The majority of the people who responded believe that it was a Blackburnian Warbler that I saw. After checking out all the suggestions, it appears to be the closest to what I think I saw. The second suggestion that seemed close was a male Orchard Oriole - still a definite possibility - but this bird seemed way too small compared to the ones I've seen before, and it didn't have as much black on its head as I am used to seeing. The amount of black is more like what I would expect to see on a Bullock's Oriole, but then again, this bird was way too small for that. I keep hoping that I will see it again, but the likelihood is not all that great.
On the bird that I asked about before this, most of the people responding felt that it was a female Red Winged blackbird. We have hundreds of Red Wings around here each year, so I know what they look like, and while similar to what I saw, this is not one of them. My efforts of describing this bird were pitiful and I can easily see how my description could lead to a female Red Winged. However, the color was all wrong, and the bird was smaller than a female Red Winged. In the end, several of you agreed that my initial guess of a female Lark Bunting is probably correct. It hung around for about three days, then moved on. During that time I was able to get several good views of it. The most identifying field mark was the white patch on the wing, similar to what the males have. The first time I saw it, the white patch on the wing wasn't that visible from the angle I was viewing it from, but it was there. When I tried to describe it, I forgot to add that little detail. Probably would have made it a lot easier to identify. Thanks everyone! I'm sure I will have more puzzlers in the days ahead. <smile>. Pauli Smith Not much in the unusual today. The Western Kingbirds are back. Still a few late White Crowned Sparrows. Last night saw what appeared to be a warbler, but I didn't get a really good look. It flew fairly low in front of me from the trees along the lake to the large cottonwoods across the road. Lots of orange - bright, brick orange on its breast and down, with some black on its head. Small, not anywhere near the size of an oriole, more the size of a warbler or a small sparrow. The orange really stood out. Any ideas? Pauli Smith Highlandlake - northwest of Mead, Weld. -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Colorado Birds" group. To post to this group, send email to cobi...@googlegroups.com. To unsubscribe from this group, send email to cobirds+unsubscr...@googlegroups.com. For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/cobirds?hl=en.
