At Grandview Cemetery, west terminus of Mountain Avenue, Fort Collins (Larimer), in the top of an American Elm in Section G, a NORTHERN GOSHAWK perched from about 2:45-3:00pm today. Documentary photos were obtained. I was walking back to my car to call folks when it apparently flew off and I do not know which direction it went. I suppose this would be a bird that every once in a while would be expected to show up at a place like Grandview Cemetery in winter but this individual becomes #192 for the area list. Another was reported many years ago (mid-1990s?) but the observer was not totally certain of the ID. The food account in Terres' Audubon Encyclopedia of Birds mentions "crows, ducks, and squirrels" among the long list of known food items. Surprisingly, doves and pigeons were not mentioned on the menu but I would wager they get taken from time to time, also. This bird should find easy pickings in the general area which includes Grandview Cemetery, City Park 9 Golf Course, City Park (including Sheldon Lake) and the mature neighborhoods on all sides.
Also, a dark, apparently adult, Harlan's Hawk soared briefly over the northeastern corner of the cemetery. Several pairs of Pine Siskins are nesting. The trees in the cemetery are being pruned but City Forestry and the contractors doing the work have flagged the trees in the big intersection where the Great Horned Owls are actively nesting with yellow tape (i.e., to be pruned at a later date outside the nesting season), in deference to the birds. This is to be commended on their part. I did not see the juvenile Yellow-bellied Sapsucker today, but that does not mean it isn't still around. This is the wariest individual I've ever observed and it usually flies if you just think the thought "sapsucker", let alone look at it. 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.
