Last Chance (Washington Co.) and Flagler SWA (Kit Carson Co.)

[David Dowell]

Hail covering the road near Byers early this morning provided evidence of the real weather overnight in eastern Colorado.  This weather encouraged quite a few migrants to take a break from their northward journey.  Last Chance had mostly usual suspects, but a soggy Townsend's Warbler in one of the trees northwest of the pond was the highlight.  Most of the warblers (Yellow-rumped and Orange-crowned) were on the opposite (northeast) side of the highway intersection.  The Orange-crowned Warblers were prominently displaying orange.

Flagler SWA had fallout conditions.  In my tally, Orange-crowned Warblers outnumbered Yellow-rumped Warblers by 190 to 170.  The Yellow Rumps were mostly Myrtles.  Among these many warblers were one Nashville Warbler and one Tennessee Warbler.

Many sparrows were also present.  I was particularly pleased to see 5 Field Sparrows, one of my favorite birds.  Spotted Towhees were numerous, and they were joined by a hybrid Eastern x Spotted Towhee.

Early birds included a Least Flycatcher, Bullock's Oriole, and Warbling Vireo.  The greatest variety of birds was in the concentration of large trees well south of the "lake", where there is some standing water and also the nearby long pond.  The main "lake" had quite a few ducks and shorebirds.  Your guess is as good as mine about how long these birds will remain.  Birds at Flagler SWA often come and go quickly.

Checking other reports, I see the list of warbler species reported around the state is May-like!

David Dowell

Longmont, CO