Yesterday I took advantage of the cooler temps to look for the pair of Long-billed Curlews I found last year with chicks in Otero County. I was successful though this year they were about a half mile from last year's field (last year's field was not in good shape so may have caused them to move to field with healthier vegetation). They have one very young chick that is likely less than a week or so old. I watched them for almost 2 hours as the chick (precocial so they hunt their own invertebrates 'shortly after birth') foraged with very watchful mother and father nearby (and often making warning and other inter-familial communications with each other and the chick). The parents really watched for aerial predators and at one point a Turkey Vulture flew overhead prompting a very loud and fast defense by both parents who flew up to chase it away from their hatchling. I got some nice photos (using my longest lens combo so I was not as close at photos look) and some nice video. I have uploaded some of the photos onto my BirdsAndNature <http://BirdsAndNature.blogspot.com> blog. Will edit and upload some video clips and more still photos tomorrow.
The phoebe nest across from the Canon City Riverwalk is still being attended by the apparent female Eastern and the male Black Phoebes (saw both this morning) but the young should be fledging soon. I am still following the Common Raven family though the fledglings are old enough that they parents have moved them over a mile from the nest site. I also refound an adult Western Screech Owl tonight in same location I saw an adult with 2 fledglings on Sunday. The adult hunted some near where I stood quietly (without a spot light or flash photos to reduce disturbance) but I never heard or saw fledglings (they are too young to be independent but she may have moved them further and I didn't follow her). Oh, and I did not hear the Red-eyed Vireo at the Canon City Riverwalk this morning. I also visited Lake Cheraw yesterday and found 6 pairs of Snowy Plovers including several engaged in a plover-fight (was rather nasty and prolonged)--I got photos and video but will not upload onto my blog until later. 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.
