While driving to Hotchkiss today (Sat, March 19), I spotted what looked like a flock of Sandhill Cranes so pulled over. Sure enough 24 were heading downstream over the North Fork of the Gunnison River in the general direction of Hart's Basin (aka Fruitgrowers Reservoir). While glassing the cranes I saw one Turkey Vulture (FOS) and a small group (8) of swallows (FOS) which I left unidentified. Tree Swallow are usually the first swallow species I see in the spring, but just not certain about these. Then, the biggest surprise of the day was a intermediate morph Swainson's Hawk (FOS) battling the wind over the river about the same spot but half an hour later on my return trip home. When I checked Birds of Western CO (Righter et al. 2004), I noticed the early date is 27 March so possibly a new early date for western CO (or possibly all of CO?).
Very windy but warm in Delta County today! Jason Beason Paonia - Delta County -- 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.
