Events Scheduled for Wednesday, May 6, 2026
FESTIVAL CHECK-IN, Cortez Cultural Center Gallery
For Birding Festival information email diane.cherbak@gmail.com
12:00 pm – 7:00 pm
Full Registration Fee — includes all daily tours: $180
Daily Registration Fee — for single tour: $50
Keynote Banquet Fee — $55 (Chicken, salmon or vegetarian. Add $15 for ribeye steak upgrade)
Daily Lunch Fee — $20 (Regular or vegetarian)
All Lectures are FREE
Photo courtesy of Diane Cherbak
Only 1 Space Remaining!
NEWRETURNINGREVISEDEXPANDEDSOLD OUT!
NEWRETURNINGREVISEDEXPANDEDSOLD OUT!
TOUR #1
Falcons and Eagles and Owls…Oh My! #1
2:00 pm – 8:30 pm
Linda Raczek, Biologist, retired
The ever-popular raptor tour within the Cortez area has expanded to incorporate early evening hours. Species could include Bald and Golden eagles, Osprey, Turkey Vulture, Northern Harrier, Red-tailed Hawk, American Kestrel, Great-horned Owl and Barn Owl. Some of these species might be observed on or near their nests. Peregrine Falcon, Cooper’s Hawk and Sharp-shinned Hawk are other raptor possibilities. Easy. Optional box dinner by Holly. Approximately 65 miles round trip.
Birds and Bites WELCOME RECEPTION
5:00 pm – 7:00 pm, Cortez Cultural Center Gallery
Join fellow bird enthusiasts during the UMMV Birding Festival’s Welcome Reception. Enjoy beer, wine, coffee bar, appetizers and the bird art exhibit.
LECTURE
“Breeding biology of Spotted Towhees in pinyon-juniper habitat of northwest New Mexico and the paradigm of noise from gas well compressors”
5:30 pm – 6:30 pm
Dr. Catherine P. Ortega, President, Durango Bird Club
According to the Breeding Bird Survey, while Spotted Towhee populations significantly increased in Canada 1966-2022, during the same years, populations declined significantly in the United States. New Mexico leads all states with a significant decline: 2.4% per year. In order to manage habitat for Spotted Towhees during the nesting season, it is important to understand what environmental features attract them. Compared with randomly available sites, they prefer more vegetation (ground cover, canopy, tree density, and shrub height) and avoided noise, even though noise might have resulted in greater nest success because nest predators also avoided noise.
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Birding Festival General Information
- The Ute Mountain Mesa Verde Birding Festival is the major fundraiser for the Cortez Cultural Center. All proceeds benefit the Center.
- All tours require pre-registration.
- A registration fee is required for all tours. Full registration includes all daily tours. Daily registration includes a single full day tour. Half-day tour fee includes a single ½ day tour. Full registration is required in order to qualify for the free early bird t-shirt.
- All lunches are an extra cost and are provided by Once Upon a Sandwich unless otherwise noted.
- Unless otherwise noted, tours will return to the Center at approximately 3:00 pm.
- Carpools/caravanning will be used for all tours. Drivers will be reimbursed for gas by passengers at the rate of 70 cents per mile, divided among all participants in the vehicle.
- Tour size is generally 13 or less.
- Tours take place in varied habitats with altitudes ranging from 5000 - 9500'.
- Cancellations considered on a case-by-case basis up to 21 days prior to start of Festival. All cancellations are subject to a processing fee.
- Availability of restrooms depends on the tour. Nearly all guides scout out restroom locations as well as bird species. Some tours are in parks or other facilities that have established restrooms. Some have outhouses. Others, the only option are bushes. The leader will usually mention the restroom plan at the beginning of the tour.
- All tours depart from and return to the Cortez Cultural Center.
- Tour times listed are the DEPARTURE time. Please arrive 15 minutes prior.
For Birding Festival information email diane.cherbak@gmail.com
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2025 BIRDING FESTIVAL SPONSORS
We could not provide this event without the support of the following sponsors, partners, and volunteers:
