Aiken Audubon Society

Birds & Brew Adams Open Space & Peaks N Pines Brewing
2023-08-13 09:00 - 13:00 (America/Denver) | Adams Open Space, 298 S Main St, Fountain, CO, 80817
Sunday, August 13

Adams Open Space (9am) followed by Peaks N Pines Brewing (12pm)
– We’ll stroll along Jimmy Camp Creek’s wetlands, riparian woodlands, and cottonwood forest in search of a variety of birds that enjoy this hidden little park.
– Meet at the Fountain Library (230 S Main St, Fountain, CO 80817). The Library is closed on Sundays, so no bathrooms are on site.
– Bring binoculars and good walking shoes. This trail is relatively flat and easy. Dress for the Fountain, CO forecast.

Please RSVP to Jessica at Jessicaisbirding@gmail.com

Birding By Book | "The Private Lives of Public Birds"
2023-08-28 17:30 - 19:00
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 “The Private Lives of Public Birds” at your leisure, then join us on Monday, August 28th for book club discussion.
Seating is LIMITED, and a reservation is required.
RSVP by emailing BirdingByBook@gmail.com.
Visit the Aiken Audubon website, and follow us on Facebook for upcoming announcements.

Fall Bird Count with Fountain Creek Nature Center
2023-09-09 07:30 - 10:30 | Fountain Creek Nature Center, 320 Pepper Grass Lane, Fountain, 80817
Fall Bird Count
Saturday, September 9, 7:30 a.m. – 10:30 a.m.
Join the annual tradition and help record the number of bird species and populations found in Fountain Creek Regional Park during fall migration. $5/person donation.

ONLINE REGISTRATION: available at https://communityservices.elpasoco.com/nature-centers/
Fountain Creek Nature Center, 320 Pepper Grass Lane, Fountain, CO 80817; 719-520-6745; www.elpasocountynaturecenters.com

Join Aiken & Diana Beatty at Fountain Creek Nature Center - September 12
2023-09-12 17:00 - 19:00 | Fountain Creek Nature Center, 320 Pepper Grass Lane, Fountain, 80817
Join us for a bird walk at Fountain Creek Nature Center on September 12, 5-7 pm, led by Diana Beatty.
Fountain Creek Regional Park is a natural migration corridor and the major watercourse of the Pikes Peak region. Come explore the ponds, streams, wetlands, forest, and grasslands of this 450-acre county park to discover its birds and other wildlife.

Appropriate for all levels of birders.
Physical difficulty: Easy.
If you’d like to borrow a pair of binoculars, please let mhelton016@gmail.com know in advance.

Meet at Fountain Creek Nature Center (map).

Rock Ledge Ranch with Kip Miller - September 13!
2023-09-13 09:00 - 11:00 | Rock Ledge Ranch, 3199 Chambers Way, Colorado Springs, CO, 80904, United States
Rock Ledge Ranch Weekday Birding: Wednesday, September 13, 9:00 a.m.
Located adjacent to Garden of the Gods Park in Colorado Springs, Rock Ledge Ranch can be a surprisingly good location for observing migrant songbirds during spring and fall migrations. Today we’ll spend a few hours slowly working around the grounds checking the wooded areas, as well as the farm and open areas for birds pausing to rest and refuel on their way south. We may walk a mile or so, but slowly and on easy terrain.
Kip Miller will lead this outing. Meet at the south end of the Garden of the Gods overflow parking area. (Directions will be provided to all registrants.) Group size will be limited to 12 participants. For more information or to reserve a space, please contact Kip at hlbirdguide@gmail.com.

Fountain Creek Nature Center with Diana Beatty, September 19th!
2023-09-19 17:00 - 19:00 | Fountain Creek Nature Center, 320 Pepper Grass Lane, Fountain, 80817
Join us for a bird walk at Fountain Creek Nature Center on September 19, 5-7 pm, led by Diana Beatty.
Fountain Creek Regional Park is a natural migration corridor and the major watercourse of the Pikes Peak region. Come explore the ponds, streams, wetlands, forest, and grasslands of this 450-acre county park to discover its birds and other wildlife.

Appropriate for all levels of birders.
Physical difficulty: Easy.
If you’d like to borrow a pair of binoculars, please let mhelton016@gmail.com know in advance.

Meet at Fountain Creek Nature Center (map).

Aiken Audubon Silent Auction
2023-09-20 17:30 - 19:00 | Colorado Parks and Wildlife Office, 4255 Sinton Rd, Colorado Springs, 80907
Join us for our inaugural Aiken Audubon Silent Auction on Wednesday, September 20th!
The first monthly meeting of our 2023-2024 program year will be held at the Colorado Parks and Wildlife office at 4255 Sinton Rd. in Colorado Springs. A silent auction and taco bar are special additions to this month’s meeting. A special kick-off to a great year ahead!
Proceeds from the silent auction will help fund Aiken Audubon educational programs, avian research grants and local conservation efforts.
Arrive at 5:30pm to enjoy a taco bar with fellow birders and the opportunity to browse and bid on numerous silent auction items to include:
Birdy Gift Baskets
Gift Certificates
Art
Birding Tours
Wine
and more…
To see a complete list of auction items, click here; Aiken Audubon Auction Item List
Bidding will take place from 5:30-7:00pm. All bidding will close promptly at 7:00pm prior to meeting announcements and the presentation of our guest speaker Tiffany Kersten. If you would like to bid over Zoom, please join us online at 5:00 over Zoom! We’ll provide instructions for how to bid when the auction opens. Bidding will begin at 5:30pm.
Join Zoom Meeting
Meeting ID: 880 6374 5877
Passcode: [REDACTED]
There is no cost for the taco bar, but donations are greatly appreciated.
Food & seating are VERY LIMITED so please arrive early. No RSVP needed.
THANK YOU TO OUR DONORS for making this auction possible!

Angler’s Covey Fly Fishing Shop
Antelope Ridge Mead
Birding Man Adventures
Buckley’s Homestead Supply
Coaltrain Wine & Liquor
Don’s Garden Shop
Ivywild Blooms
John Drummond
Linda Hodges
OCC Brewing
Phantom Canyon Brewing Co.
Poor Richard’s Books & Gifts
Ruben Rodriguez
Songbird Orchids
Wild Birds Unlimited

Aiken Monthly Meeting and Silent Auction Sept. 2023 | Birdie Big Year: Elevating Women Birders
2023-09-20 17:30 - 20:30 | Colorado Parks and Wildlife Office, 4255 Sinton Rd, Colorado Springs, 80907
Silent Auction, Tacos & Bird Talk (meet & mingle) 5:30pm
Meeting announcements 7:00pm
Program Presentation 7:15pm
We took a break this summer and we’re ready to get back to birding with you this fall! September is the beginning of our monthly meeting presentation series for 2023-2034, and we are very excited to announce Tiffany Kersten will be joining us!
Our September meeting will also include a silent auction to help raise money for our Aiken Audubon programs and research grants we help fund around the Pikes Peak region. We hope you will join us!
Tiffany Kersten didn’t set out to do a Big Year, but after a series of unanticipated and serendipitous events, she suddenly found herself amidst one. As a sexual assault survivor, she spent 2021 traveling to all corners of the Lower 48 States, tallying birds and gifting personal safety alarms to women she met along the way. Her goal was to see 700 species, and to raise awareness of women’s safety in the outdoors. She ended up surpassing her goal and setting a new record, of 726 species. In her presentation, Tiffany will lead us through the fear, empowerment, struggles, and healing that all played vital roles in the personal growth she experienced on this wild adventure.
Tiffany Kersten is a Wisconsin native. She holds a B.S. in Wildlife Ecology from Northland College, and has spent over a decade as an environmental educator, teaching about bird migration with the Cape May Bird Observatory, monitoring shorebirds on Cape Cod, banding Honeycreepers in Hawaii, and finally landing in South Texas where she worked at Santa Ana National Wildlife Refuged and then managed the McAllen Nature Center. After completing her Lower 48 States Big Year in 2021, she founded her own company, Nature Ninja Birding Tours. She guides primarily in the Rio Grande Valley of South Texas, and offers international tours as well.
This will be an in-person meeting (and broadcast on Zoom) held at the Colorado Parks & Wildlife Office located at 4255 Sinton Road 80907. The classroom entrance is on the back (east side) of the building. The main door will be locked.
Join Zoom Meeting
Meeting ID: 880 6374 5877
Passcode: [REDACTED]

Chico Basin with Linda Hodges - September 21st - FULL for the trip and waitlist!
2023-09-21 07:30 - 13:00 | Chico Basin Ranch, 22500 S Peyton Hwy, Colorado Springs, CO, 80928, United States
The Chico trip and waitlist are now FULL. Thank you.

Join Aiken & Linda Hodges on Thursday, September 21st!
Fall migration will be in full swing in September at Chico Basin Ranch! We’ll stop at the banding station, then look for warblers and flycatchers coming through as well as Scaled Quail, Ladder-backed Woodpeckers, Canyon Towhees and Northern Mockingbirds. One of the joys of the Chico migrant trap is you never know what will show up! Details to follow, but plan on a timeframe of 7:30 to noon or 1:00. High-clearance vehicles will be needed, as will your $10 for the Chico entrance fee. Contact Linda Hodges at hikerhodges@gmail.com to register.
22500 S Peyton Hwy, Colorado Springs, CO 80928

Birds & Brews with Jessica Miller Manitou Lake (9am) followed by BierWerks (11am)
2023-09-24 09:00 - 12:00 | Manitou Lake CO-67, CO-67, Colorado Springs, 80903, United States
Sunday,September 24
Manitou Lake (9am) followed by BierWerks (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, especially during migration! On our way home we’ll stop by BierWerks Brewery in Woodland Park to enjoy German ales and lagers.
– This is an easy/moderate 2 mile hike along mostly flat, uneven trails.
– Bring binoculars and dress for the Woodland Park forecast. Lederhosen not necessary.
– At the entrance, a $10 fee per vehicle is charged. Option to carpool/caravan from Old Colorado City area at 7:15am.
– RSVP by emailing trip leader Jessica Miller at jessicaisbirding@gmail.com

Clear Spring Ranch with Kip Miller - September 27th!
2023-09-27 08:30 - 11:30 | Clear Spring Ranch, Loren Lane, Fountain, CO, 80817, United States
Clear Spring Ranch Weekday Birding: Wednesday, September 27, 8:30 a.m.
Join us for a late September morning exploring this county-managed, 970-acre park along Fountain Creek for both migrant and wintering 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.
Kip Miller will lead this outing. Meet at the Clear Spring Ranch parking lot. (Directions will be provided to all registrants.) Group size limited to 12. For more information or to reserve a space, please contact Kip at hlbirdguide@gmail.com.

Aiken Monthly Meeting Oct. 2023 | Plants & Birds & Rocks & Things: A Birding Adventure in Southeast Arizona
2023-10-18 18:30 - 20:30 | Colorado Parks and Wildlife Office, 4255 Sinton Rd, Colorado Springs, 80907
Southeast Arizona is a birding mecca and a must-visit area for birding and nature enthusiasts. From expansive deserts with towering saguaros to remote mountains with sycamore streams, the region is home to rare, unique, and coveted birds that can be found only in this tiny corner of the United States. Join Jessica on two adventures to the border to hear the struggles and successes of birding an unknown landscape and see what species rewarded her. You’ll hear how to prepare for such a trip, get the lowdown on where to find the best birds, and realize that Jessica doesn’t take relaxing vacations.
Jessica Miller is the Fountain Creek Nature Center supervisor and volunteer leader of the Birds and Brews Aiken Audubon field trip series. Before moving to Colorado four 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 will be an in-person meeting (and broadcast on Zoom) held at the Colorado Parks & Wildlife Office at 4255 Sinton Road 80907. The classroom entrance is on the back (east side) of the building. The main door will be locked.
Snacks & Bird Talk (meet & mingle) 6:30pm
Meeting Announcements 7:00pm
Program Presentation 7:15pm
You can also join us on Zoom! Check back soon for those details.

Fountain Creek - Kohl's Parking to Mule Farm - with Cinnamon Bergeron!
2023-10-20 08:30 - 10:30 | Fountain Creek from Kohl’s to Mule Farm, 2725 Janitell Road, Colorado Springs, CO, 80906, United States
Join Aiken & Cinnamon Bergeron on a walk along Fountain Creek – Kohl’s parking lot to Mule Farm. We’ll meet in the Kohl’s parking lot toward the pond. October 20, 2023 – 830-1030a

There is a mix of woodland, wetland, meadow, and pond habitats along Fountain Creek, which are great all year for birding.
– Difficulty: Easy/Moderate. We will be on relatively flat terrain.
– Bring binoculars and dress for the Fountain forecast.

Birds & Brews with Jessica Miller - Palmer Park (9am) followed by Deuces Wild Brewery (12pm)
2023-10-22 09:00 - 13:00 | Palmer park, 3344-3376 Paseo Rd, Colorado Springs, CO, 80909, United States
Sunday, October 22
Palmer Park (9am) followed by Deuces Wild Brewery (12pm)
– We’ll explore meadows and pine-oak scrub habitats while enjoying great views of Pikes Peak and the park’s own great rock formations. We’ll look for mostly year-round residents while hoping for a late migrant or two.
– This hike will be moderate, going 3 miles over uneven terrain with some incline.
– Bring binoculars and dress for the Colorado Springs forecast.
– RSVP by emailing trip leader Jessica Miller at jessicaisbirding@gmail.com

Lake Pueblo State Park with Kip Miller - Changed to November 11th!
2023-11-11 08:00 - 15:00 | Lake Pueblo State Park (Visitor Center), 601-633 Pueblo Reservoir Rd, Pueblo, CO, 81005, United States
Lake Pueblo State Park: Saturday, November 11th, 8:00 am – 3:00 p.m.
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.

Aiken Monthly Meeting November 2023 | Tracking the Long-Distance Migration & Stopover Ecology of Flammulated Owls
2023-11-15 18:30 - 20:30 | Colorado Parks and Wildlife Office, 4255 Sinton Rd, Colorado Springs, 80907
Join us for a great evening with Dr. Brian Linkhart from Colorado College as he discusses his work with Flammulated Owls.
The Rocky Mountains of southern Colorado have been the home base for a 40-year investigation of the breeding ecology of Flammulated Owls, a fist-sized insectivore that primarily breeds in the pine forests of western North America. Generations of banded
(ringed) adults and their offspring on these study sites have revealed many insights on patterns in reproduction and survival, but until relatively recently, almost nothing was known of the owl’s wintering habits—indeed, migration had never been fully documented in the species, and some researchers suggested the owls might simply undergo torpor. That changed in 2010, when small coin-sized devices carried on the backs of Colorado breeders first revealed their fall and spring journeys and winter
destinations, and more recent recoveries show the owls migrate as far south as southern Mexico and Central America. In this presentation, we track this annual journey, and discuss risks posed by a changing climate and habitat fragmentation.
Dr. Brian D. Linkhart has been a Professor in the Department of Organismal Biology and Ecology at Colorado College since 2001, where he teaches field courses in Ornithology, Ecology, and Field Biology. Previously, he was a seasonal research biologist for the Rocky Mountain Research Station for 18 years, and he began teaching summer field seminars on forest ecology in the mid-1980s. Over the past 40 years, Brian has conducted research on the ecology of songbirds, grouse, hawks and owls across the American Southwest and Mexico, but since 2001 summers have mostly been spent mentoring 6-10 undergraduate students while conducting field research on Flammulated Owls.
This will be an in-person meeting (and broadcast on Zoom) held at the Colorado Parks & Wildlife Office located at 4255 Sinton Road 80907. The classroom entrance is on the back (east side) of the building. The main door will be locked.
Snacks & Bird Talk (meet & mingle) 6:30pm
Meeting announcements 7:00pm
Program Presentation 7:15pm

Or Join us on Zoom!
Meeting ID: 859 4776 3379
Passcode: [REDACTED]

Image credit: Michael Ciaglo, The Gazette

Weekend Waterbirds at Prospect Lake – Saturday, November 18, 9:00 a.m.
2023-11-18 09:00 - 11:00 | Prospect Lake, South Union Blvd, Colorado Springs, CO, United States
Weekend Waterbirds at Prospect Lake – Saturday, November 18, 9:00 a.m.

Despite its urban location, Prospect Lake in Colorado Springs’ Memorial Park is a well-known waterbird magnet during migration and in early winter when open water remains available. With this in mind, we will meet here this morning to check the lake 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 Officers Memorial). Remember to bring along warm layers in the event of chilling fall breezes.

Kip Miller will lead this outing. For more information or to reserve a space, please contact Kip at hlbirdguide@gmail.com.

At Capacity - Full! Birds & Brews with Jessica Miller - Stratton Open Space (12pm) followed by Happy Taps (3pm)
2023-11-19 12:00 - 16:00 | Stratton Open Space
We’re at capacity for Sunday’s trip! If you’d like to be waitlisted, please reach out to Jessica at the address below!

Sunday, November 19
Stratton Open Space (12pm) followed by Happy Taps (3pm)
– Explore the foothills meadows and pine oak forests in search of resident west-side birds.
– This hike will be moderate, going 3 miles over uneven terrain with some incline.
– Bring binoculars and dress for the Colorado Springs forecast.
– RSVP by emailing trip leader Jessica Miller at jessicaisbirding@gmail.com

Blackbird Friday Field Trip | Big Johnson Reservoir & Fountain Creek Nature Center
2023-11-26 08:00 - 12:30 | Big Johnson Reservoir and Bluestem Prairie Open Space, 6254 Goldfield Dr, Colorado springs, 80911, United States
**Notice: Rescheduled to Sunday, Nov 26 due to weather.** Big Johnson is the best reservoir in the Colorado Springs area, and during migration and winter is teeming with ducks of many species, gulls, and sometimes loons and grebes. We’ll scan the lake for waterfowl and raptors, and then take a short walk to look and listen for longspurs and scaled quail in the Bluestem Prairie Open Space. Afterwards we’ll head a few miles down the road to Fountain Creek Nature Center and get closer looks at waterfowl, American Dippers, various sparrows and any other recent arrivals that might be around. Total field trip time will be approximately 4-5 hours. There are no restrooms at Big Johnson, but restrooms are available at Fountain Creek Nature Center.
This is a joint trip with Denver Field Ornithologists.
FREE REGISTRATION HERE

Join Joe LaFleur at Manitou Lake - December 2nd!
2023-12-02 09:00 - 10:00 | Manitou Lake CO-67, CO-67, Colorado Springs, 80903, United States
Manitou Lake Bird Walk
Saturday, Dec. 2- 9:00-10:00 AM. North of Woodland Park on Highway 67, meet at entrance, $10 access fee per vehicle.
Beat cabin fever with a bird walk around Manitou Lake led by Joe LaFleur, author of the book Mountain Birds of Teller County. In the event of a blizzard the walk will be cancelled, otherwise dress warmly for cold and snowy conditions.For more info: 719-301-8801, joe@betterbirdwatching.com

Photo credit to Amanda Borges

Birds & Brews with Jessica Miller - Bear Creek East followed by Cerberus!
2023-12-10 09:00 - 12:00 | Bear Creek Regional Park – East, 2002 Creek Crossing, Colorado Springs, CO, United States
Sunday, December 10
Bear Creek East (9am) & Cerberus Brewing (11am)
– We’ll explore Bear Creek, the beaver ponds along it, and the meadows and scrub oak habitat within Bear Creek Regional Park East. Afterwards we’ll head to Cerberus Brewing to warm up with a beer and brunch!
– Bring binoculars and dress for the Colorado Springs weather. 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.
– Please RSVP by emailing Jessica at jessicaisbirding@gmail.com

Bear Creek East has 546 acres with foothill views and 10 miles of trails. Hope that you’ll join us!

Colorado Springs Christmas Bird Count
2023-12-16 | Bear Creek Nature Center, 245 Bear Creek Rd, Colorado Springs, CO, 80906
Join us for the Colorado Springs Christmas Bird Count on December 16! The Christmas Bird Count is the longest-running citizen science project in the United States and dates back to 1901. It provides valuable data about the wintering distribution and abundance of birds across the U.S. and you can help! You don’t have to be a bird expert and can contribute right from your back yard or join Aiken Audubon as we canvass our count circle in Colorado Springs. If you would like to participate, please reach out to Tyler Stuart (our Christmas Bird Count Coordinator for the past 10 years!) and let him know that you would like to join us. Following the count, we will have a potluck dinner at Bear Creek Nature Center to go over all the sightings from count.

Pueblo Area with Jessica Miller - Joint Aiken & Denver Field Ornithologists Trip!
2023-12-17 08:00 - 14:00 | Pueblo Area
This trip is offered cooperatively by the Aiken Audubon Society and the Denver Field Ornithologists.
Pueblo area
12/17/2023 8:00 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

Directions
See trip description for meeting instructions
This trip is limited to the first 15 registrations.
Habitats to bird: Developed, Reservoir, Riparian, Wetland
Let’s head down to Pueblo to peruse Runyon Lake, Pueblo City Park, Valco Ponds, and Pueblo Reservoir. Whatever interesting gulls, waterfowl, or wintering migrants may be lurking about, we’re sure to find them! 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 Twelve Days of Christmas: Colorado Bird Edition - December Liquid Lecture
2023-12-20 18:00 | Brues Alehouse Brewing Co., 120 Riverwalk Pl, Pueblo, CO, United States
Let’s get festive! Guest speaker, Dr. Claire Ramos, Assoc. Professor of Biology at CSU Pueblo, will share info about the birds of the well-known carol and their species found in Colorado.
Please RSVP to fcwdaa@gmail.com
Attendees receive $1 off beer

Stratton Open Space with Mary Rudolph - January 4, 2024!
2024-01-04 09:30 - 11:30 | Starsmore Visitor and Nature Center, 2120 S. Cheyenne Cañon Rd., Colorado Springs, CO, 80906, United States
Join Aiken and Mary Rudolph on January 4, 2024 at 930a! Plan to meet at Starsmore Visitor and Nature Center (2120 S Cheyenne Canyon Rd, Colorado Springs, CO 80906) and we’ll walk the Stratton Open Space. Difficulty is easy to medium, mostly flat terrain with some hilly sections.
Bring your binoculars and dress for the forecast! If you would like to borrow a set of binoculars, please send an email to mhelton016@gmail.com to reserve in advance.
No registration is necessary! We just hope to see you and a bunch of birds!
Get to know your leader:
Mary Rudolph graduated from Colorado College in 2023 with a major in organismal biology (emphasis in ornithology) and a minor in Arabic. Born and raised in Colorado Springs, she is an avid long-distance trail runner who loves doing just about anything outside. She first started working with Audubon after attending the Audubon Convention in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, in 2019. She now serves on the Audubon Rockies board of directors and the Audubon Council of Colorado. Mary also founded Tiger Audubon, the Colorado College Audubon campus chapter.

Birds & Brews with Jessica Miller - Prospect Lake followed by Mash Mechanix
2024-01-07 14:00 - 16:00 | Prospect Lake, South Union Blvd, Colorado Springs, CO, United States
Sunday, January 7
Prospect Lake (2pm) & Mash Mechanix (4pm)

– Prospect Lake is an urban recreational site, but this large body of water is a magnet for waterfowl and gulls in the winter. Who knows what may pop up here! Afterwards we’ll pop over to Mash Mechanix.
– Difficulty: Easy. We will be on relatively flat terrain and will walk about 1.25 miles.
– Bring binoculars and dress for the Colorado Springs forecast. Bring a scope if you have one. Let Jessica know if you need to borrow a pair of binoculars.
– Meet at the Swing High Playground parking lot on the south west side of the lake; a house across the street has the address 812 Prospect Lake Dr.

– Please RSVP by emailing Jessica at jessicaisbirding@gmail.com

Aiken Monthly Meeting January 2024 | Raptor Identification
2024-01-17 18:30 - 20:30 | Colorado Parks and Wildlife Office, 4255 Sinton Rd, Colorado Springs, 80907
Want to figure out which hawk that is in your backyard? How about the hawk along the highway?
Colorado has 18 non-rare species of diurnal raptors. Join us in January, along with Debbie Barnes as she presents an information-packed program explaining how to identify Colorado’s eagles, hawks, falcons and kites. Debbie has been studying the identification of these birds for ten years and has developed a program to help separate the various species. Join us and learn the tips that will greatly improve your skills.
Debbie has been birding and photographing birds for over twenty years. In addition, she volunteers for Colorado State Parks, Colorado Breeding Bird Atlas II and several Christmas Bird Counts. She has taught raptor identification classes at Cheyenne Mountain State Park, spoken at meetings of Colorado State Parks Raptor Monitors and taught a birding class at Florissant Fossil Beds National Monument. She has written a bird guide for Florissant Fossil Beds National Monument and Cheyenne Mountain State Park. She is currently writing a guide for Mueller State Park. She served for several years on the board of Aiken Audubon and is currently serving on the Field Trip board for Colorado Field Ornithologists.

This will be an in-person meeting (and broadcast on Zoom) held at the Colorado Parks & Wildlife Office located at 4255 Sinton Road 80907. The classroom entrance is on the back (east side) of the building. The main door will be locked.
Snacks & Bird Talk (meet & mingle) 6:30pm
Meeting announcements 7:00pm
Program Presentation 7:15pm

Join Zoom Meeting
Meeting ID: 894 3062 6357
Passcode: [REDACTED]
Image credit: Debbie Barnes

Some Flew Away, But Hooo Stayed? Family Program at El Paso's Bear Creek Nature Center Jan 20 @ 10a
2024-01-20 10:00 - 12:00 | Bear Creek Nature Center, 245 Bear Creek Rd, Colorado Springs, CO, 80906
Some Flew Away, But Hooo Stayed?

Let’s discuss which birds call Bear Creek home during the winter months, hike to search for them, and make a bird treat to attract birds to your yard.

Fees

Charge When Not Billed:
Family Program Fee (Standard Fee): $5.00

Activity Details
Some Flew Away, But Hooo Stayed?

Meeting Details

01/20/2024 –01/20/2024
Time: 10:00 am – 12:00 pm
Days: Sat
Bear Creek Nature Center
245 Bear Creek Nature Center
Colorado Springs, CO, 80906
(719)520-6387
Facility: Bear Creek Nature Ce

Eligibility
Current Transaction Date on or after 02/13/18.
More Than or Equal to 0 days before the item begin date.

Live Birds of Prey with El Paso's Fountain Creek Nature Center - January 27 @10a
2024-01-27 10:00 - 11:30 | Fountain Creek Nature Center, 320 Pepper Grass Lane, Fountain, 80817
Live Birds of Prey

Fountain Creek Nature Center staff strive to offer innovative public programs for all ages and interests year-round! Each season we offer various programs to get you in-touch with nature, from new and unique to old seasonal favorites. Check back each season to see if there’s something you, your child, or whole family will like! Please click the title of each program to learn more about what to expect, see how many spots are available, and read any unique registration instructions.
Prepaid registration is required for all programs. Unless otherwise specified, none of these programs are drop-off; an adult must register and attend the program with each group.
To avoid problems with your registration, please register everyone in your party at the same time. To register family members or friends, please add them to your account as an “Additional Family Member”.
If you have questions about a program or have problems registering online, you may call Fountain Creek Nature Center at 719-520-6745. Registration will close 2 hours from the start of the program.
There will be no refunds for cancellations or failure to attend. Refunds will be offered if the Nature Center cancels the program.

Learn about hawks, owls, eagles, falcons, and vultures through a live birds of prey program with Nature & Wildlife Discovery Center! The presentation includes two 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.

Fees

Charge When Not Billed:
(Standard Fee): $5.00

Meeting Details

01/27/2024 –01/27/2024
Time: 10:00 am – 11:30 am
Days: Sat
Fountain Creek Nature Center
320 Pepper Grass Lane
Fountain, CO, 80817
(719)520-6745
Facility: Fountain Creek Nature Center

Ducks & Donuts with Tally Kerr & DFO | January 28
2024-01-28 09:00 - 15:00 | Pueblo Area
Join us for the second of four, in a new series of winter bird walks focusing on winter waterfowl.
This series focuses on helping developing birders learn how to identify winter waterfowl, but all levels of expertise are welcome. If you’re a developing birder, please join us. This will be a great opportunity to learn together.
This is a special joint trip with Denver Field Ornithologists to the Pueblo area!
The day will start with donuts at Daylight Donuts in Pueblo. We will then enjoy birding along the Arkansas River between The Nature & Wildlife Discovery Center and Lake Pueblo. Ducks are at the top of our list for the day, and we will also be looking for a variety of sparrows, phoebes, wrens, woodpeckers, hawks and more. This is a good area to discover something unusual along the river and in the nearby thickets. If time allows, we will stop by Pueblo City Park to conclude the trip.
The day will include approximately 5 miles of walking with possible areas of mud and ice.
Plan for Colorado weather and dress accordingly for cold and changing weather.
Pack your binoculars or let Tally know if you need to borrow a pair.
Scopes will be available to share, but feel free to bring your own if you’d like.
Be sure to pack snacks, lunch, water and sunscreen.
Restrooms will be available at several spots.
Carpooling meeting spots will be announced for those in Denver Metro area and for those in the Pikes Peak region.
Registration is required through the Denver Field Ornithologists website.
Click on Field Trips, and scroll down to select this trip. If you don’t see the trip listed, please check back often.
