February 28: Chico Basin Ranch

Warm and sunny! A bit early for migrants, but a great day none-the-less.

Birds: Red-tailed Hawk, Rock Pigeon, American Robin, E. Starling, Red-winged Blackbird, House Sparrow, Golden Eagle, Horned Lark, Western Meadowlark, White-breasted Nuthatch, Song Sparrow, Mtn. Chickadee, American Coot, Hooded Merganswer, Common Merganser, Common Goldeneye, Canada Goose, American Kestrel, N Flicker, Great-horned Owl (on nest), Cinnamon Teal, Amer. Wigeon, Bufflehead, Lesser Scaup, Ringneck, Gadwall, N Shoveler, Canvasback, Mallard, Downy Woodpecker, Ladderback Woodpecker, Killdeer, Chihuahuan Raven, Green-winged Teal, Redhead, White-crowned Sparrow, Junco (all kinds), Amer. Tree Sparrow, Townsend Solitaire, Curved-Bill Thrasher, (heard:) Long-eared Owl. Additionally on the way home: Scaled Quail, Kreider’s RT Hawk, Cackling Goose, N. Harrier, Ringed-bill Gull.

March 1: Back roads to Pueblo Reservoir, led by Gary Conover

We didn’t see a lot of birds, but the day was so nice (it reached 80!) that no one cared. We were glad to be outside.

Birds: American Crow, Red-tailed Hawk, Collared Dove, European Starling, American Kestrel, Great Blue Heron, Ringed-bill Gull, Red-winged Blackbird, Horned Lark, Magpie, Western Meadowlark, Golden Eagle, Bald Eagle, American Coot, Pied-bill Grebe, Northern Flicker.

June 7: Boreas Pass,  led by Allan Burns

Weather was sunny and warm, but very windy. Unfortunately, Boreas Pass had not yet opened to through traffic, but we still did some excellent birding in the area. A non-bird highlight was sighting a badger right next to the road, with its rodent prey dangling from its mouth.

SPECIES LIST
Red Rocks Safeway parking lot: Common Raven, White-throated Swift. En route: Brewer’s Blackbird, Bald Eagle, California Gull, Mountain Bluebird, Cliff Swallow, Turkey Vulture, Red-tailed Hawk, Black-billed Magpie.
Boreas Pass area and Tarryall: Red-naped Sapsucker, Broadtail Hummingbird, Dusky Flycatcher, Lincoln Sparrow, Wilson’s Warbler, Fox Sparrow, Tree Swallow, Canada Goose, White-crowned Sparrow, Mallard, Song Sparrow, Brown-headed Cowbird, Hairy Woodpecker, American Robin, Yellow-rumped Warbler, Steller’s Jay, Ruby-crowned Kinglet, Mourning Dove, Mountain Chickadee, Red-breasted Nuthatch (heard), Green-Tailed Towhee, Horned Lark, White Pelican, Red-winged Blackbird, Northern Rough-winged Swallow, American Coot, Dipper, Cooper’s Hawk (1st year), Common Merganser, Chipping Sparrow, Warbling Vireo, American Crow.

June 23: Emerald Valley, led by Ken Pals

June 23, 2008—Aiken Audubon’s field trip to Emerald Valley provided a great opportunity to look at birds, blooms and butterflies. Twelve people participated in the hike led by Ken Pals. Twenty six bird species, over 40 blooming wildflowers, at least 12 butterfly species, a Western Terrestrial Garter Snake and Brook Trout were identified.

Bird highlights included: Red-naped Sapsucker, Olive-sided Flycatcher, Cordilleran Flycatcher, Least Flycatcher, Swainson’s Thrush and MacGillivray’s Warbler.

Shooting Stars, Green Bog Orchid, Spotted Coralroot Orchid, Yellow Ladyslipper and Blue-eyed Grass were among the showy wildflowers observed.

Butterflies species identified included Hoary Comma, Western Pine Elfin, Field Crescent, Western Tiger Swallowtail, Chryxus Arctic, Common Ringlet, Weidemeyer’s Admiral, Mourning Cloak, Spring Azure and Orange Sulphur.

November 22: Kettle Creek Lakes, led by Risë Foster-Bruder

A beautiful late-fall day provided the setting, and the birds provided the interest. While the species count wasn’t overwhelming, the 13 participants agreed that it was well worth the effort just to be outside enjoying nature.

Here is the species list, in the order of appearance:
Gadwall, Mountain Chickadee, Black-capped Chickadee, Dark-eyed Junco (Gray Headed, Pink-sided and Slate-colored subspecies), Black Billed Magpie, Western Scrub Jay, European Starling, Pied-billed Grebe, Cooper’s Hawk, Common Raven, Stellar’s Jay, Townsend Solitaire, White-breasted Nuthatch, Belted Kingfisher (heard), Mallard, Song Sparrow, Canada Goose (saw footprints), Red-breasted Nuthatch, Great Horned Owl (Ben only), Red-winged Blackbird, (Ben only), House Finch, Chipping Sparrow, American Goldfinch, American Tree Sparrow, Northern Flicker, Spotted Towhee (Ben only).