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Get the inside scoop with the Friends of Ridgway State Park Recent News and our Annual Newsletter
2025 Bluebird Report
By Joan Moyer
The hot, dry weather this year in addition to the smoke from multiple fires played a major role in the number of birds that I observed this year. In May, I noticed much fewer hummingbirds at my feeders and other birds that I have in my yard every year. My Bluebird population was fewer this year as many of my families did not make a second nesting due to the dryness and heat this summer. The number of birds that I monitored totaled 158. Of this number, I counted 118 Bluebirds (Mountain), 34 Tree swallows, 2 Kingbirds, and 4 Flycatchers. I am hoping for a better year in 2026. Joan Moyer
Lake Appreciation Day 2025
A Fun Filled Day
Lake Appreciation Day, Saturday at RSP was a fun filled day - cloudy and much cooler than previous years.
Ann Plienis and Joan Moyer manned the booth selling hot dogs and chips while Carrie Krickbaum manned the Friends of Youth and Nature selling snow cones and doing many games. Thank you to each of you - we do appreciate your work
A special thank you goes to my son, Brook Moyer, who helped us set up the tent and other equipment to get us started. We could not do this without him.
2024 Bluebird Report
By Joan Moyer
Over the past few years Dennis’s original 55 bluebird houses have decreased to 41 houses that I monitor for Ridgway State Park. 12 houses within the park are now monitored by RSP volunteers – thank you. This has been very helpful for me as I walk to monitor 41 houses, and this has helped me to monitor them more closely. Total birds fledged this year is 150. Of this total I noted 100 Mountain Bluebirds, 14 Western Bluebirds, 28 Tree Swallows, 4 Ash throated Flycatchers, and 4 King birds (a nice surprise for me). I had only 1 bluebird nest that the birds had perished – possibly due to the heat. No bear activity nor other problems were noted. Dennis’s legacy bluebird houses continue.
Bird banding Program Benches
September highlights RSP’s Bird Banding Program which includes students from
surrounding schools and a time for the public to participate. The program is held at the
Dallas Creek bridge area. The seating and work area for the students was in poor
condition. The Friends of Ridgway State Park have been able to fund new seating
benches for all participating in this project. The photo shows that they have been
installed and ready for Bird Banding. Happy September to all.
Lake Appreciation Day
Saturday July 20th 2024
Four Friends of Ridgway State Park: Mike Campbell, Kirstin Copeland, Joan Moyer, and Jane Haefner manned a booth at Lake Appreciation Day for Ridgway State Park. We worked in conjunction with the Friends of Youth and Nature Booth. What a fun day selling hot dogs and snow cones and meeting so many youth who were interested in nature and the environment. This was an excellent outreach program for all who were visiting Ridgway State Park that day. Thank you to all who made this a fun successful day!
Scholarship Winner 2024!
The Friends of Ridgway State Park awarded Paul Steinke a $5000 scholarship. Paul
completed his sophomore year at California Polytechnic University majoring in Biological
Sciences of plants and animals. His spring education term was spent in New Zealand
along with 17 other students - a great educational event. Paul resides in Ridgway, CO
with parents Mike and Patrice Campbell. Paul has participated in many community activities
including the Audubon Society. This summer he is working for the Ridgway parks adding
to his plant knowledge. Congratulations Paul Steinke.