All ages welcome!  Join Ed Furlong and other Evergreen Audubon members for a very special Saturday Bird Walk on September 28, 2024, from 730 AM to 12:30 PM when we visit the seasonal bird banding station operated by Bird Conservancy of the Rockies at Barr Lake State Park. This is a fantastic opportunity to see birds up close as Bird Conservancy Staff capture, band, band and release migrating and local songbirds as part of their long-term monitoring to understand bird populations and trends. This visit complements last May’s trip to the Spring Banding Station that Birc Conservancy of the Rockies operates at Denver Audubon’s Nature Center at Chatfield.  The southward migrating population will encompass this year’s young birds on their first migration.

We are scheduled to be at the Barr Lake banding station from 9 to 10 am.  The banding station is a short walk (~1/4 mile on a gravel trail) from the parking lot.  We will meet at the Bergen Park and Ride at 7:30 am to carpool, arriving around at Barr Lake State Park around 8:30 am. Please Note: a State Parks Annual or Day Pass is required to access the Banding Station. If you choose to drive separately, plan on being at Barr Lake SP by 8:30 am.

During our hour at the Banding Station, we will have the opportunity to see several species in-the-hand and learn about their migratory behavior. If you have never been to a banding station, it is an incredible opportunity to see wild birds as close as you can imagine, learn about the incredible feat that is migration, and perhaps have the chance to release a bird after it is banded and data taken.

 Please note: Registration is opening early for this event. We are limited to 15 participants, including your leader. Visits to the banding station are very popular and fill quickly, so if you wish to participate don’t delay.

Registration with Evergreen Audubon (registration link below) will close on September 14, after which any unused slots will be released back to Bird Conservancy of the Rockies for their use.  Also note that each participant must also register individually with Bird Conservancy of the Rockies and there is a $7 per person charge to visit the banding station.  To register with BCR for the date and time reserved for Evergreen Audubon, use the following link:

Bird Conservancy of the Rockies Registration

Following our time at the Banding Station, we will spend the remaining time birding the shoreline of Barr Lake. Barr Lake is a top Front Range birding location, and this is a great time of year for migratory shorebirds and waterfowl, so if you have a spotting scope plan to bring it. Also plan to bring water, snacks/lunch (if you would like to eat at the park), sunscreen, raingear, layers, the usual plethora of things necessary for birding in Colorado on a fall day.

These walks are for Evergreen Audubon members and their guests. Non-members won’t be turned away but will be encouraged to join Evergreen Audubon.  You must register here to attend this event.  If you are registering for more than one person, please enter each person separately.  This event is filled when we have 15 registrants.

Thanks!  Ed Furlong, Chapter Programs Director