I walked from Prospect and Sharp Point Drive southeast thru the Prospect Ponds Natural Area, Fort Collins (Larimer) during late afternoon yesterday (6/28). Highlights included:
Yellow-breasted Chat (1) acting territorial on a little willow-choked peninsula midway along the east side of the first pond (Merganser Pond?) south of the feedlot. Unusual location in my experience. Indigo Bunting (1 singing male) near the PE22 sign on the trail, which is just north of the East Drake Pondworks north of the Water Treatment Plant. At first I thought this was a hybrid because of its whitish-gray belly. But it lacked the wingbars of other hybrids I've seen, was the proper dark blue for Indigo (hybrid males I've seen are more of a "washed denim" blue), and it seemed to be singing a full Indigo song. I guess it was just a young bird still molting into full breeding plumage. Wood Duck (1f with 8-9 babies in tow) Lots of Western Wood-Pewees, Yellow Warblers, Warbling Vireos, Bullock's Orioles, House Wrens, and I believe I also heard at least 2 Lazuli Buntings. No Red-eyed Vireos, Least Flycatchers, American Redstarts, or Orchard Orioles. The best woods historically for these quality breeding species (just north of the PE22 sign on the trail) was heavily modified (large cottonwoods removed) several weeks ago by the City Stormwater folks out of flood fears. Will be interesting to see how this area recovers and the bird response. Many birds these days are taking advantage of the bounty inside rolled/puckered/discolored (reddish) American Elm leaves (namely, one of the so-called "woolly" aphids in the genus Eriosoma). Species I have particularly seen working this resource for easily-acquired nestling or fledged young food are Downy Woodpeckers and Black-capped Chickadees. Probably many other birds are also taking advantage. Dave Leatherman Fort Collins -- 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.
