ACES Morning Birding at Rock Bottom Ranch 08/4/26

Hummingbirds were abundant in the willows just up the Rio Grande Trail from Rock Bottom Ranch’s parking lot. We spent some time here, seeing all four species, including a clear observation of a male calliope hummingbird! Behavioral highlights included yellow warbler parents feeding fledglings, swallows in high-speed chases, and waxwings feeding by flycatching. We found pockets of activity such as yellow warblers, western flycatchers, and western wood-pewees feasting on insects over a waterway. Flocks of turkeys moved about on both ends of the ranch, and a Cooper’s hawk was seen twice, scattering flocks of pigeons and blackbirds. Fall dispersal and migration are underway as nesting wraps up; birds are gathering in flocks and at concentrations of food. Join us on Monday for an early fall migration field trip on the Burlingorge Trail!