Past Colorado Birding Challenges

2024 Challenge

Teams
Counties Birded
Conservation Funds
$

What Participants Said

Thanks for organizing this fun event!

We hope to participate again next year.

Thanks for organizing another great COBC!
Thanks for encouraging us to have a great Big Day!
We were tired but very happy after a full day of birding and 12,000+ steps!

Conejos River Restoration Project

The Conejos River is the largest tributary to the Rio Grande in Colorado, both originate in the San Luis Valley. The Conejos system supports wildlife habitat, agricultural production, and outdoor recreation. The Conejos River Restoration Project, an effort in partnership between the Rio Grande Headwaters Restoration Project and Bird Conservancy of the Rockies, addresses the need for multi-benefit restoration along four miles of the Conejos River.

  • PHASE I - Surveying and Planning - Completed Spring 2023
  • PHASE II - Priority Project Implementation - Current Phase
  • PHASE III - Secondary Project Implementation - Future Work
Southwestern Willow Flycatcher. Photo by Kelly Colgan Azar (CC BY-ND)
Southwestern Willow Flycatcher. Photo by Kelly Colgan Azar (CC BY-ND)

Big Day Category Winners

The Challenge

Winner: The 100% Confirmed by Merlin

% of Par: 149%

Total Species: 94

County Birded: Grand (par=63)

Team Members: Michael Dougherty and team

Green

Winner: The White-beared Helmet Crests

% of Par:  78%

Total Species: 79

County Birded: Larimer (par=109)

Team Members: Nick Komar and team

Under-25

No Entrants

Bird Your Own Way

Everyone is a winner in this non-competitive category. Sixteen teams participated in this category.

2023 Challenge

Teams
Birders
Counties Birded
Conservation Funds
$

Pinyon Jay Breeding Habitats

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

Teams
Birders
Counties Birded
Conservation Funds
$

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. 

Teams
Birders
Counties Birded
Species Observed
Conservation Funds
$

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.

    1. 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

 

    1. 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