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FIELD TRIP GUIDELINES
All trips will be conducted with safety first in mind. Trips may be moved or canceled if there is any threat from weather, roads or any unavoidable incident. Your trip leader will contact you about any necessary changes.
All trips need to be reserved.
Pets are not allowed.
We ask that drivers fill their gas tanks the day before the field trip to avoid delaying field-trip departure and that riders share the cost of fuel. Colorado Field Ornithologists suggests $.50 per mile divided by all people in the vehicle, including the driver.
For road, safety and environmental reasons, we like to encourage car pooling; so it may not be possible to leave a trip early. Check with the trip leader about this, and we will try to work around any issues pertaining to Covid.
Dress appropriately and in layers for all Colorado weather; and remember the book, “Good Birders Don’t Wear White.”
Bring hat, sunglasses, rain gear, water, snacks and food to sustain yourself through the duration of the field trip.
A small pack to carry gear may be helpful during walking segments.
Contact the trip leader if you need a binocular or have any questions.
Most of our trips’ species lists are sent to Cornell Lab of Ornithology and National Audubon to add to the national picture of what is happening with our birds. This can be a tremendous help with conservation, and you can be a part of it!
We encourage involvement from all appropriate ages or experiences to participate in an urgently needed survey of the Roaring Fork Valley. As species numbers are crashing, it’s more important than ever to document, compare and understand what is going on with the bird species in our valley, especially in comparison to the 30% decline in North American populations in the last 60 years. We will be working on the Roaring Fork Watershed Biodiversity Initiative; and, at the same time, Roaring Fork Audubon will be conducting a long-term study for future generations to use as a database. Both promise to be fun and educational opportunities.
For the sake of participants and the birds, we keep our groups small; and, at the same time, we are inviting everyone to be a part of this survey because we know it is imperative to include all ages to help with future and immediate conservation efforts.
As a special bonus, we will be partnering with our local Sierra Club to monitor our valley’s best sites for the reintroduction of our keystone species, the North American beaver. These trips will be added later.
Placita Trail near Marble
Date: Saturday, May 16, 2026
Time: 7:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
Meeting location: Carbondale’s large, dirt parking lot on Colorado Avenue between Town Hall and the Colorado Place Condos. We’ll communicate about carpooling.
Trip leader: Mary Harris and Sheehan Meagher
Reservation: email Mary at smnharris@gmail.com
Description: We’ll slowly drive Highway 133 toward Marble, stopping along the way to look for American Dippers and other goodies. The short, easy trail is a birdy walk with a great opportunity for beaver expert, Sheehan, to talk to us about the importance of our keystone species, the North American Beaver. Key bird species along this riparian trail are the Broad-tailed Hummingbird; Fox Sparrow; Gray Catbird; Yellow Warbler; Spotted Sandpiper; Hammond’s and Dusky Flycatchers; Swainson’s Thrush; Ruby-crowned Kinglet and more.
If time allows, we can head up to Marble or stop in Redstone.
Let Mary know if you need a binocular.
Windstar Ranch
Date: Wednesday, May 20, 2026
Time: 7:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
Meeting location: Park & Ride at the intersection of Highway 82 and Snowmass Creek Road/Capitol Creek Road (across Snowmass Creek Road from the Conoco). Google Maps; https://maps.app.goo.gl/Ke4g2Y9bCAN4FTb57.
Trip leader: Chris Daniels
Reservation: email Chris at chris.daniels@gmail.com
Description: This is a mellow hike along an old roadbed and trail at the Windstar Ranch in Snowmass. There is some up and down with about 500’ of elevation gain over our 4.5-mile loop. The varied, fantastic habitat includes juniper, oak, aspen, a riparian stream, a pond and sage meadow. Forty-five species have been documented here during a single spring outing and include Wilson’s Snipes; Plumbeous Vireos; Bushtits; Rock Wrens; Blue-gray Gnatcatchers; Brewer’s, Lark and Vesper Sparrows; Virginia’s Warblers; Bullock’s Orioles and more.
Private Property near El Jebel
Date: Wednesday, May 27, 2026
Time: 7:30 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.
Meeting location: El Jebel, NAPA Parking Lot
Trip leaders: Mark Fuller
Reservation: email Mark at fulcon@comcast.net
Description: This private property in El Jebel includes a number of ponds and a variety of shrub, forest and recently-burned habitats. We will look for a variety of waterfowl and forest and riparian species including raptors, wading birds and warblers. This trip is subject to change due to the private nature of the property.
Spring Valley & Private Pond
Date: Friday, May 29, 2026
Time: 6:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
Meeting location: Carbondale’s large dirt parking lot on Colorado Avenue between Town Hall and the Colorado Place Condos or 6:50 a.m. at Thunder River complex. We’ll communicate about carpooling.
Trip leader: Mary Harris
Reservation: email Mary at smnharris@gmail.com
Description: Spring Valley is one of the valley’s most important wetlands and is currently under grave threat of extinction from development. Join us to see the importance of our work to preserve this treasure. We will look for migratory and breeding birds such as a myriad of ducks, Yellow-headed, Brewer’s and Red-winged Blackbirds; Sora; Killdeer; Yellow and Orange-crowned Warblers; several raptor species; Sandhill Crane. Other possibilities are Wilson’s Phalarope, Willet, White-faced Ibis and more. This trip will require carpooling with no more than 3 vehicles. We will be driving and pulling over when safe. Light walking. We are including an exclusive visit to a pond at a private residence on the way back.
Basalt Mountain Ditch Trail
Date: Wednesday, June 3, 2026
Time: 7:30 a.m. until 1:00 p.m.
Location: Basalt Mountain parking lot
Trip Leaders: Mark Fuller
Reservation: email Mark at fulcon@comcast.net
Description: This is a very fun and birdy walk through a mix of habitats. We’ll try to top our record of 35 species in 3 hours! From the large parking area, we walk mostly downhill about 2.5 miles then uphill about .5 mile on the way back. We’ll look for Western Tanagers, Dusky and Olive-sided Flycatchers, House Wrens, Cassin’s Finches, Lincoln’s Sparrows, Violet-green and Tree Swallows, MacGillivray’s and Yellow Warblers and Plumbeous Vireos.
Let Mark know if you need a binocular.
Glenwood Springs: Colorado River: No Name and Grizzly Creeks; Roaring Fork River: 3-Mile Walk (aka Atkinson Canal Trail) and Kendall’s home
Date: Saturday, June 13, 2026
Time: 7:00 a.m.
Meeting location: Veltus Park, Glenwood Springs. We will arrange carpooling.
Trip leader: Kendall Christianson
Reservation: email Kendall at kjcchickadee53@gmail.com
Description: We will visit riparian areas along the Colorado and Roaring Fork Rivers.
Beavers, Birds and Pikas! Maroon Lake & the Gorgeous East Portal Trail
Date: Wednesday, June 24, 2026
Time: 7:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
Meeting location: Aspen Chapel parking lot, 77 Meadowood Drive (on Castle Creek Road before Aspen Valley Health). We’ll communicate about carpooling.
Trip leader: Mary Harris and Sheehan Meagher
Reservation: email Mary at smnharris@gmail.com
Description: We will drive up to Maroon Lake where beaver expert, Sheehan, will educate us on the importance of this keystone species. Our mostly downhill walk of 3.5 miles will include stops at the pika screes to look for these adorable critters. Even though it is downhill most of the way, it is high elevation. We will walk slowly; and, with stops, it will take us until at least 2:00 to reach the East Portal parking area. Early departure is not an option. Some of the bird species we will be looking for are Golden-crowned and Ruby-crowned Kinglets; Lazuli Bunting; Cedar Waxwing; MacGillivray’s, Yellow and Yellow-rumped Warblers; Olive-sided, Hammond’s, Dusky and Western Flycatchers; American Dipper; Violet-green and Tree Swallows; Broad-tailed Hummingbirds and more.
Let Mary know if you need a binocular.
Thomas Lakes Trail to Hay Park
Date: Tuesday, July 7, 2026
Time: 6:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.
Meeting location: Carbondale’s large, dirt parking lot on Colorado Avenue between Town Hall and the Colorado Place Condos or 7:00 a.m. at the trailhead.
Trip Leader: Mary Harris
Reservation: email Mary at smnharris@gmail.com
Description: This is a high elevation hike that starts at 8,600’. We will slowly ascend for about 1.5 miles through a spruce fir forest looking for Red-breasted Nuthatch; Western Tanager; Hairy and Downy Woodpeckers; Dark-eyed Junco; Lincoln’s Sparrow and more. Arriving at a lovely meadow, we should easily find Green-tailed Towhee, White-crowned Sparrow, MacGillivray’s Warbler, Wyoming ground squirrel and many species of wildflowers. We’ll cross the meadow and spend a little time in the mature aspen forest looking for Northern House Wren, Mountain Bluebird, Western Wood-Pewee, Western Warbling Vireo, Western Flycatcher and Hermit Thrush.
The walk downhill typically has loose rock. Exercise caution.
Independence Pass: Ptarmigan & Timberline Sparrow
Date: Wednesday, July 15, 2026
Time: 7:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
Meeting location: Independence Pass parking lot
Trip Leader: Chris Daniels
Reservation: email Chris at chris.daniels@gmail.com.
Description: We will take our chances on finding White-tailed Ptarmigans and Timberline Sparrow at Independence Pass. White-tailed Ptarmigans are the only birds in North America that spend their entire life cycle in the alpine tundra. They’re notoriously hard to find due to their excellent camouflage, and Independence Pass is one of the best places in Colorado to try for them. Expect a 3- to 4-mile hike on uneven trail above tree line at high altitude (entirely above 12,000’). Wear warm layers and sturdy shoes; and bring water, snacks, sunscreen, a hat and poles if you wish. We will stop at Difficult Campground on the return to Aspen for some different birds.
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Dipper
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Great Blue Herron
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Stellers Jay
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Virginia Rail
