Local birds, JeffCo and Arapahoe

[David Suddjian]

It continues to be pretty sweet on the back deck this morning at Ken Caryl Valley, JeffCo. The bright morning sun clears the layer of passing rain clouds and lights up the trees like green fire. And in comes the tide of tanagers, orioles and grosbeaks to the feeders. This morning I estimated 20 Western Tanagers, and counted 5 Bullock's Orioles and 2 Black-headed Grosbeaks. It was glorious. The proportion of female tanagers has increased to near 50%. A Mountain White-crowned Sparrow was singing in the front yard, and looking very dapper. I mostly get the Gambel's form at Ken Caryl Valley, and have only had a small number of Mountain White-crownedds, although they are regular. But I see them later than the migrant Gambel's at Ken Caryl, like now, after May 20. 5 Evening Grosbeaks showed up in the tops of the backyard trees. This was my 7th May record for the yard in 8 springs there. A female Lazuli was also present.

Yesterday a  Tennessee Warbler was along Massey Draw in Ken Caryl Valley, along with a Hammond's Flycatcher.

Yesterday I saw a Rock Wren at the Littleton Cemetery, Arapahoe. Rock Wren is a rare spring migrant in this part of town. I like to bird in peace at the cemetery, and this was my 121st species for the hotspot (after 1197 checklists I've submitted there). 122 species have been reported for the hotspot. I'm missing Nor. Harrier (one report)...

David Suddjian

Ken Caryl Valley

Littleton CO

"Step into the daylight and let it go"