ACES Morning Birding at Hallam Lake 8/13/2024

Tuesday, August 13, 2024, 7:30-10:30am
Weather: Partly cloudy
Location: Hallam Lake, Aspen, CO

Local birdlife is full of fledgling and immature birds, and early fall migration is underway! Today, highlights included the recently fledged osprey chicks from the Hallam Lake nesting platform. These young raptors flew around the lake, making low passes over the water with legs down, as if testing out the flying form required for hunting fish. They chose awkward perches and flew precariously. We were treated to an amazing view as one osprey fledgling attempted to grab a fish and ended up floating in the water with wings outspread on the surface and only the head and shoulders sticking out of the water. Looking very wet and confused, the bird looked around for about 30 seconds before powerfully flapping to break free of the water and rise into the air. It was thrilling to watch this osprey give several vigorous shakes while flying to shed water from its plumage. Adults later delivered a big fish to the young birds back at the nest. Other highlights included many hummingbirds, cedar waxwings, a Lewis’s woodpecker, three western tanagers, and pygmy nuthatches. With several beginner birders in our group, we had fun with the challenge of finding birds in distant treetops. Today really proved that every outing is unique and exciting! Join us next week for a hummingbird study on the 21st and at the Isis Theater for the screening of a film about hummingbirds on the 22nd; details at aspennature.org.

Species List:

~ Rebecca Weiss, ACES Bird Guide

Featured photo: Osprey