Upcoming Field Trips and Events

All field trips are free (unless otherwise noted) and currently open to the public. All experience levels are welcome. Bring snacks or lunch, water, binoculars, and spotting scopes. Please understand that changes to dates, meeting times, locations, and trip leaders occasionally are unavoidable. One week before a scheduled trip, please visit the Facebook page (https://www.facebook.com/FortCollinsAudubonSociety/), or fortcollinsaudubon.org for a link to register. Registration will be posted one week before the scheduled trip. Attendance is limited to 12 individuals.

October 2023

Wednesday, October 4

Running Deer and Cottonwood Hollow Natural Area

Leader: Andrew Monson, a.s.monson@gmail.com, 970-795-2790. Meet at the Dixon Reservoir upper parking lot at 5:15 p.m. We will explore the Viewpoint Trail looking for regulars like White-crowned Sparrows, Black-billed Magpies, and Spotted Towhees, while also keeping our eyes peeled for Bald Eagles, Northern Goshawks, and Prairie Falcons. This outing will involve some hiking of uneven ground and a moderate incline (at a relaxed pace).

Sunday, Oct. 8

Bobcat Ridge Survey

Leader: Denise Bretting, dbretting@swloveland.com or 970-402-1292. The survey looks at bird populations and helps local scientists better understand bird dynamics. The hike is a little more than 4 miles covering moderate to flat terrain. No registration required for this trip and there is no limit in the amount of people who can attend, but please email or text Denise that you plan to attend. Meet at 7:30 a.m. in the Bobcat Ridge Parking lot.

Sunday, Oct. 29,

Grandview Cemetery

Leader: Nolan Bunting and David Leatherman, nbunting@rams.colostate.edu or 907-299-4625. Prepare for a spooky trip just before dusk at Grandview Cemetery. The trip will take 1.5 hours and will include easy walking through one of Fort Collins’ hidden birding locations. We will be looking for the resident Great Horned Owls, Brown Creeper, and perhaps stumble upon a murder of crows. Additionally, there will be stories about some of the well-known ghosts and hauntings that are said to happen in the cemetery. Meet at the Mountain Ave. entrance near City Park at 5 p.m. We will conclude at dusk. Please bring a headlamp and/or flashlight. Registration is increased to 15 participants for this trip.

Past Events

The past three months of events are listed here. For information on earlier events, please consult that month's Ptarmingan.

June 2023

Saturday, June 10

Well Gulch Nature Trail, Lory State Park

Leader Sirena Brownlee, sirena.brownlee@hdrinc.com, 970-980-6184. This hidden gem for birding in Lory State Park boasts abundant wild plum thickets and other native shrubs that provide habitat for a variety of mi-grant and resident foothills birds. This walk will focus on nesting birds and native plants. In previ-ous years we have seen nesting Cedar Waxwings, Cordilleran Flycatcher, Blue Grosbeak, and more. Meet at the Eltuck Group Picnic Area at 8 a.m. for a 1 to 2 mile moderate hike up the Well Gulch Trail. Day passes are available if you don’t have a state park pass.

Wednesday, June 14

Reservoir Ridge Natural Area

Leader: John Shenot, johnshenot@gmail.com, 802-595-1669. In recent years, this Fort Collins natural area has been the most reliable location in Larimer County to find Bobolink. Reservoir Ridge also offers good habitat for grassland species such as Dickcissel, Grasshopper Sparrow, and Blue Grosbeak. We’ll start at 7 p.m. for an early evening bird walk. A link to register for the trip will be sent a week prior. Those who sign up will be notified of where to meet.

Monday, July 10

Coyote Ridge Natural Area

Leader: Nolan Bunting, nbunt-ing@rams.colostate.edu, 907- 299-4625. Coyote Ridge is a fan-tastic spot to find our rare migratory resident, the Burrowing Owl, as well as other prairie birds closer to home. In addition to this raptor, there is the opportunity to see Common Raven, Northern Harrier, and various sparrows. A link to register for the trip will be sent a week prior. Those who sign up will be notified of where to meet.

May 14, 7 a.m.; June 11, 6:30 a.m.; July 9, 6:30 a.m.; and Aug. 13, 7 a.m.

The Bobcat Ridge Survey

Leader: Denise Bret-ting, dbretting@swloveland.com or 970-402-1292. The survey looks at bird populations and helps local scientists better understand bird dynamics. The little more than 4-mile hike covers moderate to flat terrain. No registration required and there is no participation limit, but please email or text Denise that you plan to attend. Meet in the Bobcat Ridge parking lot at the times listed above.

May 2023

Saturday, May 6

Running Deer and Cottonwood Hollow Natural Area

Leader: Sirena Brown-lee, sirena.brownlee@hdrinc.com, 970-980-6184. Nesting Osprey, Great Horned Owls, Killdeer and Great Blue Herons are just a few of the treasures you will see on this early morning 2-mile loop. Meet at 8 a.m. at the parking lot.

Thursday, May 25

CSU Environmental Learning Center

Leader: Sirena Brownlee, sirena.brownlee@hdrinc.com, 970-980-6184. The ELC offers a variety of habitats along the Poudre River — migrants are still arriving this time of year and it’s an exciting time to see what has recently showed up. Plan for 1.5 to 2 mile walks on the trails. Meet at 6 p.m. in the parking lot.

April 2023

Sunday, April 9

Bobcat Ridge Survey

Leader: Denise Bretting, dbretting@swloveland.com, or 970-402-1292. The survey looks at bird populations and helps local scientists better understand bird dynamics. The little more than four-mile hike covers moderate to flat terrain. No registration required and there is no participation limit, but please email or text Denise that you plan to attend. Meet at 7:00 a.m. in Bobcat Ridge parking lot.

Thursday, April 13, April Presentation

“The Life of the Prairie Bandit”

7:00 Social Time, 7:20 Announcements, 7:30 Program

This will also be accessible via Zoom. Enter the following link at 7 p.m. to join the meeting virtually: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/89425740063

Let's explore and dive into a discussion of the Black-footed Ferret (BFF) is the only ferret native to the short-grass prairie of North America.Read More

Friday, April 14

Running Deer and Cottonwood Hollow Natural Areas

Leader: John Shenot, johnshenot@gmail.com, or 802-595-1669. Space limited and registration required. Spend the morning at one of the top 10 birding hotspots in Larimer County. This is a great place to find waterfowl, wading birds, and marsh-loving species like blackbirds and rails. Registrants will meet in the parking lot on East Prospect Road at 7:30 a.m.

Saturday, April 22

Lon Hagler Reservoir SWA

Leader: Denise Bretting and Andrew McFadden, dbretting@swloveland.com, or 970-402-1292. Explore Lon Hagler Reservoir SWA for an easy walk/hike lasting 1.5–2 hours over 2–2.5 miles of walking. Lon Hagler offers a variety of habitats and birds where practically any bird is a possibility. If conditions are muddy, we’ll try some other natural area in Loveland with non-muddy paths. Participants need an SWA pass. Meet at 7 a.m. in the north parking lot (on the archery range side of the reservoir).

March 2023

Thursday, March 9, March Presentation

The Snow Goose and Friends: Winter Geese in Colorado”

7:00 Social Time, 7:20 Announcements, 7:30 Program

This will also be accessible via Zoom. Enter the following link at 7 p.m. to join the meeting virtually: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83305073390

Let's explore and dive into the world of winter geese in Colorado, these numerous and familiar birds that we birders perhaps know less about than we first thought. Read More

Friday, March 10

Fossil Creek Reservoir Natural Area.

Leader: John Shenot, johnshenot@gmail.com, 802-595-1669. Registration required. This reservoir attracts a fantastic variety of water birds in late winter and is a great place for birders of all ages and abilities to practice identifying duck species. Early migrating passerines are also possible. Bring a spotting scope if you have one, but we’ll have at least one to share. Meet in the parking lot at 7:30 a.m

Sunday, March 12

Bobcat Ridge Survey

Saturday, March 25

Arapahoe Bend Natural Area – Rigden Reservoir.

Leader Robert Beau-champ, tyrannusb@gmail.com. This is a leisurely 1.5 – 2 mile walk where we will explore Rigden Reservoir and surrounding riparian and pond habitat for interesting spring birds. All levels are welcome. Meet at the parking area at Horsetooth Rd. and Strauss Cabin Rd. at 8 a.m.

February 2023

Sunday, February 12

Bobcat Ridge Survey

Leader: Denise Bretting, dbretting@swloveland.com, or 970-402-1292. The survey looks at bird populations and helps local scientists better understand bird dynamics. The little more than four-mile hike covers moderate to flat terrain. No registration required and there is no partic-ipation limit, but please email or text Denise that you plan to attend. Meet at 7:30 a.m. in Bobcat Ridge parking lot.

February 17-20

The Great Backyard Bird Count

Leader: Yourself. Please participate in this amazing event. Visit https://www.birdcount.org/ to get started.

Sunday, February 26

Horsetooth Mountain Open Space

Leader: Nolan Bunting, nbuntingt@rams.colostate.edu, 907-299-4625. Mountain birds such as Pygmy Nuthatch, Common Raven, and Steller’s Jay are found throughout the area. The hiking trail is difficult, but provides good views of Horsetooth Rock. The hike is moderately difficult and may require ice cleats. The entrance fee is $10 per vehicle. Meet in the parking lot at 7 a.m.; however, the trip leader will be looking for owls before sunrise, including Northern Pygmy Owls.

January 2023

Sunday, January 8

Bobcat Ridge Survey

Leader: Denise Bretting, dbretting@swloveland.com, or 970-402-1292. The survey looks at bird populations and helps local scientists better understand bird dynamics. The little more than four-mile hike covers moderate to flat terrain. No registration required and there is no partic-ipation limit, but please email or text Denise that you plan to attend. Meet at 7:30 a.m. in Bobcat Ridge park-ing lot.

Friday, January 13

Red Fox Meadows Natural Area

Leader: John Shenot, johnshenot@gmail.com, 802-595-1669. This local natural area gets little attention from birders, but in recent winters some uncommon to rare species have been seen here, including Cassin’s Finch, Harris’s Sparrow, Northern Cardinal, and American Woodcock. Trails are unpaved and mostly flat, but may be icy. The field trip will start at 9 a.m., weather and trail conditions permitting. A link to register for the trip will be sent a week prior. Those who sign up will be notified of where to meet.

Sunday, January 22

Pawnee Grassland and Raptors

Leader: Nolan Bunting nbuntingt@rams.colostate.edu, 907-299-4625. This is a trip to one of the most amazing ecosystems on planet earth. The Pawnee Grasslands during the winter is home to a large variety of birds, including Lapland Longspurs, Rough-legged Hawks, and Northern Shrikes. This trip will cover some of the highlights of the grassland, including Crow Valley Campground, parts of the Pawnee Birding Trail, and Raptor Alley, weather conditions permitting. The trip begins at 8:30 a.m. and will likely go until 2 or 3 p.m. Please pack a lunch and be prepared for some driving and birding. A link to register for the trip will be sent a week prior. Those who sign up will be notified of where to meet.