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

Field Trips are Back!

**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 - 2023

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.

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 at 9:00 a.m. on  April 4 and at 8:00 a.m. on May 2.  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. Please let us know if you are coming at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., so we don’t leave you behind. This is especially in case of sudden weather changes.

Ridgway Area (Ouray County)

Saturday, March 25, 2023.  This trip will visit various locations around Ridgway, including Ridgway State Park.  We’ll meet at the Ridgway Town Visitor Center at the southwest corner of Highway 550 and Highway 62 at 9 a.m.  Dress in layers, and bring a lunch, snacks, water, and a spotting scope if you have one. We’ll wrap up around 1 pm.  Please contact the trip leader at Don Marsh at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or 209-256-5744 to RSVP.

Marine Road Park (Montrose County)

Saturday, April 15, 2023.  This trip will explore this undeveloped park land along the Uncompahgre River in Montrose and look for wintering waterfowl and early spring migrants. Since weather can be unpredictable dress in layers. Bring drinks, snacks. We will meet at the public parking lot at the corner of N. 2nd Street and N. Cascade Ave. in Montrose at 8:30 a.m. and return by noon. For questions and to sign up, contact Don Marsh at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or 209-256-5744.

Birding the Colorado River (Colorado Canyons Association)

Friday-Saturday, May 5-7, 2023.  The Colorado Canyons Association (CCA) has a fully supported raft trip focused on birding the Ruby/Horsethief section of the Colorado River.  Visit CCA’s website for more information.  This is not a BCAS trip.

West End of Montrose County Field Trip

Tuesday and Wednesday, May 9-10, 2023.  Black Canyon Audubon will sponsor a field trip to Paradox Valley and other West End venues for a spring birding adventure on May 9-10, 2023.  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 Rimrock Hotel in Naturita Colo. at 9:00 a.m. on May 9.  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 Rimrock Hotel (970-865-2500) in Naturita has nice rooms at reasonable prices.  The hotel has a bistro that has a nice breakfast menu.

There will be a potluck dinner the evening of May 9 at the hotel.

Day 2 we will visit locations not visited the day before.  After lunch or so, you will be free to explore more on your own or head home.

The field trip is limited to 12 participants.  For questions and to sign up contact Bill Harris at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or 970-901-4022. 

Ute Mountain Mesa Verde Birding Festival

Wednesday- Sunday, May 17-21, 2023.  Although not BCAS related, this southwest Colorado birding festival in Cortez offers many field trips that might be of interest to our members.  See their website https://birdingfestival.cortezculturalcenter.org/ for more information.

100 Bird Challenge

Wednesday, June 7-10, 2023 (You pick the day that works for you).  Save the date/Clear your calendar.  This year BCAS is trying something a little different.  Instead of the First Tuesday field trip, 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 (or earlier) until dusk on any day that works for you from June 7-10.  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.  A wrap-up is planned for Sunday, June 11 at 4:00 p.m. To sign up your team and for more information, contact Bill Harris at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or 970-901-4022.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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