Aiken Audubon Society

Raptors of Colorado with Garden of the Gods Visitor & Nature Center
2026-02-03 14:00 - 15:00, 2026-02-17 14:00 - 15:00 (America/Denver) | Garden of the Gods Visitor Center, 1805 N 30th St,, Colorado Springs,, CO, 80904, United States
This event is not affiliated with Aiken Audubon, but you may be interested in this local bird activity!
Tuesdays, February 3rd and 17th, 2:00 -3:00 p.m. at Garden of the Gods Visitor & Nature Center. $5 per person. (Link to Registration & Info)
Have you ever wondered what makes falcons the fastest animals in the world? Can owls really turn their head all the way around? Birds of prey have fascinated humans for thousands of years and have been important symbols (both positive and negative) in cultures throughout the world. This program on raptors in Colorado will introduce participants to these fascinating animals by discussing their unique adaptations, their individual hunting strategies, and their conservation challenges. Please note there are no live animals in this program.

Clever Corvids with Garden of the Gods Visitor and Nature Center
2026-02-09 13:00 - 14:00 | Garden of the Gods Visitor Center, 1805 N 30th St,, Colorado Springs,, CO, 80904, United States
This event is not affiliated with Aiken Audubon, but you may be interested in this local bird activity!
Mondays, February 9th and 23rd, 1:00 – 2:00 p.m. at Garden of the Gods Visitor & Nature Center. FREE event. (Link to Registration & Info)
Are you smarter than a crow? Come find out in this family-friendly program exploring the fascinating corvids of Colorado. Participants will have the chance to learn about the many corvids that live in the Garden, and compete against them in problem solving competitions. This indoor program meets in the Red Rock Room on the second floor. Please note there are no live animals in this program.

Red Rock Canyon Open Space with Pat Paternostro
2026-02-14 08:00 - 11:00 | Red Rock Canyon Open Space, 3550 W High St, Colorado Springs, CO, 80904, United States
Join Pat Paternostro and Aiken Audubon for a birding walk at Red Rock Canyon Open Space! We will hopefully find several species of raptors along with many of our wintering species such as Sparrows, Towhees, Nuthatch, Woodpeckers and Finches. The walk will include some inclines and uneven terrain and may be snowy or muddy.
We will meet at the open space parking lot which is located at 3550 W High St, Colorado Springs (off of Hwy 24).
You can RSVP to Pat @ broncos30@hotmail.com

FEBRUARY MONTHLY MEETING: Grasslands to Woodlands: breeding and migration ecology of priority species at range periphery in the Great Plains.
2026-02-18 18:30 - 21:00 | Bear Creek Nature Center, 245 Bear Creek Rd, Colorado Springs, CO, 80906
Two important notes about our February meeting: Change of venue to Bear Creek Nature Center and Death by Chocolate themed snacks.

Join Aiken Audubon with Stephen Brenner presenting Grasslands to Woodlands: breeding and migration ecology of priority species at range periphery in the Great Plains.
The Great Plains of North America is home to many imperiled grassland bird species. As grassland ecosystems continue to decline across North America, information on populations of priority grassland birds in different regions is critical to develop regional and range-wide conservation plans. Additionally, the Great Plains is often described as a biological crossroads where “East-meets-West”, offering unique opportunities to study many species at range periphery. This talk will highlight some of the recent research conducted in Nebraska on a variety of different bird species during the breeding and nonbreeding seasons, from nesting behavior to tracking hemispheric migrations.
Stephen Brenner is an Avian Biologist with the National Audubon Society – Great Plains region. Stephen has worked on a variety bird-related research projects across the US and internationally before settling in western Nebraska. He will be presenting his program via zoom.

This is an in-person meeting held at the Bear Creek Nature Center 245 Bear Creek Road 80906. Please note change of venue for this meeting.
6:30 p.m. – Snacks & Bird Talk (meet & mingle) Death by Chocolate – please bring your favorite chocolate snack to share for this annual favorite
7:00 p.m. – Meeting announcements
7:15 p.m. – Program Presentation
Join Zoom Meeting:
click here to join
Meeting ID: 577 018 0765
Passcode: [REDACTED]
photo credit: Steven Brenner

Rosy-finch Ramble with DFO - Park & Jefferson Counties
2026-02-20 07:00 - 15:30
Rosy-finch Ramble with DFO: Park & Jefferson Counties
Friday, February 20, 2026, 7:00 AM – 3:30 PM
Leader: David Suddjian
Trip Difficulty: Moderate
Let’s go on an adventure to the mountains to find Rosy-Finches and other mountain birds. We may find the three species of Rosy-Finch, and other “mountain finches” that are around, including Pine Grosbeak, Evening Grosbeak, Red Crossbill, Cassin’s Finch and others. We might also see Canada Jay and Clark’s Nutcracker, Rough-legged Hawk and other winter montane species. The trip will focus on locations in Jefferson and Park counties. We will carpool from the meeting spot. For those coming from El Paso County, we will begin birding in Jefferson Co, so plan to gather at the advertised meeting place in Aspen Park. Bring lunch, snacks, and drinks. We will cover a fair amount of ground by car, but there will be minimal walking. But expect snowy and icy conditions, cold temperatures and maybe windy conditions when we are out of the cars. We will plan to enter two residences along the way.
This trip is limited and registration will open at noon on 1/30/2026. on this webpage: https://dfobirds.org/FieldTrips/Register.aspx?TripID=22298. 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: Brown-capped Rosy-Finch / Gene Putney / Audubon Photography Awards

Park County with Aiken Audubon
2026-02-21 07:30 - 15:30
Park County with Aiken Audubon
Saturday, February 21, 2026, 7:30 AM – 3:30 PM
Leaders: Deb Strike & Melissa Wetzig
Trip Difficulty: Moderate
Join Aiken Audubon volunteers Deb & Melissa for a special trip to Deb’s cabin in Fairplay, CO! Deb will open her home and fill her feeders, allowing us to see great birds from a comfy spot. Expect to see Pine Grosbeaks, Brown-capped Rosy Finches, Steller’s Jays, Red-breasted and White-breasted Nuthatches, lots of Mountain Chickadees, Hairy Woodpeckers, and sometimes Clark’s Nutcrackers or Canada Jays. We may also see Gray-crowned and Black Rosy Finches and Red Crossbills. On the way back we will stop in Lake George for additional birding in hope of American Dippers.
We will carpool from a meeting spot along Hwy24 on the west side of Colorado Springs. Bring lunch, snacks, and drinks. Our destination is two hours away and there will be minimal walking. Dress for the Fairplay, CO and Lake George, CO weather forecasts, but prepare for snowy and icy ground, cold temperatures, and maybe windy conditions when we are out of the cars.
This trip is limited to 8 birders – sign up by emailing fieldtrips@aikenaudubon.com
Photo: Evening Grosbeak / Mark Hainen / Audubon Photography Awards

*FULL* Birds & Brews - Ute Valley Park & 105 West Brewing
2026-02-22 09:00 - 12:00 | Ute Valley Park, 5465 7 Oaks Dr,, Colorado Springs, CO 80919 , CO, 80919, United States
We’ll enjoy cool rock formations and great views as we search the woodlands and meadows of Ute Valley Park for birds like Cassin’s Finches, Bluebirds, Townsend’s Solitaires, and Nuthatches. Afterwards we’ll head over to NEW 105 West Brewing, the new occupants of what used to be Trinity Brewing, about 7 minutes away.
– This will be a moderate hike – we may walk three or so miles over uneven, hilly terrain at a birder’s pace. Depending on weather conditions the week before, the trails could be snowy or muddy.
– Bring binoculars, wear good hiking shoes, and dress for the Colorado Springs forecast. If you need to borrow a pair of binoculars, let mention it when you RSVP.
– This trip is full, but you may join the waitlist by emailing Jessica at jessicaisbirding@gmail.com.

Clever Corvids with Garden of the Gods Visitor and Nature Center
2026-02-23 13:00 - 14:00

Aiken Canyon Preserve with Bruce Dunbar
2026-02-28 06:45 - 11:00 | Aiken Canyon, 3350 Turkey Canon Ranch Rd, Colorado Springs, CO, 80926
Join Bruce Dunbar for a walk around Aiken Canyon Preserve, a quiet retreat down Hwy 115. We’ll hike about 4 miles through oak meadows and evergreen woodlands that wind through the rocky outcrops. This is a moderately difficult hike, but we’ll be going at a slow birder’s pace. Along the way we should see and hear a number of winter residents like Cassin’s Finches, Western Bluebirds, and Juniper Titmice, and hopefully discover some special mountain species that have come down in elevation for the winter.
Due to the narrow trail, this trip is limited to 10 birders. RSVP by emailing Bruce at bdunbar225@gmail.com.
Photo: Red-breasted Nuthatch, Bruce Dunbar, Aiken Canyon

Birding by Book | "My Penguin Year"
2026-03-02 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 My Penguin Year by Lindsay McCrae at your leisure, then join us on Monday, March 2nd for book club discussion.

For 337 days, award-winning wildlife cameraman Lindsay McCrae intimately followed 11,000 emperor penguins amid the singular beauty of Antarctica. This is his masterful chronicle of one penguin colony’s astonishing journey of life, death, and rebirth—and of the extraordinary human experience of living amongst them in the planet’s harshest environment.
A miracle occurs each winter in Antarctica. As temperatures plummet 60° below zero and the sea around the remote southern continent freezes, emperors—the largest of all penguins—begin marching up to 100 miles over solid ice to reach their breeding grounds. They are the only animals to breed in the depths of this, the worst winter on the planet; and in an unusual role reversal, the males incubate the eggs, fasting for over 100 days to ensure they introduce their chicks safely into their new frozen world.
My Penguin Year recounts McCrae’s remarkable adventure to the end of the Earth. He observed every aspect of a breeding emperor’s life, facing the inevitable sacrifices that came with living his childhood dream, and grappling with the personal obstacles that, being over 15,000km away from the comforts of home, almost proved too much. Out of that experience, he has written an unprecedented portrait of Antarctica’s most extraordinary residents.

Seating is LIMITED, and a reservation is required.
RSVP by emailing BirdingByBook@gmail.com.
photo credit: Bookshop.org

Birds & Brews - Seven Bridges Trail & Bristol Brewing
2026-03-08 09:00 - 11:00
We’ll bird a bit of a higher elevation in hopes of Hairy Woodpeckers, Steller’s Jays, Canada Jays, Golden-crowned Kinglets, and more along the Seven Bridges Trail in Cheyenne Canyon. Afterwards we’ll head down to Ivywild School to have a beer at Bristol Brewing.
– This will be a moderate hike – we may walk two or so miles over uneven, hilly terrain at a birder’s pace. Depending on weather conditions the week before, the trails could be snowy or muddy.
– Bring binoculars, wear good hiking shoes, and dress for the Colorado Springs forecast. If you need to borrow a pair of binoculars, mention it when you RSVP.
– This trip is limited; RSVP by emailing Jessica at jessicaisbirding@gmail.com.

Photo: Golden-crowned Kinglet / Esther Sumner / Audubon Photography Awards

March Monthly Meeting:Birding Mongolia with Mike and Gana Endres
2026-03-18 18:30 - 21:00
Birding in Mongolia
Join naturalist, author, and professional photographer Mike Endres of Little Wing Photo as he shares his experiences of traveling Mongolia in search of birds, culture, and scenery. He will be joined by his wife Gana, a native of Mongolia, who will share her personal knowledge of Mongolian culture and history. Five of the fifteen species of cranes can be found in Mongolia, mostly in the Khurkh River Valley in the eastern part of the country. This will be an entertaining presentation for those interested in this part of the world or maybe planning a trip to there.
Mike has had a decades long interest in wildlife photography, especially cranes. His lengthy time in the Army has provided him with opportunities that most will never experience. During that time, he always had a camera in hand and a willingness to explore the wildlife and culture of whatever part of the world he happened to be in. Join him for an evening of entertainment as he shares his experiences from numerous visits to Mongolia, including his own wedding.
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]

Snacks & Bird Talk (meet & mingle) 6:30pm
Meeting announcements 7:00pm
Program Presentation 7:15pm

photo credits:Mike Endres

April Monthly Meeting: An Unplanned Journey with Birds with Amy Seglund
2026-04-15 18:30 - 21:00
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]

Snacks & Bird Talk (meet & mingle) 6:30pm
Meeting announcements 7:00pm
Program Presentation 7:15pm
photo credit: Amy Seglund

EdVenture Excursions with Cheyenne Mountain Zoo - Annual Sage Grouse Display
2026-04-20 08:00 - 2026-04-24 17:00
This event is not affiliated with Aiken Audubon, but you may be interested in this local bird activity!
Registration has been extended through February; email trip organizer Dawn Moon at dmoon@cmz00.org to join. Learn more at https://www.cmzoo.org/events-programs/custom-animal-experiences/bring-the-zoo-to-you/edventure-excursions/
Annual Sage Grouse Display – April 20-24, 2026
Visit Southern Wyoming and Northern Colorado on an excursion to observe the captivating annual courtship behavior of the Greater Sage Grouse. This excursion also highlights local natural areas such as lakes, prairies, and more. Cost: $1250 per person / $2100 per pair (sharing bed)
For more information and booking, visit CMZ’s webpage for the trip.
Photo: Greater-sage Grouse / Peter Ismert / Audubon Photography Awards
