[cobirds] A Second Pacific Wren! CSR, El Paso Co, Wed.

Hey, again, COBirders, Yup, another Pacific Wren banded today at Clear Spring Ranch, my fourth in the last year (10/25/22, 4/24/23, 10/24/23, 10/25/23). Pretty amazing. I would send another picture - but it looked pretty much like the one yesterday! Photo available if interested. It was pretty

[cobirds] Pacific Wren, CSR, El Paso CO, Tues.

Hey COBirders, Watching the weather, and getting ready to wrap up banding for the fall at Clear Spring Ranch. The past 10 days have been sparrow days - record numbers of Song Sparrows and Gambel’s White-crowned especially. Only one warbler in the last week, a single Orange-crowned Warbler. Not

[cobirds] CSR banding, El Paso Co, Sunday

Hey COBirders, A big day banding at Clear Spring Ranch this morning. The past ten days almost all migrant activity has happened in the first 30-45 minutes, mostly before sunrise, then it got pretty quiet. I’ve had 40-50 birds each morning the last two, then 92 today, 61 before 7:00! Most

[cobirds] CSR, El Paso Co, Sat

Hey COBirders, Nothing rare to report from Clear Spring Ranch banding - just a busy morning for the first time in weeks. 84 birds netted today, 80 sparrows of 5 species, one recap Wilson’s Warbler, 2 Orange-crowned Warblers banded, and a Hangin-around F MacGillivray’s warbler banded a week

[cobirds] CSR Report, El Paso Co, Friday

Hey COBorders, Wow. What a strange fall migration season this has been. It is a rare day that I band more birds than either the Chico Basin or Barr Lake stations! I had a whopping total of 15 birds today, and may have had more if I hadn’t been blown out about 945. There were actually a lot

[cobirds] N Waterthrush 2, CSR, El Paso Co, Sat

Hey COBirders, I was expecting very little this morning, at Clear Spring Ranch banding, due to the Birdcast prediction for a low migration night, but did surprisingly well considering the heat and stagnant air pattern. I watched a wave of yellow arrive in the thick willows about 7:40, and

[cobirds] N Waterthrush, CSR, El Paso Co, Monday

Hey COBirders, Well Finally! After 10 days of single-digit captures at Clear Spring Ranch banding, the skies opened today. After a silent start, waves of migrants began to appear in the netlanes starting about 90 minutes after dawn. First, 2 separate waves of mixed warblers, then a wave of

[cobirds] White-eyed Vireo, CSR, El Paso Co, Sunday

Hey COBirders, I resumed banding at Clear Spring Ranch this week, in hopes of catching the beginnings of Yellow Warbler and Chipping Sparrow migration, and it seems I have. So far I’ve seen a few small waves of Yellow Warblers (8 banded yesterday), and a couple days of increased Chipping

[cobirds] Nashville Warbler, CSR, El Paso CO, Friday

Hey COBirders, I, too, was washed out yesterday, and worked through wind today, but North winds are not as much of a problem for me banding at Clear Spring Ranch. 138 birds netted today - 86 of which were from the ubiquitous Chipping Sparrow flocks. (a sample of 11 were banded) others: FOS

[cobirds] CSR Banding 5/6, El Paso Co

Hey COBirders, I’ve been banding at Clear Spring Ranch for 2 weeks, but there hasn’t been much to report. As expected, not much happens until May 1. I did band a Pacific Wren and 2 Rock Wrens last week, but not much else beyond arriving House Wrens, and departing overwintering Gambel’s

[cobirds] CAFI sightings

Hey COBirders, Just weighing in on the recent Cassin’s Finch sightings. I get at least a handful most winters in my backyard in NW Colorado Springs (Mountain Shadows neighborhood), and I band the ones I can catch in a net or baited traps. This week I’ve caught about 10 so far, 4 today, all

[cobirds] Banding - Townsend's, Virginia's Warblers, CSR, El Paso Co, Tues.

Hey COBirders, Ok, so I admit I have no idea how migration works. I’ve been reading Meredith’s posts from Barr Lake, and watching Birdcast maps and Dashboard to get an idea about when migrants might show up down here at Clear Spring Ranch. Birdcast shows HIGH numbers of birds passing over

[cobirds] Banding, CSR, El Paso Co, Sat

Het COBireders, After 3 weeks of early banding at Clear Spring Ranch, I finally have something to report. Banding has been expectedly slow, with mostly resident breeders and their young finding the nets, and a few migrants sprinkled in. (So lots of House Wrens, Yellow Warblers, Spotted

[cobirds] Migrants, CSR, El Paso Co, Wednesday

Hey COBirders. Nick K is right. It was another upslope day here at Clear Spring Ranch banding - low ceiling, misty, soaked, slight SE breeze - PERFECT for migrants, especially Swainson’s Thrush! I have always closed on or before 6/1 for the season, since I wouldn’t be catching any more

[cobirds] Lucy's Warbler, CSR, El Paso Co., Monday

Hey COBirders, Some good migrant movement today, numerous recaptured birds banded earlier this week, plus 3 returns from 2020. Highlight today at dawn was a Lucy’s Warbler (after Hatch-year Male - couldn’t be more specific - had adult-type rusty cap, and size of cap feathers, and adult-style

[cobirds] Red-eyed Vireo, et. al., CSR, El Paso Co, Fri

Hey COBirders, it was cool, cloudy, damp, and breezy this morning at Clear Spring Ranch - so perfect for moving migrants! I opened pre-dawn and caught 20 birds of 15 species before 7am. The most diversity I’ve had all spring, and a surprise around every turn. The birds slowed quickly around

[cobirds] Black-throated Blue Warbler, CSR, El Paso Co., Wed

Hey COBirders, Banding at Clear Spring Ranch today was slow and steady, until it got hot and birds started working their way into the shade. In that time, there appeared a good variety of songbirds in the willows and cottonwoods. One was up high, in the shade of the canopy, but with the

[cobirds] Am Redstart, CSR, El Paso Co., Sunday

Hey COBirders, We ARE at the usual height of spring migration this week - and numbers and diversity are up. At Clear Spring Ranch banding this morning it was a “Black and Orange” day - with banded FOS American Redstart (Ad M),FOS Orchard Orioles (Ad M, SY F), Spotted Towhee (AD F),

[cobirds] Banding Report, CSR, El Paso CO, Friday

Hey COBirders, Dang. I missed the massive fly-by yesterday, as Clear Spring Ranch banding was blown out early - high wind warning from 6am to 10pm. So I was pretty jealous seeing the Chico Basin report of the huge arrival, only 15 miles away! Sigh. Today I went very early, before the wind was

[cobirds] Virginia's Warbler, et.al.,CSR El Paso Co, Wed

Hey COBirders, Another busy day at Clear Spring Ranch banding - 84 birds netted (although 15 were Redwinged Blackbird females, and 9 were Brown-headed Cowbirds - which I choose not to band, and save my fingers getting chopped up - Icterids have sharp claws that rip skin and nets.) On a

[cobirds] Banding, CSR, El Paso Co, Tuesday

Hey COBirders, The scene was decidedly Hitchcockian when I arrived at the Clear Spring Ranch banding site this morning. Hundreds of mixed blackbirds, at eye-level, lined my net lanes. But I wasn’t afraid, and managed to only have to extricate a dozen RW Blackbirds throughout the morning - all

[cobirds] CSR banding Wednesday

Hey COBirders, I opened banding at Clear Spring Ranch Sunday morning, but haven’t had much to report, as is usual in April here. At least the 19 days of Red Flag Warnings finally ended, and I could actually OPEN nets! Today a few more interesting birds appeared. So far the only migrants

[cobirds] WInter golden-crowned kinglets

Hey COBirders, I have some observation data on winter Golden-crowned Kinglets, and thought I’d share, for comparison. I had two Christmas Bird Count areas that I walked from the 80’s to the 00’s; one was Section 16/Upper Bear Creek and the Palmer Trail above Colorado Springs, and the other on

[cobirds] Banding notes and Musings, Clear Spring Ranch, El Paso Co, Friday

Hey COBirders, I'm not done yet! Tagging on to Meredith’s report yesterday from Barr Lake banding - my results have been pretty similar for the last week - frosted nets, and most days single-digit birds with a few recaps from previous days, and maybe a return from previous falls. My best day

[cobirds] Raptor Flight, CSR, El Paso Co, Saturday

Hey COBirders, During a slow morning of banding at Clear Spring Ranch, the breeze picked up about 9am and started blowing my nets out. Immediately the view in front of me between Fountain Creek and the freeway was FILLED with low-flying Turkey Vultures. Seemingly over the warmer flat hay

Re: [cobirds] Migration Weather: Thursday Sept 2 through Friday Sept 3

For what it is worth…. I checked Birdcast this morning pre-dawn, and was getting excited for banding possibilities at Clear Spring Ranch (El Paso Co). It was a dud. Maybe my slowest September day ever at CSR. Few Chipping Sparrows (none netted), fewer warblers. Netted 8 birds all morning -

Re: [cobirds] What Bryan was saying . . .

Adding to the thread “Bryan Got it Right” - at Clear Spring Ranch (El Paso Co) this morning the strong overnight wind blew out the big numbers of birds I banded yesterday - but blew in a new contingent of unusual migrants - including Ovenbird (my 3rd here in 10 years), Cassin’s Vireo (my 5th

[cobirds] Migration (!) at CSR, El Paso Co, Sat

Hey COBirders, Migration has been picking up this week at Clear Spring Ranch banding, with several days having captured 30+ birds (considered a very good day here). With that in mind I scoped the moon face the last two nights before it got high in the sky. The best night I saw about 30

[cobirds] Banding at CSR, El Paso Co., Sat

Hey COBirders, Banding has been hot and dry at Clear Spring Ranch this month. So far I’ve banded 200 birds, mostly low-average in daily numbers and diversity. The majority of birds have been Yellow Warblers, Lazuli Buntings, and Chipping Sparrows. - no surprise there. A few highlights:

[cobirds] N Parula, CSR, El Paso Co, Fri

Hey COBirders, Things have been kind of slow for banding at Clear Spring Ranch, with 18 birds Thursday and only 16 on Friday. A few have been migrants, like MacGillivray’s and Wilson’s Warblers, Swainson’s Thrush, and a few flycatchers, but most appear to be settling in for local nesting

[cobirds] Banding, Alder Flycatcher, CSR, El Paso Co, Mon

Hi COBirders, This morning was cool, calm, and clear - very nice, and there was a good arrival especially of small birds that lasted until about 1030. 43 birds banded of 15 species, 24 warblers, my best banding day of the year. Early it was all warblers and flycatchers, and later more of the

[cobirds] CSR Banding, El Paso Co, Sun

Hi COBirders, Today at Clear Spring Ranch it was wet early, then windy midmorning, but I still banded a good arrival of birds, all before 8:30. 25 birds of 17 species. Including: FOY Hammond’s Flycatcher W Wood Pewee Alder Flycatcher Willow Flycatcher Gray Catbird 2 Yellow-breasted Chats 2

[cobirds] Sat Banding, CSR, El Paso Co,

Hey COBirders, There was a good arrival of migrants early this morning at Clear Spring Ranch. (Like Collin said at CBR yesterday) I had 20 birds banded in the first hour - then it fizzled out. 28 birds total today. But the wave included 5 Gray Catbirds, 4 YB Chats. 4 Lincoln’s Sparrows, 7

[cobirds] Banding at CSR, El Paso Co, Fri

Hey COBirders, The last three days have been pretty good for numbers at Clear Spring Ranch banding, at least better than all spring. 31 birds banded Friday, 19 on Thursday, 24 on Wednesday. My best three-day stretch this spring. Lots of bigger birds moving this week, with flocks of W Tanagers,

[cobirds] Migrants at CSR, El Paso Co, Mon

Hey COBirders, Today saw a very good arrival of migrants at Clear Spring Ranch. 32 birds banded today. This was a day for “big birds” - especially Bullock’s Oriole. I banded 12, but probably saw in excess of 30 moving through the area from 6:30-11:00 (and I only see about 25% of the corridor

[cobirds] Chestnut-sided Warbler, CSR, El Paso Co, Sat

Hi COBirders, Movement of passerines was a trickle compared to yesterday, and only 13 birds were banded at Clear Spring Ranch, despite it being a beautiful morning. I am starting to see a lot of imm female birds arriving. Is this signaling the end already?? Today FOY Chestnut-sided Warbler,

[cobirds] Blackpoll Warbler, CSR, El Paso Co., Fri

Hi COBirders, The Birdcast Forecast was for “High” migration activity last night for our area. I can confirm that happened at Clear Spring Ranch. This was by far the most passerine movement seen this year, although that didn’t translate to birds in the net. 20 birds banded today. Starting

[cobirds] Black-throated Blue Warb, CSR, El Paso Co., Thurs

Hey COBirders, “Birdcast” forecast a “medium” intensity migration event last night for Colorado Springs - I can confirm that by the birds today it was definitely more active than the “low” days we’ve had lately! 23 birds banded today, with good diversity. A small wave of mixed warblers went

[cobirds] Migrants, CSR El Paso Co, Friday

Hey COBirders, Not big numbers, but more migrants arrived early this morning. There were noticeable small birds moving around, unlike all other days so far. Best: 5 Yellow Warblers, including 2 FOY females Com Yellowthroat, plus FOY female FOY Ad M Yellow-breasted Chat FOY Ad M Bullock’s

Re: [cobirds] Re: FOY Common Yellowthroat, CSR, El Paso Co, Thurs

Chiming in again about COYE…. migrants may well be by-passing us, but COYE is an abundant nesting species at CSR. Usually the place is cacophonous with their songs. I’ve seen one male so far, and only for about 2 minutes. No others have arrived here yet. Same for House Wrens, they are thick

[cobirds] FOY Common Yellowthroat, CSR, El Paso Co, Thurs

Hey COBirders, No big news for Clear Spring Ranch banding today, except that among the very few birds banded today was my FOY Common Yellowthroat, Ad Male. This is not rare, but what is unusual is that this is by far the latest for my FOY at CSR. I usually catch them starting Day One, around

[cobirds] Wilson's Warbler, CSR, El Paso Co, Tues

Hey COBirders, I caught my FOY Wilson’s Warbler (ad male) at Clear Spring Ranch banding this morning. That is early, and I’ve only had one earlier in 8 springs here. Also FOY was a House Wren, skulking in the underbrush. This one is by far my latest FOY for the species. Like everything else

[cobirds] Clear Spring Ranch Banding, El Paso Co, Summary

Hey COBirders, I closed the CSR banding station for the season Saturday, after a very slow morning. I had entertained the idea of reopening after the freeze this week, but it seems most of passerine migration has fizzled out here. Only two Hermit Thrush were banded Saturday. As I said

Re: [cobirds] Nashville warbler, El Paso #2, CSR

That’s cool Marty (my neighbor!), I also had a NAWA today - my second banded at Clear Spring Ranch this week (and my 2nd ever at CSR!) 23 birds banded today - the most I’ve seen in a week. Steve Brown Colo Spgs > On Oct 13, 2020, at 12:01 PM, macawolf via Colorado Birds > wrote: > > I had

[cobirds] Fwd: Not all cold fronts are created equally... CSR - El Paso Co, Sunday

Hey COBIrders, I didn’t know what to expect this morning for banding birds at Clear Spring Ranch - but I expected I might see some warblers. Woohoo! Today I only banded 10 birds early, before I got blown out by the West Winds, but those 10 included 4 Ruby-crowned Kinglets (not a surprise,

[cobirds] Post-storm observations at CSR, EL Paso Co.

Hey COBirders, I had a few observations and summaries to add to the great comments by Dave L, and Meredith’s report from Barr Lake yesterday. First, echoing Meredith, I didn't see anything unusual banding at Clear Spring Ranch Thursday (except HUGE numbers of sparrows), the species were about

[cobirds] Migrant Numbers, CSR, El Paso Co, Tues.

Hey COBirders, Not numbers for today - I am sitting inside for the first morning since 8/1 !! What to do with myself ??? Last week Meredith M. opined that things might be heading my way after a great day of Wilson’s Warblers for her at Barr Lake. The following is a summary for the weekend:

[cobirds] N Waterthrush, Mac Warbler, CSR, EL Paso Co, Wednesday

Hey COBIrders, Migrants! FOS Northern Waterthrush today at Clear Spring Ranch banding (Hatch Year bird). This might seem early, but I have had one earlier each of the last five years. Also FOS MacGillivray’s Warbler, (Hatch Year female). This one IS the earliest I’ve banded at CSR. And lotsa

[cobirds] Ovenbird, N Waterthrush, CSR, El Paso Co, Fri.

Hey COBirders, The last two mornings have seen BIG arrivals of new migrants to Clear Spring Ranch banding. 42 banded Thurs, 52 Fri. Highlights Thurs - FOY Summer Tanager (2nd year male), 3 N Waterthrush, and lotsa warblers - 10 Com Yellowthroat banded plus Yellow, Wilson’s, MacGillivray’s,

[cobirds] N Waterthrush #4, Field Sparrow, CSR, El Paso Co, Wed.

Hey COBirders, There was a good arrival of smaller passerines today at Clear Spring Ranch banding. Lotsa Orange-crowned Warblers, Yellow Warblers, Com Yellowthroat, Lincoln’s, Chipping, Clay-colored and White-crowned Sparrows, and a few singles of Myrtle Warbler, YB Chat, and Dusky

[cobirds] MIgrants and CSR, El Paso Co, Saturday

Hey COBirder, It was a very good day of banding at Clear Spring Ranch this morning. () After the record-high temps and stagnant air for a few days, I didn’t expect much today. At dawn it was clear and pretty calm, but wind was starting to increase. Quickly it changed from clear to

[cobirds] N Goshawk, NW Colo Spgs, El Paso Co. FridaB

Hey COBirders, Watching the snow melt from our sunroom, and only seeing a few siskins this morning, but a gorgeous Norther Goshawk just fluttered into the yard, landed on a tall aspen stump, and watched us for a few seconds before he flew off across the neighbors yard. Wanted to reach for my

[cobirds] Banding Recaptures

Hey COBirders, Happy New Year! I have been collating some of my annual banding data and thought I’d share some interesting recaptures, to show you why we do this stuff. Besides the passerine migrant banding I do at Clear Spring Ranch (El Paso Co), I also band “snowbirds” in my back yard in NW

[cobirds] Gray Flycatcher, CSR, El Paso Co, Tues

Hey COBirders, A few thing to report on a very slow day again at Clear Spring Ranch banding. FOS Gray Flycatcher, Adult. - latest I’ve had here by two weeks A late Yellow Warbler, Adult F, I’ve only had one later, ever, on !0/1 and only the 2nd Ruby-crowned Kinglet (Hatch-year F) of the season.

[cobirds] N Waterthrush (2), CSR, El Paso Co, Wed.

Hey COBirders, It continues to be hot and slow for banding at Clear Spring Ranch. (Very slow). The quick passing cold front that went though last night DID bring in a couple good birds, My FOS MacGillivray’s Warbler (Hatch-year female, and two Northern Waterthrush (#2, #3 for the season, 1

[cobirds] Least Flycatcher, CSR, El Paso Co, Thurs

Hey COBirders, Slow again for banding at Clear Spring Ranch this morning, but the unusual bird for the day was an adult Least Flycatcher. Again, I've only caught 3 of this species in the fall at CSR (since 2012), and this was the earliest by a full two weeks. But it is DEAD along the Fountain

[cobirds] Bewick's Wren, CSR, El Paso CO, Wed

Hi again COBirders, Fall Banding at Clear Spring Ranch has started pretty slowly, with mostly local baby birds being caught so far, but there have a few migrants, especially some Yellow Warblers carrying a good amount of fat, and today, a Hatch Year Bewick’s Wren. I know this is not a rare

[cobirds] CSR Last Day, El Paso Co, Sat.

Hey COBirders, One goal banding at Clear Spring Ranch this spring was to see if there were any birds still moving on June 1 (or beyond), but things slowed significantly the last two days, and I closed down my station today. I observed/caught TWO migrants yesterday, and 6 today. Most everything

[cobirds] Least Flycatcher, CSR, El Paso Co, Sun.

Hey COBirders, Quiet morning at Clear Spring Ranch with the better weather. I only saw a few migrants. Best were a variety of flycatchers that dropped in: Least Flycatcher (imm) Willow Flycatcher (imm) Western Wood Pewee (ad F) Olive-sided Flycatcher (imm). My first banded at CSR, and only the

[cobirds] Migrants, CSR, El Paso Co, THurs

Hey COBirders, Another cool, damp, perfect morning for migrants at Clear Spring Ranch today. No rarities, but lotsa birds. Visitors said they observed continuing large numbers of Swainson’s Thrush and Audubon’s Warblers on the walk in, but those avoided my nets mostly. Ciopping Sparrows - one

[cobirds] Indigo Bunting, et. al, CSR, El Paso Co, Mon

Hey again, COBIrders, I was ready for a blow-out this morning, at Clear Spring Ranch, but that didn’t materialize. Rain did, about 9:30. But before that, it was epic. Branson P. suggested with the two rare warblers at Chico Basin early this morning that today might be a fallout day. It was

[cobirds] Am Redstart, CSR, El Paso Co, Fri

Hey COBirders, Again, it was incredibly busy at opening today, about 6:15, at Clear Spring Ranch, with 30 birds caught before 7 am, but the wind blew out the nets by about 8:30. Even so, 45 birds banded today! A good arrival of warblers and a few more sparrows, tanagers, buntings, and

[cobirds] Hot Banding, CSR, El Paso Co, Thurs

Hey COBirders, The big migrant arrival continued today at Clear Spring Ranch. Yellow Warblers arrived early, and all through the morning - 24 banded. Also the first push seen by Empids and other vireos (besides White-eyed!). 65 birds banded today. Other Highights : FOS Warbling Vireo, 4 imm

[cobirds] BG Gnatcatchers, CSM, El Paso Co, Monday

Hi COBirders, A new season at Clear Spring Ranch banding started today. It was cold, thick, low ceiling, winds from the SE, so..… perfect for migration! I had a ranch high 8 Blue-gray Gnatcatchers banded today(!), 6 m, 2 f, plus: 7 Orange-crowned Warblers 1 Virginia’s Warbler Second year (SY)

[cobirds] CSR Fall Report

Hey COBIrders, If you are interested, below I have a report for banding numbers at Clear Spring Ranch for Fall 2018. I operated my station in willows along Fountain Creek (and across from irrigated hayfields) from August 6-October 28, most days from dawn to about 11:00. 2320 birds were

[cobirds] White-throated Sparrows, CSR, El Paso Co, Sat

Hey COBirders, Banding at Clear Spring Ranch has been expectedly slow this last 10 days, with the cold, wet and wind, but today was busy! Highlights included TWO White-throated Sparrows, one hatch-year, one adult; a Real Late Common Yellowthroat (juv, F), 2 more Ruby-crowned Kinglets (now at

[cobirds] Dusky Flycatchers, CSR, EL Paso Co, Mon

Hey COBirders, I banded 2 late juv Dusky Flycatchers this morning at Clear Spring Ranch. You can tell it is fall. Cool, cloudy, leaves are changing, White-crowned Sparrows outnumber Chipping Sparrows, Orange-crowned Warblers and Ruby-crowned Kinglets outnumber Wilson’s Warblers, flocks of

[cobirds] "Pine Warbler" ID, CSR, El Paso Co, Sat

Hey again COBirders, Thank you to the several replies to my warbler ID query yesterday. While it was a split decision, the majority of respondents gave good evidence why they thought it was a F Blackpoll Warbler instead. That’s fine - it makes more sense than a Pine Warbler. I amend my

[cobirds] N Waterthrush, again, CSR, El Paso Co, Tues

Hey again, COBirders, Yup, another Northern Waterthrush was banded today at Clear Spring Ranch (#17 for the fall, and the latest one I’ve done in September). This guy just made it - nets were closed at 11:15, but two were still to be furled, so only open 6”, and that’s where it was caught!

[cobirds] N Waterthrush, CSR, El Paso Co, Mon

Hey COBirders, I banded a late juv Northern Waterthrush this morning at Clear Spring Ranch, #16 for the season. I’ve only had two after this date in 7 falls. The Spizella flock has mostly moved on, finally. I still caught 20 Chipping Sparrows, 4 Clay-colored Sparrows, and a single Brewer’s

[cobirds] Spizellafest Day 4, CSR, El Paso Co, Fri

Hey COBirders, The Spizella action continued early this morning, with big numbers of arriving sparrows diving into the willows and brush again, but slowing down by about 830. I didn’t put up five of my nets that get heavy sparrow traffic, but still managed to catch 55 Chipping Sparrows, and 22

[cobirds] CSR Report, El Paso Co, Wed.

Hey COBirders, I was just reading Meredith’s Report from Barr Lake today, and wanted to add that I had similar results banding at Clear Spring Ranch today, I arrived about 6:30, just as showers were moving West over the freeway, and birds were immediately seen moving, as they were yesterday -

[cobirds] CSR banding, El Paso Co, Tues.

Hey COBirders, No rarities to report today from Clear Spring Ranch, but birds did arrive in a big way just after dawn. Waves of sparrows could be seen coming over the fields, and into the brush, (and my nets). I had 125 birds in bags in less than 90 minutes. The big number was Chipping

[cobirds] Cassin's Vireo, et.al., CSR, El Paso Co, Sun.

Hey COBirders, I hoped that the heavy rain last night might lead to a fallout of sorts at Clear Spring Ranch for banding today. What wasn’t forecast was the lightning and spotty showers that lasted most of the morning. It kept things dark and cool, and the birds active. I was still catching

[cobirds] N Waterthrush, CSR, El Paso Co, Sat

Hey COBirders, Another good morning of banding at Clear Spring Ranch today. About 745 there was a big arrival, with lotsa Wilson’s Warblers, Chipping Sparrows, an FOS Warbling Vireo (AD F, by brood patch remnants), singles of Brewer’s Sparrow and Clay-colored Sparrow, and Northern Waterthrush

[cobirds] Cassin's Vireo, CSR, El Paso Co., Tues

Hey COBirders, Oh, well. It was much slower today banding at Clear Spring Ranch, and seemingly all of the arrivals from yesterday departed overnight. I asked if anybody saw huge numbers at Chico Basin Ranch yesterday to coincide with the pulse here. Bill Maynard said no, it was quiet. There

[cobirds] N Waterthrush, Wilsonfest, CSR, El Paso Co, Mon.

Hey COBirders, I didn’t think I would get to do any banding today with the hight winds forecast, but it was almost calm at dawn at Clear Spring Ranch. Immediately I was catching warblers, and did so until I finally was getting blown-out about 930. I banded two Northern Waterthrush (#12,13 for

[cobirds] N Waterthrush, CSR, El Paso Co., Fri

Hey COBirders, There was a good arrival of warblers this morning at Clear Spring Ranch, with 13 Wilson’s Warblers, 1 juv M MacGillivray’s, a juv M Com Yellowthroat, and 2 adult Northern Waterthrush banded (#10,11 this month). Chipping Sparrows also moved in force from the fields to the woods,

[cobirds] N Waterthrush #8, CSR, El Paso Co., Sunday

Hey COBirders, Midmorning there was an arrival of mixed warblers at Clear Spring Ranch banding. For the first time Wilson’s Warblers (11) outnumbered Yellow Warblers (2). Also in the mix was another Northern Waterthrush (#8; so far ALL have been hatch-year birds; and the eBird filter is OFF

[cobirds] N Waterthrush #7, CSR, El Paso Co, Sat.

Hey COBirders, I visited my banding site at Clear Spring Ranch this morning, mostly to see if it survived the downpour and flooding last night. Yes, but not so much the road. Where the service road crosses Little Fountain Creek, about 3/4 mile N of the parking area, the creek overflowed the

[cobirds] N Waterthrush #5,6, CSR. El Paso Co, Thurs

Hey COBirders, After a normal opening at Clear Spring Ranch this morning, a wave of warblers arrived about 845 today - bringing in several species. TWO Northern Waterthrush, both juvs, eBird still lists them as rare for this date FOS Orange-crowned Warbler (juv F, celata ssp) 15 Yellow Warbler,

[cobirds] N Waterthrush #2, CSR, El Paso Co, Thurs

Hi again COBirders, I banded another juv Northern Waterthrush this morning at Clear Spring Ranch, the second of the season. The Ebird filter doesn’t like them before about Aug 15, but in the past few Augusts I’ve had about 10 before that date. Also 8 more Yellow Warblers today (47 this week -

[cobirds] N Waterthrush, CSR, El Paso Co., Wedn.

Hey COBirders, The last bird banded at Clear Spring Ranch this morning was a juv Northern Waterthrush, the first of this season. After a busy opening at 6:45, it died down quickly. I’m still only seeing the usual breeding suspects, except for the migrating waterthrush, and 19 Yellow Warblers

[cobirds] Migration, CSR, El Paso Co.,Tuesday

Hey COBirders, I like to start banding early in August since I noticed a few summers ago that Yellow Warblers are already moving by the end of July here. The wild hail and thunderstorms at Clear Spring Ranch early this morning seem to have caused a wave of migrants to drop in, as I caught 22

[cobirds] Calliope Hummingbirds, Colo Spgs, Thurs

Hey COBirders, Me, too. Saw FOS Calliope Hummingbirds last night (7/12), male and female. This morning I had two males and female at the same time. Also FOS Rufous Hummingbird male 7/12. We often see each of these around the 4th, so a little later this year. Steve Brown NW Colorado Springs,

[cobirds] N Waterthrush, CSR, EL Paso Co, Sat

Hey COBirders, I banded another Northern Waterthrush this morning at Clear Spring Ranch (#20 for the season!). This one was a ratty-looking second-year bird, with shredded rectrices and tertials. Ebird considered it out of normal season, so I guess it is “rare”. Looked like it had arrived

[cobirds] N Waterthrush (6 more!) CSR, El Paso Co, Sun.

Hey COBirders, LOL - Yup SIX more Northern Waterthrush were banded at Clear Spring Ranch - one Saturday, and 5 Sunday. That makes 13 for the season. Unbelievable. It was a perfect morning for bird movement - high fog, Southeast breeze, cool temp, and the banding reflected that. 24 birds were

[cobirds] N Waterthrush (5!), CSR, El Paso Co, Fri

Hey COBirders, That’s right - here at “Waterthrush Central” I banded FIVE Northern Waterthrush today! Things got off to a quick start for banding at Clear Spring Ranch, and I had 12 birds in bags before 7:00. 38 Total banded today of 17 species - by far the best day this spring for numbers

[cobirds] FOS migrants, CSR, El Paso Co, Mon

Hey COBIrders, Nothing really unusual at Clear Spring Ranch banding this morning, but there was a small arrival, and several FOS’s. FOS Western Wood-pewee - earliest seen in last 5 springs I’ve been banding here. FOS Gray Catbird (and was banded by a different group at CSR prior to 2016) FOS

[cobirds] N Waterthrush, CSR, El Paso Co, Thurs

Hey COBrders, Not many migrants were banded today at Clear Spring Ranch, but an FOS Northern Waterthrush showed up about 9:00. Photo below. Also seen: FOS White-faced Ibis - 2 FOSWestern Kingbird - 2 FOS Canyon Towhee and a pair of Wood Ducks sitting about 40’ up in a cottonwood. Steve Brown

[cobirds] FOS migrants, CSR, EL Paso Co, Monday

Hey COBirders, Migration numbers have picked up some the last two days at Clear Spring Ranch. It helps that it hasn’t been gale force winds. I got blown out and couldn’t operate nets three times last week. Notable migrants banded: FOS Blue-gray Gnatcatcher - 3 banded Sunday (of flock of 5!) Ad

[cobirds] FOS migrants, CSR, El Paso Co, Saturday

Hey COBirders, I opened my Clear Spring Ranch banding station this week, and it has been as slow as was expected. Few migrants so far. Some highlights: FOS Orange-crowned Warbler banded today - Ad M FOS Com Yellowthroat banded Friday - Ad F FOS Ruby-crowned Kinglets banded Wednesday - imm M,

[cobirds] Prairie Birds, SE El Paso Co, Monday

Hey again, COBirders, After the fog lifted this morning I ventured out to SE El Paso County on Hanover Road - mostly to look for Roadrunners, Burrowing Owls, and Mountain Plovers, all of which remain unseen by me. I did a loop of Hanover Road, Milne, Squirrel Creek to the end, Myers and back

[cobirds] Mountain Chickadee Musings

Hey COBirders, I have been following the thread of MOCH’s being seen along the Front Range, and had a little to add about my yard. As I posted earlier, I have been seeing all kinds of mountain birds in my yard the last two months, with good numbers and diversity I don’t usually get. Over the

[cobirds] Red Crossbills, Colo Spgs, El Paso Co, Sat.

Hey COBirders, I just had a flock of Red Crossbills in the yard briefly, here in NW Colorado Springs. Looked like about 10, male and female, drinking from my neighbor’s water feature, then up to the trees, then gone. These are the first I’ve seen since my last report a couple of weeks ago.

[cobirds] Red Crossbills, Colo Spgs, El Paso Co, Monday

Hey COBirders, With all of the reports of Red Crossbills along the Front Range this month, I thought I should add my sighting to the record. We just had 15 crossbills high in an aspen in the yard, in NW Colo Spgs. None have come to the feeders yet. These are the first I’ve seen here since the

[cobirds] Mtn birds, Colo Spgs, El Paso Co, Sat.

Hey COBirders, I’ve been seeing the reports of unusual numbers of mountain species along the Front Range, but hadn’t thought too much about it until this morning. I closed down banding at Clear Spring Ranch the other day, and have resumed banding backyard juncos at my home in NW Colo Spgs. I

[cobirds] Sandhill Cranes, Colo Spgs, El Paso Co, Sunday night

Hey COBirders, (no CSR banding today - so catching jays at my house). Last night I did some “hot tub birding” about 9:30, and had several Sandhill Cranes calling as they flew over high. The wind was just picking up then, and I lost the calls before I could spot them, to count. I haven’t

[cobirds] TV's again, CSR, El Paso Co, Thurs

Hey COBirders, There were finally a large number of arriving migrants with the clear skies at Clear Spring Ranch banding today, after a LONG quiet spell. (I would say long DRY spell, but it surely hasn’t been that!) 46 Turkey Vultures were seen in 10 minutes, streaming S along the riparian

[cobirds] GC Kinglet, Green Heron, CSR, El Paso Co., Tues.

Hey COBirders, VERY slow banding at Clear Spring Ranch today. Many birds were moving S, but mostly high and above the trees. Some were still arriving at 11:15, but NOT finding the nets! It was a good day for Accipiter movement - with 3 Sharp-shinned Hawks, and 3 Cooper’s Hawks seen moving S

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