FIELD TRIPS
Wednesday November 6, 2019 Field Trips
Rocky Mountain Arsenal National Wildlife Refuge and National Eagle Repository and Black Footed Ferret Encounter – from Fort Collins
Wednesday, November 6, 2019
8:00am-4:00pm
Cost: $45 with boxed lunch and water
Transportation from Fort Collins Hilton to and from Refuge/Repository provided
Trip limited to 28 participants
Rocky Mountain Arsenal National Wildlife Refuge – 9:30 – 11:00am
Come visit the Rocky Mountain Arsenal National Wildlife Refuge managed by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS). The Refuge is just ten miles northeast of Denver. This area is a 12,500-acre expanse of short grass prairie that has survived the test of time during which it has transitioned from native prairie, to use for cropland and grazing, to a World War II era manufacturing site, to an industrial site, and finally to a wildlife sanctuary. It represents a unique conservation success story and is a place where wildlife thrives. 
In the early 1980s, an extensive environmental cleanup program was initiated on this area. In part, due to the discovery of a roost of Bald Eagles, this area was designated by Congress as a future National Wildlife Refuge. As environmental cleanup progressed and projects met federal and state requirements, the U.S. Army transferred 12,500 acres of land to the USFWS to establish and expand the Refuge. This Refuge is one of the largest urban wildlife refuges in the country. An expansive re-vegetation effort is underway to restore more than 10,000 acres of disturbed land to native short grass prairie habitat.
The tour will begin at Refuge headquarters with a presentation on the history of the site, native wildlife and the short grass prairie ecosystem, and USFWS efforts to manage and restore habitats on this area. This will be followed with a bus/tram tour of the Refuge to observe both wildlife and the ongoing management efforts to restore native habitats. Large prairie dogs towns that attract a variety of raptors, such as red-tailed and ferruginous hawks, are present. The USFWS has also established a resident herd of bison on the area. Endangered Black-footed ferrets have also been reintroduced to the Refuge.
National Eagle and Wildlife Property Repository – 11:30-1:00pm
After lunch the tour will continue to the National Eagle and Wildlife Property Repository, located at the Rocky Mountain Arsenal National Wildlife Refuge. The National Eagle Repository portion of this facility provides a central location for the receipt, storage, and distribution of bald and golden eagle carcasses and their parts. The eagles, and their parts, are shipped to federally permitted Native Americans for use in their ceremonies. Witness the eagle evaluation process during your visit, and the cultural significance of the eagle to Native Americans.
During your visit you will also see the Property Repository portion of this unique facility. Through law enforcement operations the USFWS confiscates prohibited animals, animal parts, and products created from them that have been illegally imported into the United States. Learn and see the global scale of illegal wildlife trade and the many species, both exotic and native. You will also gain and understanding of the effects the illegal trade has on our wildlife resources.
Black-footed Ferret Encounter – 1:30-2:30pm
The Rocky Mountain Arsenal National Wildlife Refuge is home to a population of North America’s most endangered mammal, the black-footed ferret. The Refuge provides ideal habitat and prey base with its abundant prairie dog population and expanse of shortgrass prairie habitat.
Enjoy a tour of the BFF facilities and learn about the reintroduction project, feeding and education through the “Masked Bandit” program. See the success of this project that began in 2015 and has introduced over 50 BFF to the Refuge.
For more information, visit the Refuge website at www.fws.gov/rockymountainarsenal
National Eagle Repository and Rocky Mountain Arsenal National Wildlife Refuge – Meeting at Repository
Wednesday, November 6, 2019
National Eagle and Wildlife Property Repository
Tour 1:00 – 2:30pm
Cost without lunch: No charge
Cost with lunch: – $20 – Lunch will be transported with the vehicle from Fort Collins
Trip limited to 25 participants
Rocky Mountain Arsenal National Wildlife Refuge – at your leisure
National Wildlife Research Center
Wednesday, November 6, 2019
1:00 pm – 3:00 pm
Cost: $15
Trip limited to 25 participants.
Transportation is not provided.
No photography or video recording allowed.
The National Wildlife Research Center (NWRC) is a major facility within the U.S. Department of Agriculture Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service’s (APHIS) Wildlife Services program. The mission of the NWRC is to apply scientific expertise to resolve human-wildlife conflicts while maintaining the quality of the environment shared with wildlife. NWRC develops methods and information to address human-wildlife conflicts related to agriculture, human health and safety, property damage, invasive species and threatened and endangered species.
NWRC is headquartered on the Foothills Research Campus of Colorado State University (CSU) in Fort Collins, CO. Approximately two-thirds of NWRC’s 150-person staff is located in Fort Collins; the remainder of the highly specialized staff are located throughout the United States, and address regional wildlife damage management issues. Further, NWRC routinely conducts international consultancies in this specialized area.
The Center evaluates damage situations and
develops methods and tools to reduce or eliminate damage and resolve land-use conflicts. NWRC scientists study birds, mammalian predators, rodents, and other wildlife that cause serious but localized damage problems. The Center designs studies to ensure that the methods developed to alleviate animal damage are biologically sound, effective, safe, economical, and acceptable to the public. NWRC scientists produce the appropriate methods, technology, and materials for reducing animal damage. Through the publication of results and the exchange of technical information, the Center provides valuable data and expertise to the public and the scientific community, as well as to APHIS’s Wildlife Services program.
This guided tour of the NWRC will require pre-registration. Security requires the names of individuals one week prior to the tour. Send names to Lisa Winta – [email protected] by October 29th. Tour participants will need to provide a government issued photo ID. Attendees from outside the US must bring their passport with them.
Pawnee Buttes National Grasslands
Wednesday, November 6, 2019
7:30 am – 3:00 pm
Cost: $40 boxed lunch and water included
Transportation included to and from Fort Collins Hilton
Trip limited to 12 participants.
Join the Rocky Mountain Raptor Program and Eric Defonso for a trip to the Pawnee Buttes National Grasslands and points along the way. The Buttes are good viewing sites for Golden Eagles, Prairie Falcons, Ferruginous Hawks, Red-tailed Hawks, and Northern Harriers. On the way to the Buttes, the group may also encounter Rough-legged Hawks and even a Merlin.
The trip will be led by Eric DeFonso. Eric is an avid local birder. He has served as the field trip coordinator for Fort Collins Audubon and has volunteered as an educational bird-handler at the Rocky Mountain Raptor Program. He is currently researching and writing a guidebook about birds and bird sounds in movies and television.
Please bring any additional snacks or beverages you would like.
Trip will depart from the Hilton at 7:30 am and have everyone back by mid-afternoon.
Behind the Scenes in the Ornithology Collection, Zoology Department, at the Denver Museum of Nature and Science
Wednesday, November 6, 2019
9:00 am – 3:30 pm
Cost: $30 – lunch not included but available at DMNS
Transportation included to and from Fort Collins Hilton
Trip limited to 14 participants.
Come visit the Denver Museum of Nature and Science for a special behind the scenes look at the Zoology Department’s Ornithology collections. You will see a sample of the more than 50,000 specimens in storage, including raptors and many other types of birds. The collection houses study skins, mounts, and skeletons dating back to the 1870’s, with about 70% from Colorado and the surrounding mountain and plains region with coverage from six out of seven continents as well. Collections include Gunnison Sage Grouse and subspecies of Bobwhite Quail, as well as extinct species such as Passenger Pigeons, Carolina Parakeet, Huia, Elephant Bird, Ivory-billed Woodpecker, and more. The collection also contains the first state records and erratic finds, such as the only known Magnificent Frigate Bird from Colorado.
Participants will be guided through the new Vertebrate Prep Lab that prepares specimens for the collection with some of these specimens being permit transfers from the Rocky Mountain Raptor Program. From there participants will then have time to tour collections and spend time behind the scenes, to examine skins or skeletons in more detail. Photography and measurements are welcome. After the behind-the-scenes portion, participants may visit the exhibit galleries for a few hours to view the Denver Museum’s stunning dioramas, half of which contain birds from Colorado and throughout the world.
Rocky Mountain Raptor Program Facility Tour
Wednesday, November 6, 2019 1:30-3:30pm
or
Sunday, November 10, 2019 9:00-11:00am
Cost: $10
Trip limited to 15 participants. Transportation is not provided.
Get a behind-the-scenes tour of the Rocky Mountain Raptor Program (RMRP), host of the 2019 RRF Conference. The RMRP cares for more than 325 injured raptors each year, with the goal of releasing them back to the wild. Additionally, the RMRP has about 30 non-releasable birds that are used for environmental education and public outreach. The 8,000-square foot building includes the medical care facility, the gift shop, and the classroom. Rehabilitation enclosures include a 2,880-square foot convalescent recovery complex with a 6,000-square foot flight/reconditioning complex. Education birds are housed in another 2,880 square foot complex.
Participants will be guided through the main facility and enclosures. Tours will include discussions on rehabilitation philosophy and methods, case management, and the science and art of flight enclosure design. Photography is welcomed.
Sunday, November 10, 2019 Field Trips
Rocky Mountain National Park Visit
Sunday, November 10, 2019
8:30 am – 4:00 pm
Cost: $45 – boxed lunch and water included
Transportation included to and from Fort Collins Hilton
Trip limited to 28 participants.
A raptor monitoring program began in Rocky Mountain National Park in 1987. First year survey work identified a high concentration of raptors along Lumpy Ridge at the east boundary of the park. Twelve species of raptors were found nesting, foraging and migrating along this ridge. The ridge has south-facing cliffs that are lower in elevation than most cliffs in the park; this makes Lumpy Ridge the park’s most popular rock climbing area.
In addition, there are two raptor migration corridors in the park. Raptors are observed on migration through the park starting in late August and continuing until the end of September. As many as 20 raptors per hour are observed during migration, including kettles of Swainson’s hawks. In 2000, Rocky Mountain National Park was designated a Global Important Bird Area. This designation recognizes the vital role of the park as diverse habitat for a wide variety of bird species.
This field trip will be led by a local birding expert and naturalist. The tour will visit Lumpy Ridge as well as other
areas of the National Park. In addition to raptors, many other wildlife species will likely be observed. Roadways in Rocky Mountain National Park run 7,800 to 12,183 ft in elevation; Trail Ridge Road, the highest point, may be closed due to weather. While there will likely be opportunities for short walks on the tour, there will be no hiking.
Birding Adventure with Fort Collins Audubon
Sunday, November 10, 2019
8:00am – 1:00pm
Cost: $25 – water and snacks provided – please bring your own sack lunch
Trip limited to 12 participants unless you are willing to provide your own transportation.
Northern Colorado offers many different habitats for raptors to reside in. Join Fort Collins Audubon and Sirena Brownlee and explore the habitats near and dear to our town. Head east and meander the county roads leading to Wellington Wildlife Area to track Ferruginous Hawks and
Prairie Falcons. Swing by Cobb Lake in the search of Bald Eagles and maybe a few buteos hanging out in the area. We may encounter some Long-eared Owls and if he comes back for a second season we may see a Gyrfalcon that has been enjoying Colorado the previous winter.
Sirena Brownlee has been birding for 25 years and leading birding field trips for over 20 years. She began leading bird walks for the Maricopa Audubon Society in Phoenix and then moved to Anchorage where she was the Anchorage Audubon field trip coordinator and led birding trips throughout the state for 13 years. Currently, Sirena is the field trip coordinator and trip leader for the Fort Collins Audubon Society. As a Senior Wildlife Biologist for a large consulting firm, Sirena has spent much of her career designing and implementing research methods and protocols to census, inventory, and monitor a variety of wildlife and plant species throughout Alaska, Arizona, New Mexico, Wyoming and Colorado. She has extensive knowledge of local flora and fauna and specializes in bird identification by sight and sound. She loves to share her knowledge and enthusiasm for birds and nature.
Trip will depart from the Hilton at 8:00 am and have everyone back by early afternoon.