[cobirds] Green Heron, Broad-winged Hawk, Carolina Wren, B-G Gnatcatcher, B Phoebe, dark Ibis, swift flock & egrets in Canon City + more LB Curlews in Florence

Another very active migration day in the Canon City area.  First I found a Carolina Wren at Sell's Lake.  I have spotted this bird a few times but could not get specific id until today as it has not sang at all.  Also there was a Green Heron hiding in the branches and a Lincoln's Sparrow.  Then I found a first of the year (for Colorado) Blue-gray Gnatcatcher along the Riverwalk near Sell's Lake and a Wilson's Snipe along the river (forgot to mention I had one yesterday at the McKenzie end of the Riverwalk).

I saw a Black Phoebe at my friend's property in the Canon City area.  Also watched a Sharp-shinned Hawk apparently enter the territory of a pair of Sharp-shinned Hawks, one of which gave chase.  As I watched that I noted some birds flying higher up and discovered a very large flock of more than a hundred White-throated Swifts circling over the river area as they apparently were 'stopping' to feed as they migrate through. 

In Florence I found an additional flock of 18 Long-billed Curlews in a hay field.   The 19 of these I have been following in Canon City were still feeding in a flooded field east of town.  Then I spotted a single first-of the year dark Ibis but with a sweep of the area found about 15 more in and on an irrigation ditch.

I parked and looked from the bridge over the Arkansas into the back of Valco Ponds where I spotted one first of the year Great Egret and 2 Snowy Egrets.  Also sadly confirmed that the construction they have been doing there including filling in the very productive wetlands in the far back.

I got photos of several of the above including flight photos of the Broad-winged Hawk showing underparts  (also put flight photos of Long-billed Curlews up) and have uploaded them to my Birds and Nature blog.   Very busy day.

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

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