[cobirds] Fountain Creek Fall Annual Bird Count, Sat., Sept 8

CO Birders,

 

About 30-35 birders spread into 5 main areas of Fountain Creek Regional Park (just south of Colorado Springs) for the annual fall bird count. This was the 26^th year of this count, and the earliest in fall it can be held (second Sat of Sept).

 

We had about 78 species, which is a bit above the long-term average of 70 species. Relatively uncommon birds were Brown Thrasher, Clay-colored and Brewers Sparrows, and one flock with 2 Cassin’s Vireos and 1 Red-eyed Vireo.   

 

A new bird for the count was Bank Swallow, and new highs were recorded for Common Grackle. After a precipitous rise from ’02-’13, Eurasian Collared-Dove numbers appear to have leveled-off at about 50-55 the past 3 years. Interestingly, while tanagers, orioles, and grosbeaks moved through the park in previous weeks, no indivs in these families were recorded on Sat (far as I know).

 

I wish to extend a thank you to Diana Beatty for help with our data compilation.

 

Cordially,

Steve Getty, Colorado Springs