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
Birds Plus+ Trip - Birds Plus+ field trips combine birding and another field focus, sometimes with a guest leader. The second focus of the day, be it butterflies or other insects, or art and journaling, will be described in more detail on the trip detail page.
Florissant Fossil Beds National Monument
—One of the richest fossil deposits in the world
6/16/2026
6:00 AM - 3:30 PM
Leader:
Jason Bidgood jbidgood@hotmail.com or 303-919-4591
David Suddjian dsuddjian@gmail.com or 831-713-8659
Trip Difficulty: Moderate
Directions
Meet at Lowe's in Castle Rock near the outlet stores. I-25 south, exit at Founders/Meadows Pkwy (exit 184), turn right (west), then right on Santa Fe Dr (Hwy 85), then right on New Beale St. Exact address 1360 New Beale St, Castle Rock, CO 80108
View Meeting Place on Google Maps
This trip is limited to the first 12 registrations.
Habitats to bird: Aspen, Conifer Forest, Grassland, Reservoir, Wetland
Birds Plus+ geology! We'll visit the unique Florissant Fossil Beds NM in Teller County. It protects a site where ash from volcanic eruptions 34 million years ago preserved an entire ecosystem creating one of the richest and most diverse fossil deposits in the world. We'll hike about 2-3 miles within the national monument, including a self-guided trail through the beds of ancient Lake Florissant. It passes numerous giant petrified redwood tree stumps, including the colorful "Big Stump". We'll also be looking for a diversity birds in grassland and forests of ponderosa pine, aspen and spruce. We might find Pinyon Jay, Olive-sided Flycatcher, Western Tanager, Townsend's Solitaire, Vesper Sparrow, Mountain Bluebird and more. After exploring the fossil beds we hope to visit some other nearby spots in Teller and maybe Park counties for more birding. Bring lunch, snacks and drinks, good walking shoes, sunscreen , hat and insect repellent. There is a vehicle entrance fee. We will carpool from the meeting place.
This trip is filled and you will be placed on the waiting list when you register
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