August 2 (Thursday).  Board Meeting. 7:00 - 9:00 p.m.
Monthly Board Meeting to be held at the National Seed Storage Lab, 1111 S. Mason St. (map).  Read minutes of past board meetings.

August 12 (Sunday).  Field Trip.
Bobcat Ridge Natural Area Bird Survey. Leader: Sol Miller at eagleye1029@yahoo.com. Meet at 7:00 a.m. FCAS performs a monthly bird census for the city of Fort Collins. All levels welcomed.

August 18 (Saturday).  Procession of the River Species
Invites anyone who can walk, roll, fly, or swim!  Bring the wild to town!  Be creative!  Celebrate and protect wildlife!  Dance and Drum AND HAVE FUN!  Transform yourself into a local wildlife species with masks, costumes, critters on sticks, then samba in the streets.  Drummers meet at 1:30 pm for workshop/rehearsal.  Animals gather at 2:15 pm between Ace and FC-MOCA.  Free art studio opening August 5th at COCOA, 423 S. Mason.  More information at (970) 490-2473 or www.processionriverspecies.org.  Humans under age 12 must be accompanied by an adult.  Audience welcome in Old Town New West Fest streets from 2:30-3:00 pm.

August 27-31 (Monday-Friday).  San Juan Islands Sea-Kayak Trip.
With over 200 rocky, forested islands to explore, the San Juan Archipelago is a superb kayak destination. You’ll experience the fun of paddling and camping on remote islands accessible only by boat! Harking back to an earlier time, the islands were used by the native Lummi and Swinomish tribes as summer fishing camps. The pristine waters of the San Juan and Gulf Islands are host to over 80 resident orca whales. Other wildlife sighting may include minke whales, Dall’s porpoises, seals and eagles.  Click here for more details!

September 6 (Thursday).  Board Meeting. 7:00 - 9:00 p.m.
Monthly Board Meeting to be held at the National Seed Storage Lab, 1111 S. Mason St. (map).  Read minutes of past board meetings.

September 9 (Sunday).  Bobcat Ridge Natural Area Bird Survey.
Leader: Sol Miller (eagleye1029@yahoo.com). Meet at 7:00 a.m. FCAS performs a monthly bird census for the city of Fort Collins. All levels welcomed.

September 13 (Thursday).  Program.  7:00 p.m.
Ludlow Room, Fort Collins Lincoln Center, 417 W. Magnolia (maps). 
Kevin Cook, Naturalist and Author, has offered to do a book signing of the newly released book, Good Birders Don't Wear White: 50 Tips From North America's Top Birders. He will also share some of his personal birding experiences. Kevin is one of 50 authors who wrote essays on birding experiences and tips for this book. He will be graciously donating ALL book sale proceeds that evening to FCAS. Kevin explained he received a flat fee for his contribution to the book—so he receives no future royalties from book sales. We appreciate his generosity to FCAS! Kevin is familiar to FCAS members through the birding, wildflower, and natural history classes he offers, and the weekly column he writes for local newspapers. Visit www.fortnet.org/audubon to see classes offered by Kevin this summer. Don’t miss the opportunity this September to add a signed copy of this new book to your birding book collection.

September 15 (Saturday).  Field Trip.
Eastern Plains Reservoirs. Leaders: Beth Dillon (970-490-2610 or dillon_b@hotmail.com) and Peter Gent. This full-day trip will focus on shorebirds at Jackson and/or Prewitt reservoirs, depending on shorebird numbers and mudflat conditions. Meet at 7:30 a.m. at the Harmony Transfer Center at the northwest corner of I-25 and Harmony Rd. Carpooling required. State Parks pass required for drivers to Jackson Res., CDOW habitat stamp required for each participant to Prewitt Res. Limited to 12 participants.

September 22 (Saturday).  Field Trip.
Coyote Ridge Weather Walk. Leader: Eric DeFonso (yoericd@yahoo.com or 970-472-1761). 8:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Come along for an Audubon trip of a different sort as we interpret the sky conditions during a pleasant walk up the hogbacks between Fort Collins and Loveland. We'll also explore what makes Colorado weather and climate the way it is, and how it affects the land and animals around us. Meet in the Coyote Ridge Natural Area parking lot. Limited to 10 participants.

September 29 (Saturday).  3rd Annual Northern Colorado Birding Fair 7:00- 1:00 p.m.
Mark your calendars to attend this year's event at the Fossil Creek Reservoir Regional Open Space.  Partnering organizations are pleased to announce another FREE day of fun and learning for the entire family at the Northern Colorado Birding Fair. Come out and see what is new this year!    Bird walk  Bird release  Presentations  Bird Exhibits  Hands-on activities  Food Vendors. For more information, visit www.larimer.org/parks.

October 4 (Thursday).  Board Meeting. 7:00 - 9:00 p.m.
Monthly Board Meeting to be held at the National Seed Storage Lab, 1111 S. Mason St. (map).  Read minutes of past board meetings.

October 6 (Saturday).  Field Trip.
 High Plains Environmental Center at Centerra. Leader: Silja Knoll (silja@suburbitat.org or 970-622-9676; leave message for Silja). 8:30 to 11:00 a.m. Meet at the HPEC, 1854 Piney River Dr., Loveland. From Hwy 34 and I-25, go west on Hwy 34, past Target, Bed Bath and Beyond, and the Loveland RV Park. Turn right (north) on McWhinney Blvd. immediately west of the RV Park. Take the second left onto Piney River Dr., go past the fire station and we are the first house on the right. We will walk the nature trails around two lakes looking for waterfowl, raptors, migrants, and other critters, including amphibians and reptiles. All levels welcomed. RSVP appreciated but not required. For more info about the HPEC, see their web site at www.suburbitat.org/.

October 11 (Thursday).  Program.  7:00 p.m.
Ludlow Room, Fort Collins Lincoln Center, 417 W. Magnolia (maps). 
Ken Strom, Bird Conservation Director for Audubon Colorado, will be speaking to us about “Wind Power and Wildlife in Colorado.”  In order to ensure that wind energy will be developed successfully, without major damage to the environment, it is important to understand the potential impacts of wind farms and turbines on birds and other wildlife and the habitats they depend on. Fortunately, the worst impacts of wind farms can be avoided by careful planning and proper siting of turbines to avoid sensitive habitats.  Ken Strom, Director of Bird Conservation and Public Policy, Audubon Colorado, will use photos and graphics to illustrate the concerns that Audubon has about the habitat fragmentation and disturbance that can result from massive wind energy developments such as the new Cedar Creek Wind Farm on the northern edge of the Pawnee National Grassland.  Ken’s responsibilities include overseeing the Colorado Important Bird Areas Program, and four years directing the Audubon Ecology Workshop in the Rockies, an adult field education program in the Wind River Mountains of Wyoming. Ken’s past work also includes management of Audubon’s Rowe Wildlife Sanctuary, the well-known critical habitat for Sandhill Cranes, Whooping Cranes and shorebirds on the Platte River in Nebraska. This work led to several international partnerships that he coordinated with conservationists in Pakistan, Russia and Japan, assisting them with conservation efforts for cranes and their river habitats in the face of mounting human pressures. More recently, Ken was the Director of Audubon’s Population & Habitat Program, which works to address the impacts of population growth on wildlife habitats around the world. Join us for an evening of information and learn more about the important role birders and other volunteers can play, by using their skills to ensure that wind energy is developed correctly and successfully.  Visit www.audubon.org for an article on a recent National Research Council report on wind power and the need for more study on this alternative energy option.

October 13 (Saturday).  Field Trip.
Second Saturday Natural History Walk. Leader: Joann Thomas (970-482-7125). 7:45 to 10:00 a.m. Join us for our yearlong series of nature walks along the Poudre River each month. Meet at Nix Farm Natural Area, 1745 Hoffman Mill Rd. From Lemay (between Riverside & Mulberry), turn east onto Poudre River Dr. just north of the RR tracks. Follow Poudre River Dr. as it curves, changes names to Hoffman Mill Rd., and eventually dead-ends at Nix Natural Area. Our walks and studies will focus on birds, wildflowers, mammals, river morphology, and the effects of time and human habitation on the riparian area. Bring a notebook, binoculars if you have them, and your enthusiasm. Call for details about location and parking. Open to everyone; handicapped accessible; no registration required.

October 14 (Sunday).  Bobcat Ridge Natural Area Bird Survey.
Leader: Sol Miller (eagleye1029@yahoo.com). Meet at 7:00 a.m. FCAS performs a monthly bird census for the city of Fort Collins. All levels welcomed.

October 17 (Wednesday).  Birding Class Begins.
BIRDS: A Class about Birds and Birding with Kevin Cook begins and continues October 24, 31, and November 7.  Find out the details and sign up here!

October 20 (Saturday).  Field Trip.
Larimer Lacustrines. Leader: Eric DeFonso (yoericd@yahoo.com or 970-472-1761). 7:00 a.m. to noon. Lacustrines? That's just a 2-dollar word for birds of lakes and reservoirs. We'll look for and study waterfowl (geese ducks, loons, swans, scoters) in particular, but also note gulls and raptors and anything else in and around various Fort Collins/Loveland area hotspots. Beginners welcomed. Meeting location to be determined. Limited to 12 participants.

November 1 (Thursday).  Board Meeting. 7:00 - 9:00 p.m.
Monthly Board Meeting to be held at the National Seed Storage Lab, 1111 S. Mason St. (map).  Read minutes of past board meetings.

November 3 (Saturday).  Field Trip.
Round Mountain Trail Birding And Nature Hike. Nine mile, round-trip hike with 3000 feet of elevation gain. Please be fit and prepared for this hike. We will start at 8:00 at the trailhead and work our way to the summit of Sheep Mountain, birding and observing wildlife, plants and anything else that interests us. Please bring plenty of water, food and outdoor gear. This trip will be held regardless of weather, well, unless there is an ice storm! Contact Connie Kogler at zblueheron@gmail.com for more information and to sign up.

November 10 (Saturday).  Field Trip.
Northern Colorado Lakes. Leader: Gary Lefko (970-897-2454 or lefkogt@ColoradoBirder.info). This 3/4-day trip will focus on the lakes and species of northern Colorado. Meet at 8:00 a.m. at Rawhide Energy Station Overlook parking lot. Suggest carpooling where possible.

November 10 (Saturday).  Field Trip.
Second Saturday Natural History Walk. Leader: Joann Thomas (970-482-7125). 7:45 to 10:00 a.m. Join us for our yearlong series of nature walks along the Poudre River each month. Meet at Nix Farm Natural Area, 1745 Hoffman Mill Rd. From Lemay (between Riverside & Mulberry), turn east onto Poudre River Dr. just north of the RR tracks. Follow Poudre River Dr. as it curves, changes names to Hoffman Mill Rd., and eventually dead-ends at Nix Natural Area. Our walks and studies will focus on birds, wildflowers, mammals, river morphology, and the effects of time and human habitation on the riparian area. This month we will be joined by Eric DeFonso who will discuss weather and climate of the area. Bring a notebook, binoculars if you have them, and your enthusiasm. Call for details about location and parking. Open to everyone; handicapped accessible; no registration required.

November 15 (Thursday).  Program.  7:00 p.m.
Ludlow Room, Fort Collins Lincoln Center, 417 W. Magnolia (maps). 
Daniel Glick, International Journalist and author, will be speaking to us on “Rising Tides, Melting Glaciers, and a Changing Planet: Are Humans Divorcing Mother Nature?” Daniel has written numerous articles for national magazines about wildlife and threats to their existence and habitat. They include: Smithsonian, January 2007 – Pronghorn migration in Wyoming; National Wildlife, Dec/Jan 2007 – cover story about polar bears and how they are being affected by global warming; National Geographic, April 2006 – Glen Canyon; Audubon, March/April 2006 – Reintroduction of Mexican wolves.  Daniel Glick is also a published book author: Monkey Dancing is an account of Daniel’s world travels with his two children, his desire for them to see endangered natural wonders of the world, and how humankind relates to nature. This book won the Colorado Book Award in 2004. Powder Burn: Arson, Money, and Mystery on Vail Mountain is an account of the multi-million dollar arson that occurred at Vail ski resort in 1998, and was a Denver Post bestseller. For more interesting information about Daniel Glick and direct links to national magazine articles he has written, visit his website at www.DanielGlick.net. Daniel Glick’s books will be available for sale before and after the meeting. This will be a program you won’t want to miss!

December 6 (Thursday).  Board Meeting. 7:00 - 9:00 p.m.
Monthly Board Meeting to be held at the National Seed Storage Lab, 1111 S. Mason St. (map).  Read minutes of past board meetings.

December 8 (Saturday).  Field Trip
Coyote Ridge Weather Walk.  Leader: Eric DeFonso (yoericd@yahoo.com or 970-472-1761). If you like to talk about the weather, and I mean really talk about the weather, then this is for you! Come along as winter approaches for an Audubon trip of a different sort as we interpret the sky conditions during a pleasant walk up the hogbacks between Fort Collins and Loveland. We'll also explore what makes Colorado weather and climate the way it is, and how it affects the land and animals around us. All levels and experiences welcome. 8:00 to 11:00 a.m. Meet in the Coyote Ridge Natural Area parking lot.

December 8 (Saturday).  Second Saturday Natural History Walk.
Leader: Joann Thomas (970-482-7125). 7:45 to 10:00 a.m. Join us for our yearlong series of nature walks along the Poudre River each month. Meet at Nix Farm Natural Area, 1745 Hoffman Mill Rd. From Lemay (between Riverside & Mulberry), turn east onto Poudre River Dr. just north of the RR tracks. Follow Poudre River Dr. as it curves, changes names to Hoffman Mill Rd., and eventually dead-ends at Nix Natural Area. Our walks and studies will focus on birds, wildflowers, mammals, river morphology, and the effects of time and human habitation on the riparian area. Dr. Gigi Richard, a hydrologist and river expert from Grand Junction, will join us to discuss the formation of rivers. Along the way we’ll check out the special spots we observed on our previous trips. Bring a notebook, binoculars if you have them, and your enthusiasm. Call for details about location and parking. Open to everyone; handicapped accessible; no registration required.

December 9 (Sunday).  Bobcat Ridge Natural Area Bird Survey.
Leader: Sol Miller (eagleye1029@yahoo.com). Meet at 7:00 a.m. FCAS performs a monthly bird census for the city of Fort Collins. All levels welcomed.

December 13 (Thursday).  Holiday Potluck and Slide Show.  7:00 p.m.
Join us for our annual potluck and member traditional slide show on December 13 at the Foothills Unitarian Church, 1815 Yorktown Avenue. Set-up is at 6:00 p.m. and the. Potluck starts at 6:30 p.m.. YOUR slide show begins at 7:00 p.m. Plan to arrive at 6:00 p.m. and bring your favorite dish or dessert to share (four to eight servings), and any necessary serving utensils. Beverage containers and drinks will be provided. You, our members, provide the program on varied topics of wildlife and nature. For the sake of time, please limit yourself to no more than 15 slides. Prints of your favorite pictures can also be passed around while the lights are still on. Laptop, PowerPoint, digital projector, and spare slide trays will be made available. You can bring your own digital media or Kodak Carousel-compatible tray. Feasting will commence by 6:30 p.m. and the show will be underway by 7:00 p.m.

December 14 (Friday). North Park Christmas Bird Count.
Contact: Deb McLachlan at deb.mclachlan@state.co.us.

December 15 (Saturday). Fort Collins Christmas Bird Count.
Contact: Sue Riffe at sheflew2@comcast.net or 970-232-4539. Visit our Fort Collins CBC page for more information.  Results of 2007 Fort Collins CBC.

December 15 (Saturday). Rocky Mountain National Park Christmas Bird Count.
Contact: Scott Roederer at osprey@estesvalley.net.

December 17 (Monday). Nunn Christmas Bird Count.
Contact: Jim Sedgwick at empidonxj@netzero.net or 970-495-9970.

December 26 (Wednesday). Rawhide Christmas Bird Count.
Contact: Ron Ryder at ronr@lamar.colostate.edu.

January 1 (Tuesday).  Loveland Christmas Bird Count
Contact: Connie Kogler at 970-622-9710 or zblueheron@gmail.com.

January 3 (Thursday).  Board Meeting. 7:00 - 9:00 p.m.
Monthly Board Meeting to be held at the National Seed Storage Lab, 1111 S. Mason St. (map).  Read minutes of past board

January 9 (Wednesday).  Colorado Natural History Class.  6:15 p.m. to 7:45 p.m.
Kevin Cook presents a series of classes on Colorado Natural History, sponsored by Fort Collins Audubon.  See details here.

January 10 (Thursday).  Program.  7:00 p.m.
Ludlow Room, Fort Collins Lincoln Center, 417 W. Magnolia (maps).
Rick Harness will speak on Raptors of the Central Mongolian Steppe. Mr. Harness is a certified wildlife biologist for the engineering firm, EDM International, Inc. In the fall of 2007, Rick teamed with the National University of Mongolia and Mongolian Ornithological Society biologists to visit remote Mongolian power lines in order to develop conservation measure to protect raptors. This program will present a travelogue of the Mongolian steppes along with measures needed to prevent the unnecessary loss of raptors.

January 13 (Saturday).  Second Saturday Natural History Walk.
Leader: Joann Thomas (970-482-7125). 7:45 to 10:00 a.m. Join us for our yearlong series of nature walks along the Poudre River each month. Meet at Nix Farm Natural Area, 1745 Hoffman Mill Rd. From Lemay (between Riverside & Mulberry), turn east onto Poudre River Dr. just north of the RR tracks. Follow Poudre River Dr. as it curves, changes names to Hoffman Mill Rd., and eventually dead-ends at Nix Natural Area. Our walks and studies will focus on birds, wildflowers, mammals, river morphology, and the effects of time and human habitation on the riparian area. Bring a notebook, binoculars if you have them, and your enthusiasm. Call for details about location and parking. Open to everyone; handicapped accessible; no registration required.

January 14 (Sunday).  Bobcat Ridge Natural Area Bird Survey.
Leader: Sol Miller (eagleye1029@yahoo.com). Meet at 7:00 a.m. FCAS performs a monthly bird census for the city of Fort Collins. All levels welcomed.

January 16 (Wednesday).  Colorado Natural History Class.  6:15 p.m. to 7:45 p.m.
Kevin Cook presents a series of classes on Colorado Natural History, sponsored by Fort Collins Audubon.  See details here.

January 26 (Saturday).  Avian Appreciation Days at Bath Nursery.
It is time again for Avian Appreciation Days at Bath Nursery and Garden Center! This year the activities will be compressed into one day: January 26th, from 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM. Bath Nursery is a long-time supporter of FCAS, and we have been invited to have a booth at this event again this year. If you would like to help staff the FCAS Booth, please contact Joann Thomas at 970-482-7125 or jthomas91@aol.com. Bath Nursery is located at 2000 E Prospect Rd, Fort Collins.

January 30 (Wednesday).  Colorado Natural History Class.  6:15 p.m. to 7:45 p.m.
Kevin Cook presents a series of classes on Colorado Natural History, sponsored by Fort Collins Audubon.  See details here.

February 2 (Saturday).  Coyote Ridge Groundhog Day Weather Walk.
Leader: Eric DeFonso (yoericd@yahoo.com or 970-472-1761). Come along for an Audubon trip of a different sort as we interpret the sky conditions during a pleasant walk up the hogbacks between Fort Collins and Loveland. We'll also explore what makes Colorado weather and climate the way it is, and how it affects the land and animals around us. This month's special - how soon 'til spring? We'll look for evidence above and below. 8:00am to 11:00am. Meet in the Coyote Ridge Natural Area parking lot.

February 6 (Wednesday).  Colorado Natural History Class.  6:15 p.m. to 7:45 p.m.
Kevin Cook presents a series of classes on Colorado Natural History, sponsored by Fort Collins Audubon.  See details here.

February 7 (Thursday).  Board Meeting. 7:00 - 9:00 p.m.
Monthly Board Meeting to be held at the National Seed Storage Lab, 1111 S. Mason St. (map).  Read minutes of past board

February 9 (Saturday).  Second Saturday Natural History Walk.
Second Saturday Natural History Walk. Leader: Joann Thomas (970-482-7125). 7:45 to 10:00 a.m. Join us for our yearlong series of nature walks along the Poudre River each month. Meet at Nix Farm Natural Area, 1745 Hoffman Mill Rd. From Lemay (between Riverside & Mulberry), turn east onto Poudre River Dr. just north of the RR tracks. Follow Poudre River Dr. as it curves, changes names to Hoffman Mill Rd., and eventually dead-ends at Nix Natural Area. Our walks and studies will focus on birds, wildflowers, mammals, river morphology, and the effects of time and human habitation on the riparian area. Bring a notebook, binoculars if you have them, and your enthusiasm. Call for details about location and parking. Open to everyone; handicapped accessible; no registration required.

February 13 (Wednesday).  Colorado Natural History Class.  6:15 p.m. to 7:45 p.m.
Kevin Cook presents a series of classes on Colorado Natural History, sponsored by Fort Collins Audubon.  See details here.

February 14 (Thursday).  Program.  7:00 p.m.
Ludlow Room, Fort Collins Lincoln Center, 417 W. Magnolia (maps).
Gigi A. Richard presents Colorado’s Last Free-Flowing River: The Yampa. The Yampa River in northwestern Colorado is the last major free-flowing tributary to the Colorado River. This river’s unregulated spring-snowmelt flood peaks are vital not only to the ecology and natural functioning of the Yampa, but also to offset the impacts of upstream dams on the Green River. Dr. Gigi Richard, Associate Professor of Geology at Mesa State College in Grand Junction, CO, will present an overview of Colorado’s water resources and the challenges we face in the semi-arid west to provide water for our growing population, some background on the hydrology of the Colorado and Yampa Rivers, and a discussion of how the rivers of western Colorado are harnessed to meet humans’ need for water and the impacts these alterations have on the river systems. Dr. Richard created the Watershed Science program at Mesa State in the Department of Physical and Environmental Sciences. Recent work has focused on better understanding the hydrology and morphology of intermittent streams in western Colorado and on the need for peak flows to maintain the channel form of the Yampa and Dolores River in western Colorado.

February 16 (Saturday).  Legislative Workshop.
Greater Denver Audubon's annual Audubon/Sierra Legislative Conference on Saturday, February 16, from 8:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at First Plymouth Church, 3501 S. Colorado Blvd. (southwest corner of Colorado and Hampden) in Denver. VIsit http://www.denveraudubon.org/conserve.htm

February 17 (Sunday).  Bobcat Ridge Natural Area Bird Survey.
Leader: Sol Miller (eagleye1029@yahoo.com). Meet at 7:00 a.m. FCAS performs a monthly bird census for the city of Fort Collins. All levels welcomed.

February 17 (Sunday).  Field Trip.
Small Nocturnal Montane Winter Owls. Leader: Nick Komar. Co-leaders: Eric DeFonso and Sue Riffe. Join us as we head out into the winter night to find Northern Saw-whet Owls in Rist Canyon and Boreal Owls up at Cameron Pass. We've chosen this night because both species begin their courtship calling in mid-winter, and therefore should be as easy to detect as they can be. Also, we'll be looking and listening for these birds from the road, and with the following day being a holiday (President's Day), traffic should be minimal. We cannot guarantee that we'll be able to get a visual on the birds, but our chances are improved if we can hear them. This is a great opportunity to learn new things about these mysterious birds which live near us year-round, yet so few people ever actually experience. We will meet at 8pm, at a location to be determined, and plan on returning to Fort Collins around 2am. Carpooling will be required, to reduce potential impacts on the owls as they enter their breeding season as well as simply ease transportation. If the weather is uncooperative our backup day will be the following Sunday, February 24. To sign up, contact Eric DeFonso by email at yoericd@yahoo.com or by phone at (970)-472-1761.

February 20 (Wednesday).  Colorado Natural History Class.  6:15 p.m. to 7:45 p.m.
Kevin Cook presents a series of classes on Colorado Natural History, sponsored by Fort Collins Audubon.  See details here.

February 23 (Saturday). Winter Raptors.
Leader:  Rick Harness at rharness@edmlink.com. 9:00 a.m. to noon. We will visit several prairie dog towns to view Golden Eagles, Red-tailed Hawks, and Ferruginous Hawks.  Concentrations of waterfowl will be visited to view Bald Eagles. Contact the trip leader for rendezvous details.

February 27 (Wednesday).  Colorado Natural History Class.  6:15 p.m. to 7:45 p.m.
Kevin Cook presents a series of classes on Colorado Natural History, sponsored by Fort Collins Audubon.  See details here.

March 5 (Wednesday).  Colorado Natural History Class.  6:15 p.m. to 7:45 p.m.
Kevin Cook presents a series of classes on Colorado Natural History, sponsored by Fort Collins Audubon.  See details here.

March 6 (Thursday).  Board Meeting. 7:00 - 9:00 p.m.
Monthly Board Meeting to be held at the National Seed Storage Lab, 1111 S. Mason St. (map).  Read minutes of past board

March 8 (Saturday).  Second Saturday Natural History Walk.
Leader: Joann Thomas (970-482-7125). 7:45 to 10:00 a.m. Join us for our yearlong series of nature walks along the Poudre River each month. Meet at Nix Farm Natural Area, 1745 Hoffman Mill Rd. From Lemay (between Riverside & Mulberry), turn east onto Poudre River Dr. just north of the RR tracks. Follow Poudre River Dr. as it curves, changes names to Hoffman Mill Rd., and eventually dead-ends at Nix Natural Area. Our walks and studies will focus on birds, wildflowers, mammals, river morphology, and the effects of time and human habitation on the riparian area. Bring a notebook, binoculars if you have them, and your enthusiasm. Call for details about location and parking. Open to everyone; handicapped accessible; no registration required.

March 12 (Wednesday).  Colorado Natural History Class.  6:15 p.m. to 7:45 p.m.
Kevin Cook presents a series of classes on Colorado Natural History, sponsored by Fort Collins Audubon.  See details here.

March 13 (Thursday).  Program.  7:00 p.m.
Ludlow Room, Fort Collins Lincoln Center, 417 W. Magnolia (maps).
The Birds and the Colorado Bark Beetle (co-sponsored by the Northern Chapter of the Colorado Native Plant Society).  Learn more about the destructive Colorado Bark Beetle, Dendroctonus ponderosae, and its interrelationship with birds. A native insect, the size of a kindergarten child’s little finger nail, has killed millions of Colorado’s 100+ year old lodgepole pines. What are the causes? How does this affect birds, future forests, and other wildlife species? Is Colorado alone in all of this? These are all questions that will be addressed by David Leatherman. Leatherman was the Forest Entomologist for the Colorado State Forest Service based out of Fort Collins from 1974-2005. He began collecting insects as a child and birding in junior high. He went on to earn a Bachelor’s degree in biology from Marietta College in Ohio, and a Master of Forestry at Duke University. He is the former editor of Colorado Field Ornithologists’ Journal (now called Colorado Birds). His special interests include photography, food habits of birds, long-term monitoring of favorite bird habitats including Crow Valley Campground and Grandview Cemetery, general insect collecting, and the natural history of ponderosa pine. Please join us March 13 for this informative program co-sponsored by the Northern Chapter of the Colorado Native Plant Society and Fort Collins Audubon.

March 15 (Saturday).  Field Trip.
Join the "Nunn guy", Gary Lefko, to search for possible early migrants. We'll visit all Greeley-area water and the Poudre Trail. Meet 07:30 a.m. in Nunn at historic RR marker at Highway 85 and Weld CR 100. We'll investigate "favorite" stops on the way to Greeley, too. Contact Gary at http://coloradobirder.ning.com/, lefkogt@coloradobirder.info or 970-897-2454.

March 16 (Sunday).  Bobcat Ridge Natural Area Bird Survey.
Leader: Sol Miller (eagleye1029@yahoo.com). Meet at 7:00 a.m. FCAS performs a monthly bird census for the city of Fort Collins. All levels welcomed.

March 19 (Wednesday).  Colorado Natural History Class.  6:15 p.m. to 7:45 p.m.
Kevin Cook presents a series of classes on Colorado Natural History, sponsored by Fort Collins Audubon.  See details here.

March 26 (Wednesday).  Colorado Natural History Class.  6:15 p.m. to 7:45 p.m.
Kevin Cook presents a series of classes on Colorado Natural History, sponsored by Fort Collins Audubon.  See details here.

March 31- April 5 (6 days).  Colorado Grouse Field Trip.
Join Fort Collins Audubon member Sue Riffe on her third trip across Colorado in search of grouse species. Our trip will take us to all four corners of the state and cover about 1500 miles in search of our target species: Greater and Gunnison's Sage-Grouse, Sharp tailed and Dusky Grouse, and Lesser and Greater Prairie-Chicken. We also hope to see White-tailed Ptarmigan, Mountain Plover, Brown-capped Rosy-Finch, McCown's and Chestnut-collared Longspur. We had a fabulous group last year that helped spot 139 species. We even had Northern Goshawk, great looks at Red Crossbills and White-tailed Ptarmigan at 20 feet! The cost is $1,200, and includes a $100 donation to Fort Collins Audubon, four nights lodging, entry fees, transportation, guide and taxes. No meals are included. Trip limited to 7 people, so sign up early!  Contact Sue Riffe at www.coloradolektours.com, 970-232-4539 or sue@coloradolektours.com.

April 2 (Wednesday).  Colorado Natural History Class.  6:15 p.m. to 7:45 p.m.
Kevin Cook presents a series of classes on Colorado Natural History, sponsored by Fort Collins Audubon.  See details here.

April 9 (Wednesday).  Colorado Natural History Class.  6:15 p.m. to 7:45 p.m.
Kevin Cook presents a series of classes on Colorado Natural History, sponsored by Fort Collins Audubon.  See details here.

April 16 (Wednesday).  Colorado Natural History Class.  6:15 p.m. to 7:45 p.m.
Kevin Cook presents a series of classes on Colorado Natural History, sponsored by Fort Collins Audubon.  See details here.

April 23 (Wednesday).  Colorado Natural History Class.  6:15 p.m. to 7:45 p.m.
Kevin Cook presents a series of classes on Colorado Natural History, sponsored by Fort Collins Audubon.  See details here.

April 30 (Wednesday).  Colorado Natural History Class.  6:15 p.m. to 7:45 p.m.
Kevin Cook presents a series of classes on Colorado Natural History, sponsored by Fort Collins Audubon.  See details here.

June 6-8 (Friday-Sunday).  Canoe Trip on the Lower Gunnison River.
Trip Full!  This leisurely 31-mile trip through the Escalante and Dominguez Canyons is a summer delight, leaving time for hiking and photography. The Gunnison is ideal for beginning and intermediate canoeists, providing lots of fun with various Class 1+ rapids along its course. You will paddle beside high walls of beautiful red sandstone and shale, deposited during the age of the dinosaurs. Interesting side trips into deep box canyons will leave you awed by the immensity of geologic time and the silence of the wilderness. Massive cottonwood trees stand on the river bends supporting huge nests of blue herons, hawks and eagles. Hiking will include the spectacular Dominguez Canyon Wilderness Study Area complete with a 40-foot waterfall, secluded swimming holes and numerous ancient Indian petroglyphs.  Click here for more details!  Check out reports from our previous trips: 2002 Canoe Trip (Colorado River), 2003 Canoe Trip (Lower Gunnison River), 2004 Canoe Trip (White River), 2005 Canoe Trip (North Platte River), 2006 Canoe Trip (Green River), 2007 Canoe Trip (Yampa River).