I stayed home from work today (RA is a drag!) and have been sitting at my kitchen window watching a dozen or more Black-headed and at least half that many Rose-breasted Grosbeaks...all at once! A few Evening Grosbeaks come in...as well as 4-5 Bullock's Orioles. These all are accompanied by several females; streak-bellied Rose-breasted and buff- bellied Black-headed females...and the subtle yellow colors of female Evening Grosbeaks and female Bullock's Orioles. (No Tanagers yet.)
I always carefully drill out a few ports on the hummingbird feeders (making sure the inside is not rough and tongues won't get cut-up) just for the Orioles. I've seen as many as four on various feeders or the orange halves I impale here and there...feeding even side by side. Both Broad-tailed and Black-chinned hummers are here in larger numbers now...perhaps ten or more zipping around; both males and females...trying to lay claim to feeders. The only warblers I've seen yet were Yellow-rumped. Polly and Paul Neldner (across town) found Yellow Warblers already; they nest around here...I've not been blessed with a viewing yet this year. They also have Spotted Towhees...something I've never seen in my yard. I think it's fascinating how close we are in town, but how many different birds we have visit our yards. Habitat is key... However...this morning I noticed yet another black bird; a VERY small black bird. After it caught my eye and watching it for several minutes, I realized that the tiny, narrow bill and white breast coming up to a point below it's chin...along with the constant tail wagging up and down...plus that funny little top-knot, made it the second Black Phoebe I've seen in my yard! Yippeeeeeee. By golly I think spring has sprung! Beverly Jensen, 719-989-1398 La Veta, Huerfano County www.RuralChatter.blogspot.com -- 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] For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/cobirds?hl=en?hl=en
