Admission: Paid

Virtual Classroom Dates (Wednesdays): September 28 and October 5 from 7-9pm
Field Trip Dates (Saturdays): October 15, 22, 29 and November 5 from 8-11am
Field Trip locations include South Platte Park, Audubon Center at Chatfield, Wheat Ridge Greenbelt, and Genesee Park

New to birding? Wonder how to begin? Let Audubon Master Birders help you learn about bird identification, behavior, and habitats as well as choices for binoculars, scopes, and field guides. This class will be a combination of two evening virtual classes and four field trips. The virtual classes – via Zoom – lends itself to “virtual” birding and discussion about local and regional birding sites, how to look for birds, and the keys for identification. The class is designed to provide you with knowledge you can use to kick-start your lifelong love of birding! Once you get hooked, you will embark on a hobby that leads to many adventures.

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  • PLEASE NOTE: You must register for this field trip (limit: 20 people) and complete the liability form when you register. Walk-up or impromptu participants will not be allowed. Other requirements are described below.

 Explore the wonderful world of waterfowl identification and behavior led by Audubon Master Birder instructors at the Audubon Nature Center. 

• • COVID Guidelines: We will follow the current guidelines for the county where the program takes place.

The Walk the Wetlands event on the first Sunday of the month begins at the Denver Audubon Nature Center at 8:00 a.m. (Be sure to set your clocks back the night of 5 November.) The group ventures along the South Platte River on level ground through open fields, deciduous woodland, and along nearby ponds and marshes. The walk itself is about 3 miles on mostly dirt paths and takes about 3.5 hours, the time varying mostly due to weather conditions. The groups return to the Audubon Nature Center by noon.

During the fall season, many regular migrant songbirds that breed here in the park have already left. However, many migrant songbirds from the north, particularly sparrows, are passing through the park, lingering for a few days a time to fatten up for the further journey south. Moreover, waterfowl such as ducks, gulls and terns, and shorebirds such as sandpipers and plovers are flocking to Chatfield Lake and the nearby ponds along the trails and river. Many songbirds, like Mountain Bluebirds and Townsend’s Solitaires, are coming down from their breeding spots in the mountains to spend a more hospitable winter.

Check out the link to eBird to see the chart detailing specific birds seen along the trails here over the past four years in any particular month of the year:

Chatfield State Park is one of the largest staging areas for migrating and breeding songbirds in Colorado. Spring, fall, and much of the summer offer great looks at both migrating and breeding songbirds & waterfowl.

The walk is led by Audubon Master Birders.

Meeting Location: Denver Audubon’s Kingery Nature Center 11280 Waterton Rd., Littleton, CO 80125

Trip Leader: Bill Schreitz

Contact #: (410) 533-1720

Feel free to reach out with any questions.

Please Note: If you have registered and no longer can attend the walk, please contact the Denver Audubon Office (Rhonda Shank 303-973-9530) or the trip Leader (Bill Schreitz 410-533-1720) as soon as possible. There is a waiting list for those wanting to join the walk.

• Advance registration, including signing of the liability waiver, is required. Walk-up or impromptu participants will not be allowed.

• You are responsible for bringing your own binoculars, water, snacks and sunscreen for optimum experience

• Cameras are permitted

• This trip is not accessible for those with mobility issues.

COVID Guidelines: We will follow the current guidelines for the county where the program takes place.

Photo credit: Bill Schreitz

Colorado has many marvelous mammals like the mountain lion, black bear, & bighorn sheep. Explore the mammals of Colorado with close-up looks at animal pelts and a nature hike to witness or own magnificent mammals!

• .
  • PLEASE NOTE: You must register for this field trip (limit: 40 people) and complete the liability form when you register. Walk-up or impromptu participants will not be allowed. Other requirements are described below.
• • By registering for and attending this field trip, you agree to the following:
    -Please self-screen for COVID-19 symptoms, even if you are vaccinated, and use common sense. DO NOT attend if you if you had recent exposure to an individual with symptoms or confirmation of COVID-19. If you have any symptoms or even suspect you could have COVID-19 symptoms, do not sign up for this trip.
    -Masks Outdoors: Masks are not required outdoors. However, we encourage unvaccinated people to wear a mask when interacting with people outside their household when outdoors and maintain social distancing of 6 feet.
    -Masks Indoors: Fully vaccinated people can go without masks in public indoor spaces. Unvaccinated people are encouraged to continue wearing masks in all public indoor spaces.

Join Audubon Master Birder, Dina Baker, on a leisurely journey around Belmar Park. Our focus will be on the waterfowl who migrate through during winter months in addition to our year-round resident songbirds and raptors. The path around the pond is mostly flat with some paved and dirt paths along with a wooden boardwalk at the viewing shelter where we will spend much of our time. Unless there are snowy or icy conditions, the paths should be accessible by foot and wheelchair. Species we'll be looking for include Northern Shoveler, Lesser Scaup, Ringneck Duck, Hooded Mergansers, Bufflehead, Ruddy Duck, Cackling Geese, and more. We often see Ross's Geese and Snow Geese at this location as well. Bundle up and have some post-Thanksgiving birding fun with us!

Trip Leader: Dina Baker

Please Note: If you have registered and no longer can attend the walk, please contact the Denver Audubon Office (Rhonda Shank 303-973-9530) as soon as possible. There is a waiting list for those wanting to join the walk. 

•  Advance registration, including signing of the liability waiver is required. Walk-up or impromptu participants will not be allowed. 

• You are responsible for bringing your own binoculars, water, snacks and sunscreen for optimum experience 

• Cameras are permitted 

• This trip is accessible for those with mobility issues dependant on weather. 

COVID Guidelines: We will follow the current guidelines for the county where the program takes place.

Photo credit: Dick Vogel