walks - Fountain Creek Regional Park
2022-05-01 07:30 - 10:30 | Fountain Creek Nature Center, 320 Pepper Grass Lane, Fountain, 80817
Join Tyler Stuart, Secretary of Aiken Audubon Chapter, for a leisurely hike through Fountain Creek Regional Park to see and hear the many birds that migrate through and breed in our area.
– Sunday, May 1, 2022 – 730-1030a; meet at Fountain Creek Nature Center parking lot
Our goal is to identify the songs and field marks of the many species that call this area home, in addition to some hopeful spring migrants. Bring a good pair of walking shoes, binoculars, any guidebooks you have and an inquisitive mind! Migration Walks are open to birders of all experience levels. Some binoculars are available to borrow. No previous experience or registration required. Great for the whole family!

Monument, CO Arbor Day Celebration
2022-04-29 10:00 - 12:00 | Dirty Woman Park 17575 Mitchell Ave, Monument, CO 80132, 17575 Mitchell Ave, Monument, CO, 80132
Date:
April 29, 2022

Time:
10:00 AM

Location: Dirty Woman Park

Arbor Day is Friday, April 29th at 10am in Dirty Woman Park (north side). Please join us for a tree planting demonstration and a discussion on bird-friendly tree varieties and practices. Attendees can take home a free bird-friendly plant or bush

Fountain Creek Regional Park - Migration Walks
2022-04-24 07:30 - 10:30 | Fountain Creek Nature Center, 320 Pepper Grass Lane, Fountain, 80817
Join Julie Frost, Education Chair of Aiken Audubon Chapter, for a leisurely hike through Fountain Creek Regional Park to see and hear the many birds that migrate through and breed in our area.
– Sunday, April 24, 2022 – 730-1030a; meet at Fountain Creek Nature Center parking lot
Our goal is to identify the songs and field marks of the many species that call this area home, in addition to some hopeful spring migrants. Bring a good pair of walking shoes, binoculars, any guidebooks you have and an inquisitive mind! Migration Walks are open to birders of all experience levels. Some binoculars are available to borrow. No previous experience or registration required. Great for the whole family!

Aiken Monthly Meeting: Pinyon Jays in Colorado
2022-04-20 19:00 - 20:30 | Zoom [online]
The amazing social pinyon jay is familiar to many and yet surprisingly, little to no research has been done regarding the species in Colorado. We do know that pinyon jay populations have recently been declining. Because of these declines, Colorado Parks and Wildlife initiated a study in 2019 to locate breeding colonies across the state to better understand habitat use, assess site fidelity, and identify threats to reproductive output. Come spend an evening learning about the natural history of this species and recent research findings with Amy Seglund from Colorado Parks and Wildlife.

https://us06web.zoom.us/j/83817861538?pwd=[REDACTED]
Meeting ID: 838 1786 1538
Passcode: [REDACTED]

Crows & Coffee Monthly Bird Walk
2022-04-18 08:00 - 10:00 | Bear Creek Regional Park – East, 2002 Creek Crossing, Colorado Springs, CO, United States
ebird Checklist
Whether you’re a seasoned birder or an amateur, join Melissa Wetzig and Melanie Helton for a morning bird walk at Bear Creek on April 18th, 8a. We’ll meet in the parking lot next to the community gardens and walk ~2 miles through the park. Consider bringing binoculars and a field guide to enhance your birding experience.
Afterward, you’re invited to join us for a cup of coffee at Scooter’s Coffee on 8th Street.
No need to register, just show-up! Help us make this a fun monthly gathering!

Migration Walks - Fountain Creek Regional Park
2022-04-16 07:30 - 10:30 | Fountain Creek Regional Park, 398-386 Peppergrass Ln., Fountain, CO, 80817, United States
eBird Checklist
Join Clark Jones, President of Aiken Audubon Chapter, for a leisurely hike through Fountain Creek Regional Park to see and hear the many birds that migrate through and breed in our area.
– Saturday, April 16, 2022 – 730-1030a; meet at Fountain Creek Nature Center parking lot
Our goal is to identify the songs and field marks of the many species that call this area home, in addition to some hopeful spring migrants. Bring a good pair of walking shoes, binoculars, any guidebooks you have and an inquisitive mind! Migration Walks are open to birders of all experience levels. Some binoculars are available to borrow. No previous experience or registration required. Great for the whole family!

Lights Out Colorado free webinar!
2022-04-13 19:00 - 20:15 | Rockies.Audubon.org
Sign up now for a free webinar from leading experts about light pollution and bird migration. Speakers will include Dr. Kyle Horton (Colorado State University), Ashley Wilson (International Dark-sky Association), and Zach Hutchinson (Audubon Rockies). The webinar will take place Wednesday, April 13, at 7 pm, on the Zoom platform for the National Audubon Society.

Webinar Registration

Thanks for your pledge to help Lights Out Colorado!
Richard OBrien

Birds & Brew Monthly Walk - Garden of the Gods
2022-04-10 15:00 - 17:00 | Garden of the Gods Parking Lot, See Map
April 10 @ 3p-5p walk with Brew afterward

Birds & Brew Monthly Bird Walks –
Whether you’re a seasoned birder or an amateur, join Jessica Miller for a bird walk at Garden of the Gods (Main Parking lot #2, see map) on Sunday, April 10, 3-5p. Walking will be at a slow pace on relatively level walking paths. Consider bringing binoculars and a field guide to enhance your birding experience.
Afterward, you’re invited to join us at Red Leg Brewing (2323 Garden of the Gods Rd, Colorado Springs, CO 80907) for a libation and some friendly chat!
No need to register, just show-up! Help us make this a fun monthly gathering!

Bird Collisions 101: Making Your Home and Community Safer for Birds
2022-03-24 14:00 - 15:00 | CO
VIEW RECORDING HERE
Thursday, March 24, 2022 2:00 PM – 3:00 PM MT
White-throated Sparrow. Hermit Thrush. Black-and-white Warbler. These beloved birds are among the top bird species most at risk from window collisions. If you’ve ever heard a thud coming from your window, it is possible one of these birds might have collided with it and sustained serious or even life-threatening injuries.
Every year up to 1 billion birds die as a result of collisions with glass in the U.S. There is a lot we can do individually and collectively to help birds, especially during the seasons of migration when collision rates are even higher.
In our next webinar, bird collisions experts will provide practical advice on preventing window strikes at home, as well as tips to advocate for safer, bird-friendly building policies in your community.
Speakers:

Dr. Christine Sheppard, Glass Collisions Program Director, ABC
Anikó Tótha, Bird Collision Glass Testing Program Coordinator, ABC
Bryan Lenz, Bird City Americas Director & Glass Collisions Program Manager, ABC

https://act.abcbirds.org/a/webinar-collisions-101?ms=social

CANCELED - Crows & Coffee Monthly Bird Walks
2022-03-21 09:00 - 11:00 | Garden of the Gods Parking Lot, See Map
Sorry, March 21st trip has been canceled due to potential inclement weather and leader injury. We look forward to getting together in April for Crows & Coffee!
Crows & Coffee Monthly Bird Walks –
Whether you’re a seasoned birder or an amateur, join PJ Markus for a bird walk at Garden of the Gods (main parking lot, see map circled P2) on Monday, March 21, 9a-11a. Walking will be at a slow pace on relatively level walking paths. Consider bringing binoculars and a field guide to enhance your birding experience.
Afterward, you’re invited to join us at Jives Coffee Lounge (16 Colbrunn Ct, Colorado Springs, CO 80904) for a cup of coffee and bird talk!
No need to register, just show-up! Help us make this a fun monthly gathering!

Birds & Brew Monthly Bird Walks
2022-03-20 15:00 - 17:00 | Red Rock Canyon Open Space, 3550 W High St, Colorado Springs, CO, 80904, United States
March 20 @ 3p-5p walk with Brew afterward

Birds & Brew Monthly Bird Walks –
Whether you’re a seasoned birder or an amateur, join Jessica Miller for a bird walk at Red Rock Canyon Open Space (3550 W High St, Colorado Springs, CO 80904) on Sunday, March 20, 3-5p. Walking will be at a slow pace on relatively level walking paths. Consider bringing binoculars and a field guide to enhance your birding experience.
Afterward, you’re invited to join us at Fossil Craft Beer Company (2845 Ore Mill Rd #1, Colorado Springs, CO 80904) for a libation and some friendly chat!
No need to register, just show-up! Help us make this a fun monthly gathering!

Birds of the Park - Garden of the Gods
2022-03-20 12:30 - 13:30 | Garden of the Gods Visitor Center, 1805 N 30th St,, Colorado Springs,, CO, 80904, United States
Birds of the Park, March 20th, 12:30 – 1:30 pm ($5.00 charge, max #15)

Park Interpreter, Nick Darling, presents on the various birds found within the Garden of the Gods. Hear tips and tricks for spotting and identifying the various bird species that call the park home. This indoor presentation takes place at the Garden of the Gods Visitor and Nature Center in our Red Rocks Room on the 2nd floor (1805 N. 30th St., Colorado Springs, CO 80904 ). Questions? Call 719-219-0108.

There is a $5 registration fee, all done through the Visitor Center’s website (www.gardenofgods.com ).

Field Trip: Rock Ledge Ranch (FULL) - rescheduled
2022-03-18 07:30 - 09:30 | Rock Ledge Ranch, 3199 Chambers Way, Colorado Springs, CO, 80904, United States
**This trip is FULL. To sign up for the waiting list, please email the trip leader, Tyler Stuart (TylerHStuart@gmail.com).
Tyler Stuart will lead a trip to Rock Ledge Ranch on Friday, March 18 at 7:30 am. We’ll plan on birding for about two hours. Resident breeding birds have started to show early signs of spring–singing, drumming, and courtship. Steller’s Jay have been regular visitors at the Ranch this winter, and Cedar Waxwings and Evening Grosbeaks have shown up occasionally. Who knows what other birds we may find? Note that we will meet at the south entrance of Rock Ledge Ranch on Chambers Way. To sign up, email Tyler Stuart (TylerHStuart@gmail.com). *If you do not receive an RSVP reply, check your Spam filter or Promotions filter (esp. Gmail users).

Aiken monthly meeting: Effects of Climate Change on Birds of Colorado (and beyond)
2022-03-16 19:00 - 20:30 | Zoom [online]
Join us next Wednesday, March 16 @ 7:00 pm for our monthly meeting and presentation. Aiken President, Clark Jones, will be giving a presentation examining the forecasted (and observed) effects of climate change on birds in Colorado. Current climate models portend to a warmer future in Colorado. According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Association (NOAA), “Statewide annual temperatures [are] projected to warm between 2.5°F and 5°F by 2050 relative to a 1971–2000 baseline. A 2-degree increase would make the city of Denver’s temperatures in 2050 more like the southern Colorado city of Pueblo is today. With higher emissions (RCP 8.5), the projected warming for Colorado is as much as 6.5°F by mid-century, which would make Denver’s temperatures more similar to those found today in Albuquerque, New Mexico.” This warming has deep implications for birds in Colorado, as well as across the globe.

Fountain Creek Nature Center - Building for the Birds
2022-03-05 10:00 - 12:00 | Fountain Creek Nature Center, 320 Pepper Grass Lane, Fountain, 80817
Building for the Birds
Saturday, March 5, 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
Build a nesting box for common backyard birds and learn who they are and their calls with an indoor lesson and guided hike. An adult able to handle tools must accompany children. Bring a hammer and pliers if you have them. Other materials provided. $12 per non-member box, $10 per member box. Prepaid reservations required.

Birds & Brews Monthly Bird Walks
2022-02-27 15:00 - 18:00 | Prospect Lake, South Union Blvd, Colorado Springs, CO, United States
Whether you’re a seasoned birder or an amateur, join Jessica Miller for a bird walk around Prospect Lake (715 Prospect Lake Dr., Colorado Springs) on Sunday, February 27th, 3-5p. Walking will be at a slow pace on relatively level walking paths. Consider bringing binoculars and a field guide to enhance your birding experience.
Afterward, you’re invited to join us at Battle Mountain Brewing Company (1007 S Tejon St, Colorado Springs) for a libation and friendly chat!

No need to register, just show-up! Help us make this a fun monthly gathering!

Birds & Brews Monthly Bird Walks
2022-02-27 15:00 - 17:00 | CO
Birds & Brews Monthly Bird Walks
Whether you’re a seasoned birder or an amateur, join Jessica Miller for a bird walk around Prospect Lake (715 Prospect Lake Dr., Colorado Springs) on Sunday, February 27th, 3-5p. Walking will be at a slow pace on relatively level walking paths. Consider bringing binoculars and a field guide to enhance your birding experience.
Afterward, you’re invited to join us at Battle Mountain Brewing Company (1007 S Tejon St, Colorado Springs) for a libation and bird talk!
**
No need to register, just show-up! Help us make this a fun monthly gathering!

Audubon Rockies Presents: Getting Green Laws
2022-02-23 19:00 - 20:15 | CO
Advocating for bird-friendly legislation is one of the most impactful ways to help birds and the environment, but without an understanding of the process, it can seem daunting. Getting Green Laws is a free webinar training on how to make your voice heard by legislators on upcoming environmental laws in Colorado.
During the webinar, Jen Boulton, Audubon’s lobbyist in Colorado, will walk you through strategies for contacting your representatives and improving your ability to influence them. She’ll also explain bills that the Colorado legislature is considering right now that will impact birds and their habitats, as well as how you can help shape them.
Register for this free training to greatly increase your ability to impact the causes you care about.

Garden of the Gods - Birds of the Park
2022-02-20 12:30 - 13:30 | Garden of the Gods Visitor Center, 1805 N 30th St,, Colorado Springs,, CO, 80904, United States
Birds of the Park, February 20th, 12:30 – 1:30 pm ($5.00 charge, max #15)

Park Interpreter,, presents on the various birds found within the Garden of the Gods. Hear tips and tricks for spotting and identifying the various bird species that call the park home. Starts in the Red Rocks Room on the 2nd floor inside the Visitor and Nature Center. Questions? Call 719-219-0108.

Great Backyard Bird Count
2022-02-18 - 2022-02-21 | CO
Be part of a global event! This is the 25th year of the Great Backyard Bird Count and a chance to connect to birds, to nature, and with each other. You can participate from the comforts of your own home or venture out to a location of your own choosing. Participating is easy, fun to do alone, or with others, and can be done anywhere you find birds.

Step 1 – Decide where you will watch birds.
Step 2 – Watch birds for 15 minutes or more, at least once over the four days, February 18-21, 2022.
Step 3 – Count all the birds you see or hear within your planned time/location and use the best tool for sharing your bird sightings:

If you are a beginning bird admirer and new to the count, try using the Merlin Bird ID app.
If you have participated in the count before, try eBird Mobile app or enter your bird list on the eBird website (desktop/laptop).
If you are participating as a group, see instructions for Group Counting.

Watching birds is a safe and enjoyable activity we can do during the Covid global pandemic. For the 2022 Great Backyard Bird Count, we strongly urge participants to comply with all current Covid-19 regulations and guidelines. This includes, but is not limited to, social distancing while bird watching and wearing a mask when birding with others.

Tracking Birds From The Great Plains to The Chihuahuan Desert
2022-02-16 19:00 - 20:30 | Zoom [online]
Grassland birds are among the most imperiled group of birds in the United States. The Motus Wildlife Tracking System (Motus) is a network of automated radio telemetry stations that offers an effective method to explore animal movement. Join Avian Ecologist Matt Webb to learn more about how Bird Conservancy of the Rockies is developing a network of Motus stations and tagging birds across the Great Plains and Chihuahuan Desert to study the movement behavior of grassland birds. This network will allow researchers to gain a new understanding of how grassland birds move throughout their full annual cycle.
https://us06web.zoom.us/j/84223552864?pwd=[REDACTED]
Meeting ID: 842 2355 2864
Passcode: [REDACTED]

Fountain Creek Nature Center: Long Distance Relationships
2022-02-12 13:00 - 15:00 | Fountain Creek Regional Park, 398-386 Peppergrass Ln., Fountain, CO, 80817, United States
Long Distance Relationships:
Bird Migration
Saturday, February 12, 1:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m.
Fountain Creek Nature Center 719-520-6745

Where do warblers winter and where are shorebirds all summer? Birds come in all shapes and sizes and their reasons and adaptations for migrating vary. Learn all the nuances of bird migration, from when to expect favorites to how you can help them along their journey. Lesson, craft, activities, and a hike included! All ages are welcome.

Register Online

Field Trip: Fountain Creek Regional Park
2022-02-05 08:00 - 12:00 | Fountain Creek Regional Park, 398-386 Peppergrass Ln., Fountain, CO, 80817, United States
Clark Jones will lead a trip Fountain Creek Regional Park on Saturday February 5th @ 8:00. We’ll plan on birding 2-4 hours depending on weather and bird activity. Recent sightings in the area include Rusty Blackbird and Northern Waterthrush. The area is known to attract various waterfowl species in the winter when other areas are frozen. To sign up, email Clark Jones jones.clark.d@gmail.com or RSVP below. *If you do not receive an RSPV reply, check your Spam filter or Promotions filter (esp. Gmail users).

North Cheyenne Cañon Park presents: Winter Bird Festival.
2022-01-22 10:00 - 14:00 | North Cheyenne Canon Park, 2120 S Cheyenne Canyon Rd., Colorado Springs, CO, 80906, United States
Celebrate winter birds at Starsmore Visitor and Nature Center at North Cheyenne Cañon! Come enjoy crafts, a scavenger hunt, guided birding walks, and family fun while learning about our feathered friends. The event is free, although a $5 donation per family to support park programs, supplies, and staffing is appreciated. More information here.

Aiken Audubon Monthly Meeting. Shorebirds on the Edge: Piping Plovers and Interior Least Terns
2022-01-19 19:00 - 20:30 | Zoom [online]
Dr. Sara Harrod, Natural Resources Specialist with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, will be speaking about the Piping Plover and Interior Least Tern monitoring program at John Martin Reservoir. The presentation includes a brief overview of John Martin, the biology of plovers and terns, conservation issues these birds face, what the Corps of Engineers and its partners are doing, and ways people can help protect nesting plovers and terns.
This meeting will be held on Zoom.
CLICK HERE TO JOIN THE MEETING.
Image credit: Matthew Reitinger/Audubon Photography Awards

Field trip: Fountain Creek Regional Park
2021-11-23 09:00 - 11:00 | Fountain Creek Regional Park, 398-386 Peppergrass Ln., Fountain, CO, 80817, United States
Join PJ Markus for a November 23rd bird walk at Fountain Creek Regional Park. We’ll meet in the Fountain Creek Nature Center parking lot, by the gazebo at 9:00 a.m. The outing will be from 9-11a for any level birder. Binoculars are strongly recommended. Group size limited to 12, so register early by sending an email to irishlady59@gmail.com to confirm your spot!

Aiken Audubon Monthly Meeting. Green Big Year with Scott Somershoe.
2021-11-17 19:00 - 20:30 | CO
The Colorado birding community lost one of its pillars when Joe Roller passed away in November 2020. Joe was a fount of birding lore and loved people as much as birds. Many considered him a beloved friend. To honor Joe’s legacy, Scott partnered with Colorado Field Ornithologists (CFO) and created the Joe Roller Memorial Grant to support bird research in Colorado. The grant will be initially funded by pledges raised through Scott’s 2021 Green Big Year, a green (carbon-free) birding initiative. Scott will give a first-hand account of his Green Big Year that has tallied more than 250 species within biking distance of his home in Littleton, CO.

Field Trip: Lake Pueblo State Park
2021-11-13 09:00 - 15:00 | Lake Pueblo State Park (Visitor Center), 601-633 Pueblo Reservoir Rd, Pueblo, CO, 81005, United States
Join us for this Aiken Audubon fall outing to Lake Pueblo State Park. Waterbirds will certainly be a major focus – we’ll scan for loons, ducks, grebes, gulls and more from the lake’s best vantage points – but we’ll also be alert for raptors and land birds in the park’s desert habitats and in wooded areas below the dam. Our actual itinerary will be flexible based on recent reports, weather conditions and time – but it should be a fun day of easy birding (no long hikes planned). We’ll spend the morning and a few hours of the afternoon in or near the park, so pack a lunch, water and such and remember to bring along warm layers in the event of chilling fall breezes.
Kip Miller will lead this outing. We will meet at the Lake Pueblo State Park Office and Visitor Center. (Please note an $10/vehicle daily fee or Colorado State Parks annual pass is required for entry to Lake Pueblo State Park.)
Group size will be limited to 12 participants. For more information or to reserve a space, please contact Kip at hlbirdguide@gmail.com.

Field Trip: Prospect Lake Tuesday Waterbird Walks - Nov 9 to Nov 30, 9:30 a.m.
2021-11-09 09:30 - 12:00 | 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.
