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.

May 2024

Thursday, May 16

May Member Program

Join us for an interactive talk by Kate Boyd of the Reptile & Amphibian Center of the Rockies about local reptiles and amphibians throughout Colorado.

April 2024

Thursday, April 11

April Member Program

Join us as we widen our Northern Colorado birding horizons and take a journey to the United Kingdom for a birding trek from the eastern coast of England to the Inner Hebrides and finishing in the Highlands of Scotland.

Sunday, April 14

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 7:00 a.m. in the Bobcat Ridge Parking lot.

Friday, April 19

Dixon Reservoir

Leader: Andrew Monson, a.s.monson@gmail.com or 970-795-2790. Meet at the Dixon Reservoir upper parking lot at 7:15 a.m. and we will explore various sections of the area, searching for regulars like Western Meadowlarks and Spotted Towhees, while also keeping hopeful for migrating arrivals like Orange-crowned Warblers, Blue-gray Gnatcatchers, and Brown-headed Cowbirds. This outing will involve some hiking of uneven ground and moderate inclines at times (at a relaxed pace).

Sunday, April 28

LGBTQIA+ and allies at Lee Martinez Park

Leader: Kit Gray, kit@kitgrayillustration.com. Come join us for a re-laxed bird walk with good company! Beginners are wel-come, but bring binoculars if you have them. The group will meet by the parking lot at 8 a.m. and walk along the mostly paved trails near the Poudre River.

Past Events

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

March 2024

Saturday, March 2

Sandhill Cranes

Leader: Lori Pivonka, lori.pivonka@gmail.com. Attendees will gather at 7:30 a.m. at the Jax on North College Ave. and car-pool north where they will try to find migrating Sandhill Cranes. The trip will involve driving along ag-ricultural fields to spot the cranes and will take about two to three hours due to travel time. Bring binoculars, a camera, and/or a scope if you have one. Lori will have a scope. Expect to learn about cranes and their behav-ior, and possibly get to watch their mating dance displays!

Friday, March 8

Lee Martinez Park

Leaders: Sheila Webber, 13sheilaw@gmail.com, and Joseph Webber. Join us for a short half-mile to mile-long trip around the Poudre River to look for resident waterfowl, song birds, and maybe spot a few raptors. Meet at the parking lot by the tennis courts at 8:30 a.m.

Sunday, March 10

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.

Thursday, March 14

March Member Program

The sagebrush steppe is North America�s largest ecosystem � spanning 14 states and 2 Canadian provinces. This ecologically rich landscape has a long history of being overlooked, but politics and efforts to conserve it have elevated it to national attention. Learn what makes this ecosystem so important and how species like Sage-grouse, Golden Eagles, Ravens, mule deer and pygmy rabbits will play a role in determining its future.

Read more

Saturday, March 23

Running Deer and Cottonwood Hollow Natural Area

Leader: Robert Beau-champ, tyrannusb@gmail.com. Meet at the parking ar-ea on Prospect Road at 8 a.m. We will explore a few marshes and ponds during this 1.5 to 2-mile walk through the natural area. All levels are welcome.

Sunday, March 30

Fossil Creek Reservoir

Leader: Sirena Brownlee, sirena.brownlee@hdrinc.com. 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. We�ll meet in the parking lot at 9 a.m.

February 2024

Sunday, February 11

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.

Saturday, February 17

Pawnee Grassland and Raptors.

Leader: Nolan Bunting, nbunting@rams.colostate.edu, 907-299-4625. This is a trip to one of the most amazing ecosystems on planet earth. The Pawnee during the winter is home to a large variety of birds, including Lapland Longspurs, Rough-legged Hawks, and Northern Shrikes. Weather conditions permitting, this trip will cover some of the highlights of the grassland, including Crow Valley Campground, parts of the Pawnee Birding Trail, and Raptor Alley. The trip begins at 8:30 a.m. and will likely go until 2�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 where to meet.

Sunday, February 18

Red Fox Meadows Natural Area.

Leaders: John Shenot, johnshenot@gmail.com or 802-595-1669; and Amy Roush, canyonwren4@gmail.comor 512-993-0242. This local natural area gets little attention from birders, but in recent winters some uncommon to rare species have been seen here. Some possible species include Virginia Rail, Red Crossbill, Bushtit, and Northern Shrike. Trails are un-paved and mostly flat, but may be icy. The field trip will start at 7:30 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 where to meet.

January 2024

Saturday, January 6

St. Louis Natural Area.

Leader: Denise Bretting, dbretting@swloveland.com or 970-402-1292; and Andrew McFadden. Even in the dead of winter, a tiny bit of marshy open water hosts an interesting variety of birds such as an Eastern Phoebe seen last year and many wading birds. St. Louis is a newer natural area for the City of Loveland. Meet at 8 a.m. at the parking lot (on S. St. Louis Ave., about a quarter mile north of Hwy. 402 that runs on the south side of Loveland, also known as 14th Street). No street parking is allowed there. Access is available on the north side of the natural area from the Mirasol neighborhood, but parking is limited and the neighborhood is not an “official” entry into the natural area. There�s a nice loop trail, and a bit of the natural area is on the northern side of the Big Thompson River. Field trip is limited to 10 people due to the small amount of parking.

Saturday, January 13

Lee Martinez Park

Leader: Nolan Bunting, nbunting@rams.colostate.edu or 907-299-4625. Join us for a short half-mile to mile-long trip around the Poudre River to look for resident waterfowl, song birds, and maybe spot a few of the winter raptors. Meet at the parking lot off of Sherwood Street at 8 a.m.

Sunday, January 14

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 8:00 a.m. in the Bobcat Ridge Parking lot.

Saturday, January 20

Rigden Reservoir

Leader: Robert Beauchamp, tyrannusb@gmail.com. We�ll meet at Rigden Reservoir (Arapahoe Bend Natural Area) on Friday at 8 a.m. and take a leisurely 1.5 � 2.0 mile walk where we will explore the reservoir and nearby riparian habitat.

December 2023

Sunday, December 10

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 8:00 a.m. in the Bobcat Ridge Parking lot.

Thursday, December 14

Annual Member Potluck

It?s time for the annual potluck and slideshow! For the slideshow, bring your recent photos that you would like to share.

For more information, go to the Potluck Event page

November 2023

Sunday, November 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 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.

Saturday, November 18

Fossil Creek Reservoir Natural Area

Leader: Sirena Brownlee, sirena.brownlee@hdrinc.com, 970-980-6184. Join Sirena for a 2-mile walk along the Cattail Flats Trail for waterfowl and Bald Eagle viewing. All levels are welcome and a spotting scope will be available. Meet at 10 a.m. in the parking lot.

Friday, November 24

“Larimer Black Friday Bird Frolic.”

Leader: Robert Beauchamp, tyrannusb@gmail.com. Looking to work off those Thanksgiving calories? Join us Friday morning for our annual Larimer Black Friday Birding Frolic. We�ll meet at Rigden Reservoir (Arapahoe Bend Natural Area) at 8 a.m. and take a leisurely 1.5- to 2- mile walk where we will explore the reservoir and nearby riparian habitat. Further field trip for the Larimer Black Friday Bird Frolic may become available and will be announced via email to the club members.

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.