Bird Conservancy of the Rockies

02/13/2026

Don't want to do the Great Backyard Bird Count (GBBC) alone?

Well, we have several options for you to join our educators this weekend! On Saturday, February 14th we have a GBBC program in Fort Collins, CO and Scottsbluff, NE. On Sunday, February 15th we have another GBBC walk at Cherry Creek State Park in Aurora, CO.

📸1. Fort Collins GBBC on Saturday, February 14th. Meet at 408, Mason Court, Fort Collins, CO at 10 a.m. Fort Collins Museum of Discovery

📸2. Scottsbluff GBBC on Saturday, February 14th. Meet at Scotts Bluff National Monument Visitor Center at 9:30 a.m. Scotts Bluff National Monument

📸3. Aurora GBBC on Sunday, February 15th. Meet at Pelican Point at Cherry Creek State Park, Colorado Parks and Wildlife at 9 a.m.

02/12/2026

We hope you join us! It is going to be a blast.

Join the NoCo Bird Alliance and the world of citizen science for the Great Backyard Bird Count - we are excited to celebrate with a special event at the Fort Collins Museum of Discovery February 14th!

Every February, people across the globe step into their neighborhoods to observe birds, providing vital data that helps researchers track bird populations right before their massive spring migrations.

Come hang out with us and our partners from the Bird Conservancy of the Rockies and the American Bird Conservancy to dive into the world of birding. Whether you are picking up binoculars for the first time or you are a seasoned pro, come by to enjoy shared birding basics, lead guided walks around the Museum grounds, and let us show you how a simple observation can contribute to global biodiversity research through eBird.

You don’t need to be an expert to make a difference—you just need to be curious. Stop by, say Hello, and help us put Northern Colorado on the map for this year's count!

02/12/2026

Last week our whole staff got together for our annual All Staff Meeting!

Since our staff is located throughout six different states and two different locations in Colorado, getting together, in person, at least once a year, is a priority. The meeting this year focused on connection.

We spent time building birds with wacky adaptations, describing our jobs using slang, playing an intense game of jeopardy with facts about our co workers, and learning about the critical work each and everyone of us at Bird Conservancy is doing to conserve birds and their habitats.

📸Photos from our 2026 All Staff Meeting.

02/11/2026

Happy International Day of Women and Girls in Science!

53% of our full time staff members at Bird Conservancy identify as a women. We are proud of our talented staff and we encourage other women and girls to pursue a career in science. Maybe you will work with us at Bird Conservancy someday too!

02/10/2026

Grasslands unexpectedly having a moment.

02/10/2026

Hey Greg, what's your favorite part of being our Development Director?

"I love visiting with our supporters and helping them fulfill their vision of a brighter future in conservation. We have some of the most optimistic and hopeful supporters that see how their support makes a positive difference for birds, habitats, and our communities. I feel like we can't thank them enough for what they make possible."

If you want to support the work that we do at Bird Conservancy, Greg is the guy to talk to! Learn more at birdconservancy.org/donate

02/09/2026

Update from the field!

Who doesn't love a good ol' fashion road trip! A couple weeks back our Migratory Ecology Program team returned from their tagging season training in New Mexico where they taught our three person winter tagging crew the ins and outs of Motus tagging and Motus as a whole.

On top of an already extremely successful tagging training, the team was also able to swing by Pistachio Land and White Sands National Monument as they moved from the Clayton area to Las Cruces!

We can't wait to see where the birds that get tagged this year go!

02/08/2026

This Northern Saw-whet Owl definitely takes the MVP of our most Superb Owl moment of 2025.

Last fall at our Owl Banding station in Northern Colorado this Northern Saw-whet Owl gifted not just us, but the world this beautiful owl pellet before taking off. This is a moment our Avian Ecologist, Adrienne will never forget.

Will this owl be like the Patriots and have another Superb Owl appearance in 2026? We will find out in the fall!

Note: All bird banding, marking, and sampling is being conducted under a federally authorized Bird Banding Permit issued by the U.S. Geological Survey.

02/07/2026

It is National Bird Feeding Month!

As food becomes scarce in winter, February is an especially important time to help birds. We encourage you to hang a bird feeder to provide food for birds, set up a bird bath for water, and provide natural shelter or birdhouses to help wild birds survive this winter. One bonus of helping birds this way is your yard becomes a birding hotspot! Backyard birding is an entertaining and educational way to watch birds, while also helping relieve stress and bring you closer to nature!

However, putting up a bird feeder and/or bird bath does come with a lot of responsibility to ensure bird safety. This isn't a put it up and forget about it kind of activity.

🧹Feeders and baths should be cleaned every 2-4 weeks to reduce the spread of diseases. Timing may vary depending on time of year and location.

😺You should set up your bird feeder and /or bird bath 5-10 feet away from shrubbery to provide shelter from predators as well as 30 feet or more from windows to prevent collisions.

🐦Visit your local Wild Birds Unlimited store for more tips and tricks and to purchase your backyard bird feeding equipment!

02/06/2026

The Chickadee, after the American Robin or Blue Jay comes our favorite backyard bird.

Their are seven species of chickadees that reside throughout North America. There is the Black-capped Chickadee, Mountain Chickadee, Chestnut-backed Chickadee, Carolina Chickadee, Boreal Chickadee, Mexican Chickadee, and the Gray-headed Chickadee. All of which are highly intelligent, social birds that adorn both our yards and natural spaces.

How many of these chickadee species do you have on your life list? Let us know in the comments!

02/05/2026

Hey Sarah, what's your favorite part of being an Educator?

"As an environmental educator, I love guiding people to find their unique connection with nature. I deeply believe that every person can connect with nature and it can be a grounding point when our world gets overwhelming. I help people realize that connection with birds and nature can look like a rigorous hike, a mindfulness practice, artistic creation, or a simple stroll. There is no right or wrong way to be with nature - it's whatever speaks to your soul!" - Sarah Doxon, Education Manager.

If you want to support work like Sarah's, consider a donation to Bird Conservancy of the Rockies! Click the link below to make a gift today.

birdconservancy.org/donate

02/04/2026

Stop by our booth at the 14th annual Barr Lake State Park, Colorado State Parks Bald Eagle Festival this Saturday, February 7 from 10 a.m. - 2 p.m.

The Bald Eagle Festival celebrates the seasonal return of the majestic Bald Eagles at Barr Lake State Park. This is a fun event with live raptor presentations, crafts, face painter, guided hikes, and shuttles to the gazebo boardwalk to observe nesting eagles at the park.

We hope to see you there!

📹A Bald Eagle perched in a tree with an eagle call in the background audio.