Venture out to El Paso County’s #1 eBird hotspot, Chico Basin Ranch. We will explore the three sites open to birders – The woodlands where Bird Conservancy of the Rockies will be banding birds, The Headquarters pond, and Rose’s Pond. During our trip we will venture across county lines to scour vast prairie, woodlands, open water, wetlands, and riparian areas for a very wide variety of birds, including wonderful migrants. This trip is ideal for those that have never visited the ranch, but all levels of birders are welcome.

Target birds for the day: Too many to name!! Here’s a list of all birds reported across the ranch in April, May, and Jun for the past 20 years. You’ll see many unique residents and some wonderful possible rarities.

We will utilize our full allotted time on the Ranch – 7:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Bring snacks, lunch, and lots of water. Check the weather forecast for Fountain and Pueblo to get an idea of how to dress appropriately. We will be in shade much of the time, but still plan for sun protection. Porta-potties will be nearby most of the time. We will eat lunch at picnic tables in the shade at the banding station. Of course, bring your favorite birding gear like binoculars and a camera. (Don’t have binoculars? No problem – the trip leader can bring you some!) Wear comfortable walking shoes – we may walk 3 miles at a very slow birder’s pace. Our terrain may be uneven but mostly quite flat. Long pants are recommended.

5:30am – meet at Fountain Creek Nature Center to carpool/caravan and to stop along Hanover Road to look for Burrowing Owls & Mountain Plovers (Porta-potty at FCNC) 

6:30 a.m. – Meet at the Hanover Fire Station on South Peyton Highway. We will bird here while we wait for any late comers to arrive. We can leave a few cars here to carpool/caravan the rest of our time in the ranch. (NO bathroom here)

6:55 a.m. – Ok sleepy heads, this is our last meeting time 🙂 This is when we’re leaving the Hanover Fire Station.

This trip is limited to the first 11 birders who register with Aiken Audubon’s ticketing site – The trip cost is $15 per person. A few days before the trip, Jessica will email everyone to coordinate meeting and driving plans.