Do you enjoy exploring the natural world and discovering new things, building your bird list, and connecting with fellow nature lovers and bird enthusiasts? Then join us for the 2022 Bird Conservancy of the Rockies BioBlitz and Community Science Celebration! Enjoy a day of exploration as we count as many different species as we can at Barr Lake State Park, learn about the park’s biodiversity, and celebrate community science with a cookout lunch!

What is a BioBlitz?

A BioBlitz is a celebration of science in nature that brings together community members, students, naturalists, and scientists to find and identify as many birds, plants, insects, reptiles, mammals and other organisms as possible in a short period of time. The result is a snapshot of the biodiversity of a specific place. It’s a great way for people of all ages to learn about the world around them, personally contribute to the biodiversity data for Barr Lake, and connect with fellow nature lovers. The BioBlitz will happen rain or shine (animals and plants will be out and about no matter what), so check the forecast ahead of time and prepare for the weather!

What to Expect?

You’ll join scientists and experts on short walks around Barr Lake State Park where you search for, identify and record as many species as possible! Do you like birds? Join the ornithologists group! Do you want to learn about plants? Join the botanists group! Do you want practice your bird identification skills? Join a bird walk! Just want to hang out and enjoy a beautiful Colorado day? There will be lots of things to do at the Nature Center base camp! You can join survey groups anytime between 7:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m. There will be a cookout lunch served at 12 p.m.

Schedule for the Day:

  • 7:00-9:00 am Bird Banding demonstration at our Banding Station
  • 8:00-9:00 am Guided Bird Survey, led by Bird Conservancy Staff
  • 9:00 am Welcome and iNaturalist Orientation
  • 9:30-11:30 Guided Nature Surveys
  • 12:00-1:00 pm Lunch!
  • 1:00-3:00 pm – Guided Nature Surveys
  • 3:00 pm Daytime BioBlitz Wrap-Up (come back at night!)

Guided Surveys for different creatures will occur throughout the day, including: Mammals, Herps (Reptiles & Amphibians), Macroinvertebrates, Insects, Trees, and Plants. For the most adventurous naturalists, be sure to come back for our nighttime surveys! Nighttime activities may include surveys for nocturnal insects and birds.

Lunch will take place from 12:00 p.m. to 1:00 p.m. in the Meadowlark Pavilion next to the Nature Center. Guests will have the opportunity to connect with Bird Conservancy staff and learn more about our science, education, and land stewardship programs over a delicious meal.

Registration

BioBlitz participation is free, but registration is required. Lunch is $5 (free for children 12 and under), and includes a drink, hamburger or hot dog, and side. Register for one or both events at the link below. Park entry is free with registration. Once you register, we will send you a downloadable park pass. Be sure to print your pass and show it to the gate attendants when you arrive. Please note that space is limited and registration closes on 5/28/2022.

Location:

Barr Lake State Park is located at 13401 Picadilly Rd, Brighton, CO 80603. A map with directions to Barr Lake can be found here. Parking is available in the south parking lot next to the Nature Center. You can download a brochure with a map of the park here.

iNaturalist

We will be using the iNaturalist mobile app to document our sightings throughout the day. iNaturalist is a popular nature app that helps you identify plants, animals, and fungi. Observations on iNaturalist can also be used by scientists interested in studying and protecting nature! If you haven’t used iNaturalist before, we encourage you to check out their website and written or video tutorials, and download their app onto your mobile device before the BioBlitz so you’re ready to hit the ground running.

Questions? Contact us at [email protected]

Using the iNaturalist app in the field. Photo by Wikimedia user Srloarie2, CC BY-SA 4.0.

Thank you to our Event Sponsors!

Bird Friendly Coffee provided by

 

Event supplies provided with support from

Event photography generously donated by Eric Tokuyama Photography