If you are like many of the CHPAS members, you are glad that a very cold January 2023 is behind us! But the snow brings higher water levels to the Front Range; hopefully bringing relief from the drought that we have been under for the last several years.

January was an exciting month, with a very successful presentation by author Bob Budd, discussing his book “Otters Dance: A Rancher’s Journey to Enlightenment and Stewardship“.  Did you miss it?  No problem!  You can listen to the recorded presentation and learn more about his book here. 

Four brave souls also braved the cold in January for a wonderful field trip to Wyoming Hereford Ranch.  We all agreed that in addition to the beauty of the ranch in winter, a highlight was viewing our favorite Eastern Screech Owl who was contentedly sunning himself just outside his favorite hidey-hole.

Grant Frost took this photo of our little friend who surely must be the most photographed owl in the county!  Note how perfectly he blends into the background. Our presence didn’t disturb him in the least! 

Calendar

For more information about all of the events below, check out the February issue of “Flyer“, the CHPAS monthly newsletter!  February is a busy month! 

February 4th – 9th Annual Habitat Hero Workshop “Landscaping for Water Realities on the High Plains”
Learn how native plants can help us adapt to a drier future and support pollinators. Feb. 2nd is the last day to register for the workshop. Registration is capped at 100 in-person, but free virtual registration is also available. Interested?  Learn more about the program and how to register here:  2023 Habitat Hero Workshop

February 16th – Library Presentation: Great Backyard Bird Count Introduction
Thursday, Laramie County Library, 6 to 8 p.m., 2200 Pioneer Ave., Cheyenne. Chapter members will discuss common birds in our area in preparation for the Great Backyard Bird Count (GBBC). Then on Saturday, February 18th at 10:00 a.m., join chapter members in Lions Park at the parking lot for the Children’s Village for a bird hike in the park. Everyone, from beginners to experts, is invited to participate.

February 21st, 7:00 p.m. – Program: eBird Demystified: Tips, Tricks, and Best Practices to Get the Most out of eBird, with Don Jones.

Join us at the Laramie County Public Library in the Cottonwood Room for this fascinating presentation. eBird, the world’s largest citizen science project, is a powerful resource for birders and ornithologists alike. Despite its growing popularity, learning to use eBird can be intimidating and many birders are not familiar with all the tools and capabilities it has to offer. This presentation will cover all things eBird, including best practices for submitting checklists, using eBird to explore data and plan birding trips, the data review process, and how your eBird observations are being used by researchers in Wyoming.  The program is also available via Zoom at:
https://us06web.zoom.us/j/84941419803?pwd=Q1JrbkNyZk15WHpKVmRLZ2lqZFlJQT09

February 24th, 8:00 a.m. – Country Club Bird Survey.  Contact Chuck Seniawski to be on his email notice list: 307-638-6519 or chuckski@aol.com. The count will start in the Country Clubhouse’s main parking lot.

February 25th, 8:00 a.m. – Field Trip: Rocky Mountain Arsenal National Wildlife Refuge (Rescheduled from last month).  We will tour the visitors center in Commerce City, Colorado, and look for bison, prairie dogs, bald eagles, other raptors and other wintering birds on the refuge.

We will leave from the Lions Park parking lot at the Children’s Village at 8 a.m. We will drive south on I-25 to the Arsenal. We should return by 3 p.m., but if you drive, you can leave whenever you need to. Bring water and your lunch if you like.  If you are interested in going, contact Grant Frost, 307-343-2024, so that he has a list of those expected, and can let you know if the plans change for any reason

February 28th, 6:30 p.m. – Board Meeting.  Contact Wanda Manley, cheyenneaudubon@gmail.com, if you would like to participate in helping to plan chapter activities. This meeting will be at the new Conservation District Office.