FIELD TRIPS AND EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS
These Better Birdwatching events are FREE but some may require park passes, and more details may be listed below. The presenter Joe LaFleur holds degrees in wildlife biology and communications and is the author of Better Birdwatching, a series of DVDs about birds of North America, and also the book Mountain Birds of Teller County. He has been an active birdwatcher for over 30 years and lives in Woodland Park, Colorado.
Ages 5 and up, binoculars suggested for bird walks. In the event of extreme weather like severe rain and/or snow the walk will be cancelled. For more info: joe@betterbirdwatching.com, 719-301-8801.
JANUARY
Saturday, January 10, Birding 201- Waterfowl to Owls, FREE Program
11:00 AM-12:00 Noon, Ute Pass Historical Society
231 E. Henrietta Ave., Woodland Park
Learn to identify birds by sight and sound. Birding 201 covers species that are less common yet still possible in Teller County. This session features a variety of birds from Waterfowl to Owls.
Saturday, January 24, FREE Bird Walk and Program
Smokebrush Farm, 328 El Paso Blvd., Manitou Springs
9:00-10:00 AM- Bird Walk
Along Fountain Creek Trail, about one mile. Learn how to identify local birds by sight and sound, and about the plants and trees where birds live. Meet at Smokebrush Farm and follow “Event” signs to parking area.
10:00-11:00 AM- Audiovisual Program
Learn to identify common resident birds by sight and sound. Meet at Smokebrush Farm.
In the event of inclement weather, we will skip the walk and go straight to the program.
Saturday, January 31, Birds of the Pikes Peak Region- Raptors
11:00 AM-12:00 Noon
Old Colorado City Library, 2418 W. Pikes Peak Ave., Colorado Springs
Join wildlife biologist and author Joe LaFleur for a FREE audio-visual presentation about how to identify local raptors like owls hawks, and falcons. After the presentation, Joe will have his books and DVDs available for purchase. This program is being offered as part of the Winter Adult Reading Program and to commemorate the Colorado 150 and USA 250 anniversaries.
Registration is required for this event.
Registration will close on January 30, 2026 @ 5:00pm.
Disclaimer(s)
Room capacity: Due to the popularity of this program and to meet fire code requirements for meeting rooms, please arrive early to get a spot. If we are unable to accommodate you for the program, we welcome you to have fun playing in our play spaces.
To register for event visit:
https://ppld.librarymarket.com/event/birds-pikes-peak-region-532774
FEBRUARY
Saturday, February 7, Birding 201- Kingbirds to Warblers, FREE Program
11:00 AM-12:00 Noon, Ute Pass Historical Society
231 E. Henrietta Ave., Woodland Park
Learn to identify birds by sight and sound. Birding 201 covers species that are less common yet still possible in Teller County. This session features a variety of birds from Kingbirds to Warblers.
Saturday, February 14, THE GREAT BACKYARD BIRD COUNT
Florissant Fossil Beds National Monument, 9:00 AM-1:00 PM
Joe LaFleur with Better Birdwatching will be leading two bird walks for this event at 9:00 AM and 10:00 AM.
Posted by The Friends of the Florissant Fossil Beds, Inc.
Friends of the Fossil Beds, will host the Great Backyard Bird Count at the Florissant Fossil Beds NM in Florissant, CO on Saturday, February 14th from 9AM to 1 PM. This is an annual world-wide citizen scientist event sponsored by both the National Audubon Society and the Cornell Lab of Ornithology. It is a 4 day event held on a weekend from a Friday through Monday in the middle of February.
Birdwatchers around the world are invited to count and report details of birds in the area in which they live. Data collected is submitted to eBird, an online web interface, and compiled for use in scientific research. Data resulting from the event has raised awareness about changes in the population and habitats of common birds.
This event is always fun-filled and educational. There will be a tent in front of the Visitor Center to check in. We will run bird hikes to do the count from 9 AM to 1 PM. Mr. Joe LaFleur who helped us last year, will be with us again as will a couple of other volunteers who will lead the hikes.
In addition to the bird counts, we will offer activities for families and the general public including scavenger hunts, making bird feeders, active games and crafts that all focus on learning about birds.
Please join us to help with this important bird count. We always hope for good weather. Over the years we have had very cold weather, high winds and even some beautiful warm days. The count always goes on regardless of the weather unless we have a huge snowstorm. Dress appropriately for the weather and wear sturdy shoes. Don’t forget snacks and water. This event is open to the general public. Please pass this info on to friends and family. Thank you. See you in February.
Saturday, February 28, Birds of the Pikes Peak Region- Raptors
11:00 AM-12:00 Noon
Cheyenne Mountain Library, 1785 S. 8th St. , Suite 100, Colorado Springs
Join wildlife biologist and author Joe LaFleur for a FREE audio-visual presentation about how to identify local raptors like owls, hawks and falcons. After the presentation, Joe will have his books and DVDs available for purchase. This program is being offered as part of the Winter Adult Reading Program and to commemorate the Colorado 150 and USA 250 anniversaries.
https://ppld.librarymarket.com/event/birds-pikes-peak-region-528313
Better Birdwatching- 888-414-2837, 719-301-8801, joe@betterbirdwatching.com
Better Birdwatching 