[cobirds] Chico Basin Ranch (El Paso and Pueblo counties) highlights

COBirders,

 

Although it seemed a very slow morning of birding at Chico Basin Ranch (daily or annual fee) there were some interesting birds around.

 

El Paso County

 

Hermit Thrush - 1

Harris’s Sparrow – 1

American Tree Sparrow – my FOS – 1

White-throated Sparrow – 1

Swamp Sparrow - 1

Red Crossbill (3) – only the second record for the ranch – perched, small subspecies, one all-red guy calling; all three headed south after a few minutes of sunning on the dead top of a plains cottonwood

Mountain Chickadee – 2

Red-breasted Nuthatch – 2

 

Pueblo County (with Brandon Percival)

Rose-breasted Grosbeak – 1 HQ

SEDGE WREN – 1 – almost close enough to touch at Upper Twin Pond, a photograph will be posted soon to Colorado Field Ornithologist Group on Facebook

Hermit Thrush - 2

Mountain Bluebird - ~20

Mountain Chickadee – 1, nowhere near a tree

Red-breasted Nuthatch – 2

 

Also, the first time in a while when there was not flock-after-flock of Sandhill Cranes passing overhead = 0