BCAS Articles
June Nature Almanac: What’s Up on the Tundra?
It’s a paradox that forget-me-nots, moss campions, and other alpine flowers usually bloom in June while snowdrifts still cover marsh marigolds and globeflowers in the spruce-fir forest at lower elevations.
May Nature Almanac: Black-headed Grosbeaks arrive in full song from Mexico
As spring migration reaches a climax, many birders in Front Range towns have the opportunity to see transient bird species that stop over in the plains for a day or two before heading to the foothills and mountains of the Rockies. One colorful songbird that we are happy to catch on its migration travels is the Black-headed Grosbeak.
April Nature Almanac: Early Easter Daisies Finally Emerge from their Winter Blanket
As we stood on one sun-warmed limestone slope in a foothills canyon, we could see dozens of fist-sized plants blooming all around us.
From Kentucky Bluegrass to Habitat Hero at my HOA: Involve your community
While some people care about nature, others care about saving money, and others care about public health. My plan needed to be holistic.
Winter Raptor Surveys at White Rocks
Seven teen naturalists and three fellow travelers hiked the White Rocks Trail on a crisp, foggy morning with sunlight filtering through the mist and hoarfrost glistening on the willows.
March Nature Almanac: Marching to a Different Drummer
Different drummers are pounding on trees, metal railings, and the sides of our houses proclaim that it’s spring. Flickers and other woodpeckers are beating out a fanfare—the noisier the better—hoping to ignite romance and deter rivals.
February Nature Almanac: Wandering Waxwings
Our frigid early morning bird walk began just after sunrise, as we looked for some rare visitors to the Colorado Front Range.
A Week on Hog Island
As I stepped off the boat onto Hog Island, I relished in the sound of gulls and the lapping of waves as Black Guillemots floated off the rocky shore. I had arrived!
Teen Naturalists Plot Bald Eagle Roosts and Set Christmas Count Record
Data from these hikes will help inform future trail development within this floodplain, much of which is designated as critical wildlife habitat in the Boulder County Comprehensive Plan.
January Nature Almanac: A Confusion of Warblers
Popular English collective nouns for warblers include a “bouquet,” a “fall,” or a “wrench” of warblers. Or—most apt for Colorado this past autumn—a confusion of warblers. What were those tiny bits of fluff thinking when they settled down here in November instead of migrating south?
December Nature Almanac: Muskrats Cozy up in Winter
There's a steep embankment along Clear Creek where we often see a muskrat munching on a leaf or a clump of pond weed. The muskrat seems unperturbed, nibbling away, while we sit on the opposite bank watching. Then, with hardly a sound, she eases into the water and vanishes below the surface. Her den entrance is located underwater, and she swims unseen from there up to the den floor deep within the embankment.
Winter Raptor Survey at White Rocks
Sixteen participants (9 students and 7 adults) conducted a wintering raptor survey along the White Rocks Trail.
Teen Naturalist Program Relaunches with Stargazing & Fall Colors
The Teen Naturalists have been busy this fall and have more upcoming trips planned.
November Nature Almanac: Short-eared Owls - Silent Hunters of the Marsh
Named for their small ear tufts (which are rarely visible) Short-eared Owls are medium-sized, just slightly smaller than a crow.
October Nature Almanac: Poison Ivy Can Brighten or Blighten Your Day
Poison ivy with its variegated shades of salmon, orange, red, and yellow is one of the most beautiful autumn plants in the understory.
September Nature Almanac: Caching in for a Living – Food Hoarding Behaviors of Colorado Birds
As the last few leaves fall from the trees, and snow levels begin to rise, our thoughts often turn to the wildlife outside our homes and their adaptations to survive the extremes of winter. One such adaptation involves caching, or storing, food for later use.
New North American Meadowlark Species -- Based on Research of A Teen Naturalist Alum!
The American Ornithological Society has accepted the split of Eastern Meadowlark with Chihuanuan Meadowlark that includes the “Lilian’s Meadowlark”. The proposal was written by Johanna Beam, an alum of the Teen Naturalists program.
Volunteer with BCAS: AV Coordinator during Monthly Programs
BCAS seeks a volunteer who can run our audio-visual equipment at the in-person 4th Tuesday monthly meetings. BCAS also seeks advice on the purchase of audio equipment to improve access for everyone at our meetings. Can you help us?