I walked north of Prospect between mid-morning and noon when it was cool and overcast, and south of Prospect in early afternoon when it was clear and warm.
Highlights include no rarities but an enjoyable set of birds: American Dipper (1) perhaps setting up shop near "Callbox 21", north of the River Bend office complex, where one has spent the winter in recent years Osprey (1) getting late Greater Yellowlegs (1 heard) on the river north of Prospect east of Cattail Chorus Natural Area Orange-crowned Warbler (at least 4 of at least 2 subspp.) Yellow-rumped Warbler (at least 15 of both color morphs and some that were half-and-half) Black-crowned Night-Heron (1 imm.) perhaps the type of individual that will winter provided some of the water stays open Gadwall (75+) big influx at Confluence Pond north of Prospect Sandhill Crane (330 or so) several flocks of 50-100 moving south once the weather cleared Cackling Goose (1) feedlot pond just south of Prospect on the east side of Sharp Point Drive Wood Duck (about 20) the numbers always are high in the feedlot pond this time of year (i.e. Russian-olive harvest time) Marsh Wren (1) heard near Chorus Frog Pond Mourning Dove (at least 6) probably will winter near the feeder behind the River Bend complex, and south of Prospect on the north side of the water treatment plant White Pelican (8) seen in the air above Cottonwood Hollow Natural Area Ruby-crowned Kinglet (2) Ruddy Duck (2) pond south of Environmental Learning Center parking lot Total of 45 species Swan decoy (just like real swans, tough to tell which species, but I'll be bold and say "Trumpeter") on west side of Sharp Point in the "water fountain pond" between commercial buildings Western Chorus Frog (1 heard) very pathetic rendition of "Autumn In New York", as best I could make out Still available to insectivorous birds: midges, aphids (live and/or cadavers), adult Melanoplus spp. grasshoppers, green lacewings, European paper wasps, a few hardy butterfly species (such as cabbage white, sulphurs, morning cloak, and Milbert's tortoiseshell), and maybe boxelder bugs (although I've not seen a bird eat these and their coloration may indicate toxic chemistry). Probably many others, but these are what were conspicuous today. Of note, there was a late male Western Tanager in my apartment courtyard several blocks east of the CSU campus when I returned from the walk. It seems this species was much more common, and over a longer time span, in fall migration throughout Fort Collins than is normal. Dave Leatherman Fort Collins --~--~---------~--~----~------------~-------~--~----~ Colorado Field Ornithologists: http://www.cfo-link.org/ Colorado County Birding: http://www.coloradocountybirding.com/ You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Colorado Birds" group. To post to this group, send email to [email protected] To unsubscribe from this group, send email to [email protected] For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.as/group/cobirds?hl=en -~----------~----~----~----~------~----~------~--~---
