Date: 5/18/26 4:26 pm From: 'Linda Andes-Georges' via Colorado Birds <cobirds...> Subject: [cobirds] letting go ! (re my Eco-steward trails in the Boulder/Lyons area)
Dear folks:
I've reached my limits in hiking long or challenging trails to survey birds, butterflies, plants (often weeds) as well as recreation use.
My limits are physical and certainly not boredom or discouragement.
I have loved surveying these trails several times in each avian breeding season: before (May), during (June) and after (July). I've taken notes on all the aspects mentioned above, learned much, and found many observations useful in giving input to the decision-makers who oversee the condition of the areas. (This data collection has really come in handy when management of our areas is up for discussion by various boards).
I especially treasured the early morning hours when I had these popular trails to myself and the owls or poorwills, and often the turkeys and deer.
If anyone out there would be interested in assuming these surveys, and making a season's-end report to the compiler, I guarantee satisfaction of many kinds. The 30+ Ecostewards that have accepted to do these surveys and report on them have been doing so for a couple of decades under the auspices of Boulder County Nature Association. Steve Jones has been our inspiration, mentor and compiler. The objective was simply to monitor all the aspects we felt capable of surveying, and turning in reports at season's end.
Here are "my" trails/areas in question:
PICTURE ROCK TRAIL from south Lyons to 4 or 5 miles further south. Long, slow rolling hike with superb views for the first hour or so, then ascending to wooded hillside savannas with a different habitat for both birds & plants. Many butterfly species; delightful botanical variety--gorgeous grasses. Few hikers; scattered long-distance runners; but mostly bikers unless you go early in the morning during the week. Often I saw almost no bikers! In order to get more data on users, I had to do a hike on popular weekends.... For the most part, cyclists were polite and in compliance with trail use regs.
GREGORY CANYON from Boulder TH on Flagstaff to the "top" and then down to the shady trails on the west side. This has always been a great site for interesting accidentals (birds or animals you do NOT expect to find), including once a pair of bikers who were trying to get to the 5-Points area on a trail that is in no way a good (or legal) one for bike use. It is a steep and rocky hike of about 3 miles out and back, but interesting in so many ways--you'll have to call me to learn more. I've seen/heard Blue-headed Vireos, Saw-whet Owls, Scarlet Tanagers, Kentucky Warblers & others but the typical residents are multiple and vocal. It's a gem, this hike.
Please contact me (PM/DM) off listserv to learn more. The assignment will enrich your life!
Linda Andes-Georges
central Boulder County in shortgrass prairie beside Table Mountain
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