Another Mexican Whip-poor-will: Las Animas Co.

[Christian Nunes]

I found another singing Mexican Whip-poor-will while camping on an access-limited property south of Trinidad last night (read: no access, not chase-able). This was exactly 24 hrs after listening to the singing bird along Oak Creek Grade in Fremont County. I was settling into my sleeping bag when the thing started singing next to my car. I am still in the wilds so it will be a few days until my sound recordings are uploaded to eBird. One track includes a singing Saw-whet that was only a few meters away from me, almost duetting with the Whip. Pretty amazing.

Is this a trend unique to this year (drought causing dispersal?), or are they always here in low densities? This one, like the Fremont Co. bird, sang from about 8:20-8:45, then went quiet. The habitat “looked” perfect, so I have to wonder if they are regular in the oak woodlands throughout the southern counties. I’m setting up camp in another spot tonight hoping for round three!

Christian Nunes
Boulder