ACES Pitkin County Open Space Birding at North Star Preserve 06/12/26

This trip started with an overview of North Star Nature Preserve, including the history of the property and its ecological importance within the Roaring Fork Valley. We noticed lots of bird activity in the forest canopy as we walked to the west end of the preserve, including western warbling vireos, northern yellow warblers, and western flycatchers. In the willows, we saw Lincoln’s and song sparrows. Reaching the access point via private property, we turned into rich, patchy habitat along the west end of the preserve where we found orange-crowned warblers, a black-chinned hummingbird, and a spotted sandpiper on the river. Nesting boxes were occupied by tree swallows, mountain chickadees, mountain bluebirds, and northern house wrens. On the open water, we saw a gadwall family and a cinnamon teal, surrounded by many red-winged blackbirds in the sedges. We heard Wilson’s snipe calling and watched a northern flicker at its nesting hole in a snag. It was a treat to bird in this special area with so much bird activity amid spectacular views! Join us next Friday for birding at the Meadows Open Space and Aspen Institute campus!