Boulder County nighthawks, swallows, bushtits

[JohnT]

Cobirds:

          Large concentrations of (migratory) common nighthawks were seen foraging in Louisville tonight; perhaps a hundred, maybe more.  Low pressure system is causing insects to drop, so the nighthawks follow them, which makes for interesting viewing as they glide and flap, up and down suburban streets.  Largest concentrations seem to be near Fireside Elementary School and Heritage Park.

           At Walden / Sawhills, there were large flocks of barn swallows, tree swallows, violet green swallows, and rough winged swallows - hundreds coming through on migration.  Many are still feeding young.

 

            Walden / Sawhills is nearly dried up, with many of the ponds completely dry, and others only at 1/4 capacity.  Nonetheless there are still good birds about, including:

Yellow warblers - feeding young

Warbling vireos - lots

Western wood peewees - lots

Eastern kingbirds - still feeding young

Great blue herons - I counted over 15 dispersed

American white pelican - 6

Killdeers - numbers increasing

American avocets - 9

Spotted sandpiper - 1

House wrens - lots of family groups with immatures

EASTERN PHOEBE - still at the Heatherwood Trail as of Tuesday this week, where a footbridge extends over an outlet

Belted kingfisher - 2

Swainson's hawks - 2

Red tailed hawks - 2

Mourning doves - 12

Red winged blackbirds - 11 - numbers rapidly decreasing

Song sparrow - 2

Common yellowthroat - 1 still singing

And others....

 

Another note:  In Gunbarrel on Spine Road near the General Electric corporate building - a group of 12 bushtits foraging in an isolated locust tree on a lawn.  A bit unusual. 

 

Wildflowers above 11,000 feet hit their peak about a week ago, but are still fairly good for viewing.  Some of the better trails for photography were the 4th of July Trail, the Heart Lake Trail, the Arapahoe Peak and Arapahoe Glacier Trail. 

 

Cheers,  John T (Tumasonins),  of Louisville CO