A very mixed bag here:
Regarding March Madness, after half the Sweet Sixteen contests last night, two seemingly formidable things (Hurricanes and Wildcats) succumbed to a predacous bird and a deciduous tree (Golden Eagles and Buckeyes, respectively). Two human groups (Orangemen and Shockers) prevailed over two other human groups (Hoosiers and Explorers, respectively). Tonight we will see the following evolutionary contests: Blue Devils vs. Spartans, Jayhawks vs. Wolverines, Gators vs. Eagles, and Cardinals vs. Ducks. Should be interesting. Overall, birds are making a respectable showing in this struggle for survival and the right to pass on genes.
On 26March I had two Common Loons, one FOY at North Poudre Reservoir #3 (Larimer) and one later that morning at Rawhide Reservoir (Larimer). Also seen: FOY Franklin's Gull (1 at Hamilton Reservoir); Sage Thrasher (Larimer CR19 nw Hamilton Reservoir), lots of Mountain Bluebirds (Larimer County north of Fort Collins, various locations); FOY White Pelicans (both Timnath Reservoir and Park Reservoir nw of Hamilton Reservoir, Larimer); FOY American Avocet (2 at Crom Lake on Weld CR31 about 6 miles n of SR14); FOY Say's Phoebe (Crom Lake); FOY Great-tailed Grackle (1 male at the Wellington SWA unit just north of Cobb Lake along Larimer CR56); late Northern Shrike (on Larimer CR80C (Cherokee Park Road) about a mile w of US287 at the North Fork of the Poudre River).
There were a couple posts today by Regina and Karl about juncos. I have a question for the junco junkies among us: has there ever been a documented "Red-backed" Dark-eyed Junco in Colorado? I had a junco today in the southwest corner of Crow Valley that I assumed was a "Gray-headed" Junco based on the well-defined bright rusty back patch (and dark lores), but it struck me as looking "odd" (which simply could be that I haven't seen one in several months). I did not take note of whether the throat was paler than the rest of the underparts and can not rule out that this wasn't a "Red-backed". Are the southwestern "Red-backs" ever seen north of West Texas-New Mexico-Arizona? It appears their wintering grounds and breeding grounds involve movement of a few hundred miles or so, at least for part of the population. As such, is it conceivable that at this time of year we could get an "overshoot"? Thanks for any discussion anyone might have about this.
Dave Leatherman
Fort Collins
Regarding March Madness, after half the Sweet Sixteen contests last night, two seemingly formidable things (Hurricanes and Wildcats) succumbed to a predacous bird and a deciduous tree (Golden Eagles and Buckeyes, respectively). Two human groups (Orangemen and Shockers) prevailed over two other human groups (Hoosiers and Explorers, respectively). Tonight we will see the following evolutionary contests: Blue Devils vs. Spartans, Jayhawks vs. Wolverines, Gators vs. Eagles, and Cardinals vs. Ducks. Should be interesting. Overall, birds are making a respectable showing in this struggle for survival and the right to pass on genes.
On 26March I had two Common Loons, one FOY at North Poudre Reservoir #3 (Larimer) and one later that morning at Rawhide Reservoir (Larimer). Also seen: FOY Franklin's Gull (1 at Hamilton Reservoir); Sage Thrasher (Larimer CR19 nw Hamilton Reservoir), lots of Mountain Bluebirds (Larimer County north of Fort Collins, various locations); FOY White Pelicans (both Timnath Reservoir and Park Reservoir nw of Hamilton Reservoir, Larimer); FOY American Avocet (2 at Crom Lake on Weld CR31 about 6 miles n of SR14); FOY Say's Phoebe (Crom Lake); FOY Great-tailed Grackle (1 male at the Wellington SWA unit just north of Cobb Lake along Larimer CR56); late Northern Shrike (on Larimer CR80C (Cherokee Park Road) about a mile w of US287 at the North Fork of the Poudre River).
There were a couple posts today by Regina and Karl about juncos. I have a question for the junco junkies among us: has there ever been a documented "Red-backed" Dark-eyed Junco in Colorado? I had a junco today in the southwest corner of Crow Valley that I assumed was a "Gray-headed" Junco based on the well-defined bright rusty back patch (and dark lores), but it struck me as looking "odd" (which simply could be that I haven't seen one in several months). I did not take note of whether the throat was paler than the rest of the underparts and can not rule out that this wasn't a "Red-backed". Are the southwestern "Red-backs" ever seen north of West Texas-New Mexico-Arizona? It appears their wintering grounds and breeding grounds involve movement of a few hundred miles or so, at least for part of the population. As such, is it conceivable that at this time of year we could get an "overshoot"? Thanks for any discussion anyone might have about this.
Dave Leatherman
Fort Collins
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