ACES Pitkin County Open Space Birding at North Star Preserve 06/22/26

This outing began with an overview of North Star Nature Preserve and its management for sensitive wildlife as well as human access and recreation. We had many new birders in the group and spent some time on field craft and use of binoculars before birding our way along the East of Aspen Trail to the James Smith property. On the way, we saw a herd of elk moving up the hillside above the preserve and a mule deer on our trail. Birds were fairly quiet at first, and then we found ourselves in a pocket of great activity. Highlights included nesting house wrens, a family of northern flickers, and a great look at a black-headed grosbeak. A great blue heron flew in and perched in the top of a spruce tree in the former nesting area, and a Lincoln’s sparrow sat still for excellent observations of its delicate field marks. A song sparrow landed and sang at close range, giving us a sense of the impressive volume these small birds can generate. As we walked out of the James Smith property, we saw a small flock of cedar waxwings. Back at the South Gate lot, we had time to walk to the river where we saw more cedar waxwings and got to watch them bathe in the edge of the river. It was a magical morning! Join us on Thursday for evening birding at Rock Bottom Ranch!