I hoped that the heavy rain last night might lead to a fallout of sorts at Clear Spring Ranch for banding today. What wasn't forecast was the lightning and spotty showers that lasted most of the morning. It kept things dark and cool, and the birds active. I was still catching Wilson's at 11:30 when I had to leave. (plus Pikes Peak was deeply snow-covered this morning!)
This has become a Vireo month - after having a first at CSR last week, I had TWO Cassin's Vireos today (AD, Juv), and one Warbling Vireo. Along with the Red-eyeds and Plumbeous I had earlier, I've now banded more vireos in three weeks than in any previous TWO seasons before!
There was the expected arrival of warblers and sparrows at 745, with about a dozen Wilson's Warblers banded, continuous slower activity all morning, then another wave of warblers arrived about 945, with new Orange-crowneds (early in the season), Yellows (late), MacGillivray's (just right), and more Wilson's. I caught one small flock of Chipping Sparrows, and later 2 Brewer's Sparrows (Ad, Juv), and an Ad Clay-colored Sparrow. Also FOS was my earliest Ruby-crowned Kinglet (juv F) by a week over the previous earliest date. 54 birds banded today!
Have a good weekend,
Steve Brown
Colo Spgs
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