Phillips County seemed to be "between waves" of migrants today, with a few exceptions that brightened my journey. As usual, I first checked the Haxtun Sewage Ponds, where I had a few Canada Geese, some eclipsy Mallards and fond memories of Mother's Days past. At the Holyoke Cemetery there were only a few Wilson's and one Yellow-rumped Warbler, but I perked up when a "teed up" migrant Olive-sided Flycatcher near Campbell Street in Holyoke posed for photos. Female Dickcissels were found near the Lion's Club fishing hole. The summer resident Mississippi Kites were gone. The only Kingbird I found was a Western.
I then walked around town and found an adult female Northern Cardinal, skulking in thick junipers along Frenchman's Creek between the railroad bridge and the golf course. I got permission from the lady of the house to bird there, but the fellow across the creek was unclear as to my intent. The Chief of the Holyoke constabulary was a very nice man. As I stared at the Cardinal, seeing enough of her to rule out juvenal plumage and Pyrrhuloxia, a Cassin's Vireo popped into site. From then on it dulled down again. I did have an Orange-crowned Warbler and Solitary Vireo at a private shelter belt near Haxtun. (prose version) Joe Roller, Denver -- 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.
