Banding, CSR, El Paso Co, Sunday

[Steve Brown]

Hi COBirders,

I had to go see what was happening at Clear Spring Ranch after the storm Saturday. It was different. Only 1-2” of snow were left in most areas, and it was wet, but not so much on the nets, as fine flakes fell all morning, without dampening the nets, at least until about 10:00.

Migrants were sparse. Almost all of the birds caught today (16) were ones that are probably to be local breeders. The exception were two previously banded Lincoln’s Sparrows, still hanging around. Mostly it was very quiet.

Only new birds banded were 2 Chipping Sparrows, a chat, a catbird, a male Yellowthroat, a house wren, and a male Yellow Warbler.

The heavy snow did damage here, too. Many large cottonwood branches were strewn around the site, and several 10” trees snapped off about 5’ above the ground. In addition, the normal 4-7’ high dense brush (currant, chokecherry, willows) was flattened to about 2’ depth! Things looked very exposed! Some of the willows were starting to recover by the time I left, but not many of the bushes, yet.

So I’ll see what happens Monday. Despite all of the weather weirdness, wind and drought, today I caught bird #1050 for the season, making this my second busiest spring in ten years at CSR. 450 Chipping Sparrows have surely helped!

Happy Migration,
Steve Brown
Colo Spgs

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