Where Eagles Spend the Winter

With a collective shriek, hundreds of Cackling Geese rose from the surface of Barr Lake, wings beating frantically as they flew over the water.

Our birding group wondered what had caused their alarm. Then we spotted an adult Bald Eagle on the wing, following the geese like an airborne border collie herding sheep.

Eagles generally feed on fish and prairie dogs, explained walk leader Sarah Doxon, education manager at Bird Conservancy of the Rockies. But on occasion an eagle will take down old, sick, or injured waterfowl.

The geese were taking no chances.

Bird club members who joined the January 3 walk at Barr Lake State Park saw more than a dozen adult and juvenile eagles. Open water on the park’s large, manmade reservoir, along with tall trees and plentiful food sources, make Barr Lake a popular wintering spot for our national bird.

In some years, 40 or more Bald Eagles will travel from the Pacific Northwest, joining the two pairs of resident eagles that regularly nest at the park.

Eagles aren’t the only avian attraction at Barr Lake, a wildlife refuge that attracts “a greater variety and number of birds than anywhere else in Colorado,” according to the park’s website.

Our group focused on waterfowl, watching large flocks of Northern Pintails, American Wigeons, Mallards, and Northern Shovelers, as well as the ever-present Cackling and Canada Geese. A few Common Mergansers, Snow Geese, and Common Goldeneyes also made an appearance.

At more than 2,000 acres, the state park encompasses a wide variety of habitats. On our hike to and from the lakeside viewing gazebo, we spotted Northern Harriers soaring low over open grassland. American Kestrels and a variety of songbirds perched on tall grasses or in woodland trees. A herd of mule deer grazed on open ground near the reservoir’s shore.

Doxon and other Bird Conservancy staff lead regular Eagle Outings at the park in winter, suspending the walks to protect the birds once nesting season begins. The state park’s annual Eagle Festival on February 7 includes live raptor demonstrations, guided walks, and shuttles to the gazebo boardwalk.

Most of the eagles our group spotted were perched high in the trees on the far side of the reservoir, but several flew close to the viewing area or perched in trees not far from the state park’s educational (and kid-friendly) Nature Center.

No matter how many you’ve seen, a Bald Eagle is always a magnificent sight. And no matter how many times you’ve been there, Barr Lake State Park is always a prime location for birding.

Text by Christine Kindl

Photos by Steve Horace

Outreach Programs

As part of our mission to encourage the public’s enjoyment of Broomfield’s wild birds, the Broomfield Bird Club is active in two community outreach programs.

The first has been ongoing at the Broomfield Community Center for a couple of years now. It started when we received a donation of books from the estate of Walt Syzmanski, one of the group’s founding members. Some of the field guides found a home in the center’s Fireside Lodge, a cozy sitting area with a view of Brunner Reservoir. The reservoir is Broomfield’s second largest ‘hotspot’ according to eBird, boasting more than 170 species sighted. Our small library’s offerings are available for visitors to reference while enjoying the birds that make the pond home or are just passing through.

Second, this fall our group placed a bird feeder at the Brunner farmhouse, located on the northeast corner of Midway Avenue and Maine Street. Bird seed donated by the club fills the feeder in the fall and winter months. While northern bird species are well adapted to cold temperatures, the seeds they find in the bird feeder supplement their diets, especially during migration and in harsh winter weather. In the spring and summer months, the seed feeder is removed and replaced with a hummingbird feeder, giving visitors a chance to watch these tiny, colorful birds up close.

Board member Steve Horace is one of several volunteers keeping the Brunner House bird feeder full for winter birds.

“We’re pleased to share our love of birding in these two great locations within the community,” said Christine Kindl, president of the club. “Both places are easily accessible, providing birding opportunities year-round.”

Post and photo by Karen Clark

Why Band Birds?

A bird in the hand is a small miracle. From just inches away, a group of us marveled at a black-and-white bird’s tiny clawed feet, bright eyes, long tongue, and daintily spotted feathers.

Then the Downy Woodpecker stabbed its human handler with its sharp beak. A drop of blood beaded up on her thumb as bird bander Meredith McBurney weighed and measured the feisty creature, then fastened a metal ring around its leg. 

Minutes later, the woodpecker flew off. It, at least, was unharmed.

Those of us who visited the bird banding station at Barr Lake State Park last month witnessed this surprising moment, and more. McBurney, who has been a Bird Conservancy of the Rockies staff member for more than 20 years, described the evolution of the organization’s bird banding program. 

The goal hasn’t changed, she said: To better understand bird behavior, especially around migration, so breeding grounds, wintering sites, and the crucial habitats in between can be managed better. Ultimately, the aim is to help all bird species to thrive.

Briefly capturing wild birds so they can be examined and tagged remains a key component of the data collection program, McBurney said. But over the years, paper records have given way to digital databases. Unique ID numbers stamped on metal bands are still a mainstay, but for certain species, DNA collection holds even more promise. Some birds have even been fitted with lightweight radio transmitters, so a network of antennae can track their travels.

Bird populations are declining – not just here in Colorado, but across most of the country. At Barr Lake, McBurney and her team have banded far fewer birds this fall than in years past. 

Construction near the lake may play a local role, she said, and a hot, dry spring likely reduced the food supply for insect-eating birds. 

Looking at the bigger picture, migrating birds are losing precious habitat to development worldwide. And as the climate changes, birds’ innate urge to migrate is increasingly out of sync with the blooming plants and emerging insects they need to survive.

Aside from supporting scientific inquiry, what can ordinary people do to help wild birds?

Create mini-habitats by swapping turfgrass for native plants, McBurney said. Make fresh water available in your yard, and install a bird feeder or two. Turn off outdoor lights after dark during spring and fall migration.

“Above all, share your passion,” McBurney urged our group. “The more people know about wild birds, the more likely they are to care about them.”

Before our session was done, we watched McBurney examine two Wilson’s Warblers and an Orange-Crowned Warbler. Each was a tiny miracle – and a reminder that the fate of wild birds rests, quite literally, in our hands.

***

Want to know more? A training supervisor at the Barr Lake bird banding station recommends reading “Nature’s Best Hope: A New Approach to Conservation That Starts in Your Yard,” by Douglas W. Tallamy, and “Welcome to Subirdia: Sharing Our Neighborhoods with Wrens, Robins, Woodpeckers, and Other Wildlife,” by John J. Marzluff. For more about the Bird Conservancy of the Rockies, visit www.birdconservancy.org.

Post and photos by Christine Kindl

 

Drama in the Yard

It’s been a regular soap opera in my yard this summer, with birds in the starring.

Last week the morning chorus of birdsong was interrupted by a series of loud screeches and warning calls in the ash tree out front. A pair of American Robins fluttered frantically in the treetop, where I could barely glimpse what looked like a nest made of mud and grass. 

The robins squawked at top volume. Chickadees and House Finches in the tree next-door added their cries to the ruckus.

Then I recognized the harsh, rusty-gate “croak” of a Common Grackle, and I ran to grab my spotting scope. Sure enough, a grackle was perched at the edge of the nest, dipping its head inside as the robins tried, unsuccessfully, to drive it away.

Grackles are omnivores. They feed on insects, crayfish, berries, seeds, garbage … anything edible they can find. That includes the eggs and nestlings of other bird species.

The robins, I fear, lost their eggs or hatchlings to the greedy grackle. Within 15 minutes the attack was over, and the well-fed murderer flew from the scene of the crime.

This morning’s episode had a happier outcome. 

I heard Black-capped Chickadees chattering in the spruce tree near my kitchen window. These are regular visitors, and they scold when the feeder runs dry. Chastened, I stepped outside with a cupful of sunflower seeds.

No need for a refill: Two juvenile chickadees – marked like adults, but still a bit hesitant in flight – were perched in the spruce, vocalizing loudly. A somewhat harried-looking adult repeatedly flew to the feeder, selected a seed, and delivered it to one of the hungry youngsters.

I watched for a while as the adult fed the fledglings in turn. At last they quieted a bit, and the adult grabbed a seed for itself.

Then all three chickadees swooped to the edge of the bird bath. Each took a drink, and then all three hopped into the water. Flapping and splashing ensued. Apparently, the morning agenda included breakfast and a bath.

From sweet family interactions to crime in the treetops, moments like these offer a peek into the natural world. There’s some birdy drama out there in the yard, and I’ll choose it over TV every time.

Post by Christine Kindl

Photos by Karen Clark

 

Spring Picnic

Saturday was a perfect day for a picnic, and over 30 people gathered at the historic Brunner Farmhouse for our club's annual spring affair. Under a blue Colorado sky, amidst gardens in full bloom, members and friends feasted on sack lunches and a cake provided by the club, while a panel of our favorite walk leaders fielded questions relating to birding, and tried to stump the audience with a few trivia questions of their own.

New this year, a swap table brought lots of interest, as one person's trash became another's treasure. We also had a chance to welcome Maylin Hewing, our 2025 "bird camp" scholarship winner, and to thank Ed Frazar for bringing his audio setup.

Questions for the experts ranged from topics including the smallest aviary species -- hummingbirds -- to the largest, birds of prey. Here are a few tips I came away with.

Pete Ruprecht gave us a short lesson on raptor identification, noting that often the behavior of a bird in flight is a good indicator of the species. He also talked about the downside of rodenticides. While they may solve an immediate pest problem, birds who feed on these rodents can die; the same birds would likely eliminate 1,000 in their lifetime by feeding on them naturally.

When putting out feeders for hummingbirds, Chris Petrizzo recommended hanging them as high as you can, as hummers can often be attracted from afar. He also reminded us to clean them often to prevent mold and bacteria that can harm the tiny birds.

Donna Stumpp provided helpful hints on backyard bird habitat and also a tip on how to prevent birds from flying into house windows: Use reflective stickers that birds can see, but that don't detract from your view looking out the window.

A lively discussion ensued about the changes we're seeing in bird populations. Trends include more eastern species visiting Colorado as a result of population growth in our state and increased vegetation, especially trees, in our communities. That has been one factor in the growing bald eagle population in the past 50 years -- but other birds of prey who rely on the same food sources have decreased.

Here's a trivia question that stumped the audience. Other than wood ducks, what are two types of ducks in Colorado that nest in trees? Do you know? 

Another fun fact: House wrens are extremely territorial, so if you have a pair nesting in your backyard, chances are other birds will not be nesting nearby.

Check out the bird walks page on our website for field trips -- coming soon! -- led by Donna, Pete and Chris. 

And tree-nesting ducks in Colorado? Those would be mergansers and Buffleheads. The latter will often use abandoned Northern Flicker nests, which are just the right size for this diminutive breed of water fowl.

Post and photos by Karen Clark

Sharing the love of birding

Most of us fondly recall that special person whose enthusiasm made an impression on us and inspired us to go on that first bird walk or purchase a pair of binoculars!  Broomfield Bird Club member Deb Duran recently shared her story of reconnecting with someone she introduced to birding years ago. 

"You just never know who you impact," said Deb. "I worked with Josef for about a year, six or seven years ago. We have not stayed in touch until he sent me this wonderful email a couple of weeks ago. I have now shared Broomfield Bird Club with him and look forward to 'reconnecting' with him and birding! Good all the way around!" 

 

Josef gave us permission to share his email to Deb, beautifully expressing what birding has meant to him.

Hi Deb,

 

It took me some time to track you down, but I wanted to reach out after all these years and say hello.

 

I thought of you after I recently returned from a 2-week family trip to South Africa, where I had the great pleasure of taking hundreds of photographs of glorious birds, including on a private wildlife reserve. The topic of birding came up during a conversation with a local South African bookstore owner, who was also a birder. I shared with him how I got my start in birding when you showed me a Great Horned Owl outside your window at ACED.

 

I've been birding ever since, all across the country, and it has been one of the greatest gifts in my life on nearly every trip I take. I was able to identify 50 different birds in South Africa during my trip, and saw about 10 more I wasn't able to identify. What an experience!

 

Just wanted to reach out after all these years and say, thank you for giving me this gift of a lifetime. Birding has deepened my connection to nature in so many ways and become one of the loves of my life. My 9-year-old son has taken up after his dad and become a birder as well, taking his camera everywhere we go.

 

I hope you are doing well and thriving these days.

 

Josef

Swainson's Spurfowl

Cape Robin-Chat

African Penguin

Photo credits: Josef Scarantino

 

2025 Annual Meeting held

On Sunday, when much of the country was focused on the actions of Eagles in Philadelphia and other circles were interested in Superb Owls, more than 40 members of the Bird Club gathered at the Broomfield Library to learn some amazing facts about Cooper’s Hawks from Boulder ornithologist Ted Floyd.

While Ted’s excellent presentation was the main event of the annual membership meeting, highlights also included the ratification of officers and board members for 2025-2026. The two-hour meeting gave members a chance to mingle and enjoy refreshments, and a few walked away with some great door prizes.

Newly-elected president Christine Kindl announced that our club now boasts over 100 members, a goal that was established by past president Ellie McKinley when the club was founded in 2016.

“Our members have a wide range of interests, from getting outdoors to see birds in the wild to learning more about the species that live in Colorado or visit on their annual migrations,” Christine said.

“Our board works hard to organize activities supporting those interests, and to educate the public about Broomfield’s wild birds and their habitats.”

The club’s new slate of officers is posted on the club website, along with dates for upcoming activities, including bird walks.

 

Past Broomfield Bird Club presidents Ellie McKinley, a founding member (left), and Cindy Card. Cindy was recognized for her leadership as president from 2019 to 2024 at the November member meeting.

 

Birding in Botswana

In August, I was fortunate enough to go on safari in Botswana, Africa. Although it was not a birding trip specifically, we all became birders by the end of the tour. Our guide was spectacular in his knowledge of birds and their calls. He was quite adept at spotting and identifying everything that flew.

We were primarily in the Okavango Delta which is an incredible wildlife area. The Okavango Delta lies in the north west of Botswana. Part of the Great East African Rift Valley system, the Okavango Delta is formed as the Okavango River flows into the Kalahari Desert from the Angolan highlands, creating a unique wetland, a huge oasis.

Pied kingfisher

Fish eagle

Malachite kingfisher

Great blue heron

Also in the delta we ran across Pel’s fishing owl, yellow-billed Stork and the saddle-billed stork. The owl is an owlet, his mother is close by but is camera shy.

Pel's fishing owl

Saddle-billed stork

Yellow-billed stork

Other iconic birds that we ran into were the lilac breasted roller, secretary bird, go-away grey bird, yellow-billed horn bill, white-throated bee-eater and the hoopoe. 

Lilac-breasted roller

Secretary bird

White-throated bee-eater

Hoopee

This was the trip of a lifetime, so unlike any other place I have visited. Our tour was all out in the bush and very secluded. We only saw one other tour group in our 10 days of safari. Sequestered in our rooms at night we could hear lions roar, elephants walk by and birds singing in the morning.

 On a last note, the wildlife was incredible as well and I am sneaking in a few pictures of the animals we saw.

 

Post and photos by member Marilyn Staehle.

Creating a bird-friendly yard

Broomfield’s first snowstorm blanketed the ground with snow last Saturday, but in a second floor meeting room in the Broomfield library all thoughts were on gardening. Our fall member meeting drew about 40 people, gathered to learn tips from Boulder-area naturalist Dave Sutherland on how to create bird-friendly yards and gardens. 

Dave’s backyard in Boulder is proof that xeriscape is not zero-scape, as Dave described the properties of putting together a yard that will not only attract area birds, but is beautiful and unique. He shared slides of a lush garden with a wide variety of plants and gorgeous color that provide diversity for birds and insects they prey on. “If you like birds, you’ve got to provide and protect insects,” said Dave. “Provide food, and they will come.”

A habitat garden doesn’t require lots of acreage, Dave pointed out. You, too, can create a garden oasis that is low maintenance, unique and beautiful, just as he’s done in his own suburban garden. The advantage of native plants is that they are quite comfortable in Colorado’s soil. They require very little water and they thrive in low-nutrient soil. Once established, their root systems are strong and deep.

With heads filled with gardening plans, the meeting concluded with member Carl Muehlemeyer’s presentation of his stunning bird photography set to music. 

If you missed the presentation, or would like to learn more, check out Dave’s website at davesutherland.co. It offers plant listings, how-to’s and information about in-person programs that Dave conducts right in his own garden.

Dave Sutherland conducts native gardening workshop

at his Boulder home last summer.

Post and photos by Karen Clark

Birding by ear

It was a chill, foggy morning, the sort that tempts you to curl up with a hot cup of tea and a good book. But here we were, not long after dawn, on a bird walk at Walden Ponds Wildlife Habitat in Boulder County.

The misty air made birding a challenge. Even up close, the view was hazy. Colors were muted. Binoculars fogged. Fingertips tingled with cold.

Instead of speeding up to keep warm, walk leader Peter Ruprecht urged us to slow down and listen. We started birding “ears first.”

And with that, the landscape changed. A raucous chorus announced the presence of red-winged blackbirds hidden deep in the cattails. The rattle of a belted kingfisher drew our eyes to a stubby silhouette hunting from a perch over the water.

Quacking mallards caught our attention, and we saw wigeons paddling silently among them near the shore. Two great blue herons appeared out of the mist, croaking as they glided across the pond.

As daylight strengthened, we continued to listen. Blue jays squawked and screamed in the cottonwoods. House finches chirped as they flew overhead. American goldfinches twittered in a patch of thistles.

The “chip, chip” call of a sparrow brought us to a halt, and Peter shared tips for identifying the three species we spotted: white-crowned, Lincoln’s, and song sparrows. For a few minutes, they shared a small grove with a noisy flock of black-capped chickadees and a tiny marsh wren.

Walden (and the neighboring Sawhill Ponds) was once a gravel mining operation. The land has been thoughtfully reclaimed, and its numerous ponds and wetlands now are home to hundreds of bird and animal species. Broad swaths of native plants – food for birds and pollinators – are being installed along several of the well-marked trails.

It’s a place worth visiting at every season.

This morning’s walk yielded few surprises, but we all learned an important lesson: When it looks like there’s not much to see, let your ears take the lead. Sometimes, there’s more to the natural world than meets the eye.

Post and photos by Christine Kindl

Mindful Birding: A new way to experience the natural world

High in a cottonwood tree, a broad-tailed hummingbird plucked at a spiderweb, stealing the spider’s captured prey for its own midday meal.

On a typical birding walk, I’d have added the hummingbird to my eBird checklist and moved on. But on this day, I was practicing Mindful Birding – sitting still, slowing down, and using all my senses to experience this singular moment fully, without letting my mind scurry ahead to what other birds might be waiting for me down the trail.

I was introduced to Mindful Birding at a daylong workshop led by professor and author Barbara Patterson and hosted by the Bird Conservancy of the Rockies at Barr Lake State Park. As we all listened and learned, I realized that mindfulness – defined as “awareness that arises through paying attention, on purpose, in the present moment, non-judgmentally” – is a natural complement to birding.

Immersing yourself in nature has proven health benefits, too. Scientific studies have shown that practicing mindfulness, especially outdoors, can reduce stress, lower blood pressure, improve sleep, and help to ease anxiety and depression. (The chance to see birds is a bonus!)

Here’s one simple mindfulness exercise, the “sit spot,” to add to your birding routine:

1.      Identify a place where you’re likely to see birds. This can be a favorite spot in the woods or beside a pond, a bench on your regular walking route, or even a comfy chair where you can watch your backyard bird feeder.

2.      As often as possible (once a day is ideal), sit in that spot for at least 15 minutes and simply observe the natural world around you. Engage all your senses – look at what’s happening, listen for birdsong, smell the air, feel the breeze on your face. Let your body relax. If your mind wanders, gently return your thoughts to the scene in front of you.

3.      Some people find that journaling or sketching helps them “stay in the moment.” Others prefer to sit quietly. Do what feels right to you.

4.      As time goes on, notice how your chosen spot has changed with the seasons – and how familiar even its tiniest details have become. Notice, too, how this special place has become a refuge – a place where nature helps you relax, recharge, and refresh yourself.

Don’t get me wrong: I’m still excited to explore new birding hotspots. I enjoy learning from my fellow birders and puzzling out bird IDs together. It’s always a thrill to add a new species of bird to my life list.

But Mindful Birding is another way to enjoy wild birds and their habitats – one with the potential to benefit mental and physical health. As summer turns to fall, I will try to be more aware, less hurried, and more mindful of the beautiful world around me.

NOTE: Broomfield Bird club will offer a Mindful Birding outing at 7:30 a.m. Tuesday, Oct. 8, 2024. See our list of upcoming bird walks for details and registration.

Post by Christine Kindl

My First Birding Festival

If you've ever given any thought to experiencing a birding festival, a great one to start with is just right down the road.

Last month, I attended the Pikes Peak Birding and Nature Festival, an annual event in Colorado Springs. Over a four-day period, the festival offers over 60 field trips, and more than a dozen nature seminars and workshops. All for an unbelievably fair registration fee. I left on a Wednesday afternoon, driving to the Springs where I met up with my niece. We had dinner together that night, then she was off on a trip of her own, so she graciously invited me to use her house as my home base.

Thursday morning, I was up early and grabbed a sandwich from the fridge that I'd made the night before, my water bottle, some fruit and put it in my backpack, along with binoculars and sunscreen, and grabbed my camera.

My first field trip for the day was an urban walk, meeting up at a shopping center parking lot. From there, we followed a river trail for about four miles. Our group of 15 included locals from the Springs, a couple from Texas, and a woman from Florida. Throughout the weekend, I met a number of other birders from out-of-state and was surprised at how far some had traveled. It's understandable, though, because the area is a big draw for birders.

The Pikes Peak region offers a variety of habitats including short-grass prairie, forested foothills and deep canyons, and riparian forests. And this is peak migration season! During the course of the festival, about half of Colorado's population of over 500 birds will be spotted and identified. There are a lot of options for walks, ranging from sites on the eastern prairie to mountain regions. I opted for activities closer to the home base. On our walk that morning, our group collectively spotted 49 species, which included a couple of new 'lifers' for me.

Northern Waterthrush -- a life bird for me!

Each day, my schedule was much the same, rising early for a bird walk, and then attending a seminar in the afternoon. I went to a workshop on bird photography that was quite helpful. Another was a nature journaling workshop that I really enjoyed. While I still use eBird to keep a record of my birding lists, lately I've been journaling my findings in a notebook, and I find it to be a nice creative outlet.

Spotted Towhee -- always a favorite

Lesser Goldfinch

My favorite day was on Friday, when I attended a walk at Rock Ledge Ranch Historic Site. We birded the grounds for a couple of hours, then afterward went on a tour of one of the ranch houses. It was constructed in 1905, by the founder of Colorado Springs. The family member who lived there was an ornithologist, which was of interest to the group for obvious reasons, but we also enjoyed 'visiting' that time period. The house was just beautiful.

Rock Ledge Ranch Historic Site

Indian Paintbrush

The second day was the longest, as I filled it with a couple of walks and a workshop. I was glad for a break on Day 3, and after a morning bird walk I took the afternoon to partake of some of my favorite things. I found a wonderful used bookstore in downtown C.S., and a coffee shop located in a former elementary school that is being repurposed for businesses. The neighborhood probably dates to the 50s, I would say, and it was such a great vibe, I went back the next day for breakfast. 

All in all, going to the festival was a great experience. I enjoyed the workshops and getting to know like-minded individuals who are just a little bit crazy about birds. If I were to do one again, I would probably limit the number of activities each day. One walk a day is about as much as I could handle, followed by a workshop or seminar. Colorado Springs is a great town to explore, so it's nice to allow a little more time for that, too. 

Northern Flicker

A social gathering was held on Saturday night, with food and drink all included in the festival fee. There were some cool door prizes! Overall, this festival is a steal. Even with lodging added on, which can be found fairly reasonably in the Springs area, it is budget friendly and there are a wide variety of activities with experienced birding leaders. 

Post and photos by Karen Clark