It goes without saying, like everywhere else, it has been an interesting spring at Grandview Cemetery. The much-celebrated Great Horned Owl nest in the center of the place failed this year, with the hatched young presumably succumbing to a downpour in late April that flooded the nest cavity right under the sitting female parent. The adults are around, and when discovered, literally seem unsure of what to do with themselves.
The odd timing of spring cold snaps combined with abundant rain put American Goldfinches and tree seeds in sync like I cannot remember. I kept inputting to eBird huge numbers of goldfinches (150-230) and kept being questioned by the filter. Yes, Filter, it's true. But then as soon as the rains somewhat subsided two-three days ago, the goldfinch numbers dropped off like someone threw a switch. Where did they go? North to new fresh tree seed areas?
Currently I know of three active Broad-tailed Hummingbird nests: one being built (Engelmann Spruce), one with eggs (CO Blue Spruce), one with young (CO Blue Spruce). I have been hearing more males zooming around than usual for this urban location. Tough to know how many are really involved but I am guessing about 5. This is truly a change over 20 years ago and I believe the cemetery and nearby residential neighborhood constitutes a "colony" of sorts, as mentioned in the literature for this species. I have been interested to watch two nests being constructed and to note the heavy use of dandelion seeds as a building material (in addition to the standard spider webs, which on one occasion were being obtained from within the letters on headstones!). Now that cottonwood and willow seeds are starting to fly, it will be interesting to see if any new nests begun in the nest few weeks involve this material, as well. The literature mentions spider webs and "gossamer" as standard nest materials. I guess dandelion seeds constitute gossamer, but what else does? On Memorial Day I must admit to being tempted to carefully stick a tiny American flag in the side of a nest when the female was taking a break and watching the photo go viral, but resisted.
Broad-winged Hawks were seen fairly regularly in late April into early May. Since Grandview is the only known CO nesting spot for this species (they also maybe did somewhere near Golden a few years ago but not sure the location was ever pinned down), I keep hoping they will try the cemetery again.
The dead baby Fox Squirrel from which a Black-capped Chickadee pulled tufts of fur for nest liner, is still visible but barely. Recycling in Nature is, indeed, rapid and without sentiment. Blow flies have a purpose beyond forensic TV shows, to be sure. (Photo comparison of the squirrel change over a period of 13 days available upon request.)
Cowbirds are around doing their dirty work. House Finch brood #1 has fledged. Robin babies are enjoying the bounty of earthworms at the soil surface. Where the ditch goes under the intersection of Laporte Ave and Taft in the northwest corner of the cemetery has its usual compliment of both Barn and Cliff Swallows. Cliffs apparently have the west half of the darkness, Barns the east. Wonder if any of them gave foolish thought to building a mud wall at taxpayer expense?
Mountain species, besides the hummers, that I think will nest at Grandview this summer are Pine Siskin (not present all winter) and Chipping Sparrow. It will apparently NOT be a year when Western Wood-Pewee, Ruby-crowned Kinglet, or Lesser Goldfinch nest here, although its not too late and the next two weeks will be telling. Of course, Red-breasted Nuthatch could be considered a mountain species, and I think 4-5 pairs are at Grandview, but since they regularly nest far out on the eastern plains these days, it seems to be in a different category other than "mountain".
Dave Leatherman
Fort Collins
The odd timing of spring cold snaps combined with abundant rain put American Goldfinches and tree seeds in sync like I cannot remember. I kept inputting to eBird huge numbers of goldfinches (150-230) and kept being questioned by the filter. Yes, Filter, it's true. But then as soon as the rains somewhat subsided two-three days ago, the goldfinch numbers dropped off like someone threw a switch. Where did they go? North to new fresh tree seed areas?
Currently I know of three active Broad-tailed Hummingbird nests: one being built (Engelmann Spruce), one with eggs (CO Blue Spruce), one with young (CO Blue Spruce). I have been hearing more males zooming around than usual for this urban location. Tough to know how many are really involved but I am guessing about 5. This is truly a change over 20 years ago and I believe the cemetery and nearby residential neighborhood constitutes a "colony" of sorts, as mentioned in the literature for this species. I have been interested to watch two nests being constructed and to note the heavy use of dandelion seeds as a building material (in addition to the standard spider webs, which on one occasion were being obtained from within the letters on headstones!). Now that cottonwood and willow seeds are starting to fly, it will be interesting to see if any new nests begun in the nest few weeks involve this material, as well. The literature mentions spider webs and "gossamer" as standard nest materials. I guess dandelion seeds constitute gossamer, but what else does? On Memorial Day I must admit to being tempted to carefully stick a tiny American flag in the side of a nest when the female was taking a break and watching the photo go viral, but resisted.
Broad-winged Hawks were seen fairly regularly in late April into early May. Since Grandview is the only known CO nesting spot for this species (they also maybe did somewhere near Golden a few years ago but not sure the location was ever pinned down), I keep hoping they will try the cemetery again.
The dead baby Fox Squirrel from which a Black-capped Chickadee pulled tufts of fur for nest liner, is still visible but barely. Recycling in Nature is, indeed, rapid and without sentiment. Blow flies have a purpose beyond forensic TV shows, to be sure. (Photo comparison of the squirrel change over a period of 13 days available upon request.)
Cowbirds are around doing their dirty work. House Finch brood #1 has fledged. Robin babies are enjoying the bounty of earthworms at the soil surface. Where the ditch goes under the intersection of Laporte Ave and Taft in the northwest corner of the cemetery has its usual compliment of both Barn and Cliff Swallows. Cliffs apparently have the west half of the darkness, Barns the east. Wonder if any of them gave foolish thought to building a mud wall at taxpayer expense?
Mountain species, besides the hummers, that I think will nest at Grandview this summer are Pine Siskin (not present all winter) and Chipping Sparrow. It will apparently NOT be a year when Western Wood-Pewee, Ruby-crowned Kinglet, or Lesser Goldfinch nest here, although its not too late and the next two weeks will be telling. Of course, Red-breasted Nuthatch could be considered a mountain species, and I think 4-5 pairs are at Grandview, but since they regularly nest far out on the eastern plains these days, it seems to be in a different category other than "mountain".
Dave Leatherman
Fort Collins
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