Yesterday 17 birders gathered for the combined Denver Field Ornithologists/Arkansas Valley Audubon Society field trip that I led in the Canon City area (private residences, Tunnel Drive and Temple Canyon Park) . Everyone enjoyed a lengthy musical serenade from a Curve-billed Thrasher in a private yard in nearby Brookside. This was mentioned as the highlight of the day by many since not only did the thrasher sing it's complex and melodious song for all to hear but he displayed on the top of a spruce tree providing fantastic views for all. Ironically our stop at this residence was to look for a Williamson's Sapsucker that I had seen there the day before but which was gone yesterday. In fact the only other sapsucker I was able to locate on Saturday, a male Yellow-bellied, was not present Sunday either--I suspect most have moved out on their migration back to their breeding grounds.
We also missed on Rufous-crowned Sparrow, a species that has been quite iffy this year. Other highlights included hearing at least two Juniper Titmice singing, finding two Bushtits in a juniper bush, and watching several Townsend's Solitaire chasing each other (apparently defending feeding territory)--all at scenic Temple Canyon Park just west of Canon City. The weather was gorgeous, sunny and warming to around 60 degrees with only a few light breezes SeEtta Moss Canon City http://BirdsAndNature.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.
