Columbia Audubon Society field trips and events are informal and friendly. Advanced registration is (normally) not required and all participants are welcomed, whether or not they are CAS members. Please help us maintain this relaxed approach by being prepared for the risks inherent in such activities (especially those involving the outdoors and/or driving), acting responsibly, and understanding that complete elimination of risk is not possible. Further guidelines are available for field trip leaders and participants.
Monday, July 29, 2024 | 6:30 pm to ~8:30 p.m.
THIS EVENT HAS BEEN POSTPONED due to intense mosquito activity in Rocheport (a result of recent high river levels), as well as a forecast for heat. No new date has been set but we hope to try again later in the summer when conditions have improved.
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Come join the Columbia Audubon Society for a fun evening bird-watching walk along the Katy Trail through scenic Rocheport. All skill levels are welcome on this chance to explore diverse trailside habitats. We’re scheduling this for a weekday so that overall trail traffic is lower.
We’ll depart from the official Katy Trail trailhead on the east side of town (see map here) at 6:30 pm, then walk west along the trail, crossing Moniteau Creek and taking a short boardwalk out to an overview of Diana Bend Conservation Area. We’ll then pass through the old railroad tunnel before turning around to walk back east through Rocheport and out to the riverside bluffs for a scenic view of the river as the sun goes down (sunset at 8:23 pm). If we’re lucky, we’ll see or hear some owls!
Length & trail conditions: We’ll remain on the flat gravel Katy Trail except for a short side trip on the Diana Bend boardwalk. Total walking distance about 2 miles.
Backup date: If weather conditions are uncooperative, we’ll consider Wednesday July 31 as a backup. Official updates will be made to this posting.
Trip leaders: Eric & Joanna Reuter, cherthollow@gmail.com
Friday, August 2, 2024 | 8:00 a.m.
First Friday Fun! Join the Columbia Audubon Society for a bird walk. This walk is open to anyone who enjoys birds, and beginners are encouraged to attend. We will walk at the 3M Wetland Trail, just off the MKT Trail near Forum Blvd. We’ll meet at the Songbird Station parking lot (map) at 8 a.m. sharp and then drive down the hill to park near the wetlands (less than a 5 min. drive). We’ll enjoy all the Missouri birds in this natural, lush landscape. The walk is about 1.75 miles on a level, gravel trail. Waterproof shoes are recommended, but not required. After our walk, we’ll return to Songbird Station by 11 a.m. and enjoy coffee and donuts. Led by Lottie Bushmann.
Thursday, August 22-Friday, August 23, 2024 | 5:00pm
The 2024 MoBCI Conference will be held August 22-23 at the Columbia Country Club. Registration is now live at www.mobci.net.
Friday, September 6, 2024 | 8:00 a.m.
First Friday Fun! Join the Columbia Audubon Society for a bird walk. This walk is open to anyone who enjoys birds, and beginners are encouraged to attend. We will walk at the 3M Wetland Trail, just off the MKT Trail near Forum Blvd. We’ll meet at the Songbird Station parking lot (map) at 8 a.m. sharp and then drive down the hill to park near the wetlands (less than a 5 min. drive). We’ll enjoy all the Missouri birds in this natural, lush landscape. The walk is about 1.75 miles on a level, gravel trail. Waterproof shoes are recommended, but not required. After our walk, we’ll return to Songbird Station by 11 a.m. and enjoy coffee and donuts. Led by Lottie Bushmann.
Sunday, September 15, 2024 | 2:00-6:30pm
Come one, come all! Please join us for the CAS Fall potluck. Bring your favorite dish to share and come ready to share a bird story or two. We love to hear about all the birds you’ve been seeing. We’ll have a bird walk prior to the potluck. Meet at the pavilion at the Bonnie View shelter (3300 W Rollins Rd, Columbia) at 2:00 and we’ll plan to return there by 4:30 in time for the dinner. Plates, silverware, napkins and drinks will be provided. Hope to see you there!
Monday, September 16, 2024 | 7:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m.
Take part in a special opportunity to bird MU’s Gustin Golf Course, where native plantings and landscape management make for great birding habitat. As noted on the course’s website,
Gustin Golf Course was the first college golf course in the United States certified by Audubon International. Gustin Golf Course was recognized as a Cooperative Sanctuary in 1997 and has maintained that status ever since. The golf course has been recognized for its excellence in wildlife habitat management, water conservation, and environmentally friendly turf management practices.
The tour will be by foot and golf cart. We’ll learn about native plantings including pollinator plots, and we’ll listen and watch for birds that are using the habitat.
Limit of 25, advance registration required. To sign up, email trip leader Lottie Bushman, lottie.bushmann@gmail.com.
To reach the course’s parking area (map) turn south off of Stadium Blvd at the stoplight for Carrie Francke Drive, then follow the sign for the right-hand turn into the parking lot area. The A.L. Gustin Clubhouse is on the south side of the parking lot.
Date/time of your choice
Have you taken the time to examine mosses close up? And to think about the relationships between mosses and birds? We’re excited to announce a new, self-guided moss walk at Wild Haven Nature Area that encourages you to do just that!
The trail guide is formatted to be easily read on a mobile device (with the goal of saving paper; please don’t print it).
Download the guide here.
The total length of the hike is under a mile, but it’s easy for time to fly when examining mosses, so plan for at least a couple of hours at Wild Haven. Conditions in winter and early spring are ideal for looking at mosses; sunlight bathes the forest floor, ticks aren’t especially active, and neotropical migrants aren’t yet distracting. But the trail can be completed at any time of year.
We suggest that you bring:
—A hand lens or magnifying glass. This will help you appreciate the miniature world of mosses.
—A spray bottle with water (but no chemical residues). Use to rehydrate mosses when conditions are dry; watch the leaves swell with water in front of your eyes.
—A water bottle for yourself, plus snacks, standard hiking gear, and binoculars for the birds.
No bathrooms or potable water are available at Wild Haven.
Louise Flenner developed this trail to share her knowledge and enthusiasm about mosses and their importance to birds. Thanks, Louise!
Please direct questions and comments to:
Louise Flenner (lflenner@hotmail.com), developer of the moss trail
John Besser (jbesser1@gmail.com), Nature Area chair
David Neely (dustandwood@gmail.com), volunteer manager of Wild Haven Nature Area