ABA Community Weekend in Denver, Colorado
August 5-6, 2023
ABA Community Weekends are focused on urban centers in the U.S. and Canada and aim to connect with local organizations, businesses, and guides to offer a variety of birding-related activities that can appeal to both novice and experienced birders.
Our objective is to connect in person with ABA members who may have never had direct contact with the organization in the field, while also presenting birding and the American Birding Association to a wider swath of the general public, to learn about the wants and needs of birders, conservationists, and nature enthusiasts; to exchange ideas and share experiences; and to create a network of like-minded people, organizations, and businesses throughout the ABA Area.
ABA Community Weekends generally include guided bird walks on Saturday and Sunday mornings, and workshops on Saturday and Sunday afternoons, plus a social event such as a birds-and-beers or bird trivia at a dining establishment on Saturday evening.
On Aug. 5 and 6, 2023, ABA Community Weekends are coming to Denver, Colorado. With long-time American Birding Association staff members Ted Floyd and LeAnn Pilger, along with regional ornithological experts, we’re sure the weekend will sell out in no time, so reserve your spot before it’s too late! All activities are free, but signups are required.
ABA Community Weekends are focused on urban centers in the US and Canada and aim to connect with local organizations, businesses, and guides to offer a variety of birding-related activities that can appeal to both novice and experienced birders.
Our objective is to connect in person with ABA members who may have never had direct contact with the organization in the field, while also presenting birding and the American Birding Association to a wider swath of the general public, to learn about the wants and needs of birders, conservationists, and nature enthusiasts; to exchange ideas and share experiences; and to create a network of like-minded people, organizations, and businesses throughout the ABA Area.
ABA Community Weekends generally include guided bird walks on Saturday and Sunday mornings, and workshops on Saturday and Sunday afternoons, plus a social event such as a birds-and-beers or bird trivia at a dining establishment on Saturday evening.
Join Birding Magazine Editor Ted Floyd and friends for two mornings of birding close to Denver. On both mornings, the pace will be easygoing. We’ll be walking on level, well-graded trails with good access to ponds, marshes, and small woodlots. Our emphasis will be on getting to know the basics of birding: equipment, new technologies, and of course field identification. Ted Floyd and co-leaders LeAnn Pilger, Kyle Carlsen, Christy Carello, Drew Bender, and Hannah Floyd all are deeply involved in the birding, ornithological, and natural history communities in and around Denver, and they look forward to sharing their passion for birds with you!
On top of the field trips, there will be a digiscoping workshop by Andrea Cahoon and two expert presentations, one on birds and native plants by Dina Baker, and the other on mindful birding by Crystal Reser. And of course, a Birds and Beers social on Saturday evening. It promises to be an interesting and well-filled weekend!
The bird walks and workshops are free and open to the public, but RSVP IS MANDATORY. This isn’t to harvest your email address and sell you stuff; it’s for logistics, as there are limits on the number of people on the trails at popular outdoor sites in the Denver metro region, especially on summer weekends.
Note: In addition to watching birds, we will absolutely be learning about the many wonderful wildflowers, butterflies, dragonflies, “herps” (reptiles and amphibians), and even fungi and lichens at Greenlee and The Arsenal. Leaders will keep eBird checklists and upload photos to iNaturalist, and will share media with participants shortly after the Community Weekend’s conclusion.
Program
Sat., Aug. 5, 8am MDT: Guided Bird Walk at Greenlee Wildlife Preserve (starting at Waneka Lake), Lafayette, Colo.
On Sat., Aug. 5, we’ll be birding together at Greenlee Wildlife Preserve and environs in Lafayette, less than half an hour northwest of Denver. Although the “Greater Greenlee Ecosystem” is enmeshed within the sprawling Denver suburbs, it is well protected—and decidedly birdy. We’ll visit hummingbird feeders where Black-chinned, Calliope, Rufous, and Broad-tailed hummingbirds are possible. Other birds there are an eclectic mix: Bushtit, Sora, Gray Catbird, Lesser Goldfinch, and Cordilleran Flycatcher, to name a few. Depending on the group’s preferences, we may drive a short distance to some other birding hotspots in Lafayette.
Hosts and guides:
Ted Floyd: Ted Floyd is the long-time Editor of Birding, the award-winning flagship publication of the American Birding Association. He has lived and birded in the Denver metro region for more than 20 years.
LeAnn Pilger: LeAnn, based out of Colorado Springs, is the ABA’s long-time Membership Coordinator.
Kyle Carlsen: Kyle manages the Wild Birds Unlimited Store in Longmont, CO.
Hannah Floyd: Hannah is a freshman majoring in Ecology and Evolutionary Biology at Princeton University.
Sat., Aug. 5, 2pm MDT: Digiscoping Workshop at Front Range Birding Company
Please join us this Saturday, August 5, from 2:00-3:00 p.m. at Front Range Birding Company, a wild bird supply company that specializes in sporting optics, for a hands-on digiscoping workshop. Digiscoping is the combination of using a spotting scope and a cell phone camera to take long-range photographs. We’ll be working with Novagrade phone adapters, several high-end spotting scopes, and our own cell phones. We have a nice location for viewing birds and plenty of bird feeders, so we should have some specimens to practice on.
The weather on Saturday afternoon will be sunny with a high of 84 degrees. Our patio is partly shaded, which may help keep us cool, but you might want to bring a hat and sunscreen. We’ll have some cold bottled water available for you. Bring your cell phone, and if you have a scope and tripod with you, you are welcome to bring them so you can practice with your own equipment. Everyone will have an opportunity to participate.
Front Range Birding Company, 10146 W. San Juan Way #110 (look for the “We Love Birds” neon sign), mapsLittleton, CO 80127
Hosts and guides:
Andrea Cahoon: Andrea is a bird enthusiast from childhood who has been employed at Front Range Birding Company for over six years. Andrea is also a volunteer naturalist at Roxborough State Park.
LeAnn Pilger: LeAnn, based out of Colorado Springs, is the ABA’s long-time Membership Coordinator.
Sat., Aug. 5, 7pm MDT: Birds and Beers (location tbd).
Are you looking to connect with others who share your passion? Join us for our ‘Birds and Beers’ social! This is the perfect opportunity to meet other birdwatchers, share stories and experiences, and maybe even plan future birdwatching trips together – all while enjoying a refreshing brew.
Our events are welcoming to all birders, and whether you’re a seasoned pro or a newbie, you’re sure to feel at home with this friendly and enthusiastic community.
Please sign up to let us know you’ll be joining us, and feel free to invite any friends who might be interested. Let’s make some new birding buddies!
Hosts:
Ted Floyd: Ted Floyd is the long-time Editor of Birding, the award-winning flagship publication of the American Birding Association. He has lived and birded in the Denver metro region for more than 20 years.
LeAnn Pilger: LeAnn, based out of Colorado Springs, is the ABA’s long-time Membership Coordinator.
Sun., Aug. 6, 8am MDT: Guided bird walk at Rocky Mountain Arsenal National Wildlife Refuge, near Denver, Colo.
On Sun., Aug. 6, we’ll head up to Rocky Mountain Arsenal National Wildlife Refuge, just north of Denver. “The Arsenal,” as it is known to area birders, is an expansive grassland dotted with wetlands, creek crossings, and even a few decent woodlands. We’ll start off with some walking near waterbodies with ducks, egrets, shorebirds, pelicans, and more. Mississippi Kites, rare in the Denver region, have been present here for a couple of summers. Then we’ll get into our cars and bird the auto loop, famous for its bison herd; we’ll probably see the bison (but that outcome cannot be guaranteed), and we’ll look for prairie birds like Lark Buntings, Sage Thrashers, and Burrowing Owls.
Hosts and guides:
Ted Floyd: Ted Floyd is the long-time Editor of Birding, the award-winning flagship publication of the American Birding Association. He has lived and birded in the Denver metro region for more than 20 years.
LeAnn Pilger: LeAnn, based out of Colorado Springs, is the ABA’s long-time Membership Coordinator.
Christy Carello: Christy is Professor of Biology at Metropolitan State University of Denver (MSU Denver).
Drew Bender: Drew is a senior majoring in Biology at MSU Denver.
Sun., Aug. 6, 12:30pm MDT: Workshop: Native Plants & Birds
Native plants play a vital role in providing necessary resources for birds, such as shelter and sustenance. During this presentation, Dina Baker will focus on the balance and interconnectedness between native plants and birds, as by understanding and preserving this harmonious association, we can foster a nurturing environment for a diverse range of bird species.
The presentation takes place at the Pat Schroeder Visitor Center at Rocky Mountain Arsenal National Wildlife Refuge near Denver.
Hosts:
Dina Baker: Dina is a Denver Audubon Volunteer and Board Member. She is also the CSU Extension Director for Arapahoe County. She is a certified Audubon Master Birder, Native Plant Master and graduated from Denver Audubon’s Naturalist training program in 2015. With a Master’s degree in Conservation Biology, Dina has been in the field of Environmental Education for twenty years. She has worked in nature-based organizations such as the Denver Zoo, Butterfly Pavilion, and Evergreen Audubon. She is incredibly passionate about learning about birds and native plants and always excited to share that passion and knowledge with others.
Ted Floyd: Ted is the long-time Editor of Birding, the award-winning flagship publication of the American Birding Association. He has lived and birded in the Denver metro region for more than 20 years.
LeAnn Pilger: LeAnn, based out of Colorado Springs, is the ABA’s long-time Membership Coordinator.
Sun., Aug. 6, 1:30pm MDT: Workshop–Mindful Birding
In a fast-paced world filled with distractions, the practice of mindful birding offers a serene and immersive way to connect with our avian companions and the natural world. Mindful birding goes beyond simply spotting species; it encourages us to cultivate a deep appreciation for the present moment, tuning our senses to the beauty and subtleties of birdlife. By learning to observe without intrusion and to embrace stillness, we can forge a profound connection with the feathered inhabitants of our surroundings. Throughout this session, Crystal Reser will introduce us to the principles and techniques of mindful birding, delving into how this contemplative approach can enrich our birdwatching experiences and foster a deeper understanding of the delicate ecosystems we share with our avian friends.
Crystal’s philosophy is that time in nature and awareness of our own physical body, including breathing, senses and posture—encourages us to tap into our energy system, a source of internal power and strength. Her goal is to continue sharing and encouraging others to find their way to better health, happier hearts, and productive, positive and peaceful minds.
The presentation takes place at the Pat Schroeder Visitor Center at Rocky Mountain Arsenal National Wildlife Refuge near Denver.
Hosts:
Crystal Reser: Crystal is a Denver native and retired Occupational Therapist working in the areas of rehabilitation, ergonomics and wellness for over 30 years, and now does consulting work. She also has a background in yoga and meditation practices. She’s passionate about birding and completed the AMB Master Birder program in 2022. Outdoor activities of bird-watching, hiking, camping, biking, and snowshoeing fill her free time, and when at home, she’s often baking, sewing, and fabric-art quilting.
Ted Floyd: Ted is the long-time Editor of Birding, the award-winning flagship publication of the American Birding Association. He has lived and birded in the Denver metro region for more than 20 years.
LeAnn Pilger: LeAnn, based out of Colorado Springs, is the ABA’s long-time Membership Coordinator.
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