Yesterday at Fort Collins City Park I was checking Sheldon Lake from the boardwalk when a small falcon flew past carrying prey. I tracked this bird down in an elm northeast of the lake and discovered a very dark Merlin eating what I think was a mostly headless European Starling (blackish bird with speckles and long pink legs with giant pink feet). As with accipiters, apparently the sweetbreads get consumed first.
I am thinking this is a dark (Pacific) subspecies, which I've only seen a couple times in Colorado. Any comments on whether it is a Pacific vs. Taiga welcome. I definitely don't think this individual is our typical Prairie subspecies.
The storm seems to have pushed a good number of Cassin's Finches into the City Park/Grandview Cemetery area. The Spotted Towhee (two of them) that have wintered in the block of neighborhood east of the cemetery are singing off and on. Big infusion of robins of late. Tree damage has been significant but the moisture will soon create 6-foot-tall daffodils I suspect.
As an aside, I was told my presentation given recently to Fort Collins Audubon Society about the cemetery was recorded and put on YouTube. For anyone interested who was unable to attend live, go to the FCAS website for access details.
Dave Leatherman
Fort Collins
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