There has been a pair of apparent Black Phoebes along the Arkansas River adjacent to, and visible from, the Canon City Riverwalk for the past several days. I wasn't sure if they were just passing through as phoebes have spent some time in this area in the past as they moved around the area seeking nesting locations and probably mates. Today I saw this pair foraging by a stormwater entrance to the river that I have always thought might be a feasible nesting location (inside the concrete passage) and a good one for public viewing while also providing a lack of disturbance necessary for successful nesting. There is no certainty that they will stay here but if anyone is coming down here is where they can be viewed:
- From Sell's Lake parking area (accessed from 9th Street to Sell's Ave), take the trail that goes down by the river a few hundred feet to near the bathroom building; look across the river to see the rectangular concrete stormwater structure. The phoebes will perch in the branches of the trees and shrubs nearby, occasionally giving 'tsip' and 'tseep' calls but may sit quietly for long periods. Like most apparent Black Phoebes in Fremont County and adjacent areas, it is important to be aware that there have been a number of nestings of Black and Eastern Phoebes producing hybrids. Thought the two bird I observed looked and sounded like Black Phoebes, I did not see them close up enough to be able to observe possible cross-breeding plumage indicators. The pair of phoebes-one looks like a Black Phoebe and the other is the brown-fronted hybrid- continue to forage near a traditional nest location on my friend's property near Canon City. A third apparent Black Phoebe also continues to be nearby and antagonistic skirmishes and chases occur. Presumably this is a second male still trying to mate with the female. The live-streaming video of the Bald Eagle nest in Iowa is providing more frequent views of the three Bald Eagle nestlings including fairly frequent feedings by mom. The male brought in a fresh and large fish around 6 pm tonight to add to the larder in the nest. The oldest nestling grew substantially-I swear over 6 inches over night--and ventures a little away from mom now. You can see the live-streaming video and some recorded selections of the hatchings on my BirdsAndNature<http://BirdsAndNature.blogspot.com>blog. Yesterday I added two photos of a Northern Flicker that I found nesting in a large dead tree stump. Lots of other birds and action in the area but it is very late and I have to go to sleep 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.
