First "real" migration day of the autumn that I've had at the places I frequent, where expected species in decent numbers were around. I would give Crow Valley a B- yesterday, grading by historical standards. Grading on the curve for 2019, it was an A-.
Highlights:
Common Poorwill (2, one male, one female based on color of tail spots) flushed from young windbreak near the corner of left field of ballfield
Cassin's Vireo (1 bright individual) along Crow Creek out north of the north gate at a pool of water where many birds were coming to bath/drink, saw it catch and consume a favorite of "Solitary" vireos, a rough stink bug in the genus Brochymena (see "The Hungry Bird" in "Colorado Birds", issue 48(3), July 2014, archives available on CFO website)
Cassin's Vireo visiting nasty watering hole along Crow Creek (note algae on its chin from recent bath). With rough stink bug at right.
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher (1)
Lincoln's Sparrow (several)
Song Sparrow (several)
White-crowned Sparrow (several, mixed dark-lored mountain form and Gambel's)
Townsend's Warbler (1 bright male) in juniper in southwest corner, tried to make it a Blk-thr Green but couldn't
Orange-crowned Warbler (several of mixed subspecies)
Yellow-rumped Warbler (at least 15, eating Russian-olives out northeast that were missed by the USFS contractor chainsaws)
Townsend's Solitaire (2, eating Russian-olives)
American Robin (2, eating Russian-olives)
Northern Flicker (2, eating Russian-olives)
Gray Flycatcher (1, flycatching from low in a Russian-olive)
Ruby-crowned Kinglet (several)
Hermit Thrush (2, one eating Russian-olives)
Green-tailed Towhee (1)
Spotted Towhee (at least 4)
Pine Siskin (heard a few flyovers)
Chestnut-collared Longspur (heard one flyover)
Red-breasted Nuthatch (1)
Gray Catbird (at least 2)
Common Yellowthroat (2)
Chipping Sparrow (several of mixed age in puddles of water on south end of Briggsdale HS football field)
First-winter Chipping Sparrow (dark lores between eye and beak would be major distinguishing feature from Clay-colored)
no cranes
no White-throated Sparrow
no special warbler or thrush
Gate out by CR77 still open, host still on duty, not sure how long this will be the case. Only one camper, I suppose due to recent rain. Very pleasant out there, no TV, felt good to wear a jacket.
Total of 40 species
On the way home I stopped at Crom Lake on Weld CR31 w of Pierce and it is full, no shorebirds, lots of Barn Swallows over the water (100+), geese beginning to build, common ducks, mink crossed the road.
Dave Leatherman
Fort Collins
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