COBirders, I went to Chico Basin Ranch (fee) today to look for signs of spring migration. There are signs that there has been very little winter moisture on the Chico. I saw this drought index a couple weeks ago and thought birders might be interested in the recent drought severity index as it applies to the U.S. http://www.drought.unl.edu/DM/monitor.html Click on CO a few times to see CO counties to check the severity of the current drought in your area, and for a reality check click the deep red-colored counties in Texas. Birds of note at Chico: Pueblo County Cinnamon Teal - numbers increasing - ~20, still all drakes lots of migratory ducks of the more common species, Green-winged Teal numbers increasing, Northern Shoveler new Canada Geese - numbers decreasing, Greater White-fronted Goose gone Greater Yellowlegs - 2, my FOS Sage Thrasher - 2, my FOS Curve-billed Thrasher - 1 resident Mountain Bluebird - 14 American Robins - lots, and numbers increasing, almost exclusively keyed on Russian olive fruits as are Northern Flickers I was hoping to find Burrowing Owl and Mountain Plover but I saw neither. Horned Larks are now in pairs and smaller groups than last month. El Paso Mountain Bluebird - 10 Prairie Merlin - 1 Ferruginous Hawk - 1 Squirrel Creek Road Pond (the one near the turnoff to a prominent landfill) Greater Yellowlegs - 1 Bill Maynard Colorado Springs ____________________________________________________________ Looking for insurance? Compare and save today. Click here. http://thirdpartyoffers.juno.com/TGL2141/fc/BLSrjpTInoLP3hFKmp3roWzPznonS5NAWs02TDUgY1GHUWvH0mZ0nasHg7u/ --~--~---------~--~----~------------~-------~--~----~ You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Colorado Birds" group. To post to this group, send email to [email protected] To unsubscribe from this group, send email to [email protected] For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/cobirds?hl=en -~----------~----~----~----~------~----~------~--~---
