Meet Cynthia Cestkowski
Birds have fascinated me for many years. After retiring in 2018 from federal government IT management, I started birding in earnest. I took the Beginning Bird class from the Denver Audubon Society, and it was invaluable. I joined DFO and have attended many field trips, and DFO’s offerings of group trips for all skill levels has greatly enhanced my journey. I became a volunteer steward for the Aurora Open Space and Natural Resources (OSNR) group, and I now lead the OSNR bird counts at various parks and open spaces in Aurora.
The Aurora Reservoir is my home patch, but the area offers many other productive birding spots including Red-tailed Hawk Park, Piney Creek Trail, and the Ponderosa Preserve. The trips I lead explore a variety of habitats, including prairie grasslands, riparian, and wetlands. I try to ensure that everyone in the group is watching, listening and learning, while taking in the beauty that only Colorado has to offer. I am enthusiastic about sharing my knowledge and, since there is always more to learn, improving my own skills. I welcome anybody with even a passing interest in birds to join my trips!
Meet Linda Purcell
I consider myself fortunate that as a Colorado native, I grew up spending much of my time outdoors. I started birding with intent in 2020, and DFO has given me the opportunity to explore even more of the State in a more specific and detailed way. Locally, the extreme familiarity of 'patch' birding has been my best educational tool. The repetition requires me to bird with the goal of accumulating knowledge. Beyond any goal, watching birds is a joy.
Less developed parts of the urban area, those fringed with industry and basically ignored for one reason or another. I prefer searching out undiscovered or neglected birdy places, places beyond hot spots. Birding a 'patch' or patches throughout the year, regularly and seasonally, is an education in the changing environment, reflected in how the species change. Studying birds in their habitat is particularly interesting; that includes vegetation and topography and going off the path- what makes one draw and gully a good habitat and another place not? Late summer and fall are my favorite seasons - the fledged and juvenile birds, mixed flocks, the challenge of identifying that little brown bird. Hiking is always welcome.
I am fortunate to travel locally, regionally, and beyond to learn about people and places, and certainly to see birds.