Monthly Bird Banding & Bird Walk

The first Saturday of each month is an opportunity to learn from two birding experts, see wild birds up close, and learn about conservation research.

9AM Scott Rashid, Director of the Colorado Avian Research and Rehabilitation Institute, will lead a live bird-banding demonstration near the HPEC Barn. Songbirds are caught in a mist nest, and then carefully extracted, identified, weighed, measured, and banded. While we wait for the birds to land in the net Scott will entertain the audience with stories and facts from his research. Depending on the number of birds that arrive, attendees may have the opportunity to hold a bird!

10AM Sheila Webber, expert birder and board member of Northern Colorado Bird Alliance, will lead a guided bird-viewing walk around Equalizer Lake. Sheila has documented over 200 species of birds in the foothills region and loves sharing her passion with others. We recommend that you download the free eBird app to track what species you observe!

Cancellation - This is an outdoor event and will be held weather permitting. If cancelled due to weather, (snow, rain, or extreme wind/cold) registrants will be notified via Facebook and/or email. We will not have this event in January or July.

Dogs: Yes, on leash

Children: Yes

Strollers: Yes

Accessibility: Natural surface trails

Recommended gear: Binoculars, walking shoes, dress in layers, water bottle, hat, sunscreen, sun glasses

Note on the practice of bird banding: Bird banding is a national, scientific program administered jointly by the US Geological Survey and the Canadian Wildlife Service to support avian research. The information recorded at our bird banding events is sent to the USGS Bird Banding Laboratory in Laurel, MD to be utilized for scientific research. This field research is conducted by highly knowledgeable, trained, and license researchers. This research is vital for tracking bird populations and informing conservation efforts. We assure you that no one cares about the wellbeing of these birds more than the researchers performing the banding, and that the process does not harm or even significantly affect the birds. How do we know? The same birds return to the same banding sites to feed and nest time and again, indicating that they do not consider the environment to be unsafe.