Do you have a watchable wildlife event you like posted? Contact us with the details.

January

• Canon City Bird 'N' Nature Fest – Location and date announced annually

February

• Eagle Day Festival · Pueblo
  When: February 6 & 7, 2010
  Viewing opportunities, educational programs and presentations, as well as other activities are held at Pueblo State Park. All activities are free, but a valid parks pass is required for each vehicle that goes through the park. For additional information: visit www.eagleday.org, or call 719.561.5300.
• Bighorn Festival · Colorado Springs
  When: February 13, 2010, 10 a.m. – 3 p.m.
  This free event celebrates the fact that our majestic state mammal is often seen within the Colorado Springs city limits! Find out more about the amazing Rocky Mountain bighorn sheep! Look for bighorns using binoculars and scopes, take a guided nature walk that focuses on bighorn sheep, hear presentations about bighorn sheep biology and the Rampart and Pikes Peak herds, take an auto tour through Queens Canyon, and experience a bighorn 'touch table'. For more information, visit the Web site at www.gardenofgods.com, or call 719.634.6666.
• High Plains Snow Goose Festival · Lamar
  When: February 25-28, 2010
  The lesser snow geese you will see at the High Plains Snow Goose Festival are part of the Western Central Flyway population that are on their way back to the Canadian Arctic where they nest. This flock winters in southeastern Colorado, New Mexico, the Texas panhandle and northern Mexico. The festival offers tours, educational programs, presentations, arts and crafts, and a banquet! Contact lamarchamber@bresnan.net or visit the festival's Web site at www.highplainssnowgoose.com for details.

March

• Monte Vista Crane Festival · Monte Vista
  When: March 12-14, 2010
  "The festival hosts wildlife experts, local naturalists, and biologists who present free educational workshops at the Monte Vista Middle School, while flocks of dancing sandhills assemble in the neighboring farm fields, just east of town. Bus tours to the nearby refuge and adjacent farmlands provide visitors with the opportunity to view this spectacle up close and personal, with a knowledgeable local guide. Special tours feature raptor identification, sunset trips to view cranes, a visit to a local potato warehouse (with free potatoes) and visits to closed areas of the refuge for Crane Fest participants." From the festival's Web site. For a listing of scheduled workshops, registration information, and more, go to www.cranefest.com or call 719.852.3552.
• Eighty Annual Eckert Crane Days · Eckert
  When: March 20 and 27, 2010
  Greater sandhill cranes in small and large flocks glide into Heart's Basin of the Surface Creek Valley, and land at Fruitgrowers Reservoir east of Eckert. Most of the 20,000+ migrating birds come to the reservoir for an overnight stay to rest, feed, and regroup, relying on the reservoir's water and wetlands for protection, and adjacent agricultural lands for food. The following morning they lift off in an organized mayhem of flight and sound that cannot be forgotten. Get schedules, maps, information about other wildlife seen at this time of year, lodging suggestions, and more at www.eckertcranedays.com.
• Dinosaur Ridge Hawkwatch—Lakewood/Morrison
  When: Mid-March to mid-May
  Volunteers and researchers from the Rocky Mountain Bird Observatory (RMBO) help visitors search the sky above the Dakota Ridge Hogback (Dinosaur Ridge) for hawks, eagles, and vultures while sharing why birds have chosen this migratory path. Tour involves a short, but steep, hike up the ridge to a viewing vantage point. For specifics, go to site www.rmbo.org/education/field.
• Prairie Chicken Watching tours with Colorado Division of Wildlife · Wray
  When: Weekends, March 26 - April 25
  Unique opportunity to watch greater prairie chicken courtship dances as the sun comes up on the eastern plains. Guided tours include evening educational program presented by the Colorado Division of Wildlife and hosted by the Wray Museum. Early morning bus trip takes participants to specially designed viewing blind for optimal experience. Reservations are required. Cost varies from $120 to $135 per person; includes motel room. To register visit: www.wraychamber.net or call the Wray Chamber of Commerce at 970-332-3484.
• Lesser Prairie Chicken Viewing · Campo & Granada
  When: Mid March – April
  Call Commanche Grasslands office in Springfield at (719) 523 - 6591 for reservations to access the viewing blind on the Campo lek just 8 miles from town. Stop for a hearty breakfast at the Campo Café before adventuring out onto the Commanche Grasslands to Scenic Picture Canyon (see photographs) and Carrizo Creek for a guided nature hike. Or contact Arena Dust Tours in Grenada for guided tours to Lesser Prairie Chicken Lek's located on private lands. Your guide, Grenada native Fred Dorenkamp will provide you with a day of birding to remember and you'll be recommending this adventure to your friends. Contact USFS Commanche Grasslands office or Fred Dorkencamp at Arena Dust Tours for more information & reservations.