Cobirds has had a running discussion about Cassin's Sparrows coming close to
the Front Range this month, and I think some have mentioned Grasshopper
Sparrows.
Urling, Lark the dog, and I walked the Walker Trail this morning; we found a
surprise in our Castle Rock North Atlas block: a singing Dickcissel. We first
heard this guy 200 yards away, along the creek and thought that, most likely,
that song came from a Dickcissel. Then we heard it close, near a grove of big
cottonwoods, and saw it perched on the top wire of the barbed-wire fence 30
feet away. It moved away fairly quickly -- maybe it doesn't quite like the
habitat. Although Urling has seen Dickcissels occasionally on the Winkler Ranch
south of Castlewood State park we hadn't encountered them here in the past six
years.
Please let me know if you find the Dickcissel, because I'd like more data to
plug into the Breeding Bird Atlas.
Two days ago, along Walker Road, Urling heard a Grasshopper Sparrow, but we
couldn't find it yesterday or today. Perhaps several species of plains birds
have drifted west. Anyone for Lark Buntings?
Also, please don't use a recording to lure the Dickcissel. As a somewhat
unusual bird here, let's not compromise its efforts in case they include
possible breeding.
Directions: From the Franktown traffic light, go a half-mile west to Walker
Road, go to the turn and park. The trail starts there.
Hugh Kingery
Franktown, CO
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