Bluebirds and phoebes - Douglas

[Hugh Kingery]

Urling & I just came back from a rewarding trip to the Franktown post office -- and Walker & McClain gravel ponds.

In the Walker Pit area, we counted 26 Western Bluebirds;  8 Mountain Bluebirds perched and fed on an island in the pond. Most amazing: a dozen Say's Phoebes feeding over the water like swallows. We watched for 25 minutes as they flew back and forth -- and we didn't see them stop on shore to rest.

The pond itself had a modest assortment of ducks, but also one Franklin's Gull.

Along Willow Lake Drive we counted 2 Western and 2 Mountain bluebirds, 2 phoebes sallying over the pond like swallows, and 37 robins.

Maybe the bluebirds will snap back from their scarcity in March and early April. We feel encouraged to see today's groups.

Hugh Kingery