Lauren Manza

Yesterday we finished the Bird-a-thon at the gorgeous Jimmy Camp Creek Park. 4 miles without trails and a perfect way to end the weekend. We also clocked 19 new species, finishing the Bird-a-thon at 74 total species. I’m still wrapping my head around that number. Thanks for sticking along for the journey! 🦃

Highlights

1. Learning how to better ID Red-Tailed Haw with the “dash and comma” method that I learned from some great birders this weekend

2. Being surprised by a BIG, displaying Wild Turkey on an unassuming path

3. Happening upon two sleeping porcupines in the trees above us

New species: Wild Turkey, Broad-tailed Hummingbird, California Gull, Swainson’s Hawk, Hairy Woodpecker, Say’s Phoebe, Ash-throated flycatcher, Cassin’s Kingbird, Plumbeous Virero, Common Raven, Violet-Green Swallow, White-Breasted Nuthatch, Pygmy Nuthatch, Red-breasted nuthatch, Western Bluebird, Pine Siskin, Western Meadowlark, Steller’s Jay

Another beautiful day, this time nearby the Fountain Creek Regional Park (Area 7W). It’s so wonderful to be a new member of the birding community and even cooler to have family and friends supporting in this endeavor! We saw 16 new species, surpassing our goal of 50 species this weekend, and we still have one more day to go. Thank you for all the love. Let’s see what tomorrow brings!

Highlights of today:

1. Spotting the Western Tanager, Northern Waterthrush, and Lazuli Bunting! A few beautiful birds you don’t see everyday!

2. Seeing Red-Tailed Hawk Nestlings. The parents were not thrilled that we found their nest.

3. Finding a new species of swallow that I’ve never encountered before- the Northern Rough Wing Swallow.

Full new species list from today: Canada Goose, Great Blue Heron, Downy Woodpecker, Western Wood-Pewee, Blue Jay, American Crow, Black-Capped Chickadee, Northern Rough-winged Swallow, Gray Catbird, House Finch, Song Sparrow, Yellow-breasted Chat, Northern Waterthrush, Black-headed Grosbeak, Lazuli Bunting, Magpie

WOW! Today was so thrilling. Four hours in nature between the Kane Ranch Open Space and Fountain Creek Nature Center. We hit 78% of our goal to see 50 species this weekend in one day!

Highlights of the day

1. Watching a Red-Tailed Hawk chase away a Golden Eagle from their nest

2. Seeing a Bullock’s Oriole weave her next

3. Finding a lot of Lark Buntings, the Colorado State Bird, hanging out in the prairie

Here’s the full list: Mountain Chickadee, Eurasian Collared Doves, Mourning Doves, Nighthawk, Black-chinned Hummingbird, Killdeer, Turkey Vulture, Golden Eagle, Red-tailed Hawk, Great Horned Owl, Ladder-backed Woodpecker, Northern Flicker, American Kestrel, Western Kingbird, Horned Lark, White-breasted Nuthatch, House Wren, Starling, Curve-billed thrasher, Northern Mockingbird, Swainson’s Thrush, American Robin, American Goldfinch, Lark Sparrow, Lark Bunting, White-crowned Sparrow, Green-tailed Towhee, Western Meadowlark, Bullock’s Oriole, Brown-headed Cowbird, Orange-crowned warbler, Yellow Warbler, Blue Grosbeak, Barn Swallow, House Wren, Red-winged Blackbird, Common Grackle, Common Yellow Throat, Mallard, Lesser Goldfinch.

Heading down to Colorado Springs today to kick off the Bird-A-Thon! This will be my first since I started birding a little over a year ago. I’m so grateful to be part of this beautiful community and supporting a worthy cause alongside you all.

Photo- A cute Canada Goose in Wash Park to represent the Denver and Front Range Feminist Bird Club! #birdingforabetterworld