Bird Banding


Bird Conservancy of the Rockies conducts banding at two stations each spring in Colorado and five stations each fall in Colorado and Nebraska. Teachers and group leaders can arrange a visit for groups of students and individual visitors are welcome.  For hours of operation and how to visit, see details on each station’s map pin or the dropdown menus below.

ORANGE pins indicate a fall station, GREEN pins indicate spring, and BLUE indicates a station that operates in both spring and fall.

Note: Banding dates are subject to change. Stations must close for high winds, heavy precipitation or other inclement weather.

Banding Station Details:

Colorado Banding Stations:

Barr Lake Banding Station

Location: Barr Lake State Park, 13401 Picadilly Road, Brighton, CO 80603

This station operates in the fall season only.

Fall 2020 dates of operation: Open August 22nd through October 11th, six days a week (closed Mondays).

Commonly-banded birds: House Wren, Wilson’s Warbler, Orange-crowned Warbler, Yellow-rumped Warbler, White-crowned Sparrow

CLICK HERE to read the Barr Lake Banding Station 2019 report.

Registration is required for all individuals and groups of no more than 6 people:
CLICK HERE TO SCHEDULE YOUR VISIT
Programs are offered at $5/visitor for a 1 hour time slot at the Banding Station. If you are unable to pay for your program, please click here to fill out a scholarship application before registering for your visit.

For more information, contact Kelsey Mazur by email or phone: (303) 659-4348 x10

Chatfield Banding Station

This banding station is a partnership with Denver Audubon

This station operates in the Spring of each year, typically late April to last weekend in May.

Spring 2021 dates of operation: Open April 26 through May 30 (closed Tuesdays).

Location: Audubon Center on the southwest side of Chatfield State Park, Littleton, CO

Visit: On weekdays we will be limited to a one-hour timeslot from 7:30-8:30 a.m. On weekends there will be 3 timeslots, hourly beginning at 7:30 a.m., 8:30 a.m. and 9:30 a.m. The fee is $6/participant. Groups will be limited to 10 people and all participants are required to wear face masks and follow social distancing guidelines.

For more information, contact Denver Audubon by email or phone: (303) 973-9530.

Chico Basin Ranch Banding Station

This station operates in the spring and fall seasons.

Spring 2021 dates of operation: Open Friday through Sunday, April 30 through May 30.

Fall 2021 dates of operation: TBD.

Operated in partnership with Chico Basin Ranch

Location: Research station at Chico Basin Ranch, 35 miles southeast of Colorado Springs, CO

Commonly-banded birds: Wilson’s Warbler, Orange-crowned Warbler, Swainson’s Thrush, Brown Thrasher, White-crowned Sparrow

Reservations required for groups. To schedule group visits, contact Chico Basin Ranch by email or phone: (719) 683-7960.  The ranch and banding station are now open to the public (ranch access fee of $15, payable at ranch HQ).

Grand Junction Banding Station

Location: Connected Lakes Section of the James M Robb Colorado River State Park

Check back later for Fall 2021 status.

Commonly banded birds: Bushtit, Wilson’s Warbler, Orange-crowned Warbler, White-crowned Sparrow

To schedule a program/visit, contact: Cary Atwood, Grand Valley Audubon Society

Ridgway Banding Station

Operated in partnership with Black Canyon Audubon Society and Colorado Parks and Wildlife

Location: Ridgway State Park: 28555 US-550, Ridgway, CO

Check back later for Fall 2021 status.

Commonly banded birds: Wilson’s Warbler, Orange-crowned Warbler, Yellow-rumped Warbler, Song Sparrow

Visit: To schedule a program, contact Ridgeway State Park via email.

Roger's Grove Banding Station

Roger’s Grove Banding Station

Closed for Spring 2021, check back later for Fall 2021 status.

Location: Rogers Grove Park, City of Longmont: 220 Hover St., Longmont, CO 80501

CLICK HERE to read the Roger’s Grove Banding Station 2019 report.

Commonly banded birds: this is a new banding station, we will have to wait and see!

Registration is not required for individuals. Pre-registration is required for groups over 10 people (max of 30). Click here to submit a reservation request.

To register as a group, contact Kelsey Mazur, Program & Volunteer Coordinator via email or by phone: (303) 659-4348 x10

Nebraska Banding Stations:

Chadron Banding Station

Location: Chadron State Park, 15951 Hwy. 385, Chadron, NE

Fall 2020 dates of operation: August 26th through October 9th.

Commonly banded birds: House Wren, Orange-crowned Warbler, Chipping Sparrow, American Goldfinch

Visit: To schedule a program, contact Delanie Bruce via email or by phone: (308) 783-1019

Wildcat Hills Banding Station

Location: Wildcat Hills State Recreation Area, Gering, NE

Fall 2020 dates of operation: August 26th through October 9th.

Commonly banded birds: Red Crossbill, Chipping Sparrow, Pine Siskin, Spotted Towhee

Visit: To schedule a program, contact Delanie Bruce via email or by phone: (308) 633-1013

About Bird Banding

Bird banding has been used to study wild birds since the late 1800s. Data collected at banding stations have greatly increased our understanding of migratory routes and timings, species’ range limits, average lifespans, and how all these life-history characteristics may be changing over time.

Banding stations are placed in areas where birds congregate in large numbers during migration. These stopovers generally have excellent habitat that offers food and a safe place to rest. Scientists set up a series of mist nets to harmlessly trap birds. When a bird is removed from the net, its leg is fitted with a small metal band, and the bird is weighed and measured to evaluate its condition. Each band has a unique number on it so that if the bird is recaptured or found later, scientists will know when and where it was first banded.

Banding stations also serve as outdoor classrooms to enhance the public’s appreciation of birds and their habitats. The stations provide valuable opportunities for volunteers and students to gain experience in scientific field techniques.

In the last 30-plus years, the Bird Conservancy has banded more than 100,000 birds.

Read highlights from recent bird banding seasons on our blog.