SUNDAY, MAY 4, CHICO BASIN RANCH, 8 AM – 4 PM :  This is one of the best spots on the Front Range for Spring migrants.  Last year’s group saw 18 warbler species as well several other uncommon species for our area.  Bring lunch, plenty of water and insect repellent. There is a $10.00 pp fee entry fee.  Contact Donna Emmons at emmons7@yahoo.com or 719-369-9704 for a RESERVATION (deadline May 1), directions and carpool information.  The Ranch has a wonderful website – www.chicobasinranch.com - with a video and lots of information about the Ranch and it’s missions.

SATURDAY, MAY 10, ANNUAL PUEBLO COUNTY SPRING COUNT, 8 AM:  Meet Dave Silverman (489-3565) at the Lake Beckwith dam parking area in Colorado City to 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. 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 a 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 new IMBD website.

SATURDAY, MAY 10, LAKE PUEBLO STATE PARK, 8:30 – 10:30 AM: This is a new site for an IMBD Count and suitable for all levels of birders but beginners are particularly welcome.  Leader, Mark Yaeger, will discuss field guides, migratory birds and keep a census of all sightings for the IMBD database.  No fees are required to participate.  Meet Mark at the Valco Ponds parking area on Hwy 96.  A State Parks pass is required to park there and is available self-service on site at $6.00 per vehicle.  Contact Mark at 543-2724 or 545-8407

SATURDAY, MAY 24, NATURE AND RAPTOR CENTER, 8 – 11 AM :  The 4^th Saturday Birdwalk begins at the parking lot of the Nature Center , on 11^th Street west of Pueblo Blvd.   Join an Audubon member for an easy stroll along the river trail.  This is an excellent outing for families and beginning birders are especially encouraged to attend.  There is no charge for the birdwalk, but there is a $3.00 parking fee.   Contact Donna Emmons at 369-9704 or 676-5666 or the Nature Center at 549-2414 or www.gncp.org.  

MONDAY, MAY 26 (MEMORIAL DAY), BREEDING BIRD ATLAS TRAINING, 8 AM:  If you’ve heard about Atlas blocks and wanted to know more or considered volunteering to canvas a block and just don’t know if you have the skills, this is the trip for you.  Mark Yaeger is the Regional Coordinator for Colorado BBA II and he will take the group to an available block for on-the-job training/refresher. Trip departs from City Park pond at 8 AM, returning 1 – 2 PM.  Contact Mark at 543-2724 or 545-8407.  Check the website – www.cobreedingbirdatlasii.org  – for information on this project.