Sterling Ranch is a thoughtfully-designed community for the 21st century with a strong dedication to stewardship of the land and resources. Nestled at the gateway to the Front Range, nearly 40% of Sterling Ranch will be preserved as open space, including two wildlife corridors.
We are fortunate to have the Bird Conservancy of the Rockies in our area and have worked with them from the earliest planning phases of community development. Their mission is to conserve birds and their habitats through an integrated approach of science, education, and land stewardship. We’ve worked closely with them to develop an integrated, long-term prairie conservation management plan that protects wildlife in the area.
Bird Walk
The Bird Conservancy of the Rockies is holding a Bird Walk at Sterling Ranch on Thursday, April 11th. Don’t miss out! This is an excellent way to learn all about the various types of local birds and how to identify them. For more information or to register, click here.
Another important service performed by the Bird Conservancy of the Rockies is bird banding. By setting up multiple stations in Colorado and Nebraska, they are able to capture and mark thousands of birds each year.
What is bird banding?
Bird banding is the practice of tagging wild birds with a light metal “anklet” that fits around the bird’s leg. The birds are also weighed and measured and the information recorded. The data that is collected is enormously helpful in understanding bird migration patterns and behaviors. The more we understand about birds, the better we can help protect them.
How is it done?
Scientists capture the birds by setting up a series of mist nets. The birds are completely unharmed by the process. Once captured, the scientist measures the bird’s leg, fits a metal band around it that has unique identifying information, and then measures the bird’s wings and beak. They also weigh the birds, which can be tricky with smaller species that only weigh a few grams!
We are grateful for our partnership with the Bird Conservancy of the Rockies. Visit their website to learn more about what they do. You can even find useful tips on how to live bird friendly.
Sterling Ranch has over 30 miles of internal trails, perfect for birdwatching and appreciating the natural beauty of this exceptional location. Homes from builders in Providence Village start from the mid-$400s. Visit today and discover everything Sterling Ranch has to offer!