Backyard to Big Sky: Your Guide to Birding Southern Colorado’s Diverse Ecosystems

That flash of color on a morning hike. The unfamiliar call drifting across the prairie. Colorado's birds are everywhere—recently, Palmer Land Conservancy's Land Stewardship Manager, Andrew Dreelin, PhD, shared decades of experience as an ornithologist with the Palmer community.

During the virtual event, Backyard to Big Sky: Your Guide to Birding Colorado's Diverse Ecosystems, Andrew guided participants through three of Colorado's most distinct landscapes—shortgrass prairies, the foothills, and mountains—introducing the remarkable birds that call each one home. From the Burrowing Owl's improbable prairie burrow to the Brown-Capped Rosy Finch's life above treeline, the journey revealed a world of feathered wonder hiding in plain sight.

Find the Birds. Use the Tools.

One of the most practical takeaways from the event was how accessible birding has become. Andrew walked participants through two free tools that transform any smartphone into a birding companion:

• Merlin Bird ID — identifies birds instantly by photo or sound
• eBird — tracks your sightings and reveals birding hotspots near you

Whether you've been birding for decades or simply paused to wonder at a bird in your yard, these tools open a new dimension of connection to Colorado's landscapes.

Why It Matters

Habitat loss is the primary threat facing Colorado's bird populations. When Palmer protects land—nearly 150,000 acres across Colorado—we protect the ecosystems that birds depend on to survive. Andrew shared how conservation easements, stewardship work, and community science all play a role in keeping Colorado's landscapes vibrant and bird-friendly for generations to come.

The birds are out there. The tools are free. With Andrew's insights you'll be inspired to to seek at our feathered friends who inhabit the skies across Colorado.