[cobirds] Ken Caryl Valey (Jefferson) and Littleton (Arapahoe)

Picking up the wandering scrub-jay thread, yesterday a Western Scrub-Jay was at Jackass Hill Park in Littleton, and two were there today. Also today one was on the grounds of St. Mary Church in Littleton, and one was at the Littleton Cemetery. All Arapahoe and areas where the species is irregular and usually absent. Back home in Ken Caryl Valley, scrub-jays are regular in their usual habitat, but have been only sporadic near my home in the developed part of the valley. Over the past two weeks one has taken up residence, always the first bird of the morning to make its presence known in my yard, and today there were two in the yard. And a Steller's Jay has appeared in the yard for the first time in a year or so, joining with the regular Blue Jays to provide three-jay days in the backyard. I imagine that is not a rare combo, but maybe uncommon anyway. A few days ago I saw all three species in one tree in my yard.

There were goodly numbers of migrants in Ken Caryl Valley this morning, including the first south bound Mountain (mostly) and Western (a few) Bluebirds that I've seen there this season, plus a Townsend's Solitaire down out of the woods. An American Redstart and Cassin's Kingbird were along Massey Draw, plus Townsend's and MacGilivray's Warblers. Lots of sparrows (including the first White-crowneds of the season), and obvious movements of Spotted and Green-tailed Towhees. On a mile-long walk in the vale between the Lyons and Dakota hogbacks north of Massey Draw I counted 42 Rock Wrens in prime habitat that migrants favor in that area. They were popping out everywhere. 

Cooper's Hawks have also been appearing "everywhere" in Littleton and Ken Caryl over the last several days, with many sightings, nearly always attended to by flocks of mobbing magpies. The magpies are certainly doing their job keeping the hawks hopping from tree to tree.

David Suddjian

Littleton, CO

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