Morning Birding Species List | October 3, 2017

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Tuesday, October 3, 2017, 8:00AM – 11:00AM
Weather: sunny
Location: Hallam Lake and the Rio Grande Trail from Stein Park

Species Identified
Canada Goose American Wigeon Mallard Green-winged Teal Pied-billed Grebe Great Blue Heron Turkey Vulture Belted Kingfisher Steller’s Jay Black-billed Magpie		Song Sparrow Dark-eyed Junco Wilson’s Warbler Yellow-rumped Warbler American Crow Common Raven Black-capped Chickadee White-breasted Nuthatch Ruby-crowned Kinglet American Robin

Comments: 

Following the first significant snowfall at the level of the valley floor this season, bird activity was a bonanza this morning. More than 6 inches of heavy, wet snow fell over the past two days, bringing down a great deal of tree limbs and saplings, as well as causing birds to hunker down under cover rather than feeding as usual. Today’s sunny weather brought birds out in droves, particularly migrating warblers that were picking insects off tree foliage. Most duck species are in mid-molt at this time, and we had a rich study of the species on the lake this morning:  wigeons, mallards, and green-winged teals.  A pied-billed grebe was also in non-breeding plumage and had a solid-colored bill. Fall migration brings many species through bird hotspots in Aspen, including the Wilson’s and yellow-rumped warblers that breed in high-elevation willow carrs and spruce-fir forests, respectively. No matter the weather at this time of year, birding is always full of exciting behaviors, molting phases, and migratory species. Join us in November on Tuesday the 7th!

~ Rebecca Weiss, ACES Bird Guide 

 

Photo by Dale Armstrong