Rosy Park

[David Suddjian]

I ventured up to Park County today, where I encountered Rosy-Finches in a number of locations. The best viewing was at Jefferson, where a house with feeders regularly attracts a flock, often with 2-3 species. Early this morning there was a flock that had about 285 Gray-crowned Rosy-Finches, 30 Brown-capped Rosy-Finches, and 4 Black Rosy-Finches. At the time (8:15) they were on the south side of the garage with the name Schattinger and Sons on it, and later they moved to the feeders at the home behind the Jefferson Market. In the early afternoon the numbers were smaller, but they were busy at the feeders in the front of the home. I also encountered Rosy-Finches as follows: near Shawnee, at 4 places in the Indian Mountain area southeast of Jefferson (all 3 species), at Goshawk Road off Elkhorn Road south-southeast of Como (large flock here of about 1000 birds; there is a feeder at a house near the north end of Goshawk and they were flying around the fields, too), and a flock of about 300 wheeling over the northwest part of Fairplay.

I had a nice total of 7 Rough-legged Hawks for the day, all in the northern portion of South Park. Am. Three-toed Woodpeckers were near Shawnee, at Stagestop Road, and at two spots along County Road 62 (Guanella Pass Road). Gray Jays were here and there, mostly at or near homes with feeders, and Pine Grosbeaks were noted in small numbers in a few spots. A Nor. Goshawk was at Chippewa Road. A few Evening Grosbeaks were near Shawnee. Cassin's Finches and Red Crossbill (Types 2 and 5) were all sparse. A White-winged Junco was at Bailey.

David Suddjian

Littleton, CO