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Greetings!
THE FRONT RANGE BIRDING COMPANY - FRBC:
A Nature Center For You and Your
Family
| HAWKS & DOVES FLY AT THE 2009 FRBC OPEN HOUSE AND FUNDRAISER |
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On May 2nd the store will host its fifth
annual open
house. The event is chock full of exciting
family
activities and events. Check out the full
schedule at
the end of this article.
An arts and crafts fair will feature over 20
vendors.
Great locally made products include
photography,
watercolors, pottery feeders, stained
glass, chained-sawed bears, and metal art. You'll be
sure
to find
perfect gifts for Mother's Day and Father's
Day.
Once again HawkQuest will bring a Bald
Eagle,
Peregrine Falcon, Great Horned Owl, and
a Burrowing
Owl. At noon, they will fly a Harris's Hawk
in the
parking lot.
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What would a festival be without food and music?
Hear the best in progressive bluegrass music from
The Wild Coyotes Country and Western Band. The
Wild Coyotes Band has been featured on Denver's
NBC Channel 9 News for their outstanding community
service. Also sample the barbeque, beverages, and
pizza, as well as hot dogs and hamburgers provided
by The Smoke Shack, The Texas Road House, Abo's
Pizza, the In-Tea Tea Parlor, the Squeeze Juice Bar,
and Albertsons. Additionally, Old Vine Liquors will host
a wine tasting in the afternoon. While enjoying the
festivities, meet with members of the West Metro Fire
Department and climb aboard their fire truck.
The event is very pet and animal friendly. PetSmart will
hold its National Dog Adoption Fair at the event. The
Columbine
Animal Hospital will host a booth with
giveaways, "Ask a Vet", and information on how to
accommodate injured wildlife that you may encounter.
The Audubon Society of Greater Denver and the
American Birding Association will provide information
for all bird and nature lovers. The Butterfly Pavilion will
be there with Rosie the Tarantula, your chance to hold
a live tarantula!
A new feature at this year's festival will be local
nature/bird walks. The American Birding Association
(ABA) will host the walks in nearby Chatfield State
Park
and the Ponderosa Pine forest habitats. See our
special ABA section with guide bios in the following
article.
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The highlight of the day will be the release of 200
doves for The Captain Jason Dahl Scholarship Fund.
Captain Dahl was the pilot of United Flight 93 on
September 11, 2001 and a Ken Caryl, Littleton
resident. The scholarship fund in his name provides
scholarships to students of aviation at Denver's Metro
State University. Help support the fund by sponsoring
a white dove for only $20! Each sponsor receives a
gift bag that includes a Flight 93 cap and bracelet
along with discount coupons worth well over the $20
tax-deductible donation. Sponsoring a dove also
provides a chance to win one of three top prizes,
including a Leica digital camera worth over $400.
While awaiting the race results everyone can enjoy the
wine tasting event or browse a silent auction and bid
on exciting items such as a one hour United Airlines
flight simulator experience, hot air balloon rides, and
Colorado Rockies tickets.
Don't miss a great day of fun for the whole family!
Tom, Diane, Sara, Shannon & Dave
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| WALK & TALK WITH THE AMERICAN BIRDING ASSOCIATION (ABA) AND THE AUDUBON SOCIETY OF GREATER DENVER (ASGD) AND SEE THE BIRDS OF THE FRONT RANGE WITH THE EXPERTS |
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Two great organizations join FRBC with free bird
walks
The Front Range Birding Company is proud to have
the distinguished guides and authors from the ABA
and ASGD join in the festival events by offering their
time and availability with local bird walks and to
personally sign copies of their very popular new
books.
The bird walks are space limited so sign up early.
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| TED FLOYD |
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Ted Floyd is Editor of Birding, the award-winning
magazine of the American Birding Association. He is
author of the Smithsonian Field Guide to the Birds of
North America (HarperCollins, 2008) and senior
author of the Nevada Breeding Bird Atlas (University of
Nevada Press, 2007). Floyd has also authored more
than 125 journal and magazine articles and is a much
sought-after speaker and field trip leader.
Ted will be leading a trip into Chatfield State Park from
the Audubon Center at 9308 S Wadsworth Blvd. in
Littleton. Beginning at 9 AM and ending around 11:30
AM, Ted will be looking for migrants, as well as
residents beginning their courtship and breeding
activities. He plans to stay on easy trails and
accommodate all birder abilities.
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| CHIP CLOUSE |
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Chip Clouse is the new outreach coordinator for the
American Birding Association, after 1-1/2 years
planning field trips for ABA conventions and
conferences. He comes from a field biology
background studying birds in 9 western states and
the
Caribbean nation of Grenada. Chip has been a field
trip leader at several Colorado bird festivals.
Chip will be leading a trip into the foothills of
scenic Mount Falcon Park just off hwy 285 west of
Morrison beginning at 8:00 AM. Meet at the
Front Range Birding Company where we will carpool
to Mount Falcon. The plan is to look for foothills
breeders and migrants, while learning a bit about
lower montane and foothills ecosystems. We will stay
on hiker-only paths though there may be some
uneven
terrain and inclines to negotiate. All birder abilities
are
welcome.
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| HUGH KINGERY |
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Hugh's incredible background includes past
President of the Denver Field Ornithologists and the
Audubon Society of Greater Denver. He is currently
Associate Director of the Denver Museum of Natural
History. Hugh has climbed all of Colorado's "14ers"
and is the author and editor of several books including
Colorado Breeding Bird Atlas and Birding
Colorado.
Hugh and his wife Urling teach the popular Beginning
Bird Watching Class offered through the ASGD.
Visit with Hugh during the book signing session for a
personalized copy of Birding Colorado on
Saturday at Noon and at 8am on Sunday morning May
3rd for a bird walk at the Audubon Center.
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| PAMELA IRWIN |
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Pamala Irwin is the author of several very popular
books on
native wildflowers, the latest being Colorado's
Newest and Best Wildflower Hikes. Pamela has
earned the certified title of Native Plant Master from
Colorado State University and is a member of the
Rocky Mountain Nature Association, the American
Rock Garden Society, the Roxborough Windflowers
Garden Club, and the Audubon Society.
Pamela, and her husband photographer David Irwin,
jointly produce the wildflower book series so highly
enjoyed by nature enthusiasts.
Visit with Pamela and David during the Noon book
signing session and get a personalized copy of
Colorado's Newest and Best Wildflower Hikes.
Pamela will lead a hike to the Colorado tundra of
Shrine Pass in July. This trip will offer a fantastic
opportunity to see the high mountain wildflowers at
their peak bloom time. Be sure to sign up early.
Be sure to meet all these great birders that make a
difference. They would love to share their knowledge.
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| SIGN UP FOR A SPRING BIRD WALK OUTING |
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Saturday April 25 9am-Noon
Roxborough St Park
Join Roxborough Naturalist and wildflower specialist
Betty Timsom and Tom Bush of FRBC for a
tour of Roxborough State Park's early bloomers and
native breeding birds. The park comes to life this time
of year and the sights and sounds of nature will
inspire all who venture there. Easy to moderate walk.
Saturday May 2 9am-1130
Festival walks
See above article for a discription of all May 2nd walks
with the ABA and the May
3rd bird walk with Hugh Kingery. All are easy to
moderate walks
Saturday May 23 9am-Noon
Roxborough St Park
Join Natualist Susan Marino from Roxborough State
Park and Tom
Bush of FRBC to explore the history of the park along
with the many birds that are very active at this
time of year. We will learn the story of the park and
hear tales of the old days while studying the wildlife
and enjoying the views. Easy to moderate walk.
Sunday June 7 8am-Noon
Chatfield St Park
Join with the Audubon Society of Greater Denver and
Hugh and Urling Kingery along with other Master
Birders with the ever popular "Walk the Wetlands"
series in Chatfield State Park. Easy walking.
This walk will also be in conjunction with the ASGD's
40th birthday . A festival will be held at the Audubon
Center and bird walk site. A great day of family
activities is planned. For more information visit ASGD
at www.denveraudubon.org.
Saturday June 27 9am-Noon
Roxborough St Park
Join Natualist Peter Laux from Roxborough State
Park
and Tom
Bush of FRBC to explore the geology of the park along
with the many Spring birds that are very active at this
time of year. The "hogbacks" offer stunning views and
tell a story millions of years old. Easy to moderate
walk.
Saturday July 18 9am-1pm
Shrine Ridge
Join Pamela Irwin, author of Colorado's Newest
and Best Wildflower Hikes, Betty Timson, and
Tom Bush for a
tour of the high mountain tundra in full bloom along
Shrine Ridge and Vail Pass. We will
see all the high mountain birds during the hight of
their nesting season. Moderate walk.
On all walks be sure to check the weather and dress
appropriately. Wear a hat, long pants, and dressing in
layers is always a good rule. Also be sure to bring
binoculars, water, and a
snack lunch.
These free hikes are very enlighning, educational, and
popular. Call us at the store for details and directions.
Space is limited so call early to reserve your quick tour
of Front Range natural habitats.
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| Our Partner - White Birds Unlimited |
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The good folks at White Birds Unlimited graciously
donated all 200 doves for the Jason Dahl fundraiser.
We cannot thank them enough.
If you have a special occasion that would be
enhanced
with a dove release, your wishes will come to life with
their expert services.
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| From all the crew at Front Range Birding - Thanks for your support of our nature store. |
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Enjoy all nature has to offer!
Tom, Sara, Diane, Shannon, and Dave.
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NATURE AND MAN ARE HARD ON BIRDS-YOU CAN HELP |
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Going Green In Your Backyard
Pictured above is a Bullocks Oriole. Like many other
songbirds, the Bullocks Oriole travels from Colorado
and other parts of the western US to Central America
and Mexico. It depends on several habitats over a
wide
range to insure its surviival. Photo by Lee Farrell.
While doing research for this piece, I came across
several articles in the Denver Post regarding a 40 year
study by the Audubon Society's Christmas Bird Count.
The report on American bird life shows a 40% decline
in grassland bird populations; a 30% decline of birds
in arid lands; and 39% decline in bird populations that
depend and live along our U.S. coastal waters.
Armed with this information, it's time for all of us to
work together and "green" up our own backyards. All
living creatures share the same basic needs-food,
shelter, and water. Finding a well stocked feeder
gives backyard birds a welcome respite from the
serious business of wresting a meal from nature. We
are already seeing some of our migratory birds
arriving. Robins, Orioles, and Cedar Waxwings are
examples of fruit and berry eaters. Try putting out
some raisins, apples and grape jelly. You'll be
surprised by who all shows up! By mid-April we
should start to see the Hummingbirds arrive. When
hanging out your feeder for them, remember to keep
the nectar fresh by changing it at least every couple of
days. A good recipe is one part sugar to four parts
water. It will keep in the refrigerator for a couple of
weeks.
All birds love water and you may attract species that
wouldn't normally visit your feeders. Cleanliness is
the
key. Clean your birdbaths and watering stations at
least every couple of days. Replenish with fresh clean
water. The birds will thank you!
Provide shelter for your backyard birds. Planting a
wildlife garden with native plants can provide food,
cover and nesting areas for decades. Native plants
are the best choice for creating bird habitats, as these
plants have a long history of benefitting native birds
and are better adapted to survive local climates than
exotics. During colder weather birds will huddle
together for warmth in your existing nest boxes and
bird houses and roost in them at night. In the Spring
provide nesting materials such as cotton string cut in
4" lengths, hair from dog brushes, feathers or pre-
packaged nesting materials.
By feeding the birds you are helping all the different
species to survive. The more baby birds that survive,
more insects are eaten and fewer chemicals are
needed to control unwanted pests and insects in your
yard. Pesticides may help rid your yard of unwanted
pests, but can be harmful to birds, pets and humans.
For more information on bio-pesticide alternatives
visit
the American Bird Conservancy at
www.abcbirds.org/pesticides.
Keep your cats indoors. Even well fed cats will kill
birds. Keeping your cats indoors insures the birds will
be safe and your cats will be safer and healthier too.
Gandhi said, "Be the change you wish to see in the
world." Let all of us do our part by "greening" up our
own backyards and change our own little part of the
world as a start
Shannon Jennings
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The Front Range Birding Company - A Proud Corporate Sponsor of the Audubon Society of Greater Denver
CORINTHIAN BELLS WINDCHIMES BY QMT ASSOCIATES: The folks at QMT of Manassas Park, VA are committed to providing the best chimes on the market, all proudly made in the USA.
Great Optics are here at FRBC. Leica, Swarovski, and Vortex are offering exceptional deals on their high quality products.
THE TILLEY ENDURABLES AT FRBC: TILLEY HATS GREAT GIFTS FOR MEN AND WOMEN
PARASOL HAND-BLOWN GLASS HUMMINGBIRD FEEDERS
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