I stop what I’m doing for a moment and look up to watch a pair of circling Red-tailed Hawks. They’re smugly indifferent to my work, but their presence makes it go a little faster all the same. With the Western Meadowlarks, Lark Buntings, and Cassin’s Sparrows as a soundtrack, it’s a simply beautiful day to be outside.
Bird Conservancy of the Rockies’ annual fall fundraiser celebration is our most anticipated event of the year! A Night for the Birds attracts hundreds of bird lovers, philanthropists, and conservation and community leaders from across the Front Range and beyond. Guests enjoy wonderful food and drinks, vie for the highest bids in the silent and live auctions, compete for prizes in exciting games, and learn about our programs from special guest speakers. The best part of it all, proceeds go to Bird Conservancy’s cutting edge, impactful bird conservation work!
Flowers are blooming, birds are singing and kids are learning! The Environmental Learning Center (ELC) at Bird Conservancy of the Rockies has become a place of respite and refueling for both people and nature. Situated on the northwest shore of Barr Lake State Park where the cottonwoods grow tall is our outdoor learning center that provides a unique space for all people to visit and learn about the local ecosystem and all it has to offer.
One of my favorite quotes by Aldo Leopold in his book, A Sand County Almanac. A classic read for any upcoming wildlife biologist, nature-lover, or outdoors person. This quote reminds me of the well-known saying “leave it better than you found it”. A saying that had been engrained in me ever since I was just a kid playing in the river behind my house. I am fortunate that I grew up as an “outdoor kid”.
Fort Collins Audubon Society hosts Rachel Belouin, Program Manager, Southern Plains, Bird Conservancy of the Rockies
“Grasslands, Birds, and Grazing”
Thursday, May 11
Social time with Refreshments 7 p.m.; Announcements 7:20; Presentation, 7:30
Door Prize Drawing (must be present to win)
Fort Collins Senior Center, 1200 Raintree Dr.
***This program will also be accessible online using Zoom***
Enter the following link at 7 p.m.: https//us02web.zoom.us/j/8783050898
Rachel Belouin, Bird Conservancy of the Rockies, will explore how compatible uses create habitat and resilience on our Great Plains. Rachel works with private landowners (farmers and ranchers) and other partners to help engage best practices for working lands to ensure grasslands stay in grass and to enhance wildlife habitat, especially for avian species. She also will share how Bird Conservancy of the Rockies approaches this unique partnership between beef and birds.
Rachel has a master’s degree in Natural Resource Stewardship with a concentration in grasslands and ecological restoration from Colorado State University. She is the Stewardship Program Manager, Southern Plains, with Bird Conservancy of the Rockies. Rachel has experience working and living on a third-generation cattle ranch and enjoys riding her horse, trail running with her son, and a great book. Join us for this informative program on May 11. It is free and the public is welcomed!
The first time meeting a bull I thought there should be much more care taken. We parked the pick-up in the two-lane adjacent to the white mound napping and chewing his cud. He didn’t move or glace our way as we approached. I walked equal to the rancher; if he was going in, I was, too.
On Sunday, March 13th, I saw my first Mountain Bluebird of the year. He was coming off the south fence of the northwestern pasture. He launched, dipped, then propelled making it to the opposite side to watch me travel on, my car having done more to move him than the cows, or even the coyotes could manage.
The Karval Mountain Plover Festival began when Karval community members were looking at economic opportunities for this small community. We decided to “bring the bird lovers to the bird”. This is a weekend full of bird watching, Wildlife viewing tours, entertainment, history, arts and crafts, antiques, and LOTS OF GOOD FOOD!
Along with bird watching, here are some of the other things you will enjoy: You’ll get the chance to mingle with farmers and ranchers who choose to live in the local community and learn about their lifestyle. Eat home style food at every meal. Most meals are prepared by the community’s non-profit organizations. Saturday evening includes a Country dinner with authentic western entertainment. Learn about conservation practices and history of the area. Tour Private Land that would normally not be accessible. Make new friends!
Bird Conservancy staff will be at the event leading bird-watching tours and discussions about ecology, biology and natural resource management.
Visit https://mountainploverfestival.com/ for more information and to register!
Follow this LINK to download the festival brochure.
Another summer in the Northern Great Plains has come and gone, now fleeting as quickly as it arrived. With it, the many birds who travel thousands of miles to call these grasslands home during the breeding season have begun to make the long journey back to their wintering grounds. For the many ranchers and farmers of eastern Montana, the work is not done.
Once a year each winter, dozens of volunteers congregate at Barr Lake State Park to dedicate their day to a singular purpose: tally every bird of every species seen within a 15-mile diameter circle centered on Barr Lake. This tradition has been taking place every year since 1980 at Barr Lake, but the origins of the Christmas Bird Count (CBC) go back much further.
