Morning Birding at Hallam Lake 8/2/22

---

Tuesday, August 2, 2022, 7:30am-10:30am
Weather: Mostly sunny
Location: Hallam Lake Nature Preserve, Aspen, CO

 

Active nests, fledglings, and interesting behaviors were highlights of today’s outing. The osprey chick has been flying to nearby perches in the vicinity of the nest, and this morning we observed it sitting on the perch that is integrated into the nesting platform. The parents were active and one was seen delivering a new stick to the nest to keep it refreshed and clean. The heron chicks were roosting in or near the two nests over the lake; they appear to be ready to fledge any minute. We also found an active robin nest and saw kinglets and chickadees being fed by parents. Sandpipers continue to use the newly created emergent wetlands habitat areas; these birds have molted and no longer have their spots. In the garden, we were treated to great looks at both female and male broad-tailed hummingbirds. We also saw a spotted fawn with its mother in the woods at Bird Hollow. It was interesting to see the ways different birds forage and how parents and young birds interact. Migration has already begun, and we will continue to see changes in flocking behaviors and habitat/elevation use in the coming weeks. Join us on Thursday for a special field trip to Woody Creek and a private property in Lenado!

Species List: 

Mallard
Eurasian Collared-Dove
Broad-tailed Hummingbird
Spotted Sandpiper
Great Blue Heron
Osprey
Belted Kingfisher
Red-naped Sapsucker
Northern Flicker
Cordilleran Flycatcher
Black-billed Magpie
American Crow
Violet-green Swallow
Black-capped Chickadee
Mountain Chickadee
White-breasted Nuthatch
Pygmy Nuthatch
House Wren
Ruby-crowned Kinglet
American Robin
European Starling
Song Sparrow
Fox Sparrow
Yellow Warbler

~ Rebecca Weiss, ACES Bird Guide

Featured photo: Belted kingfisher