On July 3, while conducting Breeding Bird Atlas surveys in the Laughlin Gulch-SE block (Atlas Region 8, Saguache County), I observed a single male Black-and-White Warbler singing spontaneously at approximately 0800. I heard the distinctive "wee-see-wee-see-wee-see" (squeaky wheel) song, and was extremely surprised. I am very familiar with this species, having spent three summers in the south (Arkansas and Louisiana), so I my first thoughts were... "Black-and-white Warbler, cool...", and then "what is this bird doing here?...". The bird was singing from a thicket of deciduous shrubs in the understory of a mixed conifer-aspen stand. About a minute or so after I first heard the bird, it popped up from the shrubs and perched low in a tree about 20 feet in front of me. At that point there was no doubt it was indeed a Black-and-white Warbler. Observed field marking for this species included a black and white striped crown, with white eye stripe; black lores, ear patch, and throat; white underparts with heavy black streaking on flanks; and two distinctive white wing bars. What a fantastic surprise, and just goes to show how fun and interesting atlasing can be! I did not observe a female or any other evidence of breeding, so at this point I'm not even sure how to report this bird for my Atlas block. Was this a possible breeding bird or just a lonely lost male? According to the Birds of North America species account (Kricher 1995), early July is still within the heart of this species' breeding season, with the earliest records for fall migration initiating at the end of July. Thus, I am tempted to record the bird as a "Possible Breeder", using breeding code "X" (singing male).
The location of the bird is as follows: >From the town of Saguache, travel south on HWY 285 approximately 6 miles and turn right onto County Road T (gravel). Follow County Road T approximately 1.5 mi, then bear right following signs for Tracy Canyon and North Tracy Canyon. Continue approximately 1.4 miles and turn right at sign for North Tracy Canyon. The road becomes less improved at this point, but most vehicles with the clearance of at least a Subaru should be able to continue. Continue on the North Tracy Canyon Road about 4.5 miles. Along the way you'll come to a make-shift gate/cattle guard (thick, metal wire with orange flagging) that you can open and cross (please close to keep cattle from escaping). Turn left onto another unimproved road. If you miss this turn, just up the road, you will see a sign with a left arrow, then another sign for South Tracy Canyon Road, and you can turn left here and it will meet the other road. Follow unimproved road about 2 miles (winding through pinyon trees) and you will come to a gate. Go through the gate (don't forget to close it), and travel a little further until you see a fire ring on the left side of the road. That is a good place to park, as the road gets narrower ahead and it is difficult to turn around. Walk up the road following a drainage with mixed conifer and aspen (habitat on the left), about 1/4 mile or so, until you see a patch of deciduous shrubs. This is where I observed the bird. The drive into the site takes about an hour from Saguache. Good Birding! Lynn Wickersham Durango, CO -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Colorado Birds" group. To post to this group, send email to cobirds@googlegroups.com. To unsubscribe from this group, send email to cobirds+unsubscr...@googlegroups.com. For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/cobirds?hl=en.
