Black Forest CBC (El Paso, Elbert, & Douglas

[Hugh Kingery]

We enjoyed a pleasant day yesterday on the Black Forest CBC. The temperature cooperated, and we even ate lunch outdoors at Davis Ammons' ranch. We got  most excited by seeing the first Rough-legged Hawks in 3-4 years. We saw 3 of them, 2 Bald Eagles, one each Golden Eagle, Red-tail, and Ferruginous. Quite a lot of Horned Larks poplulated the roads, but no longspurs.

We saw one mystery flock of 100 or so birds. Small, sparrow/finch shaped. We watched them on a brushy hillside as they leap-frogged over each other for 2-3 minutes. Far away, in poor light, we couldn't see them well. Then the whole flock flew in a tight formation we-know-not-where. I had the impression of rosy-finches, based on shape, call note, and behavior. Urling disagrees, so I'm not sure what to report. Suggestions welcome.

Hugh Kingery

PS: Urling & I will work on responding to Nick Komar's challenge to name the 10 best birds of 2021.