Birding the Great Northwest Coast

During the week of January 22-27 we at The Front Range Birding Company will join with Partners hip for International Birding (formerly Neslting Tours)of Denver, Colorado and journey to the fabulous Northwest states of Oregon and Washington to visit the great birding and wildlife sites along the Columbia River, the Clatsop Spit, the Oregon coast, the Olympic Peninsula, the Nisqually Refuge, Puget Sound, and the Skagit River Delta. With five excellent days of bird watching in the field, we should see a host of rare shorebirds, Arctic- breeding birds, and raptors as the winter weather in this region tends to be mild.

At Front Range Birding we strive to bring you the best possible field birding opportunities. Come join us. Check out the Northwest Trip Itinerary here to see if it is a worthy mid-winter adventure for you to take. Total cost per person including meals, travel, and lodging is estimated as low as $1,300 .

Harry Fuller wii be our expert bird guide. Harry has decades of experience birding the steep mountains and open oceans of the Pacific Slope. You can read more on Harry's extensive bio by visiting his website at http://w ww.towhee.net/about/index.html. Tom Bush of FRBC will be your host for the entire trip.

Flight and Local Travel Information:

Most participants will travel to Portland and arrive at the airport prior to 10 AM on Friday, Jan 22. Some participants may choose to fly in the day before and spend an extra night Others may meet the group at or near the airport at around 10 AM on January 22. Everyone should try for a flight home after 3 PM Jan 27 to allow for early morning birding. Please contact us before booking your flight so that you understand the group's plans well. Booking flights outside these timeframes can result in additional lodging and transport costs.

1. January 22, Friday (Day 1): We pick up birders at Portland Airport and go straight to Sauvie's Island. Spend that first night in Astoria, about 80 miles west from Sauvie's Island.
2. January 23, Saturday (Day 2): Astoria: Here, Lewis & Clark spent their winter in Oregon in 1804-5. They were the first American explorers to discover numerous western species. West of Astoria is the mouth of the Columbia River, on the south (Oregon side) is Clatsop Spit.
3. January 24, Sunday (Day 3): We then head north into Washington toward the Olympic Peninsula and then Skagit River Delta.
4. January 25, Monday (Day 4): From there we head north to the Olympic Peninsula.
5. January 26, Tuesday, (Day 5): Next morning ferry and drive across Puget Sound to Skagit River Delta. We finish up at Skagit.
6. January 27, 2010, Wednesday (Day 6): In the morning, we may have time for a little birding before heading to Portland for afternoon flights home.

Space is limited. Please call for complete details and listings of expected bird sightings or visit: frontrangebird ing.com

It's going to be a great trip!

Tom

Our Target Bird - A Snowy Owl!

picture courtesy Jennifer Hyypio

SMALL MOUNTAIN OWLS BY SCOTT RASHID

Visit with Scott as he will be available at our book signing event on Saturday, September 12 from 3 pm till 5 pm. See details about Scott Rashid's new book and the event below.

Learn more about Scott's book Small Mountain Owls by visiting Shifferbooks.com

Originally from Wisconsin, Scott call's Estes Park and Colorado home. As a rehabilitator, bander, artist, illustrator and author, birds are Scott's passion. He spent several years under the guidance of Dr. Ronald Ryder, Emeritus Professor from the University of Colorado researching several species of birds. Scott's interest in research is paramount, and makes him one of the most well known aviary experts in Colorado. He was granted his Master Bander Permit in 2000.

Learn more about Scott Rashid at http://scottras hid.com/

Bill Schmoker is perhaps best known in the birding community as a leading digital photographer of birds. Since late 2001 he has built a collection of bird photos documenting over 550 species of North American birds, which can be seen on his website (http://schmoker.org/BirdPics) and blog (http://brdpics.blogspot.com).

His photography has appeared in many publications including Colorado Birds, Birding, Birder's World, WildBird, North American Birds, National Wildlife, Bird Conservation, Audubon, British Birds, Birdwatch, and Western Birds. His pictures have also been featured in photographic field guides, bird ID cards, newspapers, interpretive signs, web pages (including the ABA's home page), advertisements, corporate logos, and as references for art works.

Bill will be a lead instructor in our upcomming wildlife photography and digiscoping workshop along with Clay Taylor of Swarovski Optik on October 10th. See details below.

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 and Urling at 9am on Sunday morning September 6 for a bird walk as they "Walk the Wetlands" at the Audubon Center in Waterton Canyon. See details below.

RMBO PICNIC 29 AUGUST - All day event!

Come and picnic with the birds! RMBO's annual BBQ with the Birds is scheduled for Saturday, Aug. 29, at the Old Stone House on the northern tip of Barr Lake. Beginning with guided bird walks in English and Spanish, the day will include fun activities for kids and adults, bird banding, a backyard-birding demonstration and presentations by RMBO biologists about their work to conserve birds and their habitats.

Registration required at RMBO.org.

Check out the full Schedule here at RMBO.org

ROXBOROUGH ST PARK "BIRDING AND MORE" WALK 9AM-NOON SEPTEMBER 5

Join Natualist Peter Laux from Roxborough State Park and Tom Bush of FRBC to explore the geology of the park along with the many Summer/Fall birds. The "hogbacks" offer stunning views and tell a story millions of years old. Easy to moderate walk.

CHATFIELD STATE PARK "WALK THE WETLANDS" 9AM- NOON SEPTEMBER 6 AND AGAIN ON OCTOBER 4

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.

BOOK SIGNING EVENT WITH SCOTT RASHID AT FRBC 3-5 PM SEPTEMBER 12

Author, Illustrator, and Photographer Scott Rashid will give a power point presentation of his new book Small Mountain Owls.This fascinating and beautiful guide provides detailed information and over 160 striking photos and drawings of four species of small mountain owls found in America's Rocky Mountains, with special focus on the inhabitants of the Rocky Mountains National Park: the Flammulated Owl, Northern Pygmy- Owl, Northern Saw-whet Owl, and Boreal Owl. The lives and ranges of these tiny predators are detailed, including information concerning their anatomy, coloration, vocalizations, ranges, courtship and nesting behaviors, egg laying, fledgling raising, hunting habits, diets, mortality, longevity, and much more. The engaging text reflects the author's passion for these tiny owls, some small enough to perch comfortably on a number two pencil, and provides details about the recovery and restoration to health of injured small mountain owls. The book ends with a useful glossary of scientific names and a detailed bibliography. This book will be a treasured reference for anyone interested in the avian world.

The event will be held at The Front Range Birding Company store. Please RSVP by calling the store at 303-979-2473 so we can be assured that we have enough books available.

WILDLIFE PHOTOGRAPHY/DIGISCOPING WORKSHOP 9AM-1PM OCTOBER 10

Join with the experts Clay Taylor of Swarovski Optik and Bill Schmoler of Nikon Camera to explore and learn more about this very rewarding hobby. See details in our featured article above. This is a 1/2 day event at the CARSON NATURE CENTER. Registration required www.sspr.org/nature at ..

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.

Most of these walks and talks are free except where noted that small rental fees and or registration is required. The hikes and lectures are very enlighning, educational, and popular. Call us at the store at 303-979- 2473 for details and directions. Space is limited so call early to reserve your quick tour of Front Range natural habitats.

We say goodbye to our charter employee and friend Sara Nelson and hello to our new associate Jennifer Hyypio

It is with a mix of sadness for us and great joy for her that we share in the departure of Sara Nelson who for 5 years has been a devoted and trusted employee. She has been here from the beginning and in every way the best friend and co-worker anyone could ask for. Sara's hard work, dedication, advice, and support have played critical roles in the success of our small enterprise. She has been the architect of most of our policies and procedures while offering a wealth of knowledge in the birding, wildlife, and environmental arena. She has always been there for us and she will be sorely missed at the store. If you would like wish Sara well in her future endeavors please let us know.

Sara and her husband Kevin have moved back to their home state of Pennsylvania to begin promising new careers and to be close to family. However we have not totally lost her. Sara will continue her career at FRBC as the new online store manager. Look for Sara to continue to write birding and wildlife articles for the Meadowlark Times.

Hello. My name is Jennifer and I am a fledgling of the fabulous Front Range Birding Company flock. In January I migrated from Northern California to Colorado and took up roost in the Roxborough area. Working at the store is a perfect fit for me. I have been a birder for many years. For 7 years I captured and banded hawks and falcons with the Golden Gate Raptor Observatory. My love for birds and all wild critters lead me to my other career as a Wildlife Rehabilitator, taking care of sick and injured animals.

I hiked and backpacked my way through the Sierras for 22 years, and look forward to exploring the Rockies with the same enthusiasm. As an artist I often capture wild places and wildlife with pen and pencil. Perhaps you can fill me in on your favorite mountain or prairie spots to visit. I have so much to learn about Colorado.

I absolutely love to talk about birds and share stories. So please come in and ask me bird questions and help me find some answers! I'm very excited about the birding trips Front Range Birding Company has put together this year and I look forward to seeing you on the trails.

May your winds be strong and your thermals high

Enjoy all nature has to offer!

Tom, Sara, Diane, Shannon, Dave, and Jennifer.