Friday, 23 March 2012

[cobirds] Manitou Lake, Teller County (early virginia rail)

The lake is still 80% ice-covered, but melting fast. The beaver ponds to the south in the marsh are mostly ice-free.

 

There was a Virginia Rail calling incessantly near the boardwalk. This sighting is the earliest I have for Manitou Lake by 36 days! Previous early sighting is 4/28/2007. But my monitoring is not that rigid.

 

Also Red Crossbills and singing Cassin’s Finches were present.

 

Am Crows were carrying sticks.

 

Complete list below.

 

Of note at my home:

·         I have had about a hundred evening grosbeaks for the past month or two. The males are in beautiful bright plumage. They are at my feeders all day long. Or sitting in the trees calling constantly. I love their sound.

·         Many singing Cassin’s Finches – incredible.

·         I have just about got one Steller’s Jay to take peanuts from my hand in the morning. I have to put it on the feeder right next to my head, then he will take it, just inches from my head – but not out of my hand yet. The rest won’t get closer than 6 feet. But this individual is always the first to come and get them. The others insist I move away before they approach.

 

Jeff J Jones

(jjones@jonestc.com)

Teller County - 8500' - Montane Woodlands

 

FIRST SIGHTINGS: World: 0, Location: 0, Annual: 10, World Annual: 3

Species: 14 - Subspecies: 0 - Forms: 14

Total Records: 14

 

Canada Goose [a]         Branta canadensis      

Mallard [a]              Anas platyrhynchos     

Blue-winged Teal [a*]    Anas discors           

Green-winged Teal [a]    Anas crecca            

Great Blue Heron [a]     Ardea herodias         

Virginia Rail [a*]       Rallus limicola        

Belted Kingfisher [a*]   Megaceryle alcyon      

Black-billed Magpie [a]  Pica hudsonia          

American Crow            Corvus brachyrhynchos  

Common Raven             Corvus corax           

Song Sparrow             Melospiza melodia      

Red-winged Blackbird     Agelaius phoeniceus    

Cassin's Finch [a]       Carpodacus cassinii    

Red Crossbill [a]        Loxia curvirostra      

 

Birder's Diary - www.BirdersDiary.com - 3/23/2012

 

0 comments:

Post a Comment