Yesterday, Loch Kilpatrick found a Winter Wren along the south side of Boulder Creek upstream from 75th. It was near the the overhead pipe where we also saw the Rusty Blackbird. Loch and a few others saw the wren, but I did not since I was on the wrong side of a big tree stump. I didn't report it yesterday because I thought Loch or someone else would.
Today about 3 p.m. I found a stub-tailed wren at the southeast side of the bridge at N. 63rd and St. Vrain Creek. It called several times. When I got back to the car, I played recordings of Pacific and Winter. I thought the bird sounded more like Pacific, but I don't really think I have the auditory skills to tell the difference. That being said, I believe the bird was doing "alarm chatter" which according to Sibley's website is not a good call to differentiate the species. I think it was doing its alarm chatter because I was marking its territory after too much coffee. I didn't have my camera with me, but the bird appeared darker than any Winter Wrens I've seen in Colorado before. The throat was paler than the breast. After studying Sibley's website, I am reminded once again of what a difficult ID this is, and which may always be beyond my capability. I suspect this bird is likely a Winter Wren, but I just wanted to pass on this information in case anyone wants to try to check it out for Pacific.
David Waltman
Boulder
Today about 3 p.m. I found a stub-tailed wren at the southeast side of the bridge at N. 63rd and St. Vrain Creek. It called several times. When I got back to the car, I played recordings of Pacific and Winter. I thought the bird sounded more like Pacific, but I don't really think I have the auditory skills to tell the difference. That being said, I believe the bird was doing "alarm chatter" which according to Sibley's website is not a good call to differentiate the species. I think it was doing its alarm chatter because I was marking its territory after too much coffee. I didn't have my camera with me, but the bird appeared darker than any Winter Wrens I've seen in Colorado before. The throat was paler than the breast. After studying Sibley's website, I am reminded once again of what a difficult ID this is, and which may always be beyond my capability. I suspect this bird is likely a Winter Wren, but I just wanted to pass on this information in case anyone wants to try to check it out for Pacific.
David Waltman
Boulder
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