Crow Valley, Weld County

[Ken & Christie Pals]

COBirders,

I have not seen a late posting for today for the Crow Valley Campground in Weld County so will provide a summary.  I did not see all of the birds reported by Mark Minner-Lee nor all the birds seen by 30 or more people birding at the campground today.

It was cloudy most of the morning with little sun, a very brief drizzle of rain, a gentle breeze and at times it was downright chilly.  Later in the day the sun poked between the clouds and warmth returned.  The water in Crow Creek continued to rise all day and no one bothered to cross the creek.

In all I saw 55 species at the campground today.

Best birds:

Ducks: Mallard, Blue-winged Teal & Northern Shoveler

Hawks: Broad-winged 1

Sandpiper: Spotted 2

Sora (heard only, could have been a N. Mockingibird but sounded perfect for Sora NW corner of campground across creek, the sound came from deep in the willows.

Warblers: Yellow-rumped 49, Yellow 28, Common Yellowthroat 12+, Blackpoll 3, Northern Waterthrush 3+, MacGillivray's 4, Ovenbird 1, Wilson's 1, Orange-crowned 5+, Townsend's 1, Black-and-white 2, & other birders saw a Pine Warbler.

Flycatchers: Dusky 2, Gray 1, Empid. sp 2, Western 13 & E Kingbirds 1, Say's Phoebe

Mimics: Northern Mockingbird 1, Brown Thrasher 9, Gray Catbird 6+; it was fun listening to the mockingbird and the Brown Thrasher seemingly trying to out dual each other in song.

Thrushes: Swainson's 92+, Hermit 2, Gray-cheeked 1 possibly 2, Veery 1

Kinglet: Ruby-crowned

Gnatcatcher: Blue-gray 6

Grosbeak: Rose-breasted 2 males

Sparrows: Spotted Towhee 10, Green-tailed Towhee 8, Lark Bunting 3, Lincoln's Sparrow 34, Chipping 145, Clay-colored 4, White-throated 1, White-crowned 19, Lark 4

Orioles: Bullock's 2, seems like some others saw an Orchard.

It was a great birding day with an 81 year old friend who is birding for the first year in his life.  It is never too late to start.

Happy birding,

Ken Pals

Fort Collins