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.

We will be looking for Colorado birds that live in beautiful Roxborough State Park all year, as well as remaining migrants. Most summer migrants have already left (White-throated Swifts, swallows, etc.), but there may be laggards. We may see other birds that are more common in the winter (American Tree Sparrow, Townsend’s Solitaire), while listening for possible year-round residents. Of course, raptors are often observed in the air over Roxborough and on the cliffs, so we will be watching for them too. Many eyes help! We will walk for about 2.5 miles on a moderate trail.
Roxborough State Park has an entry fee if you do not have a pass

Trip Leader: Bea Weaver, Audubon Master Birder

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 often 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.

• Feel free to bring binoculars, water, snacks and sunscreen if desired

• 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: Bea Weaver

Literary Naturalist Workshop

Saturday October 8, 9 am to 11 am

The science of natural history and the art of writing both rely on the same creative skills: constant observation, ongoing reflection, and creative interpretation. “Literary-naturalists” are people who combine these two practices—they are writers who use natural history interpretation as they create stories. In this class, we will practice this ourselves. We will take a leisurely walk to explore the natural history of Front Range ecosystems—its geology, botany, and wildlife history—and will pause and reflect using literature to consider our connections to it all. The class will involve natural history observation and a fun, supportive, brief writing exercise. Using short excerpts from environmental writers—such as Barry Lopez, Helen MacDonald, Gretel Ehrlich, or Robin Wall Kimmerer—we will focus our attention on local ecology and how it is a window onto larger poetic and philosophical questions about our place in the ecosystem. If there’s time, we’ll share what we’ve each observed and written down so we can learn from all our perspectives. Copies of literature excerpts will be provided; please bring a notebook and pencil, as well as your favorite field guides.  

Instructor: Eric Siegel is an environmental journalist whose reporting appears most recently in High Country News. He is also a poet, teaches at the Colorado School of Mines, and is currently in Denver Audubon’s Community Naturalist year-long training program.

**You must register for this program (maximum attendees: 20 people) and complete the liability form when you register. Walk-up or impromptu participants will not be allowed.

**Your program registration confirmation will be sent via e-mail – please add info@denveraudubon.org to your trusted list of contacts.

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

Nature journaling is a fun way to capture your observations of birds and plants. Join us for a short exploration of the area surrounding the Kingery Nature Center. Each season we will focus on what birds and plants will be likely and watch for behaviors and interactions. Then we will create a nature journal page to capture our adventure. No prior drawing or birding experience is required.
What to bring:
Journal or Sketchbook
Pens or Graphite pencils
Travel watercolors or Colored pencils (12-24 colors recommended)
Small bag or backpack to carry supplies

Trip Leader: Barbra Sobhani, Audubon Master Birder

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 often 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.

• Feel free to bring binoculars, water, snacks and sunscreen if desired

• Cameras are permitted

• This trip is accessible for those with mobility issues.

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

Photo Credit: Barbra Sobhani

During this workshop with the Front Range Nesting Bald Eagles Studies group, we will discuss the critical research behind the conservation of Bald Eagles on the Northern Colorado Front Range (NCFR). We will dive into nesting population density, nest numbers, success, and the relationship between nest sites and human infrastructure. Join FRNBS in their mission to conserve Bald Eagles of Colorado’s Front Range!

• Learn more about FRNBES here: https://frontrangeeagles.org/ 
  • 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.
• • COVID Guidelines: We will follow the current guidelines for the county where the program takes place.

Please join Master Birder, Dina Baker, on an enjoyable Fall birding trip to Red Rocks Park in Morrison. This trip will focus on learning about and seeking out our fall birds. We will also be exploring and learning about the scrub oak and rocky habitat of Red Rocks Park including the birds, wildlife, and plants. The trip will include both paved and unpaved trails and surfaces with some flat and moderately steep and rugged terrain. Our pace will be slow with occasional stops to take in the beautiful sights and sounds of this special habitat and the birds within it. We will be on the lookout for various raptor species, woodpeckers, chickadees, nuthatches, towhees, and more! Please bring a pair of binoculars, field guide, water, and appropriate attire for fall in the foothills of Colorado.

All levels of birders are welcome. Children ages 8 and up are welcome to join with an adult (accommodations can be made for younger children, so don’t hesitate to reach out!).

Trip Leader: Dina Baker

Contact #: (847) 899-3462

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) 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: Dina Baker

How are ninjas and owls similar? What superpowers do owls have that allow them to hunt efficiently at night? Students make predictions and examine the study skins of Great-horned Owls and dissect owl pellets to discover more.

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  • 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.