We awoke to a light snow having fallen and a beautiful, bright moon. It was about 6:30, the birds were not yet here. As the sun rose, I went out to refill all the feeders; most were empty or nearly so.
Just a little after seven, the Rosy-Finches arrived, though the Dark- eyed Juncos had been here awhile already. Several hundred came; all three species, as is usual...including the Hepburn's Gray-headed. You all probably know how they land for a few minutes and then wheel up suddenly and all together. A beautiful Black stayed on a finch-feeder against my kitchen window (nose-level) for several cycles; what a treat. I think his will be only the third snow this winter; at least it came on a weekend when they 'count'. I also counted 76 Evening Grosbeaks here at once...and that was only those I could see from my little table in the window. I'm pleased to see they are doing so well here, having just read the species continues to decline. Someone said they believe La Veta is the 'go to spot' for these beauties. Another surprise is the dozen or so Cassin's Finch that feed here these days. I've never seen so many at once and am finally learning to discern the females. Another triumph (for me) is identifying a new yard bird: An American Tree Sparrow. It looks so much like a Chipping Sparrow...but that spot makes all the difference! It hangs out under shrubbage with the White-crowned sparrow and Juncos. I have yet to find a Towhee here, however. The other day I watched an American Kestrel have a hay-day with another bird; tossing feathers like it was New Year's Eve. He was also a new yard bird; I wasn't even concerned about what he had for lunch and just felt privileged to watch. Today, there was a new fly-over...an adult Bald Eagle. I posted a (Wikipedia, not mine) photo that shows just about how it looked, looking at the yard. Wild! Oh, and the White-winged dove that comes with the EUCDs brought a Mourning Dove today. Beverly Jensen, 719-989-1398 La Veta, Huerfano Co, CO 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]. 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.
