OK, that was not supposed to go out to the entire world, but now you all know why I am so stressed.
Linda Hodges
Conservation Chair
Aiken Audubon
On Mon, May 11, 2026 at 2:30 PM linda hodges <hikerhodges@gmail.com> wrote:
Hey Julie,
Thank you so much for your kind words. It means a great deal to me, As I have definitely felt vastly underappreciated of late.
I have been very stressed over Chico issues, especially the last couple of weeks. Risë probably told you that the state land board got on my back because another org wasn’t clear about the areas that people are limited to on the ranch. ??? Somehow, that is my fault? And even though Jessica gave very specific information about the ranch and birding in her KRDO interview, they chose not to include that, so I was chastised some more. And now they want to coordinate what will be said before we speak to any public entity about the ranch.On top of that, a bunch of Monday birders bought tickets for next Monday, then found out they couldn’t use them, and don’t seem to understand No Refunds and that Tickets Aren’t transferable. Even hours after I sent an email thatwas very clear about it!(Or so I thought) One person saw that a certain day was full and reached out to me to see how they could still get in. Another signed up as an under 10-year-old in order to Get in, since unfortunately the platform showed there were still openings for kids under 10.And when Bill Maynard complained, it pretty much sent me over the edge. None, and I mean none, of the good birders Lifted a finger to help save Chico. In fact, I would say that only a handful of people in Colorado Springs made an effort. That was terribly distressing to me. So, as I’m sure you can tell, I have very little patience for any complainers at this point
Sorry! I know this is more than you are interested in hearing, but I apparently still have the need to vent. 😬
Too bad the warblers didn’t seem to stick around today.
Thanks again, Julie, 🙏
Linda HodgesConservation ChairAiken Audubon
On Mon, May 11, 2026 at 2:12 PM Chicobander <jshieldcastle@gmail.com> wrote:
It was another beautiful day to be outside. However, not many birds around unless you count the Bullock's Orioles and the Western Kingbirds chasing each other. We had a couple new species for the season: Lesser Goldfinch and Bullock's Oriole. There were many new birders to the ranch today. It was nice to have them interested in what was happening on the ranch.More Hermit Thrushes captured today than Swainson's Thrushes so the Hermits are not done migrating through.
A Big Shout out to Linda Hodges of Aiken Audubon for all her efforts for being a great liaison with the Colorado Land Board, Bird Conservancy of the Rockies, and the Flying Diamond lessee for Chico Basin Ranch. It is a lot of communication to keep things rolling smoothly for us Birders to be able to be on the ranch. Most ranches I am told do not have visitors. So be thankful for having good people vying for recreational birding use of Chico Basin Ranch. Mucho Gracias, Linda!
21 New Banded BirdsOrange-crowned Warbler- 1MacGillivray's Warbler- 1Common Yellowthroat-1Lesser Goldfinch- 1Northern House Wren- 3Lincoln's Sparrow- 1Swainson's Thrush- 2Hermit Thrush- 3Bullock's Oriole - 5Gray Catbird- 1American Robin- 1Common Grackle- 1
3 RecapturesMGWANHWRBHCO
1 ReturnAmerican Robin
The Banding Station will be open tomorrow through Saturday from Sunrise until @11AM.Please register on the Aiken Audubon if you want to bird the ranch. www.aikenaudubon.comPlease stop by the banding station to share your bird sightings. We would love to hear about them.
Enjoy the Day,
Julie ShieldcastleBander, Chico Basin RanchBird Conservancy of the Rockies--
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