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The Meadowlark Times The Official Newsletter of The Front Range Birding Company
Spring 2010

Greetings!

THE FRONT RANGE BIRDING COMPANY - FRBC: A Nature Center For You and Your Family

in this issue
  • HOGBACK HONEYBEES FIND COMMUNITY GARDEN
  • DOVES, HAWKS, EVEN HELICOPTERS WILL EXCITE CROWDS SATURDAY MAY 1 FROM 10 AM TILL 5 PM AT THE 2010 FRBC OPEN HOUSE
  • WALK & TALK SERIES A BIG PART OF THE OPEN HOUSE AND THE SPRING
  • BEAR CREEK LAKE PARK
  • SOUTH PLATT PARK
  • ROXBOROUGH STATE PARK
  • CHATFIELD STATE PARK
  • SIGN UP FOR A FESTIVAL OR SPRING BIRD WALK OUTING
  • Our Partner - White Birds Unlimited
  • CHECK OUT THE FRONT RANGE BIRDING APPROVED TOURS
  • We also like TOURS BY TURNER
  • DOVES AWAY!
  • See you at the Flight For Life Landing!

  • DOVES, HAWKS, EVEN HELICOPTERS WILL EXCITE CROWDS SATURDAY MAY 1 FROM 10 AM TILL 5 PM AT THE 2010 FRBC OPEN HOUSE
    HARRISN HAWK FLIGHT

    THE CAPTAIN JASON DAHL SCHOLARSHIP FUNDRAISER HONORS 9/11 HEROES AT LITTLETON EVENT

    The annual southwest Denver event offers something for everyone in an all day community family fun festival


    art and craft fair

    Saturday May 1 marks the 6th "Dove Race" fundraiser for the Captain Jason Dahl Scholarship Fund. The event is part of an annual affair at The Front Range Birding Company located in the Jefferson Village Shopping Center in Littleton and is sponsored by The Colorado Credit Union. The backyard nature store facilitates an open house art and craft fair complete with barbeque, live country western music, live raptor displays from HawkQuest, exhibits from The Butterfly Pavilion, and the Dove Race fundraiser.

    Attendees of all ages have the opportunity to visit with the brave first responders of The West Metro Fire Department and climb aboard one of their front line fire trucks. The Health ONE AIRLIFE helicopter will land at the event also and the Airlife team will be on hand to talk about their mission and show off the Air Methods Helicopter.

    The event has grown in popularity as it supports local businesses and local charities in a fun filled family festival atmosphere. HawkQuest will bring five raptors, including a Bald Eagle, Peregrine Falcon, Great Horned Owl, and a Barn Owl. At noon, the HawkQuest volunteers will fly a Harris' Hawk in the parking lot.


    wild coyoe band

    Just like the 2009 event, the art and craft fair will feature over 20 vendor booths specializing in local handmade products. Included are photography, watercolors, pottery feeders and baths, stained glass, chained-sawed bears, and metal art. It is one of the first craft fairs of the spring season and offers one-of- a-kind gifts for Mother's Day and Father's Day. A portion of all sales supports the Captain Jason Dahl Scholarship Fund.

    There will be interactive informational booths from The Audubon Society of Greater Denver, South Suburban Parks, Chatfield and Roxborough State Parks, and The Division of Fish and Wildlife. 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. Additionally the Kiwanis Club will promote their annual Spring Ken-Caryl Garage Sale and have maps available depicting the location and addresses of over 75 participating garage sale homes in the Ken- Caryl neighborhoods.

    The Wild Coyotes country western band will provide live music all during the event and attendees can enjoy an afternoon of wine tasting at Ole Vine Liquors.

    The highlight of the day is the Dove Race charity event 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. Captain Dahl, the crew, and passengers of Flight 93 are true American heroes who paid dearly with their lives preventing terrorists from reaching their Washington, DC targets.

    Those attending also have the opportunity to bid on valuable items in a silent auction to include a one hour flight experience in one of United Airlines' advanced jet simulators, Denver Bronco's football tickets, Colorado Rockies baseball tickets, among other fine items. The winning bids will be announced at 4:30 PM.

    Schedule of events:

    1. 8AM-11AM Bird walks with the Audubon Society of Greater Denver (see schedule below and Call 303- 979-2473 for details)
    2. 10AM - 5PM Arts and Crafts Fair with food & live music from "The Wild Coyotes Country and Western Band"
    3. 11AM - 1PM HawkQuest
    4. 11AM - 1PM - The Butterfly Pavilion exibit Rosie the Tarantula
    5. 12 NOON Live flight of Harris Hawk
    6. 12 NOON - 2PM Book signings with Scott Rashid author of Colorado Small Mountain Owls
    7. 1PM - 3PM - West Metro Fire Truck and Flight For Life Helicopter Visit
    8. 2PM - Dove Race of 100 Homing Pigeons
    9. 10AM - 4PM Jason Dahl Scholarship Fund Silent Auction
    10. 3PM- 6PM Colorado wine tasting at Old Vine Liquors


    WALK & TALK SERIES A BIG PART OF THE OPEN HOUSE AND THE SPRING

    Take a walk in the Park

    The Audubon Society of Greater Denver The Carson Nature Center and Roxborough State Park join with FRBC offering free bird walks

    The bird walks are space limited so sign up early.


    BEAR CREEK LAKE PARK
    BEAR CREEK LAKE PARK

    Saturday May 1 from 7:30 - 10:30 am before the festival begins enjoy a great opportunity to join Master Birder Mike Henwood in Bear Creek Lake Park. Expect to see nesting Great Horned Owls, Red-tailed Hawks,�Cooper's Hawks, American Kestrels, a number of Swallows, House Wrens, Blue-gray Gnatcatchers and American Dippers .The Swainson's Hawks should be back from Argentina and building their nest site. Meet at the� entrance to BCLP(SE corner of C470 and Morrison Road) at 7:30 a.m. Limited space. Call 303-979-2473 to reserve a spot.�


    SOUTH PLATT PARK
    SOUTH PLATTE PARK

    Enjoy a free guided evening walk at South Platte Park after the festival to seek spring birds.� Saturday, May 1 5 - 6 pm. Call 303-730-1022 x10 to RSVP as spaces are limited.� The hike will be led by Phil Waltz, Coordinator of the Carson Nature Center.� Phil has led birding tours throughout the Park, the western US, and the world over the past 12 years and will share tips on how to find and identify some of our colorful spring arrivals including warblers, orioles, and a host of water birds.� Meet on the west deck of the Carson Nature Center 3000 Carson Drive (behind Aspen Grove Center Mineral and Santa Fe Drive.)


    ROXBOROUGH STATE PARK
    ROXBOROUGH ST PARK

    The early spring wildflowers and returning migrant birds are beginning to fill the majestic vistas of Roxbouough State Park. You can get a first accounting of it all by joining Roxborough Naturalist Betty Timson and FRBC's Tom Bush on Sunday, May 2 from 9 AM till 12 PM. The hike offers a great chance to improve your wildflower and birding knowledge and a wonderful photographic opportunity. Please call 303- 979-2473 to reserve a spot as this popular hike fills fast. Meet at the Park Visitor Center at 9 AM.

    .


    CHATFIELD STATE PARK
    CHATFIELD STATE PARK

    Sunday May 2 from 8 AM till 1 PM Walk the Wetlands of Chatfield State Park with Hugh and Urling Kingery. This also is the opening of the Rocky Mountain Bird Observatory (RMBO) Bird Banding Station hosted by Meredith McBurney We will hike along the South Platte River and look for new migrant arrivals and raptors, ducks, and warblers. We always find surprises. A visit to the banding station is a special treat. Bring water and a snack Meet at the Audubon Center at Chatfield on Waterton Road,. (Take Wadsworth 4.4 miles south of C-470.) Call 303-979-2473 for details.


    SIGN UP FOR A FESTIVAL OR SPRING BIRD WALK OUTING
    birdwatchers

    WALK THE WETLANDS

    The first Sunday of every month from 8 AM till Noon 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. Meet at the Audubon Center at Chatfield on Waterton Road,. (Take Wadsworth 4.4 miles south of C-470.) Call 303- 979-2473 for details.

    Creative Ways to Learn Bird Sounds with Alison Kondler

    Saturday June 26th at Roxborough State Park Visitor Center - 8am - 12:00pm - No fee - 8:00am to 12:00pm

    One of the more difficult aspects of birding is learning bird sounds. Luckily you don't have to rely on just your auditory memory to "tune- in" to the songs and calls of birds. This 4 hour program will teach you how to hear with your eyes. Fun techniques including, ways to observe the bird, visual clues, diagnostic sounds, creative mnemonics, comparative ideas and personalizing your interpretation. This class will start indoors with a fantastic presentation, then go outside to listen and observe the birds on an easy walk. Novice to expert birders welcome! Must call the pertaining number below to make a reservation. Call 303-973-3959 for reservations. Space is Limited. CO Parks Pass / Day Pass needed.

    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 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.


    Our Partner - White Birds Unlimited

    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.


    CHECK OUT THE FRONT RANGE BIRDING APPROVED TOURS

    Southeast Arizona Bird Photography with Bill Schmoker, as Guide July 27 to August 2, 2010

    Check out the SE Arizona trip here

    Northern California Bird Watching with Harry Fuller, as Guide September 17 to 22,2010

    Check out the Northern California trip here.

    Coming soon. Bolivia in September 2011. Photography and digiscoping tour with Bill Schmoker.


    We also like TOURS BY TURNER

    Those in the know love the birding adventures offered by Bill Turner. The two we are most fond of are:

    Bird Brazil July 6-25, 2010 and Bird Australia October 22-November 9, 2010

    Both trips are led by Bill Turner with expert local birder/naturalist guides. The Brazil trip includes Cristalino Lodge (with a bird list of over 500 species) in the southern Amazon and the Pantanal. Maximum group size is ten. The land cost is $4895 per person double occupancy and roundtrip airfare from Denver is $l800, subject to change until ticketed.

    The Australia tour will visit the renowned birding locales of O'Reilly's at Lamington National Park, Kakadu National Park, and the Atherton Tablelands/Daintree areas in northeast Queensland. The land cost is $5595 per person double occupancy with airfare approximately $l800 from Denver. Maximum group size is l6.

    For complete itineraries and bird list, please contact Bill Turner at (303) 795-5128 or e-mail him at [email protected].


    DOVES AWAY!
    doves away

    Be sure to sponsor a dove for The Captain Jason Dahl Scholarship Fund. You might win a $200 pair of binoculars.


    See you at the Flight For Life Landing!
    flight for life hilo

    From all the crew at Front Range Birding - Thanks for your support of our nature store.

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





    HOGBACK HONEYBEES FIND COMMUNITY GARDEN
    Sandhill Cranes and Snow Geese in the Bosque

    After bears have their way with our beehives a move to Jared's Garden Center and the Community Gardens there prove beneficial to all

    This winter was a hard one for the fabulous Hogback Honeybees. Their nemesis has been a pesky black bear who seems to always invite them to not-so- pleasant dinners before a winter's nap and again for breakfast at first Spring. Enough is enough! We now have the great fortune for Jared's Garden Center to invite us to keep the bees at their nursery on Bowles Ave in Littleton. It promises to be a great partnership with the fruit trees and native plants they have on hand.

    A great program that Jared's has in place is their community gardens. You can maintain a 12" by 12" fully organic plot complete with composting sites and water. A 10 percent discount card on gardening purchases at Jared's is available for all community gardeners. We think this is a fantastic opportunity to produce your own fresh fruits and vegetables. Your labor of love will be rewarded with the buzz of hogback pollinators. This summer and fall you can boost of the bounty from the garden and enjoy the very honey it produced.

    You will not be disappointed in the taste and healthy attributes of pure raw local honey. Many proclaim the anti-allergy aspects of local honey is the primary reason they use this sweet natural organic substance on oatmeal, toast, pancakes, waffles, in tea, in a spoon, etc,etc.

    Enjoy.

    Quick Links...

    Cornell Lab of Ornithology

    North American Bluebird Society

    Audubon Society of Greater Denver

    The Plains Conservation Center

    Audubon Colorado

    Colorado Field Ornithologist

    Denver field Ornithologist

    The Rocky Mountain Bird Observatory

    Red Rocks Park

    THE FRONT RANGE BIRDING BLOG

    The Captain Jason Dahl Scholarship Fund

    The American Birding Association

    Nestling Tours

    White Birds Unlimited

    Jared's Nursery and Garden Center



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