Northern Parula, etc., Gregory Canyon (Boulder County)

[David Dowell]

This morning, I hiked the Saddle Rock-Greenman-Gregory Canyon loop in southwest Boulder.  There was a NORTHERN PARULA (appeared to be male; silent when I saw it) in the plum trees only several yards from the Gregory Canyon trailhead parking area.  Other recent arrivals near the trailhead include Gray Catbird, Yellow-Breasted Chat, and Yellow Warbler.  Virginia's Warblers, Orange-Crowned Warblers, Ruby-Crowned Kinglets, and Black-Headed Grosbeaks have been there for a week at least.  Far from the trailhead, I found a Dusky Grouse (reported recently by John Tumasonis), MacGillivray's Warblers, Hermit Thrushes, and Hammond's Flycatchers.

As usual, the trailhead was a busy place.  But with things greening up quickly and the sweet smell of plum blossoms, get up there and enjoy it!

David Dowell

Longmont, CO