Birders,
Stan Oswald and I did a brief loop hike of Withers Canyon in the
Comanche National Grasslands today. We saw very few birds, but, as usual
for this habitat of juniper woodlands and rocky canyonlands, the birds
were interesting.
Descending Withers Canyon, we were in the presence of many American
Robins and wintering Mountain Bluebirds. As we reached the canyon floor,
we heard, then saw, a Bewick's Wren. Before we reached the Purgatoire
River (Picketwire Canyon), we found a male Eastern Bluebird consorting
with the more numerous Mountain Bluebirds.
There is a sign at the junction with Picketwire Canyon indicating that
it is 0.9 miles back to the trailhead. I'd had Black-throated Sparrows
here last June, and knew we were in their obligate habitat. We soon
found a flock of Black-throated Sparrows in greasewood shrubs very near
the abandoned homestead upstream from the trail sign. We had three in
sight at the same time, and there were probably more. Nearly as
interesting were multiple Sage Thrashers in the same habitat. This
appears to be a year for the ages for wintering Sage Thrashers in this
part of the state, extending at least as far as the Black Mesa area in
Oklahoma. Some other canyon country birds were seen, some missed, before
we climbed up steep slopes and cliff breaks as we returned to my car.
Duane Nelson
Las Animas, Bent County, CO
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