misc. north Boulder County

[Linda Andes-Georges]

Hi folks,

As I sat parked at a light on Sunset & Boston in Longmont yesterday, I saw an osprey rise up from the nearby St Vrain with a monster fish. The pair flew (or rather the bird did) toward the fairgounds nest, where I bet some webcam-watchers saw the fish used for supper on that nest. I know of four active osprey nests within about 10 miles of us; a bird sitting on nest on all of them. So ospreys are probably doing better here than in pre-settler days.

Tree swallows, barn swallows, house wrens, Wilson's snipe are all active this morning in the area. Our Say's have built a nest which, as usual, the house sparrows are trying to destroy. I am active in the war (happens every year; this year I'm using a high-powered water nozzle to discourage those little Brit raiders). The phoebes usually manage to raise a brood, with 3 or 4 fledging successfully. This will be year 8.

Pair of W. bluebirds yesterday at Heil Ranch, lookin' for a home.

I saw my first Swainsons' on April 7th & the second at nearly the same place (Diagonal Hwy near 55th St) on the 20th. I hope there is a nest there.

Local barn owls have been active since early March! And the GH owls have been active all winter,

I'm loving it.