I haven't been going to Grandview Cemetery much this year but when I do, the
list has been entered into eBird. Don't fall over. Highlights of the last few
days are:
Broad-winged Hawk (at least two different individuals, one seen two days ago
was definitely an adult, the one today looked younger or at least lighter on
the head)
Broad-tailed Hummingbird (one female on a new nest in the southwest corner.
Interestingly this freshly-constructed nest is within 10 and 15 feet,
respectively, of two nests used in previous years that maintained much of their
form and looked to be good candidates for re-use).
[FYI, you may recall I have been following a nest in the southeast corner that
has had some degree of occupancy for each of the last 4 years, which makes it
a "champion" in terms of equaling the longest published period of consecutive
use by this species (according to the BNA account). So far this year, no
activity and the rather bulky nest (for a hummingbird) is leaning precariously
to the south with all the soggy rain we've had of late. It looks like there is
room for another layer in terms of head clearance for the female but the lean
and grass-seeding activity immediately underneath the nest may be too many
complications to expect its re-use regardless of track record and any site
fidelity that might be operating in this situation. I will continue to monitor
it, of course.]
Olive-sided Flycatcher (1 today, first seen on City Park Nine golf course, and
later in the interior of the cemetery just e of Section S, FOY for me)
Chipping Sparrow (perhaps a dozen have been on the grounds lately, a few of
them singing, and perhaps a few will nest again this year).
American Goldfinch (the dominant sound at Grandview right now, at least when
the mowers aren't in operation. Tough to estimate how many are working the
seeds of various deciduous trees but I put 82 on eBird, so it must be true.)
Black-capped Chickadee (on April 30th I observed a chickadee on the ground
attending the carcass of a dead baby fox squirrel. All the various head
openings of the squirrel, dead about 2-3 days I would estimate, were packed
with blow flies laying eggs. At first I thought the chickadee might be going
after the flies and/or eating the fly eggs, but as I watched, it loaded its
mouth to the limit with fur and headed up into a nearby spruce, presumably to
line the cavity intended for Brood #2 this year. Since squirrels eat so many
baby birds, this seemed like karma to me. Today I looked at the squirrel, a
mere 5-6 days from when observed, and hardly recognized it. It was like a
deflated blimp, with just a blanket of patchy fur, a few bones protruding, and
apparently no muscle or other tissue left. The face was totally
unrecognizable. Natural recycling takes many forms and is ultra-rapid.)
Chimney Swifts, Turkey Vultures, both Cliff and Barn Swallows are back and have
been seen overhead most of the recent visits. I would estimate 5 pairs of
Red-breasted Nuthatches are nesting. Heard 2 Ruby-crowned Kinglets during a
visit in late April but not since, and doubt there will be a pair nest this
year. The Great Horned Owl 2015 nest failed, perhaps due to the nest crotch
flooding in a deluge shortly after the calculated hatch date for the chicks.
Both adult owls have been seen in various places, usually south of the nest
site. All the "owl people" will have to get their fix somewhere else this
year.
No warblers, thrushes, vireos, buntings, grosbeaks, orioles or small
flycatchers, yet. Once again, I am reminded we in northern Colorado who read
all the various postings from the south must be patient.
Dave Leatherman
Fort Collins
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