northeast Colorado Oct 18 and 19

[David Dowell]

Fall color, beautiful weather, and some interesting birds made for a fun weekend on the northeast plains.

Most noteworthy perhaps is the ongoing irruption of Cassin's Finches.  Since Brandon Percival's sighting in Bent County in early October, these finches have been seen in several other plains counties.  Yesterday, I found at least 3 Cassin's Finches at Crow Valley Campground (Weld Co.), and I found another today at Sandy Bluffs State Trust Land (Yuma Co.).  Dave Leatherman has recently provided some historical perspective on wanderers from the mountains into the eastern plains, and I would be curious to know more about Cassin's Finches.  This might be the year to try to add Cassin's Finch to your Kansas or Oklahoma list!

Birds were flocking together this weekend; it was all or nothing in the places I visited.  Juncos are now widespread.  Brown Creepers are here and there.  Crow Valley (Weld) had 3 zonotrichia types yesterday:  Harris's, White-throated, and White-crowned Sparrows.  These were joined by early American Tree Sparrows and a late Hermit Thrush.  As has been reported recently, most of the birds were north of the campground.

Today at Sandy Bluffs STL (Yuma), other birds of note included a Yellow-bellied Sapsucker, Red-bellied Woodpecker, Eastern Bluebirds, and Swamp Sparrow.

The hackberry and conifer thing seemed to be working today at Holyoke City Park (Phillips Co.).  The most interesting birds were a Black-throated Green Warbler, a late Cassin's Vireo, and a Golden-crowned Kinglet.

I kept an eye out for early Rough-legged Hawks but didn't see any along my route.  What I did see was many more Northern Harriers and Western Meadowlarks than I had seen during other recent outings.

David Dowell

Longmont, CO

[David Dowell]

Upon further review, I think the vireo in the yard across the street from Holyoke City Park (Phillips County) yesterday (Oct 19) was a juvenile White-eyed Vireo.  My apologies for the erroneous initial report.

David Dowell

Longmont, CO