May 2018 N Rim Black Canyon field trip

BCAS field trip group on the North Rim of the Black Canyon.

Field Trips

**If you are vaccinated and feel comfortable traveling with others that are vaccinated, carpooling can take place. 

If you are not vaccinated, you should drive yourself and wear a mask when around others.**

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. 

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.

First Tuesday Field Trips

First Tuesday Field Trips will be on March 5, April 2, May 7, and June 4 at 9:00 a.m.  Meet at the public parking lot at the intersection of N. 2nd St. and N. Cascade Ave. in Montrose. A leader will accompany the group to a nearby birding hotspot. Return about noon. Independent driving and social distancing, including wearing masks and not sharing equipment, will be the protocol in use. Return should be by about noon.  Bring a snack, water, binoculars, and field guides. RSVP for all fieldtrips at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. Please let us know if you are coming, so we don’t leave you behind. This is especially in case of sudden weather changes.

Grand Junction Hot Spots

Saturday, March 14.  Both Connected Lakes and the Grand Junction State Wildlife Area in Mesa County can offer up a good variety of waterfowl and songbirds during the late winter months.  Join leader Don Marsh as we explore the ponds, fields, and cottonwood forest along the river corridor.  Dress in layers, bring water and a lunch or snacks, and a spotting scope, if you have one. Meet at the public parking lot at the corner of N. 2nd Street and N. Cascade Ave. in Montrose at 8:00 AM.  We should be back in Montrose by early afternoon.  Please email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. to reserve your spot.

Eckert Crane Days

Saturday and Sunday, March 23 and 24.  The 24th Annual Eckert Crane Days Festival is set to take place the weekend of March 23 and 24 at Fruitgrower’s Reservoir in Hart’s Basin. This is just east of Eckert on North Rd. This year’s sponsors include  Western State Ranches, LLC (WSR). Members of BCAS will be onsite with spotting scopes and extra binoculars for viewing the roosting sandhill cranes, as well as other birds and waterfowl. Viewing begins each day at 9:00 AM for a late morning lift-off and again at dusk as more cranes come in to roost. WSR will host a free community BBQ at the ranch just north of the causeway in Hart’s Basin at noon on Saturday, March 23. The community is invited to attend free of charge and join in the festivities. Plan to stop by the BCAS table and find out what we are doing to support the local and migrating bird populations. Find out how homeowners can create an environment that attracts and supports bird species in the local area. This is a family event, so if you have school-aged children who would like to learn more about Sandhill Cranes, make sure to ask for a youth packet.

Fruitgrowers Reservoir

Saturday, April 20.  Fruitgrowers Reservior in the Hart Basin is one of the top hotspots on Colorado’s Western Slope.  A variety of migrating birds, including ducks, gulls, shorebirds, and some early migrant songbirds should be present in late April.  For those in the Montrose area, meet at the public parking lot at the corner of N. 2nd Street and N. Cascade Ave. in Montrose at 8:00 AM. .We’ll wrap up around noon and head back to Montrose.  If you live near Delta, you can meet us at the parking lot on North Road around 8:45 am. Dress in layers, bring water, a lunch or snacks, and a spotting scope, if you have one. Please email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. to reserve your spot.

West End of Montrose County Field Trip

Wednesday and Thursday, May 8 and 9.  Black Canyon Audubon will sponsor a mullti-day field trip to Paradox Valley, near Nucla, and other West End venues for a spring birding adventure.  The opportunity to see over 70 species is very high.  Expect several short walks to access bird habitat.  The Paradox Valley and West End areas have a great mix of habitats ranging from desert scrub to classic alpine to riparian, allowing for a rich mix of birds during the spring migration.  Expect to see a variety of waterfowl, black-throated sparrow, vireos, yellow-breasted chat, Grace’s warbler, black phoebe, and a host of migrants.  

The group will meet at the Vestal House in Naturita Colo. at 9:00 AM on May 8.  Day 1 will wrap up near Naturita, so participants can access either hotel accommodations or camp for the night.  The Uravan Ball Park campground is open.  It is 13 miles from Naturita along Highway 141 and the Vestal House in Naturita has nice rooms at reasonable prices.

There will be a potluck dinner the evening of May 8 at the hotel.  The field trip is limited to 12 participants.

Birding the Colorado River

Friday-Sunday, May 17 to 19.  Not a BCAS Fieldtrip, but we are promoting the trip. The Colorado Canyons Association (CCA) will again organize a fully supported raft trip focused on birding the Ruby/Horsethief section of the Colorado River.  Visit CCA’s website for more information.

Escalante State Wildlife Area

Wednesday, May 29.  BCAS has received permission to visit the Hamilton Tract of the Escalante SWA to document bird species.  Normally, the wildlife area is closed to visitors during the spring and early summer to protect nesting birds.  We will be eBirding the results.  The field trip is limited to six individuals to limit impacts on nesting birds.  Sign up by contacting Bill Harris at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..   

100 Bird Challenge

Saturday, June 1. BCAS is throwing down the gauntlet by challenging interested members in spotting 100 bird species in a single day. The rules are simple. Go look for as many species as possible from dawn til dusk on June 1. Several of our members have done this in past years with good success. Members are encouraged to form teams of 3-4 people, then plan out a route. The team that spots the most species will receive the eternal admiration of all BCAS members. Will a Red-tailed Hawk be seen that day?

Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park

Saturday, June 8.  Late Spring is a great time to be at the park, with many birds singing on territory and raptors riding the thermal around the deep canyon. Expect to see and hear flycatchers, grosbeaks, swifts, and swallows along with wildflowers. Dress in layers, bring water and a lunch or snacks, and binoculars. Meet at the public parking lot at the corner of N. 2nd Street and N. Cascade Ave. in Montrose at 7:00 AM.  This is an early start to get to the park ahead of the crowds and hear more birds.  We should be back in Montrose by early afternoon.  Please email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. to reserve your spot.

 


 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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A Colorado
Chapter of
the National
Audubon Society

 

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