KGNU Monthly Nature Almanac

Bald Eagles have already started nesting in a big cottonwood near Stearns Lake.  Naturalists Ruth Carol Cushman and Scott Severs, in the KGNU Nature Almanac for March, take us  to a special viewing area that’s far enough from the eagles so they’re not disturbed, but close enough so you can see their nest, and maybe the eagles  . . . IF you bring your binoculars.  Along the way, you can also listen for one of the first signs of spring, the redwing blackbirds, geese, meadowlarks and prairie dogs. You might also spot another early nesting raptor, the great-horned owl. 

Bald eagle on nest

Bald eagle sitting on its nest as seen through a spotting scope. Photo by V. Lawrence.

Help Track Pikas

BCNA has worked with the Colorado Pika Project in the past, and invites you to continue working with them by collecting and sharing data about pikas with the Pika Patrol app.  

This is a new mobile app that allows the public and scientists to track observations and monitor populations of American pikas. The app makes it easy for anyone who gets out into pika habitat to record observations, making it an excellent tool to get involved in pika community science in Colorado and across the west.  We hope it will help the Colorado Pika Project expand the area where we are studying the impact of climate change on pikas.  

The app makes it simple to record pika sightings and share observations with scientists.  All you need to participate is a mobile device.  No training is required to use the app as it will teach users to identify pikas by sight, hay piles, and scat. Pika Patrol is available for free in the Google Play and Apple App Stores. Interested users can also go to www.pikapartners.org to learn more about the app.  You can try the app out if you have any hikes planned in pika habitat before the snow falls.  To download Pika Patrol, click here if you have an iPhone or here if you have an Android phone. You can also help us improve the app by submitting reports of any issues to this form.

Gifts for the Naturalist in Your Life

Look for books and CDs published by BCNA at any of these places:

  • Special events hosted by BCNA
  • Locally at the Front Range Birding Company: 5360 Arapahoe Ave, Boulder, and 10146 W. San Juan Way, Littleton
  • Wild Birds Unlimited: 2720 S. Wadsworth, Denver; 7370 W. 88th Ave., Arvada; and 1520 S. Hover St., Suite D, Longmont 80501
  • Wild Bear Nature Center Gift Shop in Caribou Village Shopping Center, 20 Lakeview Drive, Nederland
  • Covered Treasures Bookstore, 105 Second Street, Monument CO
  • Boulder Audubon Chapter’s annual holiday sale
  • Amazon: Butterflies of the Colorado Front Range or Dragonflies of the Colorado Front Range
  • Brigham Distributing
  • Some Barnes & Noble stores in the Front Range
  • Butterfly eBooks are available from Amazon, Apple Books (purchase using the Apple Books app), barnesandnoble.com, and kobo.com.

Banner Photo © CC VanWie

Nature-Net

Join BCNA’s and Boulder County Audubon’s Nature-Net email forum.

Learn about or share with others:

  • events in the natural world of Boulder County and beyond
  • local classes and speakers
  • local environmental issues and actions needed

KGNU Monthly Nature Almanac

Dabbling ducks and other waterbirds are amazingly abundant at Prospect Park in the winter, because discharge from Golden’s Coors Brewing Plant keeps this section of Clear Creek warm enough that the water doesn’t freeze over.  Join Boulder Naturalist Steve Jones in the KGNU Nature Almanac for February as he leads a group of photographers on the lookout for shovelers and tiny teal and big flocks of flying, quacking green-headed mallards.   Photographers on this adventurer include boisterous Boulder Audubon Teen Naturalists and celebrated global conservationist John Weller.

 

Bald Eagles have already started nesting in a big cottonwood near Stearns Lake.  Naturalists Ruth Carol Cushman and Scott Severs, in the KGNU Nature Almanac for March, take us  to a special viewing area that’s far enough from the eagles so they’re not disturbed, but close enough so you can see their nest, and maybe the eagles  . . . IF you bring your binoculars.  Along the way, you can also listen for one of the first signs of spring, the redwing blackbirds, geese, meadowlarks and prairie dogs. Also looks for the early nesting raptors such as the great-horned owl and bald eagles. 

Green-winged teal, Hooded Merganser, and male and female mallards at Prospect Park.

Help Track Pikas

BCNA has worked with the Colorado Pika Project in the past, and invites you to continue working with them by collecting and sharing data about pikas with the Pika Patrol app.  

This is a new mobile app that allows the public and scientists to track observations and monitor populations of American pikas. The app makes it easy for anyone who gets out into pika habitat to record observations, making it an excellent tool to get involved in pika community science in Colorado and across the west.  We hope it will help the Colorado Pika Project expand the area where we are studying the impact of climate change on pikas.  

The app makes it simple to record pika sightings and share observations with scientists.  All you need to participate is a mobile device.  No training is required to use the app as it will teach users to identify pikas by sight, hay piles, and scat. Pika Patrol is available for free in the Google Play and Apple App Stores. Interested users can also go to www.pikapartners.org to learn more about the app.  You can try the app out if you have any hikes planned in pika habitat before the snow falls.  To download Pika Patrol, click here if you have an iPhone or here if you have an Android phone. You can also help us improve the app by submitting reports of any issues to this form.

Gifts for the Naturalist in Your Life

Look for books and CDs published by BCNA at any of these places:

  • Special events hosted by BCNA
  • Locally at the Front Range Birding Company: 5360 Arapahoe Ave, Boulder, and 10146 W. San Juan Way, Littleton
  • Wild Birds Unlimited: 2720 S. Wadsworth, Denver; 7370 W. 88th Ave., Arvada; and 1520 S. Hover St., Suite D, Longmont 80501
  • Wild Bear Nature Center Gift Shop in Caribou Village Shopping Center, 20 Lakeview Drive, Nederland
  • Covered Treasures Bookstore, 105 Second Street, Monument CO
  • Boulder Audubon Chapter’s annual holiday sale
  • Amazon: Butterflies of the Colorado Front Range or Dragonflies of the Colorado Front Range
  • Brigham Distributing
  • Some Barnes & Noble stores in the Front Range
  • Butterfly eBooks are available from Amazon, Apple Books (purchase using the Apple Books app), barnesandnoble.com, and kobo.com.

Banner Photo © CC VanWie

Nature-Net

Join BCNA’s and Boulder County Audubon’s Nature-Net email forum.

Learn about or share with others:

  • events in the natural world of Boulder County and beyond
  • local classes and speakers
  • local environmental issues and actions needed

Boulder County Nature Association

P.O. Box 493, Boulder, CO 80306 | Contact Us