Boulder County - Pinyon Jays / Three Toed Woodpecker

[John Tumasonis]

All:

          Some sightings around Boulder County:

Three Toed Woodpecker - Enchanted Mesa,  Boulder Mountain Park. (1-30-24) I got good photos.  This bird was shredding a ponderosa pine tree trunk along the Enchanted Mesa Trail.  Nothing too unusual - but I normally see this species up much higher, like 8,000 feet or higher.   A few flaps of the wings and it would have been down in suburban Boulder.  

Pinyon Jays - Rabbit Mountain, Boulder County Open Space. (1-31-24)  About 12 seen down low along the dirt road going up towards the Eagle Wind Trail.  Foraging and calling, foraging in isolated ponderosa pines.  Again, nothing too unusual, as I see groups in periodically along the front range, but this was low elevation, and in poor foraging habitat.  (note:  the hunting cull for elk has ceased for the year, so you can now hike up there 7 days a week.  Check the Boulder County Open Space web site if unsure).  

Broomfield has had the usual stuff hitting the bird feeders, but a lot of waterfowl have left due to the ponds and lakes being frozen over.  One red breasted nuthatch seen.  Lots of mourning doves and e. collared doves and red winged blackbirds.  Foxes, raccoons, fox squirrels, and cottontails in my backyard.  

Cheers, 

John T (Tumasonis), Broomfield CO