Past Colorado Birding Challenges
2023 Challenge
The Challenge was created to provide an annual flow of funds to support specific bird conservation projects. 2023's challenge funds will primarily support the determination of breeding colony locations and the critical surrounding habitat for Pinyon Jays. From 1967–2015, the population levels of Pinyon Jays fell by an estimated 83.5%. Identifying these areas is critical for long-term habitat management and protection.
Researchers Emily Macklin and Dr. Amanda Cheeseman, from South Dakota State University, have partnered with the Bureau of Land Management, US Fish and Wildlife Service, and Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW) to identify locations of Pinyon Jay colonies and to further map areas of high-quality nesting habitat across Colorado, ensuring woodland management is consistent with Pinyon Jay recovery.
Big Day Category Winners
Automobile
Winner: Birds R Us
% of Par: 87.5%
Total Species: 102
County Birded: Sedgwick
Team Members: Kelly Ormesher & Valentina Roumi
Green
Winner: Chaffee Chasers
% of Par: 70.5%%
Total Species: 79
County Birded: Chaffee
Team Members: Sally Waterhouse & Greg Mihalik
Youth
Winner: The Ruffled Feathers
% of Par: 39%
Total Species: 77
County Birded: Larimer
Team Members: Ezekiel, Ellison, and Weyland Lynum
"Bird Your WAY"
Everyone is a winner in this non-competitive category. Thirteen teams participated in this category; some on May 20th, others throughout the entire month.
Fundraising Champion - Team
Winner: DFO Deer Creekers
Funds raised: $7,820
County Birded: Jefferson
Team Members: David Suddjian, Anne Craig, Mary Fran O'Connor, Dana Hiatt
Fundraising Champion - Individual
Winner: David Suddjian
Funds raised: $3,710
County Birded: Jefferson
2022 Challenge
Gunnison Sage Grouse Conservation
Funds raised from the 2022 Colorado Birding Challenge were donated to Gunnison Basin-Sagebrush Ecosystem Alliance cheatgrass removal and sagebrush habitat restoration. In addition to Gunnison Sage-Grouse recovery, this will support habitat recovery for other sagebrush-dependent species including Brewer's Sparrow, Sagebrush Sparrow, Sage Thrasher, Green-tailed Towhee and Vesper Sparrow.
Big Day Category Winners
Automobile
Winner: The Ususal Suspects
% of Par: 99%
Total Species: 127
County Birded: Dolores
Team Members: Glenn Dunmire & Mike Thomas
Green
Winner: The Shining Mountain Ramblers
% of Par: 92%
Total Species: 83
County Birded: Pitkin County
Team Members: John Anderson & Bryan Gieszl
Youth
Winner: The Serious Sparrows
% of Par: 23%
Total Species: 44
County Birded: Larimer
Team Members: Ezekiel, Ellison, and Weyland Lynum
Big Sit
Winner: The Kingery Big Sit
% of Par: 57%
Total Species: 96
County Birded: Douglas
Team Members: Hugh and Urling Kingery
Fundraising Champion - Team
Winner: The White-bearded Helmetcrests
Funds raised: $8,260
County Birded: Larimer
Team Members: Nickolas Komar, Doug Swartz, Jay Breidt, John Shenot
Fundraising Champion - Individual
Winner: Bryan Gieszl
Funds raised: $4,193
County Birded: Pitkin County
Photo/ Audio
[No 2022 Participants]
2021 Challenge
The inaugural Colorado Birding Challenge was a success thanks to everyone to participated and donated.
Grassland Conservation
Funds raised from the 2021 Colorado Birding Challenge were donated to Bird Conservancy of the Rockies to support two of their ongoing efforts.
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- Restoration of degraded grasslands in northern Mexico to help provide suitable habitat for wintering Colorado grassland birds whose populations are declining due to decreasing habitat
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- Expand the Motus network by building a tower to help track the migratory routes, breeding sites, and wintering locations of threatened grassland bird species. This information will help focus future conservation efforts.
Big Day Category Winners
Automobile
Winner: Team Ouray
% of Par: 98.9%
Total Species: 92
County Birded: Ouray
Team Members: CFO's WFO Liaison Don Marsh, Cliff Utech, and Kent Nelson
There were 39 teams that competed in the Automobile category covering 35 different Colorado counties!
Green
Winner: The Masked Trogons
% of Par: 56%
Total Species: 108
County Birded: Larimer
Team Members: CFO President Nick Komar and CFO Board Director Greg Osland
Mode of transport: Foot, Bike
Teams in this category reported observing birds on foot, from bikes, and by kayak!
Photo/Audio
Winner: Team JPEG Juncos.
% of Par: 60%
Total Species: 94
County Birded: Arapahoe
Team Members: Rob Raker and Mitchell Bailey
Youth
Winner: Crystal River's Wild Scenics
% of Par: 63%
Species: 74
County Birded: Garfield
Team Members: Mary Harris, Madalynn Connor, George Waaler and Katie Daniels