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.

• 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 July 11, August 1, and September 5 at 8:00 a.m.  (The June trip is being pre-empted by the 100 Bird Challenge - See below.)  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. Contact Bruce Ackerman at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or (727) 858-5857 or Don Marsh at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or 209-256-5744 or 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.

Black Canyon National Park

Thursday, June 1, 8 a.m.  Early summer is a great time to visit the Black Canyon National Park east of Montrose. The field trip will leave from Montrose and be led by Missy Siders.  We’ll look for falcons, flycatchers and a variety of warblers while taking in majestic views of the canyon. A park entrance fee of $30 per vehicle is charged, but we’ll try to minimize the costs by arranging carpools to ensure each vehicle includes someone with an annual park pass. We should be back to Montrose in early afternoon.  Wear appropriate outdoor clothing and shoes and abundant water, snacks, and a lunch.  Please RSVP at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. at least two days before the trip.

100 Bird Challenge

June 5-10, 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 5-10.  Use of birding apps to ID birds is allowed. Sighting or hearing a bird species by at least one member of a team is allowed, but you must bird as a team.  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.  Teams will meet afterwards on Sunday, June 11 at 4 PM to compare sightings for pizza and beverages at the Pomona Brew Pub on N. Townsend.   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.

Uncompahgre Plateau

Tuesday, June 20, 8 a.m. Vast amounts of federal lands on the Uncompahgre Plateau offer a variety of habitats that house a wide array of birds including red crossbills, woodpeckers, and warblers. We’ll explore the wetland area around the Silesca Ranger Station before heading farther into the forest. We’ll wrap up and head for home in the early afternoon.  Wear appropriate outdoor clothing and shoes and abundant water, snacks, and a lunch.  The trip will leave from Montrose and be led by Bill Harris. Please RSVP at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. at least two days before the trip.

Little Cimarron Valley

Saturday, July 1, 8 a.m.  Join us as we explore this under-birded watershed east of Cerro Summit. The resident high-elevation breeders (evening grosbeak, Canada jays, Wilson's warblers, fox sparrows, etc.) should be in full song as we explore this remote valley. Temperatures may be cool in the morning so dress in layers, brings drinks, snacks and a lunch. Please RSVP at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. at least two days before the trip.

 Grand Mesa

Tuesday, July 11, 8 a.m. The Grand Mesa has a wonderful array of birds during the summer that include Lincoln’s sparrow, Swainson’s hawk, American three-toed woodpecker, hermit thrush, pine grosbeak, and red crossbill. Leader Bill Harris will stop along Highway 65 at several points to lead short hikes to view birds. Hiking distance will be around 3-4 miles total. This will be an all-day trip, so bring lunch, snacks, water, and clothing to deal with inclement weather. Group limited to 10 people.  Please RSVP at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. at least two days before the trip.

Ouray and the Box Canyon Falls

Saturday, July 15, 8 a.m.  Black Swifts that nest at Box Canyon are one of the target birds for this trip. Box Canyon also hosts grosbeaks, finches, and a variety of hummingbirds. Don Marsh will also lead the trip to “the Amphitheatre” area to look for Peregrine Falcons. Plan to head home in the early afternoon.  Please RSVP at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. at least two days before the trip.

Ridgway State Park

Tuesday, August 29, 8 a.m. Join leader Don Marsh at Ridgway State Park which can host a variety of migrating shorebirds and post-breeding songbirds. The state park charges a $10.00 day use fee, but we will meet at the Visitor Center near the Dutch Charlie entrance at 8 a.m. to carpool with annual pass holders. We will wrap up around noon. Dress in layers, bring water and lunch or snacks, and a spotting scope if you have one. Please RSVP at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. at least two days before the trip.

Bird Banding at Ridgway State Park

Saturday, September 9, 7 a.m. to noon.  Stop by and watch a professional bird bander at work anytime between 7:00 a.m. and noon. This is a drop-in opportunity, and there will be no leader, but volunteers will be present to answer your questions. More details will be in the fall newsletter.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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