Bear Creek, Boulder CO

[John Tumasonis]

All:

         A hike up Bear Creek and into Bear Creek Canyon,  Boulder Colorado.   Start from Bear Mountain Drive up Bear Canyon Trail and back down again.  Here's what I observed:

Turkey Vulture:  4 soaring

Golden Eagle - 2 - being pummeled by a raven

Red Tailed Hawk - 1

Wild Turkey - 1, calls

Mourning Dove - a few

White Throated Swift - a few, flying, calls

Broad Tailed Hummingbird - lots - all males, some doing display flights.

Downy Woodpecker - 1

Northern Flicker - a couple

Blue Jay - a few

Steller's Jay - a few

Black Billed Magpie - about a dozen

Common Raven - attacking golden eagles

Violet Green Swallow - flying, calls

Black Capped Chickadee - a few

White Breasted Nuthatch - only one

Red Breasted Nuthatch - a few, calls

House Wren - numerous - songs, chases

Blue Gray Gnatcatcher - only one

Yellow Warbler - 1

Orange Crowned Warbler - 1

Audubon's Warbler - several, singing

Myrtle Warbler - several near the parking area

Virginia's Warbler - one singing and foraging

MacGillivray's Warbler - only one

Yellow Breasted Chat - only one, but good looks

Western Tanager - one male, down low near parking area

Spotted Towhee - numerous, all males

Lazuli Bunting - about 6 males - songs, chases, good looks

Common Grackle - numerous down low near parking area

Brown Headed Cowbird - a few

House Finch - numerous down low

American Goldfinch - a few

And:

Mule Deer - 6

Pine Squirrel - 1

And:  

Wildflowers in bloom:  Wild Iris, Biscuitroot, Desert Parsley, Meadow Salsify, Oregon Grape, Sand Lily, Golden Currant, Dandelion,  Death Camas, Golden Banner, Cranesbill, Mustard ssp,   (note:  foothills have dozens of pasqueflowers and thousands of spring beauties blooming in ponderosa woodlands now);   

Wild plum blooms are late - they signal the arrival of chats, grosbeaks, catbirds, and warblers.  

Note:  if going to explore this riparian area it is suggested you go on a weekday, early morning.  The crowds on Saturdays and Sundays make birding and wildlife viewing problematic.  

Best,   

John T (Tumasonis),  Broomfield CO  

[Daniel H. Hurt]

John,

   Good observations John. I had a Western Tanager come to my feeder this morning. Beautiful male. First one I have ever seen. I am new to Colorado (6 years near Ft Collins). As a child I would often see the Scarlet Tanager in Tennessee, but not anymore. Thanks for sharing,  Daniel

[Reed Glenn]

An oriole just arrived at my hummingbird feeder. There has been a lazuli bunting at my other feeder the last two days.

Sent from my iPhone

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