SATURDAY, MAY 1, CHICO BASIN RANCH, 8 AM – 3 PM :  We will join Aiken Audubon on the annual Spring trek to one of the best migrant traps in our area.  Expect to see early warblers, vireos, shorebirds, waterfowl, thrushes, flycatchers and sparrows (last year’s trip yielded 96 species).  There are always exciting surprises here!

First stop is always the banding station to meet leader, John Drummond - at 8 AM - before moving on to the other great habitats on the Ranch.  There is a fee of $10.00 each person to bird on this unique property.  Bring food and water and be prepared to traverse varied terrain.

Contact Donna Emmons, emmons7@yahoo.com, 719-676-5666/369-9704(c) for more information and carpool options from Pueblo .  To find out more about Chico Basin Ranch visit www.chicobasinranch.com.  Directions are available at the bottom of the Home Page.  Note caution against using MapQuest or GPS!

SATURDAY, MAY 8, ANNUAL PUEBLO COUNTY SPRING COUNT to celebrate INTERNATIONAL MIGRATORY BIRD DAY:  It’s time once again to look at the wonderful migrants who come ‘home’ to nest or just use Pueblo County as a rest stop along their way.  All that’s required is a willingness to spend some time outdoors and a pair of binoculars.  Participants can bird as little or as long as they wish.

     Meet Dave Silverman (489-3565) at 8 AM at the Lake Beckwith dam parking area in Colorado City .  The group will bird there and the Rye area most of the day, finishing near Pueblo at day’s end.  Bring lunch if you plan to bird into the afternoon.

     No fees are required to participate.  If you would like to bird in another area – your yard, neighborhood, local park, lake or other favorite spot – let Dave know before a week prior to the Count.  Doing so will help avoid overlapping coverage as several teams are already assigned areas.  If you do bird on your own, please submit your list to Dave at silvireo@hotmail.com or post with the following information:

1.       List all birds seen and the number of each species seen.  Lists submitted in some semblance of checklist order are easiest to compile.  Please do not use 4-letter codes (such as VIRA for Virginia Rail).

2.       Mileage and hours by foot and mileage and hours by car listed SEPARATELY.  Please do not combine.

3.       Names of other persons birding with you.  All participants will receive a summary of the day’s highlights after all lists are compiled.  Final results will be entered in the ebird database and the International Migratory Bird Day website, www.birdday.org.

SATURDAY, MAY 22, 4^TH SATURDAY BIRDWALK, THE NATURE AND RAPTOR CENTER OF PUEBLO, 8 – 11 AM:  Join AVAS member, Bill McGurn, for an easy stroll along the river trail.  This is an excellent outing for families and beginning birders are especially encouraged to attend.

     Birding is free, but there is a $3.00 parking fee (Become a member of the Center and avoid this charge!).  Questions?  Contact Donna Emmons at 676-5666/369-9704 (C) or the Center at 549-2414.

     For more information regarding AVAS trips and events, visit www.socobirds.org.  Also check out www.natureandraptor.org for fun, informative, family-oriented activities.

*** PLEASE NOTE:  AVAS does not conduct 4^th Saturday Birdwalks during the months of JUNE, JULY AND AUGUST.  Please check the NRCP website for their Summer event plans.  See you again SEPTEMBER 25.