SE Colorado 6/4-5

[Mark Miller]

Hi Everyone,

 

I traversed a loop this weekend 6/4-5 of US-50/CO-109/US-160/US-287, stopping at Lamar Community College, Bent CR JJ, Fort Lyon, Las Animas CR 76.8, Comanche NG, and Picture Canyon. Northbound migration seems to be about over, so a Least Flycatcher at the LCC Woods was interesting. It sang a few times, but was not especially active. CR JJ was great for blooming Opuntia cactus, splashes of yellow and purple for miles. A Baltimore Oriole was in the little grove of trees near JJ and 20. Where John Martin comes right up to the road, A Clark’s Grebe was with four Westerns but acted like it didn’t want to associate with them. My Fort Lyon visit went from 10:30pm to 11:15pm 6/4, and in that time, I heard a Black Rail (called persistently the entire time), a Virginia Rail, a Barn Owl, a Northern Mockingbird, a Curve-billed Thrasher, and a Yellow-breasted Chat (in full-throated song, a great experience any time). CR 76.8 was relatively quiet, and with some work, I located one singing Gray Vireo. A Bobcat wandered through the junipers, followed by several Western Scrub-Jays. One Pinyon Jay went over later. Comanche NG was lush and green, and Cassin’s Sparrows were singing in numbers. I saw a couple of Chihuahuan Raven nests on utility poles. Picture Canyon was lovely, and although a male Painted Bunting was seen, I missed it. I was happy to see a Greater Roadrunner cross the access road half a mile north of the picnic area. I was surprised to see another Greater Roadrunner just off Main Street at the south end of urban Lamar, running through the parking lot at the Taco John’s and past the Baptist church next door, which created much upsetment among the grackles. I thought about lizard tacos, and decided to have the ground beef instead.

 

Mark Miller

Longmont, CO