Beyond Identification: Field Skills for Birding in the Roaring Fork Valley

Join Birding Man and former ACES Naturalist, Ryan Dibala, and unlock the art of reading the landscape in this hands-on workshop designed to move beyond simple identification and into the practical field skills used by seasoned birders. Rather than just memorizing names, you will learn to tune into the subtle rhythms of the living world by developing a sharper "search image," recognizing behavioral cues, and utilizing "ear birding" to navigate by sound. By widening your observations to include habitat selection, distribution, and family traits, you’ll gain the tools to consistently locate birds where others might only see branches. This course is ideal for beginners and intermediate birders looking to build a comprehensive ID toolbox that can be used anywhere.

This workshop begins with a short introduction before we head into the field to apply these techniques amidst high peaks and subalpine meadows. We will visit nearby habitats to observe how bird communities shift across the landscape, while practicing our skills. By balancing brief instructional moments with extensive field time in the Roaring Fork Valley, participants will build the confidence to decode the identification puzzle—from plumage details to vocalizations. Participants will walk away with a deeper connection to their avian neighbors and a new set of sensory tools to see and hear the world more clearly. This workshop is ideal for beginners and intermediate birders who want to deepen their skills, see more birds, and come away with tools they can use anywhere they go.

About the Instructor:

Ryan Dibala, Ph.D., is a birding guide, naturalist, and the founder of Birding Man Wildlife Tours based in Denver, Colorado. His journey in wildlife biology and conservation began 22 years ago when he interned as a summer naturalist at ACES. After graduating from UConn with a degree in Natural Resources, he accepted a research position on a Bald Eagle restoration project in California’s Channel Islands. Since then, he has studied avian ecology in Costa Rica, worked on conservation projects in Ecuador as a Peace Corps volunteer, and earned an M.S. in Biology researching Cerulean Warblers.

Ryan later worked as a Forest Restoration Consultant in Panama before earning his Ph.D. in Natural Resources at the University of Missouri. He has taught conservation biology in South Africa and Chilean Patagonia, guided backcountry expeditions, and is fluent in Spanish. Passionate about the connection between education, ecology, and sustainable land use, Ryan now operates a nature and wildlife tour company in Colorado, helping others discover and appreciate the natural world. He lives in Arvada, Colorado, with his wife Angie and their dog, Sushi.