The Central Plains Experimental Range, adjacent to the Pawnee National Grasslands, is a beautiful locale in northeast Colorado where an intact prairie landscape still exists. This summer, Amber Carver had the fortune of spending many days on the range, collecting data for her master’s degree in integrative biology from the University of Colorado-Denver.
Halloween is almost here. When you’re out and about at night, hone your senses and look for owls, nighthawks and other birds of the night. Educator Emily Snode-Brenneman offers tips on spotting these nocturnal birds and lists species you’d expect to find in Colorado during the darker hours.
Black Swifts are at risk to the effects of climate change. As our atmosphere heats up and viable Black Swift breeding habitat dwindles, proactive conservation of this species is critical. A team of researchers is working to conserve the North American population of Black Swifts, conducting research across the West to better understand the “coolest bird.”
Alas, despite much progress, a disparity still exists between the sexes in the sciences. There are fewer women than men working in science-related fields. What can we do to encourage more young girls to enter the sciences? Biologist Erin Strasser spoke with female colleagues working in the sciences to glean their insights and advice and inspire other women to become awesome lady scientists.
Rocky Mountain Bird Observatory and partners recently put the final touches on a wetland restoration project that adds 3.2 acres of seasonal, shallow-water wetlands. Private lands biologist Colin Lee writes about the project and the birds it benefits.
This spring, Rocky Mountain Bird Observatory began conducting bird population monitoring surveys along the Niobrara National Scenic River in Nebraska. Outreach Biologist Jeff Birek was fortunate enough to land that area as one of his survey locales this summer. Jeff reports on the impacts a recent fire along the Niobrara River has had on birds and provides a species list from the summer.
With summer waning, RMBO has completed its sixth season of conducting surveys under the Integrated Monitoring in Bird Conservation Regions (IMBCR) program. How many birds were counted? What new and rare species were detected? Biologist Nick Van Lanen answers these questions and offers a wrap-up of another successful summer survey season.
It’s started, and the fall exodus of hundreds of millions of birds is becoming apparent at our feeding stations. David Menough of Wild Birds Unlimited offers tips on attracting migrants to your backyard and a fall departure-arrival schedule for the Front Range. It’s amazing to see these birds checking their datebooks for their departure days.
On July 25, 35 volunteers gathered along the Navajo River in southern Colorado to plant more than 200 native trees on two private properties. RMBO biologist Martin Moses writes about the project and the use a handy new tool: the water jet stinger.
Two vans packed with excited campers, staff and gear left Brighton, Colorado, and headed west to the Rockies for a week of hiking, rafting, exploring nature, birding and much more as part of RMBO’s Taking Flight camp. Summer Education Assistant Hannah Haas writes about this amazing week of camp and its impact on 15 young people.
