ACES Morning Birding at Rock Bottom Ranch 10/27/26

October 27, 2026, 8:00am-11:00am

Weather: Sunny, chilly

Location: ACES at Rock Bottom Ranch, Basalt, CO

Today’s outing highlighted several special things about birding during late fall migration: certain local species that can be difficult to find during the rest of the year can be easier to see at this time, interesting species are still passing through this area, and birders can focus on behaviors without the distraction of greater overall bird activity typical of breeding season. Clark’s nutcrackers flew into the large meadow and afforded us excellent views of their field marks and flight style. These birds typically keep to extensive pinyon-juniper woodlands and high, subalpine conifer forests, but when their varied movements bring them to the valley floor as we experienced today, they are much easier to find and observe. A small falcon flew through and scattered a couple of large flocks of feral pigeons and then passed overhead before diving around behind a stand of tall cottonwood trees. This bird’s size was pretty easy to judge in comparison to the pigeons it was flying among – giving us a strong impression of merlin as opposed to the smaller and less bulky kestrel. We tried to find it, but it must have left the area; nonetheless, this was an exciting likely observation of a bird that does not breed or overwinter here, but is passing through our area on its migration. Merlins are always uncommon and unpredictable, and we were excited to have “probably” seen one today! On the behavior topic, we were interested to see a bald eagle flying toward the established nest carrying a stick… raptors often work lightly on nests in the fall, as preparation for next breeding season and to establish their ownership of the nest site. Additional highlights from today include not one, but two Virginia rails which we heard calling from very close proximity in two different cattail stands, and a sora that we spotted across the far pond as it walked around at the edge of the cattails. These highly secretive birds were extra fun to find today! Join us for Morning Birding through the winter on the first Tuesday of the month at Hallam Lake!

Species List:

~Rebecca Weiss, ACES Birding Guide

Featured Photo: Ravens, Paul Hilts from Windstar Preserve Outing