Mourning Warbler at Van's Grove, Bent County

[Duane Nelson]

Birders,

I was delighted to relocate the male Magnolia Warbler at Van's Grove for
a second consecutive day today. I helped two people see it, this morning
and afternoon. This afternoon, I found an adult female Mourning Warbler
skulking in the thick sapling cottonwoods on the west side of the grove.
Photos were taken of both birds, but not by me. This afternoon, there
was also a Gray-cheeked Thrush in the grove. Funny thing, this
unimpressive, dry woodland has produced great birds time after time this
spring when other local "traps" have not.

I keep thinking that spring migration should be about over, but almost
every day holds a new, and sometimes remarkable new surprise. In my
opinion, this has been a warbler year of epic proportions in SE
Colorado. The Mourning Warbler was my 30th warbler species of the year,
and 29 of those have been in Bent, Prowers and Baca Counties. I have had
multiples of many of the rarer eastern species, including a female
Tennessee Warbler that made it onto my yard list while putting in a
brief visit to my bird bath this morning. Don't head for the hills just yet.

Duane Nelson
Las Animas, Bent County, CO