Join Kayleen Garrels for a Garden of The Gods Birding Walk! Offered every Thursday May through July!
2025-06-05 09:30 - 10:30 (America/Denver) | 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 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 | CO
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]

Lake Pueblo State Park with Denver Field Ornithologists
2025-10-25 06:00 - 16:00 | Lake Pueblo State Park (Visitor Center), 601-633 Pueblo Reservoir Rd, Pueblo, CO, 81005, United States
Lake Pueblo State Park with Denver Field Ornithologists (DFO)
Saturday, October 25, 2025, 6:00 AM – 4:00 PM
(NOTE: this is the time frame for Denver-area participants. COS-area, expect a later start/meeting time and an earlier arrival home.
Leaders: David Suddjian
Trip Difficulty: Moderate
Let’s explore several birding spots around Lake Pueblo State Park – always a top fall and winter birding location. We might see loons, scoters, a jaeger, a variety of grebes, Sandhill Crane, and area specialties like Scaled Quail, Curve-billed Thrasher, Eastern Bluebird and Canyon Towhee. Plan for a full day of birding with lunch, snacks, and drinks, good walking shoes, and a scope if you have one. A rendezvous for birders from El Paso or Pueblo counties will be announced before the trip. Restrooms will be available at a handful of spots as we go along. We will carpool.
This trip is limited and registration will open at noon on 10/4/2025. on this webpage: https://dfobirds.org/FieldTrips/Register.aspx?TripID=22200. 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: Western Grebe / Mick Thompson/Audubon Photography Awards

Birds & Bikes (and optional beers after!) with TOSC & Aiken Audubon
2025-10-26 09:45 - 12:30 | John Ceresa Memorial Park, 1580 Leigh Ln, Fountain, CO, 80817, United States
Aiken Audubon Society is teaming up with Trails and Open Space Coalition (TOSC) for a Bikes, Birds & Beers Ride! This is a casual-paced bike tour is appropriate for riders of a wide ability range that will focus on using our bikes to get to the birds 🙂 TOSC’s Allen Beauchamp will lead the biking, while Aiken Volunteer Nga Turner will help spot and ID the birds for us. This event is FREE!
Meetup date & time: Sunday, October 26th at 9:45am
Register: ticketstripe.com/events/7094107971346198
Ride duration: Depart at 10:00am and return around 12:30pm
Meeting Spot: The parking lot of John Ceresa Memorial Park in Fountain, CO. It is tucked into a neighborhood on the west side of US Hwy 85/87 (CanAm Hwy) Map link HERE
Distance: 10 miles for the full route but we’ll adapt as needed for time and bird watching.
Trail: The Crews Gulch Trail to Widefield Community Park to the #hiddeninplainsight gem of Carp Lake, and the Fountain Creek Regional Trail past the Fountain Creek Nature Center area.
The Ride: The group will meet in the parking area for John Ceresa Memorial Park where the Crews Gulch Trail meets the Fountain Creek Regional Trail. We’ll pedal up through the neighborhoods into and through Widefield Community Park. Heading back down the same way we came, we’ll head south on the Fountain Creek Regional Trail through the Fountain Creek Nature Center area and south for a bit, returning to the start location using the same trail.
The Birds: The group will stop as often as necessary to allow for good birding along the way. That being said, we may not get the full distance in, but that would be a good thing! This time of year, we should see lots of ducks on the ponds and creek, great blue herons, belted kingfishers, and fixed flocks of chickadees and their pals. Perhaps a rare warbler will be at “the spa”!
Difficulty: This is a very easy ride with no major grades, hills or technical trail terrain. It is a consistent light ascent up along the Crews Gulch Trail, but the pacing will be such that the group will stay together. The trails we will be on are, for the most part, hard-packed natural surfaces, so a bike with wider tires is most appropriate. Additionally, shoes that allow for walking when we stop to visit key spots are also recommended.
What to Bring: Bring a bike in good working order; one with wider tires is preferred. Helmets must be worn for the ride. Bring your birding gear that you can pedal safety with, like binoculars. Bring water, snacks, and sunscreen along for an approximately 10 mile and 2.5 hour ride. Wear clothing appropriate for the Fountain, CO forecast.
Post ride social: After the ride, a group of us will be going down to Peaks n Pines Fountain for a little food and locally crafted goodness. Plan on joining us! Map link HERE
Please, no pets.

**FULL** Cemetery Birding on Halloween
2025-10-31 16:00 - 18:00 | Evergreen Cemetery, 1005 Hancock Expy, Colorado Springs, CO, 80903, United States
This trip is at capacity.
Trick or Treat? No tricks here, just the treat of enjoying an afternoon of birding with others!
Join us for a leisurely stroll through the evergreens on Halloween afternoon.
We’ll spend our time scanning the trees and grounds for the usual suspects and may possibly see a surprise Red Crossbill or Wild Turkey. We never know who might show up.
The majority of our time will be spent on level, paved walkways with the occasional dirt or grass path.
Dress accordingly for an October fall afternoon in Colorado.
This bird walk is open to birders of all levels, beginner to expert.
Please let us know if you need to borrow binoculars when you RSVP.
Space is limited.
Kindly RSVP to Tally at BirdingByBook@gmail.com.

Birding Sand Creek with Pat Paternostro
2025-11-01 08:00 - 10:30 | Sand Creek, 4870 Jedediah Smith Rd., Colorado Springs, CO, 80922, United States
Join Aiken Audubon and trip leader, Pat Paternostro, for a birding walk along Sand Creek (at Stetson Hills).
The trip will last roughly 2.5 hours and will start at 8:00 a.m. Starting location is Stetson Park, 4870 Jedediah Smith Rd.
We will walk along Sand Creek in search of local residents, winter arrivals, and several raptor species.
The walk is along an easily accessible path, with just a few slight inclines along the way.
Birders of all skill levels are welcome, but the focus will be birding/identification fundamentals. No need to RSVP, just come and enjoy the birds with us!

Extra binoculars and field guides will be available.

*FULL* Birds & Brews - Kettle Lakes & Lost Friend Brewing
2025-11-02 09:00 - 12:00 | Kettle Lakes, Airfield Dr, Colorado Springs, CO, 80920
Kettle Lakes (9am) followed by Lost Friend Brewing (12pm)
We’ll hike through the meadows and pines that outline the ponds and willows along the Kettle Lakes, a great birding spot between USAFA and I-25. We’ll hope for the usual year-round residents, late migrants, and arriving waterfowl. Afterwards we’ll head 10 minutes down the road to see what’s on tap at Lost Friend Brewing.
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.

This outing is full at 25 birders. Join the waitlist by emailing trip leader Jessica at jessicaisbirding@gmail.com

Park County with Denver Field Ornithologists: Lake George & Eleven Mile Canyon
2025-11-03 06:30 - 14:00 | Lake George, Hwy 24, 80827
Park County with DFO: Lake George & Eleven Mile Canyon
Monday, November 3, 2025, 6:30 AM – 2:00 PM
(NOTE: this is the time frame for Denver-area participants. COS-area, expect a later start/meeting time and an earlier arrival home.
Leaders: Joseph Tuttle & David Suddjian
Trip Difficulty: Moderate
This trip will visit Lake George to see what birds are on the water and in the Ponderosa pines there. Then we will head up Eleven Mile Canyon to see the sights and see what birds we can find there. Lake George is likely to have some nice waterfowl for us. The trip in the Canyon is going to offer gorgeous views, and we have a chance of seeing some more waterfowl on the river, American Dippers, Eagles, and birds of Douglas-fir/Ponderosa pine forest. We will mostly be pulling off and seeing what we can see at various stopping points. Be prepared for cold weather, and there may be snow/icy surfaces. Weather leading up to the trip may change what we do, as the road in the Canyon is not well maintained for winter weather. We will play it by ear. Trip marked as moderate, but we won’t be hiking too hard, just walking around a bit here and there. We will carpool hopefully in 3-4 cars. For folks from the Aiken Audubon Society, rendezvous info will be provided as we get closer to the trip. Bring lunch, snack and drinks, hat, cloves and good walking shoes. A few scopes will be handy and the leaders will bring theirs to share.
This trip is limited and registration will open at noon on 10/13/2025. on this webpage: https://dfobirds.org/FieldTrips/Register.aspx?TripID=22197. 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 Dipper / Evan Barrientos / Audubon

Park County Reservoirs with Denver Field Ornithologists
2025-11-14 06:30 - 15:30 | Eleven Mile Reservoir, 4344 Co Rd 92 #4186, Lake George, CO, 80827, United States
Park County Reservoirs with Denver Field Ornithologists (DFO)
Friday, November 14, 2025, 6:30 AM – 3:30 PM
(NOTE: this is the time frame for Denver-area participants. COS-area, expect a later start/meeting time and an earlier arrival home.
Leaders: David Suddjian
Trip Difficulty: Moderate
We’ll visit some of the large bodies of water in South Park beginning with Eleven Mile Res, followed Spinney Mountain Reservoir and Antero Reservoir if the weather/ice is kind to us. Plan to see migrant waterbirds and a chance for scoters, loons, Long-tailed Duck, also raptors, and grassland birds like Horned Lark, with the possibility of finding a Lapland Longspur. We will carpool and car caravan between sites with limited walking. Walking will be on the lighter side except for a possible jaunt over uneven terrain at Spinney, plus cold mountain temperatures and some long drives. Bring lunch, water, scopes, and dress in layers. Be ready for cold and maybe breezy conditions. Joe Tuttle will meet with folks in Jefferson and then we will head down to 11 mile from there. Trip may not go all the way to 3 PM, but want to leave the option open if we feel up to it. For folks from the Aiken Audubon Society, a meetup point and time will be communicated as we get closer to the trip. Eleven Mile State Park requires a State Parks pass for each vehicle.
This trip is limited and registration will open at noon on 10/4/2025. on this webpage: https://dfobirds.org/FieldTrips/Register.aspx?TripID=22196. 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: Long-tailed Duck / Kate Persons / Audubon Photography Awards

NOVEMBER MONTHLY MEETING | THE BIRDING DICTIONARY
2025-11-19 18:30 - 20:30 | Colorado Parks and Wildlife Office, 4255 Sinton Rd, Colorado Springs, 80907
Join Rosemary Mosco, author of the new book The Birding Dictionary, for an entertaining and enlightening look into birding terminology.
Rosemary is an author, illustrator, and speaker whose work connects people with the natural world.
She’s written and drawn for The New York Times, Audubon, Rewiring America, the PBS Kids show Elinor Wonders Why, Ranger Rick, and more, and makes a regular comic strip in the Cornell Lab of Ornithology’s Living Bird magazine. She creates science books for kids and adults and the nature comic Bird and Moon, which won the National Cartoonists Society’s award for Best Online Short Form Comic and was the subject of an award-winning museum exhibit. Her climate change comics were exhibited at AAAS headquarters and the Peabody Essex Museum. She gives engaging talks and workshops to groups of all ages.
Rosemary is a graduate of the Field Naturalist Program. She judged a bird tattoo contest (twice!) and co-founded an event celebrating invertebrate butts.
You can learn more about her in this Audubon profile.
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.
Snacks & Bird Talk (meet & mingle) 6:30pm
Meeting announcements 7:00pm
Program Presentation 7:15pm
Zoom Link: Join Zoom meeting
Meeting ID: 577 018 0765
Passcode: [REDACTED]
Photo by Adrianne Mathiowetz.

*WAITLIST ONLY* El Paso County with Denver Field Ornithologists
2025-11-29 07:30 - 15:30 | El Paso County, United States
El Paso County with DFO: Various locations for an almost-big-day.
Saturday, November 29, 2025, 7:15 AM – 3:00 PM
(NOTE: this is the time frame for Denver-area participants. COS-area, expect a later start/meeting time and an earlier arrival home.)
Leaders: David Suddjian and Jessica Miller
Trip Difficulty: Moderate

This trip will visit a handful of locations in the Colorado Springs and Fountain area to seek known rarities and maybe to find our own. We should find a nice cross-section of wintering and resident birds and perhaps some tardy migrants. Plan for up to three miles of walking among our different locations. Bring lunch, snacks and drink, and dress in layers. Scopes will be helpful at some spots, and the leader will have one to share. Denver-area birders will carpool from the Castle Rock meeting spot, and a rendezvous in the Springs area will be announced for those living to the south.
This trip is limited and registration will open at noon on 11/8/2025. on this webpage: https://dfobirds.org/FieldTrips/Register.aspx?TripID=22238. 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.

Aiken Canyon Preserve with Bruce Dunbar
2025-12-06 07:30 - 23:30 | 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, and hopefully discover some special mountain species that have come down in elevation for the winter.
