ACES City of Aspen Birding Series: Marlot Open Space 08/18/25

Bird activity in the fragments of native habitat, former hay meadows, and community garden within the Marolt Open Space was mostly sparse in dry areas, but very active in irrigated areas as birds seek out these food-rich places during this summer of severe drought. We found a few vireos, chickadees, finches, flycatchers, woodpeckers, and other birds as we walked through the former ranch compound area and the present-day mining museum grounds. We spent most of our time in the community garden where we were able to see many birds at fairly close range, getting great comparisons of field marks among hummingbird, finch, and sparrow species. Highlights included several immature MacGillivray’s warblers, many Brewer’s sparrows, at least one calliope hummingbird, and the family of Lewis’s woodpeckers in the dead trees along the gravel road. Join us for more migration season field trips coming up in September!