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 Gary Witt
I am a near-native Coloradoan living along the Front Range all but three years of my life. I have been keeping an active bird list since 2008. As a retired water resource engineer and hydrogeologist, my clients and projects were scattered throughout the Rocky Mountain west with particular focus in Colorado. I have regularly ventured into all four corners of the state which has allowed me to extend my state bird list over the 400 species plateau. This has exposed me to nearly all of the state's birding habitats.
My initial training as a leader occurred in 2022. I am retired and anticipate leading many trip in the upcoming years. I get excited about helping others develop their birding skills and discovering new bird species so likely will be looking to develop trips to various locations, of various lengths, and various days of the week. I look forward to meeting new people and making new birding friend along the way. My other interests include music (bass guitar, with a little guitar and keyboard thrown in) and photography. While I do photograph a lot of birds, I also enjoy other types of photography (architectural, night, abstract, and landscape). I hope you will likely my friendly low-pressure approach to getting out and observing and enjoying the birds in our great Centennial State.