Larimer County – One of the state’s unique bird habitats will be showcased Saturday at the first Northern Colorado Birding Fair.
The Fossil Creek Reservoir Regional Open Space, just off Interstate 25 at the Windsor exit, will play host to several activities, including the early-morning release of a raptor rehabilitated after injury.
Also scheduled is a “bird olympics” – highlighting what a bird goes through during a day just to survive – bird banding, tracking, and intermediate and beginner bird walks, officials say.
The open space is an ideal area for the event since it sits at one of the most advantageous spots in Colorado for bird-watching, said Solomon Miller, ranger for Larimer County Open Lands.
“Birds migrating use the Rocky Mountains as a landmark along their north and south route,” Miller said. “And many fly through here toward their destination.”
As many as 200 species stop at Fossil Creek during the year, Miller said. They include the Cooper’s hawk, blue-winged teal, ruddy duck and the rare black pole warbler.
Bald eagles, too, are common at Fossil Creek, but probably not at this time of year, Miller said. “Last January, I saw 53 bald eagles in one day. You could sit here and count the white heads all along the trees.”
Saturday’s fair also is an unveiling of sorts for the 2,000-acre open space, southeast of Fort Collins. It opened in October near Pierre shale, a rock formation that is a fossil-rich marine deposit. Fossil Creek runs through the formation.
Developed to store irrigation water for agricultural land to the east, the area is a unique ecosystem of grasslands, including restored native shortgrass prairie and water habitats.
“It’s an oasis even though we are pretty close to the interstate,” said Kerri Collins, an outreach specialist with Larimer County Open Lands.
The county is co-sponsoring the free event with the Fort Collins Natural Areas Program, Fort Collins Audubon Society, Rocky Mountain Raptor Program, Rocky Mountain Bird Observatory and Colorado Division of Wildlife.
The sponsors will discuss and sell the latest in bird-viewing equipment and resource materials. The event starts at 7 a.m. with guided bird walks.
“We’re hoping this will be an annual event,” Collins said.
To get to the Fossil Creek Reservoir Regional Open Space from Denver, take I-25 north to the Windsor exit and go west on Colorado 392 for about a mile. The turnoff to the open space is on the north side of the road.
For more information, call 970-679-4577.
Staff writer Monte Whaley can be reached at 720-929-0907 or mwhaley@denverpost.com.
