All Dave’s hikes are free and open to everyone. Follow instructions below to sign up. Since hikes fill up quickly and often have a waiting list, please let Dave know right away if you need to cancel a reservation.
Free community Nature Hikes
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Birdwatching for Beginners
Friday June 27, 9 - 10:30 am
Many would-be birders are intimidated by identical little gray birds with similar names. Join community naturalist Dave Sutherland to learn some easy tricks to tell them apart and also tips for picking the best binoculars and bird books. Meet at Purple Park in Superior for a stroll around Bowe’s Pond. Birders of all abilities welcome, but it’s primarily aimed at beginners. Bring binoculars and bird guides if you have them. Sign up with Superior’s Parks, Recreation and Open Space Department: https://secure.rec1.com/CO/superior-co/catalog?filter=c2VhcmNoPTM3NTM5Nz Superior is a designated Bird City in Colorado!
Music For Butterfly Lovers
Saturday June 28, 8 - 9:30 am
Why have composers been fascinated by invertebrates, and how have they tried to capture them in their music? Join us for an “Invertebrates and Music Walk,” a collaboration between naturalist Dave Sutherland, Boulder Philharmonic Orchestra, and Butterfly Pavilion. Stroll through the Pavilion's tropical rainforest, while listening to classical music selections inspired by the world of invertebrates as butterflies flutter around us. Then we'll move outside to the Discovery Gardens to look at pollinating insects close up. You never knew so much music was written to celebrate bugs! Participants will receive a discount code for Boulder Philharmonic concert tickets. Admission to the Butterfly Pavilion is required: $12 non-members, $10 members. Sign up here: https://butterflies.org/invertebrates-and-music-walks-2025/
What's Abuzz? Pollination!
Sunday June 29, 10:30 am - noon
Late summer wildflowers are in full bloom - fireworks in white, purple and yellow! And every flower has an amazing pollination story. Join community naturalist Dave Sutherland for a leisurely hike to look for pollinating insects and the diversity of prairie flowers they frequent. The area burned extensively in December 2021 during the Marshall Fire so you can see how remarkably the prairie recovers from fire. Bring field guides, magnifying glasses, and close-focusing binoculars if you have them. Meet at Davidson Mesa trailhead on McCaslin Blvd. To sign up after June 16 6 pm, email Dave at dsutherland4747@gmail.com
Gunbarrel Hill & Ground-nesting Birds
Monday June 30, 7:30 - 9:30 am
The grasslands at Gunbarrel Hill tell an amazing story of farmland restored to prairie. After thirty years of replanting with native grasses, the land is now home to a vibrant plant and animal community, including uncommon ground-nesting songbirds whose populations are declining across North America. The nearby prairie dog colonies have supported breeding burrowing owls and foraging hawks and eagles, and the swaying grasses shelter the highest nesting concentration of rare grasshopper sparrows in Boulder County. Join community naturalist Dave Sutherland for an easy hike to explore the new Vesper Trail at this remarkable natural treasure in our backyard. We will meet at the neighborhood trail access point to the Gunbarrel Hill trails, at the corner of Boulderado Drive and Cambridge Street (map search 1000 Boulderado Drive in Boulder.) Bring binoculars and spotting scopes if you have them! Limit: 15 people. Sign up from the Environment for the Americas web calendar here: https://environmentamericas.org/events/
Music For Butterfly Lovers
Saturday July 26, 8 - 9:30 am
Why have composers been fascinated by invertebrates, and how have they tried to capture them in their music? Join us for an “Invertebrates and Music Walk,” a collaboration between naturalist Dave Sutherland, Boulder Philharmonic Orchestra, and Butterfly Pavilion. Stroll through the Pavilion's tropical rainforest, while listening to classical music selections inspired by the world of invertebrates as butterflies flutter around us. Then we'll move outside to the Discovery Gardens to look at pollinating insects close up. You never knew so much music was written to celebrate bugs! Participants will receive a discount code for Boulder Philharmonic concert tickets. Admission to the Butterfly Pavilion is required: $12 non-members, $10 members. Sign up here: https://butterflies.org/invertebrates-and-music-walks-2025/
Wings and Songs: Birdwatching and Classical Music
Sunday July 27, 8 - 10 am
Mozart had a pet starling. Sibelius identified personally with swans. Beethoven, Handel and Vivaldi all wrote duets for nightingales and cuckoos, and Dvořák is said to have written the song of the Scarlet Tanager on his shirt cuff. Join naturalist Dave Sutherland at Walden Ponds to explore ways that composers of classical music have captured the essence of birds. Beautiful bird-themed musical selections (played over portable speakers in the field) and amazing bird viewing guaranteed. This program is jointly sponsored by the Boulder Philharmonic Orchestra and Environment for the Americas. Limit 20. Sign up from the Environment for the Americas web calendar here: https://environmentamericas.org/events/
Birdwatching for Beginners
Saturday August 2, 8 - 10 am
Many would-be birders are intimidated by identical little gray birds with similar names. Learn some easy tricks to tell them apart, to remember birds songs, and also tips for picking the best binoculars and bird books. This is a fun intro to bird watching for all ages with community naturalist Dave Sutherland. Birders of all abilities and ages welcome, but it’s primarily aimed at beginners. Bring binoculars and bird guides if you have them. Meet at East Boulder Recreation Center in Boulder for a shady walk along South Boulder Creek. Limit: 15 Sign up from the Environment for the Americas web calendar here: https://environmentamericas.org/events/
Nature at Night: Could You Live Like a Nocturnal Animal?
Friday August 8, 8:30 - 10 pm
As a nearly full moon rises over the land, naturalist Dave Sutherland will lead you into the mysterious world of nocturnal animals. Explore your senses in the darkness: listen for hunting bats, smell like a moth, feel with your whiskers and learn to see by moonlight. Find out why the dark is not as scary as it seems. Meet at Sawhill Ponds. Ages 6 and up. This is a flat, easy hike suitable for all ages. This hike is sponsored by the City of Boulder's Cool Boulder program and is free.
Moonshine Hike
Saturday August 9, 8:30 - 10 pm
Ooh, what a little moonlight can do! Experience nature by night while walking under the silvery light of the full Sturgeon Moon with naturalist Dave Sutherland. We’ll share legends, stories, fun facts and hard science (and maybe a little music!) about our nearest celestial neighbor. Come prepared to practice howling. We’ll meet at Standley Lake Nature Center in Westminster - precise location will be in the confirmation email. Bring a flashlight just in case, but we won’t need them. Suitable for all ages. Limit: 20. Sign up here: https://rectracweb23.westminsterco.gov/webtrac/web/iteminfo.html?Module=AR&FMID=187387892
Music For Butterfly Lovers
Saturday August 16, 8 - 9:30 am
Why have composers been fascinated by invertebrates, and how have they tried to capture them in their music? Join us for an “Invertebrates and Music Walk,” a collaboration between naturalist Dave Sutherland, Boulder Philharmonic Orchestra, and Butterfly Pavilion. Stroll through the Pavilion's tropical rainforest, while listening to classical music selections inspired by the world of invertebrates as butterflies flutter around us. Then we'll move outside to the Discovery Gardens to look at pollinating insects close up. You never knew so much music was written to celebrate bugs! Participants will receive a discount code for Boulder Philharmonic concert tickets. Admission to the Butterfly Pavilion is required: $12 non-members, $10 members. Sign up here: https://butterflies.org/invertebrates-and-music-walks-2025/