The public is encouraged to attend all lectures, beginner and kids programs, scheduled during the Ute Mountain/Mesa Verde Birding Festival, May 913:
The Colorado Department of Parks and Wildlife have sponsored two free programs, Beginning Birding, and Beginning Nature Photography. Individual lectures can be attended for $5 at the Cortez Cultural Center, and dinner/keynote is open to the public at $30/person.
Thursday, May 10, 4 p.m. Goshawks: Their Habitat and Management in the San Juans by Eric Freels, Wildlife Biologist, Bureau of Land Management, $5.
Thursday, May 10, 7 p.m. Golden Eagles in the SouthwestWhat we have learned, what we need to learn, Dale Stahlecker, eagle researcher, $5.
Friday, May 11, 9 a.m. KidsBirding Outing by Gabi Morey, San Juan Mountains Association and Judi and Scott Aeschlimann. Kids ages 6 and older are welcome to join educators at Denny Lake for an enjoyable outing with bird watching, crafts, and other activities. Parents encouraged to accompany children. $5.
Friday, May 11, 4p.m. Black Swift: Secrets Revealed by Carolyn Gunn, fisheries biologist, Colorado Parks and Wildlife. $5.
Friday, May 11, 5 p.m. Reading and Signing by Prof. Thomas Dunlap, author of In the Field, Among the FeatheredA History of Birders & their Guides. FREE.
Friday, May 11, 6:45 p.m. Beginning Nature Photography by Lauren Buchholz, Colorado Parks and Wildlife. Learn tips and techniques to improve your photography so that you can capture wildlife and landscapes for yourself. FREE.
Saturday, May 12, 7:30 p.m. Beginning Birding by John Koshak, Colorado Parks and Wildlife. Fun indoor presentation and then on the Denny Lake. FREE.
Saturday, May 12, 3 p.m. Birding Optics: Choosing & Using Binocs & Scopes by Andrew Mackie, Executive Director, Land Trust of the Upper Arkansas. $5
Saturday, May 12, 5:307:30 p.m. Keynote speaker, dinner, and silent auction. Art, Money, Science, and Fun: Making Field Guides to the Birds, 1889-2012 by Prof. Thomas Dunlap, Texas A & M University.
All lectures take place at the Cortez Cultural Center, 25 N. Market St. Walk-ins are welcome. Beginning Birding and Beginning Nature Photography begin at the Center and travel to an outdoor location, so dress accordingly. The kids program meets at Denny Lake. The keynote speaker and dinner occur at the Elks Lodge. Please RSVP for the beginners and kids programs, and the dinner by calling 565-1151.
There are also still some openings on the tours, including Mesa Verde, Ute Mountain Tribal Park, LaPlata Birding, Birding the Ponderosa Forest, and more. Call 565-1151 or check the schedule on utemountainmesaverdebirdingfestival.com for more information.
For more information or registration, contact the Cortez Cultural Center at 565-1151 or visit utemountainmesaverdebirdingfestival.com to register online.
The festival is a fundraiser for the Cortez Cultural Center.
