[cobirds] Re: Bluff Lake -- Opportunity to Improve Bird Habitat

Chris you should post this on the CFO facebook page where it is easier to share with a wider audience.

Cheri Phillips
Centennial, CO

On Friday, December 5, 2014 11:25:16 AM UTC-7, Chris Rurik wrote:

Hello all --

Many of you know Bluff Lake, a nonprofit-owned "urban wildlife refuge and outdoor classroom" in eastern Denver. I'm passing along information about a fundraising campaign they are running that would dramatically improve the habitat there. (Full disclosure: I worked there part time for six months but don't any more. The moderator approved this message.)

Basically, if Bluff Lake Nature Center can raise ~$375K in the coming year, it will unlock $1.1 million in awards from the state. Pretty significant. The goal? First, repair the old, leaky dam so that the lake has water all year rather than drying up at random times. Second, other habitat improvement projects and refurbishing the building on site, providing a more welcoming presence.

I have heard from plenty of birders that they've been to Bluff Lake and while it seems like a good spot, they just didn't turn up many birds. I definitely know that feeling. When the lake is empty, the whole landscape changes. But when the lake is full, it's an incredible place, magical even, especially considering that it's surrounded by industry and development. The birding can be phenomenal, and will be with a year-round lake. (My favorite moment from the last year: stumbling upon a suspiciously Myarchius-looking flycatcher at the end of a long day of summer camp while leading a bunch of rowdy campers back to the bluff tops, itching while parents slowly slowly picked up their kids, then grabbing my binoculars and running back down to find Denver Co.'s first Ash-throated Flycatcher!)

Anyway, I thought I'd pass along this big opportunity to impact local habitat as year-end giving season comes around. Also, tomorrow is Bluff Lake's monthly bird walk (8 am - 10 am) and I'll be there.

Here is a video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hdwdo-hFGY0&feature=youtu.be

Here is info on the campaign: http://www.blufflake.org/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/LCC-2014-web5.pdf

Here is the bird checklist for Bluff Lake: http://www.blufflake.org/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/Bluff-Lake-Bird-Checklist-5-28-FINAL1.pdf

Yesterday, I found more Brown Creepers in Denver City Park than I've ever seen there: four in one flock.

Chris Rurik

Denver CO / Gig Harbor WA

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