Hi all! Since Cara and Nick are posting about Timnath, I may as well do the same. I stopped at the reservoir at 630am. Since I still go birding sans scope (I've almost saved enough!), my sightings were good but limited. When I arrived on the east end there were 13 Snowy Egrets, a Solitary Sandpiper, and Pectoral Sandpiper right next to the road where the little "stream" flows into the lake. I was able to see the usual gull species, 2 Black-necked Stilts, the usual grebes and ducks and the like. A single Black Tern was doin' his thing over the middle of the lake. 2 Virginia Rails and a Sora were talking incessantly on the east side of the road.
Headed to Crow Valley after the stop at Timnath in hopes of finding some early warblers. A few notes: It was eerily quiet when I arrived at 8am. Only insect sounds and the tires on nearby highway 14. Also, all orioles were gone. I was there less than 2 months ago and frankly got sick of seeing Bullock's and Orchard's. There was standing water in several places which should bode well for possible migrants looking for a place to rest and conversely explained the gross amount of the winged creatures that wanted eat me. Interesting birds today included: 1 - Warbling Vireo 2 - Black-headed Grosbeak-still hanging 1 - Prairie Falcon 1- Merlin 5- Am. Kestrels including 3 juvies at least 2 dozen Wilson's Warblers 1- Yellow Warbler 1- MacGillivray's Warbler The largest concentration of Western Wood Pewees I have ever seen 3- Western Tanagers on the move. 1 very large Bull Snake 1 pair of almost dirty britches all other usual suspects Continued to CR96 around 11am 1 female Chestnut-collared Longspur right where road 750 goes north intermingled with Lark Buntings, McCown's Longspurs, Horned Larks, Lark Sparrows, and a smattering of Vespers Sparrows. 1 Ferruginous Hawk - Absolutely stunning The Pawnee amazes me in all seasons. The gumweed was in full bloom signaling autumn in all it's nascency. And today something bucolic attached me there. And then I got out of the car only to hear automatic gunfire just over the nearest hill. And the hill after that. And the hill after that...Can we just build a gun range out there already? And I am a hunter! Ok, enough of that (P.S. I'm not trying to start a thread here). It's not often I fear for my life engaging in a relatively pedestrian endeavor. I hope everyone is well and good birding! Josh Bruening Fort Collins -- 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.
