[cobirds] Black-crowned Night-Heron, 2 Eastern Phoebes (?), 2 Black Phoebes & a few Hermit Thrush in Canon City

I was surprised to find the Black-crowned Night-Heron this morning on Sell's Lake and it was active, doing some feeding and catching some unknown critter.  It then flew off up the Arkansas River.  I checked back there at dusk and didn't see it but not sure if it has left or not.  I did get a good photo of it flying off that I have posted on my Birds and Nature blog.

There were no phoebes at Sell's Lake this morning but I found 2 Eastern-appearing Phoebes just east of the Sell's Lake parking area for the Canon City Riverwalk (about 200 feet east of Sell's Lake).  I say 'Eastern-appearing' Phoebes as I believe one is likely an Eastern X Black Phoebe hybrid because it is giving a non-Eastern vocalization that is gives softly (I am trying to get a recording).  I would also add that last year a mixed pair of phoebes-Black and Eastern- nested nearby so one of these might be one of the offspring. 

I did find several, at least 3, Hermit Thrush on the Canon City Riverwalk just east of the Sell's Lake parking area (the location where I saw so many several days ago).   Though still a number of Yellow-rumped Warblers worked the trees around Sell's Lake, fewer were along the Riverwalk and the number overall appeared reduced.  I did see several Ruby-crowned Kinglets on the trail.  Also saw Cliff Swallows that have arrived and already looking for nesting areas in a traditional location on the bluff along the trail.  And a flock of about 80 American White Pelicans soared over the riverwalk for a time--groups of them are staying at several bodies of water in the area and will have to either return south or find other places for the summer since Denver  Water is draining Antero Reservoir in 'So Park which is their traditional breeding area (this will likely result in conflicts with owners of private ponds who get angry because the pelicans eat the fish they stock).

I made a quick stop at the MacKenzie Ave parking area to the Canon City Riverwalk this afternoon and refound the 2 Black Phoebes I had seen there last Thursday.


SeEtta Moss
Canon City
Personal blog @ http://BirdsAndNature.blogspot.com
Blogging for Birds an Blooms Magazine @ http://BirdsAndBloomsBlog.com

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