The Fort Collins Christmas Bird COunt was held Dec. 19th. We had a great day with 93 participants despite the new Covid rules, which were followed. We got 100 species, which has only been done a couple times. Rarities included 5 Trumpeter swans, two Red-breasted Mergansers, a late Turkey Vulture, a Sora, five Eastern Bluebirds, a Vesper Sparrow, and a Lincoln's Sparrow. High counts were recorded for the swans, Wild Turkeys (increasing greatly along Front Range), Black-capped Chickadees aqnd Pygmy Nuthatches. Rough-legged (1) and Ferruginous (cw) Hawks, which is much lower than normal. Coots were low at 1 and Ring-necked Pheasants, a once common bird, was absent for at lleast the last 6 years. Colorado's wildfires likely helped counts of mountain birds, especially many more than normal being seen in Fort Collins, which is abnormal. It turned out to be a great count and I appreciate everyone's hard efforts.
Tom Hall
Fort Collins