Presented by Poudre Pet & Feed Supply, KRFC Community Radio and Ottercares. Featuring Prof. Avian Guano 

 Crazy about birds or just curious? Want to learn more about birding close to home? Everyone is invited to a FREE weekend of fun and learning for the entire family during the 7th Annual Northern Colorado Birding Fair, Friday, September 23 and Saturday, September 24. The theme of this year’s fair is, “Birding in Your Backyard.” The weekend will feature birding field trips on Friday, September 23, and fair festivities on Saturday, September 24. You can also help out with a service project in celebration of National Public Lands Day. Details will be announced at http://www.larimer.org/naturalresources/birding_fair.htm

Schedule of Events: 

Birding Behind the Scenes at Soapstone Prairie

Friday, September 23, 2011, 7 a.m.- 1 p.m., transportation from Fort Collins provided. City of Fort Collins Biologist Aran Meyer and Educator Sue Kenney will take you for birding to some areas closed to the public. They will share information about the internationally renowned Lindenmeier early man site. Program is free, and registration is required by phone at 970-416-2815 or email at naturalareas@fcgov.com

Birding Tour of Three Bells Conservation Easement

Friday, September 23, 2011, 7 a.m. – 9:30 a.m. Join volunteer naturalist Carl for a special tour of the Three Bells conservation easement, a private property just north of River Bluffs Open Space. This beautiful conserved area, normally closed to the public, boasts a lovely section of the Poudre River, home to many different bird species. Program is free, and registration is required at http://www.larimer.org/naturalresources/registration/  Shuttle will be provided, details to be sent to registrants.

Lark Bunting

Northern Colorado Birding Fair

Saturday, September 24, at Fossil Creek Reservoir Regional Open Space

Guided bird walks at 7 a.m. & 7:15 a.m., hands-on activity booths, silent auction and vendors 8 a.m.- 2 p.m.

Raptor releases throughout the day

Hourly presentations at 9 a.m., 11 a.m. & 1 p.m.

Interactive clinics at 10 a.m., 12 noon

Details at http://www.larimer.org/naturalresources/birding_fair.htm

National Public Lands Day Service Project

Saturday, September 24, after 2 p.m.  Celebrate your public lands by volunteering for one of these great service projects to improve birding habitat!

Aquatic Fishing Line Removal

Riverbend Ponds Natural Area

Protect birds and other wildlife by hopping in boats and removing old fishing line and trash.

Register here: http://www.rei.com/event/29272/session/36276

Poudre River Corridor Clean Up

Three Bells Conservation Easement on the Poudre River

Improve habitat by walking the river corridor and picking up debris & trash leftover from this year’s high water.

Register here: http://www.rei.com/event/29273/session/36277

Sponsored by REI- details will be announced at www.rei.com/fortcollins

More About the Northern Colorado Birding Fair, Saturday September 24, 7 a.m. – 2 p.m.

No matter what tickles your fancy, birders young and old, beginner to experienced, will find something at the Birding Fair to fit the bill.  Don’t miss the visit from Professor Avian Guano (one of the wacky alter egos of famous naturalist Denny Olson) who will entertain and delight audiences of all ages with his theatrical and educational comedy. Other presentations are focused on wildlife and habitat gardening, so you can learn how to draw in local birds to watch from your windows, or to use items from your garden to make bird houses. You can even test your skills mimicking bird calls at several Bird Call Contests (kids to experts welcome!), led by the hilarious Prof. Guano (who can make over 100 bird calls himself!).

Visitors will also enjoy interactive booths, guided bird walks, a silent auction, a self-guided scavenger hunt, vendors showcasing birding equipment, and rehabilitated raptor releases. There will be food and drink available courtesy of the Larimer County Friend’s Group, and the Berthoud Lions’ Club. Prizes will be available for children 12 years of age or under who complete their Birding Fair Passport.

Did You Say Free? Entry to the Northern Colorado Birding Fair is free for all thanks to sponsorships and local vendors who participate, including this year’s presenting sponsors, Poudre Pet and Feed Supply, Otter Cares, and KRFC Community Radio. To help keep the event free, donations from the visiting public will also be accepted.

Directions and more information:  The Northern Colorado Birding Fair is at Fossil Creek Reservoir Regional Open Space, on Carpenter Road, 1-mile west of the I-25/Hwy 392 Windsor exit. Contact Rob Novak at Larimer County Department of Natural Resources for more information, 970-679-4561 or rnovak@larimer.org. For a full schedule of events visit http://www.larimer.org/naturalresources/birding_fair.htm.

To learn more about Larimer County’s parks and open spaces, go to

www.larimer.org/naturalresources

For information about the City of Fort Collins Natural Areas program,
go to www.fcgov.com/naturalareas

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