Cobirders,
I received a call from Stan Oswald this morning around 9:10. He was on
his way to work. He had just seen five Trumpeter Swans on Valco Pond
east of Rocky Ford. I rushed out as quickly as I could and the swans
were still there at 10:00. They seemed relaxed, were bowing to each
other, uttering low honking sounds, and I could see the pink "lip" on
their lower mandibles on multiple occasions. I never got out of the
vehicle, but within a couple of minutes, they took flight (I don't think
I caused them to fly). They circled low and headed southeast, toward
Swink. I presume that they were heading out to feed. I believe these are
northbound migrants, something all of us look forward to seeing as days
lengthen. (They aren't the first northbound migrants in this part of the
state. Mountain Bluebirds have been moving north for several weeks. I
had my first out of traditional wintering habitat on the extreme early
date of January 13th this year, and they have been present in migration
somewhere in the area most days since then. They should be north of
Monument Hill shortly).
I headed south from La Junta, specifically hoping to see the Field
Sparrow Stan Oswald reported on January 31st near Higbee. I got better
directions from Stan, and with his help, located the Field Sparrow with
little difficulty. Drive west to the unofficial dead end. There is a
cattle guard and shot-up sign as the road narrows, and this marks the
end of the road. If you can see the tiny dam on the Purgatoire River you
have gone a little too far. From the turnaround before the cattle guard,
look in tall cholla with a dense understory of tall grass, about 100
yards east of the cattle guard. The Field Sparrow was always associated
with a flock of Juncos and a few White-crowned Sparrows. I did see one
male Ladder-backed Woodpecker, but missed the Greater Roadrunner and
Lesser Goldfinch Stan reported.
The eastern Fox Sparrow, White-throated Sparrows, and Northern Cardinals
continue near Las Animas. Access is difficult, and the chances of seeing
these birds without feeding them in advance mean that it is wise to
contact me if you want to see these birds. I'll feed them in advance,
and take you to the spot. There appears to have been some over-winter
attrition. I have only seen one Fox Sparrow lately, and the male
Cardinal has been a no-show.
Duane Nelson
Las Animas, Bent County, Colorado
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