Recently, a group of area residents who reside near the newly completed extension of Fish Creek Trail began volunteering their time in the evenings to monitor trail safety and illegal trail parking, and to provide information about the beaver and their habitat. This volunteer group formation was sparked by concerns from residents who live along Fish Creek Trail and by the Recreation District’s interest in p ...

By: Kris Hazelton It’s fall and the elk rut is underway, which is a good time for a reminder to us all to slow down and really watch for wildlife on our roads, especially this time of year. During the rut, the animals are very distracted and not at all wary when crossing the roads. Their distractedness makes it more important than ever for drivers to stay alert to wildlife activity near roads—and to slow do ...

Rick Spowart, Wildlife Manager with Colorado Parks and Wildlife is seeking any information on a little 20 pound black bear cub who was shot as she ran with her mother in the vicinity of 1750 Fish Creek Road on August 11. The cub was reported as being injured and wildlife officials sent to help thought the baby had possibly been hit by a car. After the baby bear crossed Fish Creek Road the injured cub tumble ...

Colorado’s cougars, cryptic and rarely seen, contribute to the richness and complexity of our State’s ecosystems. As humans increasingly encroach on their habitat, they live well in our backyards as new, cutting-edge research on the Front Range shows. While big native cats live well with us, can we tolerate them? Come learn more about Colorado’s largest wildcat and how common sense precautions can eliminate ...

By: Kris Hazelton We walk around the lake each and every day and recently, have seen several birds that have become entangled in fishing ling, a very troubling sight. These heartbreaking cases could easily be prevented. Improperly discarded fishing line cripples and kills and wildlife. Nearly every day on our walks, one of us picks up carelessly discarded fishing line, hooks and sinkers. These lines, carele ...

By Scott Rashid, Director Of CARRI Several weeks ago Grant Spencer, Susan Rashid and I built several nest boxes for owls and have placed about 40 on private property. The owl nest boxes were constructed originally for Northern Saw-whet Owls. However, we have another small owl that could be using some of those nest boxes now; the Flammulated Owl. The Flammulated Owl is a small gray owl with dark eyes. In fac ...

By: Scott Rashid Director of CARRI As you’ve noticed, the hummingbirds are back! At least the Broad-tailed Hummingbirds are back. The rufous and calliope hummingbirds will arrive in July. The Broad-tailed Hummingbird is the only hummingbird species that nests in the area. The males began arriving around April 15th. The females usually arrive a few days, even weeks later. The first hummers are often heard be ...

By: Kris Hazelton In the next few weeks, there are going to be many new elk calves born in and around town and the cows will be on alert. The mothers are not being aggressive when defending their young, just protective. It’s our responsibility to not get too close to the baby or the mother. Just this week the warning signs were put up in the bird sanctuary on the Lake Estes Trail, a place where the elk like ...