Moore Open Space Birding with Pitkin OST 8/31/22

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Tuesday, August 30, 2022, 7:30am-9:30am
Weather: Sunny
Location: Moore Open Space, Aspen, CO

 

Fall migration brings an assortment of varied birds to the Moore Open Space, as dispersing and migrating birds spend time here feeding on the rich fruits, acorns, seeds, and insects in this sagebrush/mountain shrubland habitat. With plenty of open areas and scattered shrubs, birds were fairly easy to find and observe. We focused on sparrow identification, using field marks, body structure, and behavior to identify birds to species. We also compared sparrows with the brown, streaky house finches that were in the mix of birds this morning. A sage thrasher provided valuable experience with identifying this brown, streaky bird that stands out from the sparrows with its longer bill, larger size, and yellow iris. Other highlights included watching Woodhouse’s scrub-jays caching acorns, blue-gray gnatcatchers, several warbler species, and a Cooper’s hawk that flew low over the open space. We all shared a renewed appreciation for this important parcel of open space and its value to birds and other wildlife. Join us next Tuesday for Morning Birding at Rock Bottom Ranch and next Thursday for birding at North Star Nature Preserve!

Species List: 

Canada Goose
Broad-tailed Hummingbird
Cooper’s Hawk
Western Wood-Pewee
Steller’s Jay
Black-billed Magpie
Common Raven
Black-capped Chickadee
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher
House Wren
Sage Thrasher
American Robin
House Finch
Chipping Sparrow
Brewer’s Sparrow
Lark Sparrow
White-crowned Sparrow
Vesper Sparrow
Green-tailed Towhee
Orange-crowned Warbler
Yellow Warbler
Yellow-rumped Warbler
Lazuli Bunting

~ Rebecca Weiss, ACES Bird Guide

Featured photo: Blue-gray Gnatcatcher