While scouting my Breeding Bird Survey (BBS) near Rangely (Angora route, Rio Blanco Co., CO) on Wednesday (23 Jun.’21), we came across a territorial pair of CASSIN’S KINGBIRDs out in a juniper burn area south of HW 64 on CR 122. These guys were very vocal, displaying courtship and territorial behavior, and even having kingbird sex right out in the open – very progressive for this part of the World. Cassin’s Kingbirds are very unusual in Northwestern Colorado, and should be repeatable, so if you happen to be in the area and would like a more specific location, please let me know separately. I’ll be running the actual BBS this coming Wednesday, so hoping I’m right and they have set up shop.
On the BBS thread, I ran the Yellowjacket Pass route (Rio Blanco & Moffat Co.) Thursday (24 Jun.’21), and while this is my first year on this route so don’t have the direct comparative stats like David’s great summary for Guanella, I used to live and bird in the area and can make some anecdotal observations. Generally the route was pretty busy with breeders and breeding activity with seemingly good numbers of both species and individuals. Missed a few and added a few species relative to the official list, but nothing too out of the ordinary for the area. Again, all seemed normal and a lot of fun to be back in the old stomping grounds.
Good Birding,
Doug
Denver
PS – Interestingly with the Cassin’s, this is the second time I’ve come across them in an old juniper burn area on the West Slope; the other being down in Mesa Verde a couple of years ago. With all the fires in pinyon/juniper over there in recent years, wondering if we’re seeing an increase in habitat, and thereby range, for this species? Keep your eyes open.
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