Fall Bird Migrations and Other Exciting State Park Events!

We want to give you more resources to get out and be active iNat users in our beautiful Colorado State Parks. In these updates you will find such things as fun facts about interesting species that you can find throughout this state, as well as highlights on important seasonal events in our parks.

Bird migrations of the fall!

September is a big month for the greater period of the fall bird migration. Many state parks offer the resources that migrating birds are looking for on their journey to their second home, whether that be a food resource, or a source of water, they need both to be successful in their long journey ahead. Below is a list from the Bird Conservancy of the Rockies (https://birdconservancy.org/get-along-little-birdie-to-your-winter-home/) of the migrating birds that you are likely to see around these days in the greater Denver and Eastern Plains areas. Although, there are certainly many migrating birds to see throughout the state. The month of September continuing through October will be an amazing time to capture some truly amazing birds for your iNaturalist account.

Arrivals
Aug. 31 – Spotted Towhee
Sept. 1 – Redhead
Sept. 5 – Green-winged Teal
Sept. 5 – American Widgeon
Sept. 10 – Sharp-shinned Hawk
Sept. 12 – Cooper’s Hawk
Sept. 12 – Cedar Waxwing
Sept. 14 – Ruby-crowned Kinglet
Sept. 15 – Gadwall
Sept. 15 – Northern Shoveler
Oct. 1 – Rough-legged Hawk
Oct. 6 – Dark-eyed Junco
Oct. 12 – Common Merganser

Below you can also find a list of exciting events celebrating wildlife in our state parks that offer an awesome opportunity to get out there and use iNaturalist! You can find more events and festivals on the Colorado Parks and Wildlife homepage under “Things To Do”.

Yampa Valley Crane Festival - Steamboat Springs (late-August to early-September)

Help us celebrate this year's event August 29 - September 1, 2019! The Greater Sandhill Crane is an iconic species of the Yampa Valley. In late summer and early fall, hundreds of cranes from the Rocky Mountain flock join the local birds to rest and feed before continuing their journey south. The festival includes daily crane viewings, expert speakers, live raptors, films, art exhibits, workshops, family activities and more. All community activities and events are free unless otherwise indicated in the program! Registration for the Yampa Valley Crane Festival begins July 1 at www.coloradocranes.org Many events are free and do not require registration. Certain activities, including guided crane viewing shuttles and events with limited space, will require advance registration and a nominal fee. These events are noted in the schedule. Be sure to register early as we expect these events to fill quickly.
For more information, please call 970-276-1933 or write to ColoradoCranes@gmail.com. Schedule and other event details are available on the Colorado Crane Conservation Coalition website.

Fall Birding Festival at Barr Lake - Barr Lake State Park, Brighton (early-September)

Fly over to Barr Lake State Park to celebrate the fall bird migration, an experience worth sharing with others. Be entertained at this festive community event filled with food, fun, and lore—something for everyone. Plan for a day packed with free food and activities. The Fall Birding Festival is free, but a valid parks pass is required for each vehicle that enters the park.
For more information about the Fall Birding Festival, call Barr Lake Nature Center at 303-659-6005 or send an e-mail to barr.lake.nature.center@state.co.us

HOOTenanny Owl & Music Festival- Chatfield State Park (mid-September)

Join the Audubon Society at the Audubon Nature Center at Chatfield State Park for this annual one-of-a-kind family event about owls of Colorado! Visit with local wildlife organizations, explore hands on owl activities, and meet some of the owls of Colorado including the great horned owl, Eastern screech owl, burrowing owl, and more. Live owl demonstrations, live music, owl art display, face painting , owl booths, owl pellet dissection, owl crafts and food trucks. Register online with Audubon Society of Greater Denver.

Posted on August 28, 2019 05:44 PM by coparksandwildlife