I just want to encourage everybody to double-check their knee-jerk reactions when they hear a "familiar" species singing. I've been hearing folks talk about a fairly high number of Rose-breasted grosbeak sightings in my area this spring, and in my eco-steward & other birdcounts I finally started to pay closer attention when hearing a "black-headed grosbeak" song. What do you know-- those fellows who were singing unusually well--rapidly, fluidly, gracefully--some of them are RBGRs! At least one of the ones I checked out more carefully on Picture Rock trail seemed to be a hybrid: pale rosy chest bib. Its female looked just like a BHGR female. I heard at least one other on that stretch that I strongly suspect was the RB, not the BH. What fun to have one's expectations upset.
Picture Rock is a lovely trail with many habitat areas, but be ready to hike: my BBS transect takes me 4.5 miles up from the start in SW Lyons (off Old St Vrain & Rd 84E, I forget its street name; trailhead is a half mile from Old St Vrain). The beginning of the trail is boring as heck. Go at least a mile before it gets interesting. Nice scenery & all-- but nothing but lazulis, chats, sp towhees & such for a long while. Listen for turkeys. Watch out for bikers: nice folks but often not super-aware and ready to slow or stop. By the way, I'm still hoping somebody will take my Gregory Canyon eco-stewardship from me; I'm over-committed, much as I love the place. See the BCNA website for explanation of the concept. I have to say, I'm finally getting interested in plants, weeds, butterflies & other fauna thanks to this idea of Steve Jones. Happy summer, happy hunting. Linda Andes-Georges Central Boulder County -- 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.
