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Field Trips 

Please let us know if you are coming!  You may register for all field trips at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. @ gmail.com.  Include your name, field trip date, and your contact information so that we don't leave you behind, or in case weather or illness forces a cancellation.   Items you may want to bring along include snacks, water, binoculars, and field guides. 

THE BLACK CANYON AUDUBON SOCIETY TRIP/EVENT PARTICIPATION WAIVER OF LIABILITY FOR 2026
Each fieldtrip participant is required to complete a participant waiver form, which can be downloaded by clicking here.  Please print, fill out, and sign the form and bring to the field trip leader. This form will remain valid for all 2026 field trips.   

First Tuesday Field Trips - Montrose County

Next Montrose field trip: October 6, 2026, 9:00 a.m. (note later start)

Upcoming Montrose fall field trips: 

Tuesday 10/06/2026 9 a.m. 
Tuesday, 11/03/2026 9 a.m.

All Montrose First Tuesday Field Trips meet at 9:00 a.m. at the public parking lot at the corner of N. 2nd Street and N. Cascade Ave. in Montrose, unless otherwise noted in the trip description. Bruce Ackerman will lead the group to a nearby birding hotspot. Return should be by about noon. Bring a snack, water, binoculars, and field guides. Please sign up for all field trips and include your name, field trip date, and contact information in case weather or illness forces a cancellation. RSVP to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. 

Third Tuesday Field Trips - Delta County

All Delta County Third Tuesday trips will last about 2-3 hours, unless otherwise noted in the trip description.  Bring a snack, water, binoculars, spotting scopes (if you have one), and field guides. Please sign up for all field trips and include your name, field trip date, and contact information in case weather or illness forces a cancellation. RSVP for all fieldtrips at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. 

Fruit Growers Reservoir, Tuesday 9/15/2026 (8:00 am Montrose/8:30 Fruit Growers Reservoir)

Don Marsh will lead a trip to Fruit Growers Reservoir to look for shorebirds and other fall migrants. Return should be around noon. Meet at the public parking lot at the corner of N. 2nd Street and N. Cascade Ave. in Montrose at 8 a.m. or just across the dam at Fruit Growers Reservoir at 8:30 a.m.

Hotchkiss North Fork Miner’s Trail, Tuesday 10/20/2026 9:00 a.m.

Janine Reid will lead this trip along the North Fork of the Gunnison River. Meet at 9:00 a.m. in the parking lot on the west side of East Bridge Street (CO 92) in Hotchkiss before reaching the river.

Confluence Park (Delta Co), Tuesday 11/17/2026 9 a.m.

Led by Elizabeth Ivers. Meet at Delta's Confluence Park at 9:00 am at the large parking lot on the east side of the lake (across from the back of the recreation center). We'll have the scope set up to view any waterfowl on the lake, and will then take a walk through the woods. Plan on a two- to three-hour walk.

Other Group Birding Opportunities

Blue Mesa Reservoir (Gunnison County), Saturday 9/19/2026 8:00 a.m.

Don Marsh will lead a trip to Blue Mesa Reservoir to look for fall migrants. Due to the ongoing drought, the reservoir is currently only 25 percent full, which has resulted in large areas of mud and shallow water. These conditions attract good numbers of ducks, shorebirds, and gulls. Also present are raptors and sagebrush-loving songbirds. Meet at the public parking lot at the corner of N. 2nd Street and N. Cascade Ave. in Montrose at 8:00 a.m.  We should return to Montrose by early afternoon.

Fall Colors (Ouray County), Thursday 10/10/2026 8:30 a.m.

Meet leader Don Marsh at the Ridgway Town Visitor Center near the intersection of Highway 550 and Highway 62 at 8:30 a.m. We will explore various back roads in Ouray County as we search for birds and beautiful fall colors. As weather and birds can be unpredictable in October, we will stay flexible on our options. Dress in layers and bring your camera. We will wrap up in the early afternoon.

Colorado West Land Trust Equinox Field Series

Join Colorado West Land Trust for their series of monthly field trips to conserved lands, running from the Spring Equinox to the Fall Equinox. Learn about why landowners work with CWLT to conserve their land and experience our mission up close through guided hikes, bird watching, plein air painting, and more! These events provide unique opportunities to explore Western Colorado’s stunning landscapes, discover diverse wildlife, and understand the importance of our conservation efforts. Whether you’re a nature enthusiast, an avid birder, or someone looking to enjoy the great outdoors, the Equinox Field Series offers something for everyone! More information on the CWLT website: https://cowestlandtrust.org/equinox-field-series/ 

BCAS Field Trip Guidelines

One of the fun aspects of belonging to BCAS is the field trips.  The field trips visit numerous hotspots in our area and occasionally to places far afield.  These trips wouldn’t be possible without the efforts of the trip leaders.  All BCAS trip leaders are volunteers donating their time and expertise to bring a great birding experience to participants.  As a matter of keeping the experience top notch there are a few rules in place to help things run smoothly.  Please keep them in mind when signing up and participating in the trips.

  • Please notify the trip leader of your intentions to participate in a timely manner. Contact the trip leader to sign up and be sure you get an affirmative response from the leader. To sign up for all field trips send an email to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..  Be sure to mention which field trip you want to attend.  Field trip sign ups close 48 hours before the planned trip.  Be sure to leave a contact phone number in case the leader needs to contact you about changes.
  • Depending on the field trip, there may be limitations on participation. These limitations are set by the trip leader and announced with the field trip information. Reasons for limitations include parking concerns, visits to private residents, safety, and a trip leader’s comfort level with participant numbers.  The exceptions to participant limitations may include special events where a larger crowd in anticipated and the First Tuesday field trips.   First Tuesdays are expressly focused on new/novice members and visit nearby hotspots that can accommodate a bigger group.  People are still asked to sign up in advance, so no one is left behind.
  • Unless otherwise noted, all trips will meet in Montrose at 8 a.m. at the public parking lot at the corner of N. 2nd Street and N. Cascade Ave.

  • Each fieldtrip participant is required to complete a participant waiver form, which can be downloaded by clicking here.  Please print, fill out, and sign the form and bring to the field trip leader. This form will remain valid for all 2026 field trips.  

Many of BCAS field trips fill up, so signing up early increases your chances of participating.  If, for some reason, you cannot attend a field trip, please notify the trip leader ASAP.  Many times, the leader has a waiting list, so contacting the leader allows others to participate.  Guests of members are welcome, so please let the leader know how many will be in your party.

 Las Pautas para Ecursiones de BCAS

Uno de los aspectos más divertidos de pertenecer a BCAS son las excursiones. Estas excursiones visitan numerosos lugares de interés en nuestra zona y, ocasionalmente, lugares más lejanos. Estas excursiones no serían posibles sin el esfuerzo de los guías. Todos los guías de BCAS son voluntarios que donan su tiempo y experiencia para brindar una excelente experiencia de observación de aves a los participantes. Para garantizar la mejor experiencia, existen algunas reglas que facilitan el desarrollo del programa. Por favor, téngalas en cuenta al inscribirse y participar en las excursiones.

  • Por favor, notifique al guía su intención de participar lo antes posible. Comuníquese con él para inscribirse y asegúrese de recibir una respuesta afirmativa. Para inscribirse en todas las excursiones, envíe un correo electrónico a black.canyon.audubon.fieldtrips. Asegúrese de mencionar a qué excursión desea asistir. Las inscripciones cierran 48 horas antes de la fecha prevista. Asegúrese de dejar un número de teléfono de contacto en caso de que el guía necesite contactarle para informarle sobre cualquier cambio.
  • Dependiendo de la excursión, puede haber limitaciones de participación. Estas limitaciones las establece el guía y se anuncian junto con la información de la excursión. Las razones de las limitaciones incluyen problemas de estacionamiento, visitas a residentes particulares, seguridad y la comodidad del guía con el número de participantes. Las excepciones a las limitaciones de participación pueden incluir eventos especiales donde se anticipa una mayor afluencia de público y las excursiones del Primer Martes. El Primer Martes está especialmente dirigido a miembros nuevos o novatos y visita lugares de interés cercanos con capacidad para un grupo mayor. Se ruega a los participantes que se inscriban con antelación para que nadie se quede atrás.
  • A menos que se indique lo contrario, todas las excursiones se reunirán en Montrose a las 8:00 a. m. en el estacionamiento público ubicado en la esquina de N. 2nd Street y N. Cascade Ave.

Muchas de las excursiones de BCAS se llenan, así que inscribirse con anticipación aumenta sus posibilidades de participar. Si, por alguna razón, no puede asistir a una excursión, notifique al líder de la excursión lo antes posible. Muchas veces, el líder tiene lista de espera, por lo que contactarlo permite que otros participen. Los invitados de los miembros son bienvenidos, así que informe al líder cuántos serán en su grupo.