The lake is still 80% ice-covered, but melting fast. The beaver ponds to the south in the marsh are mostly ice-free.
There was a Virginia Rail calling incessantly near the boardwalk. This sighting is the earliest I have for Manitou Lake by 36 days! Previous early sighting is 4/28/2007. But my monitoring is not that rigid. Also Red Crossbills and singing Cassin's Finches were present. Am Crows were carrying sticks. Complete list below. Of note at my home: . I have had about a hundred evening grosbeaks for the past month or two. The males are in beautiful bright plumage. They are at my feeders all day long. Or sitting in the trees calling constantly. I love their sound. . Many singing Cassin's Finches - incredible. . I have just about got one Steller's Jay to take peanuts from my hand in the morning. I have to put it on the feeder right next to my head, then he will take it, just inches from my head - but not out of my hand yet. The rest won't get closer than 6 feet. But this individual is always the first to come and get them. The others insist I move away before they approach. Jeff J Jones ( <mailto:[email protected]> [email protected]) Teller County - 8500' - Montane Woodlands FIRST SIGHTINGS: World: 0, Location: 0, Annual: 10, World Annual: 3 Species: 14 - Subspecies: 0 - Forms: 14 Total Records: 14 Canada Goose [a] Branta canadensis Mallard [a] Anas platyrhynchos Blue-winged Teal [a*] Anas discors Green-winged Teal [a] Anas crecca Great Blue Heron [a] Ardea herodias Virginia Rail [a*] Rallus limicola Belted Kingfisher [a*] Megaceryle alcyon Black-billed Magpie [a] Pica hudsonia American Crow Corvus brachyrhynchos Common Raven Corvus corax Song Sparrow Melospiza melodia Red-winged Blackbird Agelaius phoeniceus Cassin's Finch [a] Carpodacus cassinii Red Crossbill [a] Loxia curvirostra Birder's Diary - www.BirdersDiary.com - 3/23/2012 -- 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.
