Dead of Winter Knowledge Quest
CFO Speaker Series

Dark winter evenings getting you down? Join the Dead of Winter Knowledge Quest!

From November to March, we meet scientists working here in Colorado, explore opportunities for you to see more birds, get inspired for a next trip, delve into Colorado avian conservation challenges, and more.

Watch Past Knowledge Quests

Click on the images below to watch the presentation on the CFO YouTube channel.

Dr. Kyle Horton presents his and his lab's recent research on bird migration. Bird migration usually occurs during the dark hours so his lab uses remote-sensing tools, like radar, to better quantify the number of migrants filling nighttime airspace and determine where and when migrants are impacted by artificial light. Dr. Horton also discusses how these data can be integrated with community science records to better understand migration and forecast movements.

A Movement Unseen: Bird Migration in Action with Dr. Kyle Horton

Erin Gelling, Executive Director for Colorado Crane Conservation Coalition, speaks on current efforts for the conservation of Sandhill Cranes in Northwest Colorado.

Sandhill Crane Conservation in Northwest Colorado with Erin Gelling

Whether looking for a new birding spot near home or planning an extended trip to the far corners of the state, you’ve probably used a bird-finding guide to help find a prime location. Ten years ago, Ken Ostermiller was thinking about bringing bird-finding guides into the 21st century using crowd-sourcing. The site he developed based on a crowd-sourcing model wasn’t getting much traction until a conversation with fellow birder and software developer Adam Jackson. The conversation hatched the current Birding Speakers: Charles Hundertmark, Ann Johnson, Ken Osermiller Hotspots website (https://birdinghotspots.org/) that is rapidly gaining traction across the country.

Birding Hotspots: A Bird-finding Guide for the eBird Age

Dr. Rich Reading speaks on the African Vulture crisis. This talk offers lots to think about regarding global and local conservation, plus the importance of vultures in our landscape.

The African Vulture Crisis with Rich Reading

iNaturalist is an online, crowdsourced scientific database where users from across the world can submit and corroborate data.We will start with the basics: how to get on the app, how to explore the global database, and how to contribute valuable data.

How and why to use iNaturalist with Hannah Floyd

Amy Seglund and Liza Rossi from Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW) discuss how to identify Pinyon Jays and their natural history. Amy and Liza will provide a summary of current CPW research and monitoring of the species. Interested community scientists can also assist CPW with survey efforts.

Colorado Parks and Wildlife Pinyon Jay Research: Opportunities for Community Scientist Participation

Dead of Winter Knowledge Quest CFO Speaker Series

Dead of Winter Knowledge Quest: Birding New Zealand – An Introduction by Eric DeFonso

Watch Past Knowledge Quests

Dead of Winter Knowledge Quest
CFO Speaker Series