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.

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.

Fall 2023 dates of operation: Open to the public August 24 through October 22, six days a week (closed Mondays).
Weekday programs available from 7:30 – 8:30 a.m., and weekend programs are available from 8-9 a.m., 9-10 a.m., and 10-11 a.m.

Registration is required for all individuals and groups of no more than 15 people.

Cost is $6/visitor (ages 3 and up) at the Barr Lake Banding Station.  Visitors under 2 years are free.  To accommodate as many people as possible, especially during large group visits, program visits are in 1-hour increments.  Banding station coordinators and volunteers have discretion to adjust timing as necessary to accommodate guests as needed.

If you are unable to pay for your program, scholarships are available. For availability and to schedule, please contact us!

School programs are available Tuesday through Friday, 9 a.m.-12 p.m. or 9:30 a.m.-12 p.m. (10 a.m. -12 p.m. available in October ONLY) and are $7/student (max of 60 students). For more information and to schedule your school program, please contact us.

Please contact Sarah Doxon, Education Manager for more information.

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.

CLICK HERE to read the Chatfield Banding Station 2020 report.

CLICK HERE to read the Chatfield Banding Station 2021 report.

Spring 2023 dates of operation: Open April 25 through May 31, six days a week (closed Mondays).

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

Visit: Registration is required for all visitors. To make a reservation for individuals, please visit http://www.denveraudubon.org/events. 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 15 people.

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 2023 dates of operation: Open May 1 through June 2, six days a week. (closed Sundays)

Fall 2023 dates of operation: Open Aug 28th through Sep 29th, open six days a week (closed Sundays)

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

Fall 2023 dates of operation: September 18 through October 13, open Monday through Friday

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

Fall 2023 dates of operation: September 4 through September 15, open Monday through Friday

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.

Pineridge Banding Station

Location: North end of Dixon Reservoir within Pineridge Natural Area Fort Collins, CO
Parking lot: 3502 CR 42C, Fort Collins, CO 80526

Fall 2023 dates: Open Sep 8th through Oct 6th, 5 days a week (Tues through Sat).

Commonly banded birds: 2023 is our first fall season at this location, so we will see!

This program is free, but registration is required for all individuals and groups of no more than 15 people*. Two 1-hour timeslots are available each day, beginning at 7:30 and 8:30. Please contact Education Manager, Sarah Doxon, at [email protected] for more information.

School programs are available Tuesday through Friday, For more information and to schedule your school program, please contact us.

Nebraska Banding Stations:

Chadron Banding Station

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

Fall 2023 dates of operation:  Open Aug 22nd through Oct 6th, five days a week (closed Sunday and Monday)

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 2023 dates of operation: Open Aug 29th through Oct 13th, five days a week (closed Sunday and Monday).

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.