While not finding any rarities of late at Grandview Cemetery (Fort Collins,
Larimer County), the following behaviors were interesting:
American Goldfinches are holding a raucous convention while feeding on seeds in
the American Elms over the entrance. Even the cemetery staff, most of whom
possess impaired hearing from years of power equipment use, have noticed and
inquired.
Cedar Waxwings (2) were consuming the classy flowers of Ohio Buckeye (they look
orchidish) on 5/10.
Common Grackles were working along the steep bank of the newly-filled ditch.
One found a huge crayfish and ate the abdomen ("tail") first, then hollowed out
the carapace by probing in with its beak from the rear. My impression from
this and other episodes is that grackles are quite comfortable consuming
"seafood".
Great Horned Owl babies have finally left the nest. Since the egg-laying
process for this particular nest probably started on 11Feb, fledging is right
at three months (90 days). Frankly, given the behavior of several
photographers of late (lots of clapping and hooting to prove their "special
way" with wildlife and get that perfect Olin Mills expression), this is a
relief and maybe the birds can get on with the job of life-training.
Broad-tailed Hummingbirds recently arrived (first noticed at GC on 5/10). So
far I have only seen females and they seem to spend most of their time going
from one spruce branch tip to another, or sitting. Today in the rain, however,
one female was searching myriad sites for food, including the underside of
gravesite visitation benches, headstone engravings, shrubs, and peonies. Not
sure what the attraction is on the spruce, but maybe it is spruce pollen in the
branch tip strobili (flowers), or perhaps flies that hover around spruce
crowns, or perhaps spider webbing. Since nest construction hasn't yet started,
the spider web thing (a nest cup "finishing touch") is an unlikely explanation.
Hermit Thrush and Swainson's Thrush foraging together in the southeast corner
under spruce. The only thing they ate that I could figure out was an earthworm.
Hairy Woodpecker, female mountain form, excavating (both days) a new hole in an
American Elm.
Eurasian Collared-Dove chasing an American Crow. Even for an aggressive
species, at least in response to other doves at feeders, this seemed like a
bold move and probably means the crow robbed the dove's nest of eggs or
nestlings.
Turkey Vultures sailing ominously over a funeral in progress.
Dave Leatherman
Fort Collins
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