Birding by Habitat: Rock Bottom Ranch to Catherine Store Bridge

This point-to-point birding hike takes us through a habitat-rich segment of the Rio Grande Trail between Rock Bottom Ranch and Catherine Store Bridge, covering a distance of about 2 miles. Late September is an exciting time during the prolonged fall migration season in the Roaring Fork Valley. We may see lingering warblers, kinglets, various sparrows, tanagers and more as these birds continue to pass through the area, pausing to refuel in the abundant shrublands, riparian forests, and pinyon-juniper woodlands along our route. We may also see evidence of food-caching behaviors in resident birds as they prepare for the coming winter season: Clark’s nutcrackers, mountain and black-capped chickadees, Lewis’s woodpeckers, and nuthatches. Additional possible species include wild turkeys, jays, waterfowl, flocks of red-winged blackbirds and finches, and a variety of raptors such as bald eagle, golden eagle, red-tailed hawk, Cooper’s hawk, and even merlin – an uncommon but annually-seen fall migrant! Join us for this special fall migration exploration!

Special notes: bring a day pack with plenty of water and hearty snacks, and anything else you may need to keep comfortable and happy for this 3+ hour hike. Wear sturdy hiking boots or walking shoes, bring a rain jacket and sun hat.

We will be sharing the trail with cyclists and will practice safe and considerate trail etiquette as we pause to bird in the many clear spots just off the trail. Restrooms will be available at the start of this hike, at Rock Bottom Ranch.

This class requires advance registration to ensure appropriate planning for the field experience.

Birders of all experience levels are welcome!  Special attention will be given to orienting beginning birders to local habitats and their associated bird species, and basic field craft skills.

This outing meets in the parking lot of Rock Bottom Ranch.

About the Instructor:

Rebecca Weiss is a Naturalist specializing in birding, botany, and interpretive program development. She came to ACES as a Summer Naturalist in 1993, and later directed the Naturalist Field School and worked with ACES’ Naturalist Programs. She guides for ACES’ Birding Program outings and is a professional writer and consultant.  Rebecca is the author of Birds of Aspen and the Roaring Fork Valley. She holds a BS in Biology and a MA in Environmental Education, and loves exploring the natural world with her husband, Austin, and their children, Anders and Elsie.