City of Aspen Birding Series

This is the first in a series of four outings showcasing City of Aspen Open Space lands and the habitats they provide for birds and other wildlife.

A rare fragment of intact native flora on Aspen’s valley floor, Ute Cemetery is a haven for breeding birds, including many migratory species that are just arriving at this time for the nesting season. Join us to explore the rich habitats of this National Historic Register site and two adjoining open space properties where we will walk a loop route through mountain shrublands, aspen groves, wildflower meadows, and river riparian habitats. We will learn about the special flora that makes these parcels so important to breeding birds such as orange-crowned warbler, western tanager, red-breasted nuthatch, warbling vireo, broad-tailed hummingbird, red-naped sapsucker, American dipper, and more. Local history will also be shared, including that of Aspen’s first cemetery, Ute Springs, and the Wheeler Ditch.

*This outing will take place on terrain that is rugged in spots, including walking on and around rocks and tree roots, and on short steep sections. Trail surfaces will be natural soil, and rocky, uneven ground as well as grass and asphalt.
  
This outing requires advance registration to ensure appropriate planning for the field experience. Participants must register by 5pm on the day prior to the outing.

The meeting location will be communicated to registered participants.

The City of Aspen Open Space Program oversees many parcels that contain important habitats for native birds, including this special and diverse landscape adjacent to the Aspen Meadows Resort and the Roaring Fork River. This outing will take us on a loop hike to explore the wildflower meadows, mountain shrublands, sagebrush, and cottonwood riparian habitats that make up the Meadows Open Space. Possible bird species include yellow and MacGillivray’s warbler, broad-tailed and black-chinned hummingbird, spotted towhee, Swainson’s thrush, red-naped sapsucker, lazuli bunting, belted kingfisher, American dipper, and more. Local history will also be shared, as this site contains a few relics dating back to Aspen’s mining and ranching eras.

*This outing will take place on terrain that is rugged in spots, including walking on and around rocks and tree roots, and on steep sections. Trail surfaces will be natural soil, and rocky, uneven ground as well as grass and asphalt.
  
This outing requires advance registration to ensure appropriate planning for the field experience. Participants must register by 5pm on the day prior to the outing.

The meeting location will be communicated to registered participants.

Maroon Creek Wetlands is a restored area in the creek bottom where lush vegetation and small, secluded ponds provide habitat for a variety of birds and other wildlife. This outing will descend a trail to reach the wetlands area as well as a scenic section of the Maroon Creek Gorge Trail. We will look for American Dippers, yellow and orange-crowned warblers, evening grosbeaks, waterfowl, great blue herons, woodpeckers, and more. We will learn about the creation of these wetlands as well as the ranching and railroad history pertinent to this site. 

*This outing will take place on terrain that is rugged in spots, including walking on and around rocks and tree roots, and on short steep sections. Trail surfaces will be natural soil, and rocky, uneven ground as well as grass and asphalt.
  
This outing requires advance registration to ensure appropriate planning for the field experience. Participants must register by 5pm on the day prior to the outing.

The meeting location will be communicated to registered participants.

This is the first in a series of four outings showcasing City of Aspen Open Space lands and the habitats they provide for birds and other wildlife.

A rare fragment of intact native flora on Aspen’s valley floor, Ute Cemetery is a haven for breeding birds, including many migratory species that are just arriving at this time for the nesting season. Join us to explore the rich habitats of this National Historic Register site and two adjoining open space properties where we will walk a loop route through mountain shrublands, aspen groves, wildflower meadows, and river riparian habitats. We will learn about the special flora that makes these parcels so important to breeding birds such as orange-crowned warbler, western tanager, red-breasted nuthatch, warbling vireo, broad-tailed hummingbird, red-naped sapsucker, American dipper, and more. Local history will also be shared, including that of Aspen’s first cemetery, Ute Springs, and the Wheeler Ditch.

*This outing will take place on terrain that is rugged in spots, including walking on and around rocks and tree roots, and on short steep sections. Trail surfaces will be natural soil, and rocky, uneven ground as well as grass and asphalt.
  
This outing requires advance registration to ensure appropriate planning for the field experience. Participants must register by 5pm on the day prior to the outing.

The meeting location will be communicated to registered participants.