Chico Basin Ranch Opens April 26 - El Paso/Pueblo Counties

[linda hodges]

Greetings, birders,

Aiken Audubon is excited to announce that the State Land Board will allow birders an extra week and an extra hour (now 6 a.m.) at Chico this year.

Springs dates: April 26-June 6

Hours: 6 a.m. - 1 p.m. (you must be off the property by 1:00)

Ticket cost: $15, ages 8 and under are free but must still register

Limit: 20 birders/day

Individuals may register 7 days in advance of the desired date. For example, if you'd like to sign up for April 26, you may register beginning at 6  a.m. on April 19. Please register at this site: https://www.aikenaudubon.com/birding/local-birding/chico-basin-ranch/

Groups of 10-12 may reserve a spot at any time by emailing us at: chicoreg...@gmail.com. Those tickets must be purchased no later than 7 days prior to the designated date.

Bird banding by the Bird Conservancy of the Rockies wil take place Monday - Saturday from 6:00 to ~ 11:30 a.m.

Note that there is now a fence around the greater banding area. There are 4 or 5 gates which you may use; please leave them as you found them. If they're open, leave them open. If closed, please close them behind you. This is mainly to keep cattle out of the new banding pavilion, but also wildlife.

There is a map of the ranch on our website. If you've never been to the ranch, it can be confusing. Please feel free to reach out to us, if you'd like better directions. Also note that the demarcation from El Paso to Pueblo County occurs at the 2nd cattle guard.

Remember that we are able to visit the ranch thanks to the Colorado State Land Board. Aiken Audubon only holds a birding lease to the property; we do not own it. Please respect the regulations so that we may continue to bird at Chico. 

Bird early and bird often!

Linda Hodges

Conser...@AikenAudubon.com