ACES Pitkin County Open Space Birding 08/11/25

Monday, August 11, 2025, 7:30am – 10:30 am
Weather: Sunny, hot
Location: Moore Open Space, Aspen, CO

We began this field trip with a review of some key sparrow ID tips: which ones are “easy” or distinctive in appearance (the towhees and juncos, white-crowned sparrow), which ones have white on the outer tail (vesper, lark, junco), and which ones have white eye-rings (Brewer’s and vesper). The super hot and dry conditions this summer have left the mountain shrubland community (and other dry habitats) nearly devoid of birds by late summer. Birds seem to be seeking out pockets of habitat that are still green and leafy and more rich in insect life. Despite these conditions and a general lack of birds, we did find many of the species we would expect to see here at this time of year. Brewer’s sparrows were the most abundant sparrow species, although we encountered a number of vesper sparrows as we completed the loop hike. Green-tailed towhee and warbler abundances were also very low. We were excited when we spotted a loggerhead shrike sitting in the top of a shrub for clear viewing. This bird stayed put for a long time, allowing all of us to view it through the scope and see its field marks. Back in the parking lot, the cottonwood trees were full of yellow warblers, feasting on aphids and other tiny insects on the leaves. It was a rich learning experience for sparrow ID, the effects of an extra warm/dry summer, and how persevering can yield both great bird observations and the signs of environmental change. Join us on Wednesday at 6pm at Toklat for a lecture by Bill Schmoker on Bird Migration!