May 19, 2013
Bryan & Sue Ehlmann, Rebecca Kosten and I attended a friend's barbecue on a private ranch in Weld County. Presently, his ranch has nesting Mountain Plovers and Long-eared Owls.
The windbreak surrounding his ranch house was a hoarded wealth of birds today! It was quite fortunate that the barbecue was held on this beautiful Sunday. In the morning, winds were mild and temperatures reached to the middle 70s. Storm clouds blew in by late afternoon; temperatures dropped in the 50s and winds increased to 21+ mph.
The fallout of birds rivaled those at any of the major Colorado birding locations. Several hours were spent trying to cover the area and numerous birds fluttering around the windbreak.
The treasure of birds included:
Rose-breasted Grosbeak (male, possible female)
Black-and-white Warbler (2)
Black-throated Gray Warbler (male)
Cassin's Vireo (2)
Tennessee Warbler (female)
Chestnut-sided Warbler (male)
American Redstart (1st year male)
Blue Grosbeak (3 males)
Lazuli Bunting (2 males)
Bullock's Orioles (8+)
House Wrens (11)
Western Kingbird (1)
Wilson's Phalarope (2 on water pond for cattle)
A colony of Burrowing Owls (8) is not far from his ranch.
Passing through Prospect Valley, we counted dozens of Eurasian Collared-Doves. Are not they everywhere now.
The ranch is not all that far from Banner Lakes Wildlife Area. Bryan and I will have to check that out tomorrow (well later today as I am writing this at 2:30 am).
Bryan & Sue Ehlmann, Rebecca Kosten and I attended a friend's barbecue on a private ranch in Weld County. Presently, his ranch has nesting Mountain Plovers and Long-eared Owls.
The windbreak surrounding his ranch house was a hoarded wealth of birds today! It was quite fortunate that the barbecue was held on this beautiful Sunday. In the morning, winds were mild and temperatures reached to the middle 70s. Storm clouds blew in by late afternoon; temperatures dropped in the 50s and winds increased to 21+ mph.
The fallout of birds rivaled those at any of the major Colorado birding locations. Several hours were spent trying to cover the area and numerous birds fluttering around the windbreak.
The treasure of birds included:
Rose-breasted Grosbeak (male, possible female)
Black-and-white Warbler (2)
Black-throated Gray Warbler (male)
Cassin's Vireo (2)
Tennessee Warbler (female)
Chestnut-sided Warbler (male)
American Redstart (1st year male)
Blue Grosbeak (3 males)
Lazuli Bunting (2 males)
Bullock's Orioles (8+)
House Wrens (11)
Western Kingbird (1)
Wilson's Phalarope (2 on water pond for cattle)
A colony of Burrowing Owls (8) is not far from his ranch.
Passing through Prospect Valley, we counted dozens of Eurasian Collared-Doves. Are not they everywhere now.
The ranch is not all that far from Banner Lakes Wildlife Area. Bryan and I will have to check that out tomorrow (well later today as I am writing this at 2:30 am).
1 comment:
I know you invited Janet and Me! Guess we should have gone, what a great day of birding!
Next time........
Jerry Petrosky
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