Baltimore Oriole, Elbert Co and a few birds from El Paso Co

[David Suddjian]

Today an adult male Baltimore Oriole was along West Kiowa Creek near CR 112 in Elbert County, a short way north of the town of Elbert. The eBird database does not show any other records for Baltimore Oriole in Elbert, so perhaps this was a county first. It was surprising to be only first, but Elbert is underbirded. A Rose-breasted Grosbeak was also in the area.

I surveyed the Elbert BBS route, which is 2/3 in the Black Forest area of El Paso and 1/3 in Elbert. A Williamson's Sapsucker along Black Squirrel Road was notable for the Black Forest. Also of interest there was a Lewis's Woodpecker at Wildridge Road, and pairs of Evening Grosbeaks at three places in the Black Forest. All these birds were in El Paso. Type 2 Red Crossbills were at several stops.

David Suddjian

Littleton, CO