Phoebes, Boulder, and wildlife closure areas

[JohnT]

All:

            With all the hoopla about the 3 species of phoebes now at the 75th St Bridge at 75th and Boulder Creek, many birders are coming to see the show.  Note:  Several birders are ignoring the Conservation Habitat signs for Lower Boulder Creek.  If you cross 75th going east, on either side to the creek (north or south) you are subject to fines.   Don't be tempted to do this.  The area is off limits, except for research permit holders. And rangers and researches do patrol this area.  Avoid the temptation, and lets not give the birding community a "black-eye." 

             That said:  All three phoebe species are easily seen on the West Side of the bridge (the legal side) near the parking area.  The black phoebe has been actively calling and feeding all weekend in this area.  On Saturday the eastern phoebe was seen collecting nesting materials, and trying to carry them up under the street bridge, but was frightened off several times by people standing under the bridge.  A say's phoebe can be seen further west along the Heatherwood Trail near the footbridge by the water treatment plant.   There is also a dipper singing and foraging under the 75th street bridge. 

Other notes:

Western and Mountain bluebirds are in Boulder Mt Park.  Check the NCAR parking lot area up Table Mesa Drive.

Bushtits seen along the Mesa Trail near NCAR

Turkey vultures have arrived in numbers throughout Boulder County

Common grackles and mourning doves have returned to Boulder, Lafayette, and Louisville

Male towhee numbers are increasing as well as songs - Boulder and Louisville

Wild Turkeys seen along the Mesa Trail near Shannahan Ridge

Great Horned owls are on nest is several locations in Boulder County as well as Bald Eagles and Red Tailed Hawks (prolific). 

Blooms and events:

Wild plum just started:  when wild plum is in full bloom along the foothills, watch for returning warblers such as orange-crowned, yellow, Audubon's, McGillvray's. and Virginia's

Yellow violet - a signal that prairie falcons are on nests

Oregon Grape - towhees are singing vigorously

Sand Lilly's - sandhill cranes are migrating

Dandelions - robins singing and returning

You get the picture.

Also:  bladderpod, goldenbanner, spring beauties, bastard toadflax (not to be confused with toadflax), Wyeth bisquitroot, desert parsley, buttercup ssp., and others

Animals seen \ Boulder County:

Fox squirrel, aberts squirrel, chickaree, mule deer, red fox, black tailed prairie dog. 

Up higher in RMNP Larimer County side:

Signs:  Moose, Elk, Mule Deer, Coyote, Red Fox, Pocket Gopher, Vole ssp;  Jumping mice ssp;  -  bird life quiet but did note mountain bluebirds in good numbers. 

Everything is connected.  Including that ticket the ranger just gave you.   ;)   

Happy birding,

John T (Tumasonis) of Louisville CO