[cobirds] Eastern Colorado trip (mostly SE)

Hello,

Last week I had a mostly successful 3 day trip through SE Colorado. Because of work commitments, I couldn't spend longer in the area, and this email got pushed back a week. My apologies for the belated report.

First off, I would like to Thank Joe Roller, Todd Deininger, and Gary Weston for their helpful replies to my previous RFI. I had success with two of my three target birds, although migrants were sadly sparse on the ground, and wind was a major issue for most of the trip

Here are the highlights of my trip:

5/15/2011

Wyoming Hereford Ranch: Good diversity, but little in the way of migrants, other than large numbers of Swainson's Thrush. Best birds were a CLAY-COLORED SPARROW and a BLACKPOLL WARBLER. Yellow Warbler and a small number of Audubon's were also seen on the Warbler front

Crow Valley Campground: Tons of thrushes, but all other migrants were sparse. Best birds were a single VEERY and a beautiful Western Tanager.

Fort Lyon State Wildlife Area: Tried here after nightfall and heard at least two BLACK RAILS. American Bittern was also heard.

5/16/2011

Lake Hasty Campground. Migrants almost completely absent, with only two Swainson's Thrush recorded. Most interesting birds seen was a BELL'S VIREO and two RED-HEADED WOODPECKERS along the entrance road. The Cassin's Kingbirds were nice as well.

Lamar area: Migrants were almost all absent except for CHIMNEY SWIFTS. Good looks at Mississippi Kite at all the stops in town, including perched birds and birds carrying nesting material. High winds didn't help matters

5/17/2011

Cottonwood Canyon. Good selection of birds including CANYON TOWHEE, BLUE GROSBEAK, and ASHY-THROATED FLYCATCHER. Best bird was probably a hybrid LAZULI X INDIGO BUNTING male, as well as a presumably Indigo bunting female. RED-HEADED WOODPECKERS also seen, but dipped on Lewis's Woodpecker.

Carrizo Canyon Picnic Area: many of the same birds seen as at the above location, although the swarms of Cliff Swallow were suitably impressive.

--
Morgan Churchill
Laramie, Wyoming

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