Birding & Conversation: Basalt Mountain

The ecosystems affected by the 2018 Lake Christine Fire have many stories to tell. Join birding expert Rebecca Weiss and ACES Forest and Climate Director, Adam McCurdy, to explore the ecological stories and the special suite of birds in various post-burn habitats as well as the underlying climate-related stories we have in this valley.

Within burned areas and adjacent green patches, we hope to see American Three-toed Woodpeckers, Olive-sided Flycatchers, Mountain Bluebirds, Hermit Thrushes, Townsend’s Solitaires, Tree Swallows, Black-chinned and Broad-tailed hummingbirds, Western Tanagers and more. The burned landscape is likened by forest fire ecologists to a treasure chest that has been opened, providing a bonanza of feeding and nesting opportunities for many bird species in succession over the following decades of regrowth. This is a moderately strenuous day hike over uneven terrain and mountain trails, covering about 3 miles.

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

Meeting location and details will be communicated to registered participants closer to outing date.

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About the instructors:

Rebecca Weiss is a Naturalist specializing in birding, botany, and interpretive program development. She first came to ACES as a Summer Naturalist in 1993, later directed the Naturalist Field School and worked with ACES’ Naturalist Programs. She currently guides for ACES’ Birding Program outings and is involved with the center’s interpretive and custom programs. Rebecca is also a professional writer, developing trailside natural history interpretive signs in the Roaring Fork Valley and elsewhere in Colorado, as well as other writing projects. Rebecca is the author of Birds of Aspen and the Roaring Fork Valley. She holds a BS in Biology and an MA in Environmental Education, and loves exploring the natural world with her husband, Austin, and their children Anders and Elsie.

Adam McCurdy first joined ACES in 2008 as a Naturalist and re-joined the ACES staff in 2017 as the Forest Programs Director. He received his B.S. in Environmental Science from the University of Massachusetts and his M.A. in Geography from the University of Colorado. Adam discovered the beauties and intricacies of the natural world while exploring the rich forest of New England. As the Forest Programs director he’s thrilled to be spending his time working for the forest of the Rocky Mountains. Adam spends his free time hiking, biking, skiing and whenever possible exploring new places.

Birding and Conversation Field Trip Series
In this special series we explore compelling topics pertaining to birds, from local history, to ecology and conservation. These field trips involve a combination of birding and presentations in the field with guests whose deep expertise provide unique insights into birds and the world we share with them. Join us for these opportunities for first-hand experience and discussions that will enhance your birding and broaden your understanding of the feathered wonders and the natural world around us!
2025 guests/locations in this series include Jody Cardamone at Toklat (Toklat/Mace legacy and approach to nature study, birds), Paul Andersen at Seven Castles (history of the Seven Castles area and its special birdlife), Adam McCurdy at Basalt Mountain (fire ecology, climate change and birds), Ted Floyd in the Frying Pan River Valley (a deep dive into field craft, from the author of National Geographic bird guides and editor of Birding magazine), and Bill Schmoker (tune in – birding by ear, learning bird sounds and their meanings)