As part of your registration, in order to participate in a Denver Field Ornithologists, Inc. (“DFO”) trip or other activities designated by the Board of Directors, each adult participant and the parent of a minor participant (those under 18 yrs. of age) are required to review and sign (either electronically or manually) a DFO Acknowledgment and Assumption of Risks & Release and Indemnity Agreement (sometimes “Agreement”) Completing this document involves your acceptance of binding contract terms. This online registration system allows you to review and electronically sign the Agreement if you do not have one on file. If you would prefer to manually sign a printable version of the Agreement, you may access it here, and present it to the leader before trip start. If you choose this option, please contact your leader to assure you are signed up for the trip.
Please note: Each person, including each family member choosing to sign the Agreement electronically must login and have a separate account so that the agreement is tied to the individual. If you are having difficulty with multiple logins, please contact us for assistance. *Minors: If participant is a minor, the minor’s parent or legal guardian must print out, review and sign a paper copy of the Agreement and present it to the leader before the trip start. Any minor attending must be accompanied by their parent or legal guardian.
Logged in users who have a signed Agreement on file will have the opportunity to print or save it at any time. Click on the link to the printable copy and use your browser functions to save or print.
Meet Your Trip Leader
View eBird Hotspot Info
Ponderosa Preserve (City of Aurora)
5/2/2025
8:30 AM - 11:30 AM
Leader:
Cynthia Cestkowski cestkowc@comcast.net or 303-550-0905
Trip Difficulty: Moderate
Directions
Meet at the parking lot for Red-tailed Hawk Park in Aurora off South Aurora Parkway at East Irish Drive
View Meeting Place on Google Maps
This trip is limited to the first 12 registrations.
Habitats to bird: Conifer Forest, Grassland
With special permission we will visit Aurora's Ponderosa Preserve set aside to preserve a native stand of Ponderosa pine at the northern extent of the Black Forest. Here is an opportunity to see some native forest and grassland habitat that forms an island of natural habitat in an area of increasing growth. We will bird our way through the preserve to add to the current baseline of birds documented for City of Aurora using this eBird hotspot. We can expect to see pine forest birds like Pygmy Nuthatch, Hairy Woodpecker and Red Crossbill. We will watch for Great Horned Owl, Wild Turkey, hawks, and hopefully bluebirds. We will walk through grassland (with cactus and yucca) amid the pine forest on gentle slopes for about 1.5 miles. This trip is rated moderate as there is a steep hill to get into the preserve and there are no trails. Long pants and sturdy shoes are recommended. After birding the preserve, depending on time, we may visit nearby Piney Creek Trail or explore Red-tailed Hawk Park. We will meet at Red-tailed Hawk Park and carpool from there to the preserve. There are no restrooms at the preserve. The restroom at Red-tailed Hawk Park may still be closed for the season. You can stop at a nearby Maverick gas station at 22910 E Arapahoe Rd prior to the trip if needed.
11 people have registered for this trip. There is one space left.
You must be logged in to register for a field trip.