Walk the Wetlands

Sunday, February 7, 2010, 9:00 am
Sunday, March 7, 2010, 9:00 am
Sunday, April 4, 2010, 8:00 am (note time change)
(Walk the Wetlands begins at 8:00 am April through September, and at 9:00 am October through March)

LEADERS: Hugh & Urling Kingery (303-814-2723) and other Audubon Master Birders

Pre-registration is NOT required.
Donations to ASGD appreciated.

MEETING PLACE: Parking lot at the Audubon Center at Chatfield. The Audubon Center is located on Waterton Road, 4.4 miles south of C-470 and Wadsworth. (driving directions)
DESCRIPTION: We will hike along the South Platte River and look for winter birds such as raptors, ducks and seed-eating perching birds. We always find surprises. Dress in layers for the weather. Bring binoculars, field guides, water and a snack. Please wear long pants - lots of poison ivy.

ASGD Nature Center

OPEN HOURS:
Saturdays and Sundays, April through October - 10:00 am - 3:00pm
Saturdays and Sundays, November through March - 10:00am - 2:00pm
(On Walk the Wetlands Sundays - Center opens at 9:00 am)
(click here for directions)

Description: EXPLORE AND DISCOVER the South Platte and Chatfield ecosystems, RELAX as we write and share nature stories, learn about plants and animals, HIKE, BIKE, SNOWSHOE or SKI on local trails. Stop by for fun and surprises - even in bad weather.

Dusk into Darkness Walk

Friday, April 2, 2010 - 7:30?9:30pm

$10/Friends
$12/non-members
Families:
   Members ($10 adults, $5 children under 12)
   Non-members ($12 adults, $7 children under 12)
Pre-registration required

Description: As dusk turns to dark, discover how nocturnal creatures have adapted to communicate with each other and their surroundings. Expand your senses as we walk along the ponds and South Platte River habitats. A campfire and snacks welcome us back from the walk. Unglue yourself from Friday night TV, get out, and explore nature near home.

Bird Courtship in the Rockies

Thursday, April 22, 2010 - 6:30pm - 9:00pm
Thursday, April 29, 2010 - 6:30pm - 9:00pm

$20/Friends member
$23/non-member
Pre-registration required

Instructor: Tina Jones (303-906-5479)

Description: Birdwatching is more fun when you understand why birds do what they do, particularly during courtship and nesting. Learn how Common Nighthawks, Wilson's Snipe, hummingbirds, and some grouse make bizarre courtship sounds with feathers and air sacs. Learn about strategies male and female birds use to attract each other and how birds raise their young. What Colorado birds mate for life and who sneaks around? Discover how to attract native nesting birds to your yard, no matter at what elevation you live.

Bluebird Weekend

Saturday, March 27, 2010 - 10:00am - 2:00pm
Sunday, March 28, 2010 - 10:00am - 2:00pm

Pre-registration NOT required
Donations to ASGD appreciated.
Cedar nestboxes for sale: $25 each

Description: Experts from the Colorado Bluebird Project will be available to answer questions about bluebirds and other birds that use nestboxes. They'll describe the natural history and habitat needs of bluebirds, demonstrate how to monitor nest boxes with minimal impact, and perhaps convince you to help monitor a nest box trail or establish your own! Watch a short video that reveals happenings inside a nest box. There will also be activities for all ages. Come and be intrigued by this marvelous, up-close-and-personal way of observing birds while improving their survival.

Bird Calls, Songs, and Other Noises

Saturday, March 27, 2010 - 8:00am - 11:00pm

Pre-registration required
$10/Friends member;
$12/non-members
Limit 25

Instructor: Alison Kondler, ASGD Master Birder

Description: One of the more difficult aspects of birding is learning bird sounds. Luckily you don't have to rely on just your auditory memory to ?tune-in? to the songs and calls of birds. Learn bird sounds using fun and creative memory techniques. We?ll start with an indoor presentation then head out on an easy walk to listen to the birds. Bring binoculars, water and snacks.

Hints of Spring in Washington Park

Saturday, March 6, 2010 - 10:00am - 11:30am

Leader: Barbara Masoner

FREE!
Pre-registration NOT required

Meeting Place: Parking on the NW corner of South High School (on Louisiana and Franklin)

Description: Spring is in the air. On this urban hike we'll look and listen for signs of spring. How is nature preparing for this season of new beginnings? Dress in layers as the weather is variable this time of the year. Bring along binoculars and water.

Rosalie Edge, Hawk of Mercy: The Activist Who Saved Nature from the Conservationists

Saturday, March 6, 2010 - 9:30am (doors open at 9am)

No Fee
Pre-registration NOT required

Meeting Place: American Mountaineering Center, 710 10th St, Golden

Description: Denver author Dyana Furmansky's new biography covers the life of Rosalie Edge, the environmental activist of the '30's into the 50's who shook up Audubon, The Sierra Club, The US Forest Service, The National Park Service, and other environmental groups. She was instrumental in creating Olympic National Park, saved Redwoods and Sugar Pines in California, and founded Hawk Mountain Sanctuary, plus many other "hellcat" conservation quests. There will be refreshments. Dyana will be signing books before and after the program. After Dyana's presentation, Jason Beason of the Rocky Mountain Bird Observatory will talk about local hawk migration and the Hawk Watch near Dinosaur Ridge. Arranged by Plan Jeffco. ASGD is one of the sponsors.

Bird & Brew Trivia Night

Saturday, March 31, 2010 - 7:00pm - 9:00pm

$5/person entry fee (proceeds support ASGD programs)
Please register in advance: 303-973-9530 or info@denveraudubon.org

Meeting Place: Breckenridge Brewery Ballpark Pub (Downtown)
Accessible by light rail or carpool to save on parking

Description: Join us for an exciting night of ornithological and beer trivia. Form a team of up to six or join a team that night. Even if you're not a hardcore "bird nerd", this fun, light-hearted showdown is for any outdoor enthusiast. And enjoy the great food at the Breckenridge Brewery. Prizes awarded to the top three teams.

The Search for the White-tailed Ptarmigan

Saturday, March 27, 2010 - 9am till Late Afternoon

Leaders: MacKenzie Goldthwait and Doug Kibbe

$10 donation suggested
Pre-registration required
Limited to 15 participants.

Meeting Place: Grant, Colorado - more directions when you register

Description: Join us for a unique trip to Guanella Pass to search for the elusive White-tailed Ptarmigan. Think SNOWSHOES. Participants should be in good physical condition, bring their own snowshoes and expect to hike up to 5 miles (round trip) at high elevation. Winter gear, appropriate clothing, and a packed lunch are needed. Be prepared to cope with current weather and birding conditions, including the possibility of cancellation. Leave contact information at registration for any last minute details or weather cancellation.

Nesting Raptors of the Front Range

Chose One:
Sunday, March 21, 2010 - 9:00am- 3:00pm
Saturday, March 27, 2010 - 9:00am- 3:00pm

Leaders: Harold and Betty Oliver (303-936-6902)

$10/Friends member
$12/non-member
Pre-registration required
Limited to 14 participants

Meeting Place: Exit 1-25 at Exit #225 at 136th Avenue. Meet at Walmart parking lot (north end) on west side of 1-25. Bring your lunch or buy at McDonalds.

Description: This trip is back by popular demand. The Olivers, who scout nesting locations before the trip, can almost guarantee you?ll see Bald Eagles, Great-horned Owls, and Red-tailed Hawks with hatchlings. Bring binoculars, a scope if you have one, and field guides. This is mostly a car trip with very little walking.

Greater Sage Grouse on the Lek, Walden, Colorado

Friday and Saturday April 9 and 10, 2010 - 7:00pm (Trip #1)
Saturday and Sunday April 10 and 11, 2010 - 7:00pm (Trip #2)

Leaders: Jessi Oberbeck and Dick Anderson

Pre-registration required.

Option 1: Trip #1 or Trip #2.
$170 Friends, double occupancy.
$195 Friends, single.
Non-members add $40.
Includes one night's lodging at North Park Inn (a new Walden motel) and a hearty breakfast the next morning, as well as one day of guided birding.

Option 2: Trip #1 and Trip #2, combined.
$290 Friends, double occupancy.
$340 Friends, single.
Non-members add $40.
Includes two nights lodging and two hearty breakfasts, as well as two days of guided birding.
Limited to 12 participants each trip.

Meeting Place: North Park Inn, new log addition, Suite 32 - Walden, CO
7 pm Friday night for Trip 1
7 pm Saturday night for Trip 2

Decription: Join Audubon Master Birder candidates to witness the Greater Sage Grouse on their traditional booming grounds. Rise early to locate the leks and to see and hear the male Sage Grouse begin their pre-sunrise display. After breakfast, we?ll bird throughout the day at area lakes and feeders. Trip #1 will be dismissed around 3:00 pm Saturday. Trip #2 will be dismissed around 3:00 Sunday. Participants provide their own transportation to and around Walden, a scenic 3-4 hour drive north from Denver. Plan for early morning cold weather with warm clothing and snacks. Bring binoculars, field guides, cameras, and 2-way radios if you have them. At registration, communicate carpooling needs and capabilities and leave a traveling cell phone number.

Dinosaur Ridge Hawk Watch

Saturday, April 17, 2010 - 9:00am - noon

Leaders: Dave Hill and Lois Levinson

$10/Friends member
$12/non-member
Pre-registration required

Meeting Place: Stegosaurus Lot, SE quadrant of Morrison Exit off I-70

Description: Join Audubon Master Birders on a traverse path at Dinosaur Ridge to be among the river of migrating raptors - you are eye level with or above the birds! With a magnificent Denver backdrop, Rocky Mountain Bird Observatory biologist Jeff Birek will explain RMBO?s Hawk Watch project collecting data on the hawks and eagles flying overhead. Learn to identify the passing raptors. Dress for ascending a slope in weather. The walk is a bit steep but doable at your own pace. Bring binoculars, field guides, hawk guides, cameras.

Atlas Training Trip Sedalia Atlas Block: East Plum Creek

Sunday, April 25, 2010 - 7:30 - 11:30am

Leaders: Hugh and Urling Kingery (303-814-2723) or ouzels8@aol.com
We encourage you to call or email if you plan to come.

Meeting Place: East Plum Creek Parking Area, Meadows Parkway, Castle Rock

Description: We?ll walk along the East Plum Creek trail through riparian habitat featuring Cooper?s Hawk, three swallow species, Blue Grosbeak, and Lesser Goldfinch (of course, in April, only the hawk can possibly be there). Learn the rudiments of Atlas bird watching ? a new and more interesting way to observe bird behavior. Learn Atlas techniques to adopt your own Atlas Block or help survey the ASGD blocks.

The Owl and the Woodpecker an evening with author Paul Bannick

Monday, March 15, 2010 - 7:00 - 8:30pm

Preregistration is requested. Donations to ASGD are appreciated.

Meeting Place:
Denver Flagship REI Store
1416 Platte Street
Denver, CO 80202
(303) 756-3100
www.rei.com for directions
To Register: 303-973-9530 or info@denveraudubon.org

Description: Paul Bannick?s work has appeared in Audubon, Sunset, Pacific Northwest, and PhotoMedia magazines, as well as the National Wildlife Federation Guide to North American Birds, Smithsonian Guide to North American Birds and many other books and magazines. Paul has appeared on several NPR stations, on Travel With Rick Steves, and is a regular guest of BirdNote. National Public Radio's recent blog on Paul's owl photography is among their most popular to date. Paul's first book, The Owl and the Woodpecker, continues to be one of the best selling bird books in North America and was a finalist for the Washington State Book Award for general non-fiction. The book features Paul's photographs and writing as well as a foreword by Tony Angell and audio CD by Martyn Stewart. Paul?s book will be for sale at the event. Proceeds benefit ASGD education programs.

Waterfowl Walk at Quincy Reservoir

Saturday, March 13, 2010 - 8:30am - 10:30am

Leader: Mary Ann Bonnell

No Fee
Pre-registration required
Registration, Directions, and Meeting Place Information: 303-739-2428 or nature@auroragov.org

Meeting Place: Quincy Reservoir. More detailed directions provided at registration.

Decsription: Aurora Parks naturalist will lead registrants into non-public area for winter waterfowl. Portable facilities available.

Bird Walk at Ponderosa Preserve

Saturday, April 10, 2010 - 8:30am - 10:30am

Leader: Mary Ann Bonnell

No Fee
Pre-registration required
Registration, Directions, and Meeting Place Information: 303-739-2428 or nature@auroragov.org

Meeting Place: Directions provided at registration.

Description: This special ponderosa pine savannah habitat is not open to the public, so take advantage of an Aurora naturalist leading and watching for birds unusual to the Aurora list.