Bird Banding


Bird Conservancy of the Rockies conducts banding at two stations each spring in Colorado and five stations each fall in Colorado and Nebraska. Teachers and group leaders can arrange a visit for groups of students and individual visitors are welcome.  For hours of operation and how to visit, see details on each station’s map pin or the dropdown menus below.

ORANGE pins indicate a fall station, GREEN pins indicate spring, and BLUE indicates a station that operates in both spring and fall.

Note: Banding dates are subject to change. Stations must close for high winds, heavy precipitation or other inclement weather.

Banding Station Details:

Colorado Banding Stations:

Barr Lake Banding Station

Location: Barr Lake State Park, 13401 Picadilly Road, Brighton, CO 80603

Important notice: The Barr Lake banding station has moved south to a section of the Niedrach Trail. Click here to learn more.

This station operates in the fall season only.

Commonly-banded birds: House Wren, Wilson’s Warbler, Orange-crowned Warbler, Yellow-rumped Warbler, White-crowned Sparrow.

CLICK HERE to see this seasons banding data.

Fall 2024 dates of operation: Open to the public August 22 through October 23, six days a week (closed Mondays).
Weekday programs available from 7:30 – 8:30 a.m., and weekend programs are available from 8-9 a.m., 9-10 a.m., and 10-11 a.m.

Registration is required for all individuals and groups of no more than 15 people.

Cost is $7/visitor (ages 3 and up) at the Barr Lake Banding Station.  Visitors under 2 years are free.  To accommodate as many people as possible, especially during large group visits, program visits are in 1-hour increments.  Banding station coordinators and volunteers have discretion to adjust timing as necessary to accommodate guests as needed.

If you are unable to pay for your program, scholarships are available. For availability and to schedule, please contact us!

School programs are available Tuesday through Friday, 9 a.m.-12 p.m. or 9:30 a.m.-12 p.m. (10 a.m. -12 p.m. available in October ONLY) and are $8/student (max of 60 students). For more information and to schedule your school program, please contact us.

Please contact Sarah Doxon, Education Manager for more information.

Chatfield Banding Station

This banding station is a partnership with Denver Audubon

This station operates in the Spring of each year, typically late April to last weekend in May.

CLICK HERE to read the Chatfield Banding Station 2021 report.

CLICK HERE to read the Chatfield Banding Station 2022 report.

Spring 2024 dates of operation: Open April 24 through May 31, six days a week (closed Mondays).

Location: Audubon Center on the southwest side of Chatfield State Park, Littleton, CO

Commonly banded birds: Yellow Warbler, Yellow-rumped Warbler, Gray Catbird, Lincoln’s Sparrow, House Wren

Visit: People may visit the station on weekends; there are 3 timeslots, hourly beginning at 7:30 a.m., 8:30 a.m., and 9:30 a.m.  Registration is required. To make a reservation, please visit http://www.denveraudubon.org/events. (Registration will start in early March.) The fee is $6/participant. Reservations are limited to 15 people per time slot.

For group registrations, contact Kate Hogan at [email protected].

For school group registrations, contact Kristen Peterka at [email protected]

For more information, contact Denver Audubon by email or phone: (303) 973-9530.

Chico Basin Ranch Banding Station

This station operates in the spring and fall seasons.

Fall 2024 dates of operation: Open September 2nd through October 4th, open six days a week (closed Sundays)

Operated in partnership with Ranchlands and Aiken Audubon Society.

Location: Research station at Chico Basin Ranch, 35 miles southeast of Colorado Springs, CO

Commonly-banded birds: Wilson’s Warbler, Orange-crowned Warbler, Swainson’s Thrush, Brown Thrasher, White-crowned Sparrow

Reservations required for groups. To schedule group visits, contact Colin Woolley at [email protected]. Public access to the ranch is limited to 20 visitors/day, registration required through Aiken Audubon. Click here to register!

Updates to access for Chico Basin Ranch. Please click here to read about updates to access Chico Basin Ranch.

Grand Junction Banding Station

Location: Connected Lakes Section of the James M Robb Colorado River State Park.

Fall 2024 dates of operation: September 16 through October 11, open Monday through Friday.

Commonly banded birds: Bushtit, Wilson’s Warbler, Orange-crowned Warbler, White-crowned Sparrow.

To schedule a program/visit, contact: Cary Atwood, Grand Valley Audubon Society

Ridgway Banding Station

Operated in partnership with Black Canyon Audubon Society and Colorado Parks and Wildlife

Location: Ridgway State Park: 28555 US-550, Ridgway, CO

Fall 2024 dates of operation: September 3 through Sep 14, open Tuesday through Saturday.

Commonly banded birds: Wilson’s Warbler, Orange-crowned Warbler, Yellow-rumped Warbler, Song Sparrow

Visit: To schedule a program, contact Ridgeway State Park via email.

Pineridge Banding Station

Location: North end of Dixon Reservoir within Pineridge Natural Area Fort Collins, CO
Parking lot: 3502 CR 42C, Fort Collins, CO 80526

CLICK HERE to see this seasons banding data.

Fall 2024 dates: Open August 27 through Sep 28, open Tuesday through Saturday.

Commonly banded birds: Spotted Towhee, White-crowned Sparrow, Orange-crowned Warbler, Wilson’s Warbler (fall), House Wren.

This program is free, but registration is required for all individuals and groups of no more than 15 people*. One hour programs are available Tuesday – Friday from 7:30-8:30 a.m. and Saturdays from 7:30-8:30 a.m. and 8:30 – 9:30 a.m. (closed Sundays & Mondays).

Please contact Education Manager, Stephanie Wheeler, at [email protected] for more information.

School programs are available Tuesday through Friday, For more information and to schedule your school program, please contact us.

Nebraska Banding Stations:

Chadron Banding Station

Location: Chadron State Park, 15951 Hwy. 385, Chadron, NE

Fall 2024 dates of operation:  Open August 27 through Oct 11, open Tuesday through Saturday.

Commonly banded birds: House Wren, Orange-crowned Warbler, Chipping Sparrow, American Goldfinch

Visit: To schedule a program, contact Delanie Bruce via email or by phone: (308) 783-1019

Wildcat Hills Banding Station

Location: Wildcat Hills State Recreation Area, Gering, NE

Fall 2024 dates of operation: Open August 27 through Oct 11, open Tuesday through Saturday.

Commonly banded birds: Red Crossbill, Chipping Sparrow, Pine Siskin, Spotted Towhee

Visit: To schedule a program, contact Delanie Bruce via email or by phone: (308) 633-1013

About Bird Banding

Bird banding has been used to study wild birds since the late 1800s. Data collected at banding stations have greatly increased our understanding of migratory routes and timings, species’ range limits, average lifespans, and how all these life-history characteristics may be changing over time.

Banding stations are placed in areas where birds congregate in large numbers during migration. These stopovers generally have excellent habitat that offers food and a safe place to rest. Scientists set up a series of mist nets to harmlessly trap birds. When a bird is removed from the net, its leg is fitted with a small metal band, and the bird is weighed and measured to evaluate its condition. Each band has a unique number on it so that if the bird is recaptured or found later, scientists will know when and where it was first banded.

Banding stations also serve as outdoor classrooms to enhance the public’s appreciation of birds and their habitats. The stations provide valuable opportunities for volunteers and students to gain experience in scientific field techniques.

In the last 30-plus years, the Bird Conservancy has banded more than 100,000 birds.

Read highlights from recent bird banding seasons on our blog.