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Audubon Colorado Dedicates its 54th Important Bird Area

Boulder Colorado, September 26th, 2006
Audubon Colorado officially dedicated its 54th Important Bird Area today in Boulder, Colorado. The site is Xcel Energy’s Valmont Generating Station reservoir. This site was designated because of the large concentrations of waterfowl species that frequent the area, primarily as a wintering habitat and rest stop during spring and fall migration. The reservoirs and adjacent uplands provide important habitat for the survival of select species and populations of Colorado’s wild birds, including eagles and other raptors, waterfowl, gulls and other waterbirds. Over the years birders have identified 139 bird species at the Valmont Reservoir. Over 50 people attended the ceremony, representing business, conservation, local government and birding enthusiasts. Bird walks and tours of the area followed the dedication and a brief talk by David Wilks, President, Energy Supply, Xcel Energy.

An important feature of the Valmont Reservoir IBA is that it is owned by a major corporation and exemplifies how businesses can work to ensure protection of Important Bird Areas. This is the first Colorado IBA to be owned entirely by a private corporation and the first IBA to be designated in Boulder County. Xcel Energy has also been a major supporter of the Audubon at Home project “Colorado Wildscapes” and is currently developing a Wildscapes demonstration garden at its Cherokee Generating Station in Denver.

Visit www.auduboncolorado.org to learn more about the Important Bird Area program in Colorado. In addition during breeding season visit Xcel Energy’s website to view their bird web cams to see; Bald Eagles. Ospreys, Great Horned Owls, Barn Owls, Kestrels and Peregrine Falcon’s.