Common Poorwill - Denver Botanic Gardens (Denver)

[Jared Del Rosso]

Yesterday, Rebecca Laroche reported seeing a male Common Poorwill in Denver Botanic Gardens (Denver Co.). The bird was on the western side of the Gardens, around the cactus gardens and grassland.

This is the third spring of the past four that a Common Poorwill has been spotted the Gardens. Last year, at least one poorwill was present from May 1 (a male) until at least May 29. Two were present on May 29, together in the slaty, conservation garden behind the lilac bushes. But a second may have been in the Gardens as early as May 12, when I flushed the same bird twice (from the same spot and headed out in the same direction within a short period of time) or two birds -- one after the other. And on May 27, I saw a single poorwill in Cheesman, but it was probably a female and, so, a second poorwill, as I didn't see the white-tipped tail of the male as it flushed.

Hopefully this poorwill hangs around long enough for the DFO trip to see it two Sundays from now!

- Jared Del Rosso

Centennial, CO

PS: eBird shows another Denver report of a Common Poorwill just west of Wash Park yesterday.

[Jared Del Rosso]

Rebecca Laroche reported two Common Poorwill at Denver Botanic Gardens (Denver Co) on May 6. A male was on the western side of the Gardens. An apparent second poorwill was near the Japanese Tea House. According to a Garden volunteer, the bird had been there on May 5 and 6.

- Jared Del Rosso
Centennial, CO