Re: [cobirds] Sage Thrasher at high elevation, El Paso Cnty

In Park County, where Sage Thrasher has a limited distribution (little suitable habitat), they occur regularly as high as 9500-9600 feet elevation near County Road 22 (vicinity of Buffalo Peaks). There they occupy expected sage habitat, although they are, to my knowledge, quite isolated from other areas of occurrence. Brewer's Sparrow is there, too.

David Suddjian

Littleton, CO

On Wed, Jul 6, 2016 at 8:41 PM, Stephen Getty <Stephen.Getty@coloradocollege.edu> wrote:

COBirders,

 

I was encouraged by another C Springs birder to report...

 

1. Sage Thrasher hopping around atop Tenney Crags (10,100 ft) west of C Springs on July 4. Weird! It is many miles from what I think of as Sage Thrasher habitat. I was curious if other CO birders have encountered them at such elevations. (we could also have some natural selection here from a wanderer; it would have had to flown over a lot of pine/spruce/aspen forest to get there!). Perhaps this is more expected around areas like Gunnison.

 

2. 80-100 Ravens were swirling in a cloud at Tenney Crags. There are a couple apparent nests, but this species is increasing in C Springs. For example, at 5:30 AM June 18 (I was heading out for Chestnut-collared Longspur), I noted a raven flight at high elevation flying down from Crags fanning out to Colorado Springs (dumpsters, parking lots?). On another evening in early June I noted a tight flock of 26 ravens flying up to crags area, presumably to roost. In the past I'd seen 2-3 flying up there.  

 

3. Calliope (m) on July 3 at house was several days ahead of records from prior 14 years (but within error...low n)

 

Best,

Steve Getty

Colorado Springs            

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