Hello birders, I would like to extend a great thanks to those of you on the Western Slope Birding Network email listserve who replied to my RFI for where to go shorebirding in this part of Colorado. I just returned from a two-day trip, in which I visited Arapaho National Wildlife Refuge, Walden Reservoir, and State Forest State Park. Here are some highlights:
State Forest State Park, Moose Visitor Center near Gould has at least one female PINE GROSBEAK coming to its feeders now. I had heard this was a place to pick up P. Grosbeaks, but when I visited there in early June, the Grosbeaks were not there. Well, looks like at least one is back, possibly two. Also at the Visitor Center: - 1 male Black-headed Grosbeak as well as the "usual" goodies. (DE Juncos, Pine Siskin, Red-winged Blackbird, Cassin's/Purple Finches (I have a hard time telling those two apart!)) and a Hairy Woodpecker came and drank nectar from one of the hummingbird feeders! Walden Reservoir: - a fair amount of Wilson's Phalaropes - Western Grebe - Eared Grebes (probably at least 8), and 3 fluffy chicks. They were great fun to watch. - Am. White Pelicans - Pied-billed Grebe - MANY ducks (hard to ID as to species because of their eclipse plumage) - Killdeer - American Avocet Arapaho NWR Driving Tour proved very productive today, and especially yesterday evening. Notable birds included: - Willet - American Avocets - some "peeps" - a fair amount of Wilson's Phalaropes here as well - some raptors, whose identities have yet to be determined. - a very interesting passerine (at least it was to me), whose photos can be found in the public link below. https://plus.google.com/photos/111932006950378506189/albums/5776659622922639985 I photographed this bird today at Arapaho NWR. As you can see in the photos, its bill is thick, like a Lark Sparrow's, and it has similar facial markings to a Lark Sparrow. However, its "shoulders" were white when it flew, and it had white on its outer tail feathers. I am wondering if it could be a young Lark Bunting? However, in Sibley, male non-breeding Lark Bunting has a distinct lack of any "warmth". This bird I photographed had an almost rufous-y crown. Any thoughts or feedback would be greatly appreciated! Good birding, Holly Reinhard Hayden, CO (formerly Corvallis, OR) -- 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 https://groups.google.com/groups/opt_out.
