Townsend's Warbler

[cou...@gojade.org]

We had a total of 15 birders participate in our Alamosa bird trip. The day started out sunny and not too breezy. Immediately, at the Alamosa Cemetery, we found the bird of the day...A male Townsend’s Warbler (Alamosa County), amongst an Orange-crowned and a Yellow-rumped Warbler.  Townsend’s Warbler is fairly common during fall migration but very unusual in spring with only a handful of springtime observations for the Valley.  Ruby-cr Kinglets and their nervous actions gave us a challenge. Downy Woodpecker and White-breasted Nuthatch were also nice finds.  South River Road was exciting as well. Lesser Yellowlegs, American Avocets, Blue-winged Teal, Redheads, Swainson’s Hawk, Western Kingbird, and Great Horned Owls were highlites. A dead bobcat carcass in a tree raised some curiosity as well! How did it get there???

 

But then the winds came. We birded Blanca Vista Wetlands (Alamosa Ranch) and saw Ring-billed Gulls and Western Grebe. In all, 53 species of birds were recorded for the half day event.  Very good morning.

 

John Rawinski

Monte Vista, CO