ACES Morning Birding at Hallam Lake 8/27/2024

Tuesday, August 27, 2024, 7:30-10:30am
Weather: Sunny
Location: Hallam Lake, Aspen, CO

The morning began with Lewis’s woodpeckers perched and flying about in the dead branches of the upper canopy of the cottonwood forest near the on-site housing at ACES. We saw abundant chickadees of both species throughout the morning, foraging by clinging the leaf blades of cottonwood foliage. When we examined the leaves, we noticed raised brown patches where small caterpillars were either present or had emerged. Yellow warblers were also present and maybe feeding on the same insects. A few sparrows and one other large, streaky bird were tricky to identify, as happens at this time of year with various ages and stages of molt happening. Highlights included several evening grosbeaks that came into view after having heard them throughout the morning, the osprey family that is still very active at Hallam Lake, and the explosion of Lewis’s woodpeckers – we saw eight all together in one tree at one point, the most we’ve ever seen at ACES. This group was a mix of juveniles and adults. It will be interesting to see if this species becomes established in the Aspen area. Join us tomorrow for Birding By Habitat in Snowmass Village!

Species List:

~ Rebecca Weiss, ACES Bird Guide

Featured photo: Evening Grosbeak