Hi Everyone-- I spent Saturday afternoon 10/9 walking through beggars-ticks and sedges at the west end of John Martin Reservoir. The mudflats are still full of shorebirds of twelve species, including at least 5 Pectorals, 20 Bairds, a Stilt Sandpiper, and one Black-necked Stilt. Walking toward the trestle as described earlier, when I came to the creek (south of all the sedges), I found a flock of sparrows that included Savannah, Vesper, White-crowned, Lincoln's, and a bright rusty-winged guy with an olive face and streaked flanks. It also had a big black stripe through the face and a smallish bill, so I could only presume that it was a Swamp Sparrow rather than a Henslow's. My bird sat up in a low bush (looked like rabbitbrush, but a botanist I'm not) and gave killer looks for about 30 seconds before it flew back into the willows. I didn't see the bird again, but I heard some Swamp Sparrow call notes. I could also hear Chestnut-collared Longspurs and Sandhill Cranes overhead. I did not see a Reddish Egret. I am not suggesting a misidentification on anyone's part, but rather that there may be multiple interesting sparrows out there.
Mark Miller Longmont, CO -- 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.
