North Star Birding Species List | August 9, 2017

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Wednesday, August 9, 2017, 6:30AM – 9:30AM
Weather: sunny with ground clouds.
Location: ACES & Pitkin County Open Space, North Star Nature Preserve

Species Identified
Mallard Great Blue Heron Red-tailed Hawk Sora Broad-tailed Hummingbird Red-naped Sapsucker Northern Flicker Warbling Vireo Black-billed Magpie American Crow Tree Swallow Violet-green Swallow Black-capped Chickadee Mountain Chickadee White-breasted Nuthatch		Cedar Waxwing MacGillivray’s Warbler Yellow Warbler Wilson’s Warbler Green-tailed Towhee Shipping Sparrow Song Sparrow Western Tanager Lazuli Bunting Red-winged Blackbird House Finch Pine Siskin House Wren American Robin

Comments:

The morning was spectacular with low clouds hugging the ground throughout the low, flat valley floor and vegetation laden with moisture from heavy rain during the night. Bird and wildlife activity in general was quiet until the moment the sun came over Smuggler Mountain, and then there was a burst of activity. Most bird species we observed were seen as both adults and juveniles, in family flocks or larger groups. Highlights were foraging hummingbirds at paintbrush flowers, a red-tailed hawk that gave a scream before flying up valley, and a family of western tanagers. MacGillivray’s warblers were observed in two areas, and a bright male Wilson’s warbler was probably with a family group that stayed obscured among the willows. The sun burned off the low clouds, transforming the landscape from Alasksa-like heavy, moisture-laden, cold air and mist back to our usual sunny, warm Colorado atmosphere. It was remarkable to see how the birds responded to these conditions, as well as having the opportunity to explore the south side of the river in this ‘wildlife only’ part of North Star Nature Preserve. We experienced this high-quality and very important bird habitat, coming away with a deeper appreciation for this special place. Join us next Tuesday for more excellent birding at Rock Bottom Ranch!

~ Rebecca Weiss, ACES Bird Guide 

 

Photo by Dale Armstrong