It goes without saying, like everywhere else, it has been an interesting spring
at Grandview Cemetery. The much-celebrated Great Horned Owl nest in the center
of the place failed this year, with the hatched young presumably succumbing to
a downpour in late April that flooded the nest cavity right under the sitting
female parent. The adults are around, and when discovered, literally seem
unsure of what to do with themselves.
The odd timing of spring cold snaps combined with abundant rain put American
Goldfinches and tree seeds in sync like I cannot remember. I kept inputting to
eBird huge numbers of goldfinches (150-230) and kept being questioned by the
filter. Yes, Filter, it's true. But then as soon as the rains somewhat
subsided two-three days ago, the goldfinch numbers dropped off like someone
threw a switch. Where did they go? North to new fresh tree seed areas?
Currently I know of three active Broad-tailed Hummingbird nests: one being
built (Engelmann Spruce), one with eggs (CO Blue Spruce), one with young (CO
Blue Spruce). I have been hearing more males zooming around than usual for
this urban location. Tough to know how many are really involved but I am
guessing about 5. This is truly a change over 20 years ago and I believe the
cemetery and nearby residential neighborhood constitutes a "colony" of sorts,
as mentioned in the literature for this species. I have been interested to
watch two nests being constructed and to note the heavy use of dandelion seeds
as a building material (in addition to the standard spider webs, which on one
occasion were being obtained from within the letters on headstones!). Now that
cottonwood and willow seeds are starting to fly, it will be interesting to see
if any new nests begun in the nest few weeks involve this material, as well.
The literature mentions spider webs and "gossamer" as standard nest materials.
I guess dandelion seeds constitute gossamer, but what else does? On Memorial
Day I must admit to being tempted to carefully stick a tiny American flag in
the side of a nest when the female was taking a break and watching the photo go
viral, but resisted.
Broad-winged Hawks were seen fairly regularly in late April into early May.
Since Grandview is the only known CO nesting spot for this species (they also
maybe did somewhere near Golden a few years ago but not sure the location was
ever pinned down), I keep hoping they will try the cemetery again.
The dead baby Fox Squirrel from which a Black-capped Chickadee pulled tufts of
fur for nest liner, is still visible but barely. Recycling in Nature is,
indeed, rapid and without sentiment. Blow flies have a purpose beyond forensic
TV shows, to be sure. (Photo comparison of the squirrel change over a period
of 13 days available upon request.)
Cowbirds are around doing their dirty work. House Finch brood #1 has fledged.
Robin babies are enjoying the bounty of earthworms at the soil surface. Where
the ditch goes under the intersection of Laporte Ave and Taft in the northwest
corner of the cemetery has its usual compliment of both Barn and Cliff
Swallows. Cliffs apparently have the west half of the darkness, Barns the
east. Wonder if any of them gave foolish thought to building a mud wall at
taxpayer expense?
Mountain species, besides the hummers, that I think will nest at Grandview this
summer are Pine Siskin (not present all winter) and Chipping Sparrow. It will
apparently NOT be a year when Western Wood-Pewee, Ruby-crowned Kinglet, or
Lesser Goldfinch nest here, although its not too late and the next two weeks
will be telling. Of course, Red-breasted Nuthatch could be considered a
mountain species, and I think 4-5 pairs are at Grandview, but since they
regularly nest far out on the eastern plains these days, it seems to be in a
different category other than "mountain".
Dave Leatherman
Fort Collins
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