Lamar of late (Prowers)

[DAVID A LEATHERMAN]

Migration is slowly unfolding in the area I call "Lamar", which extends 6-7 miles in all directions from the downtown movie theater. Currently downtown is being engulfed by highway construction. Will there be a viable downtown business when it's done?

Highlights:

Lamar Community College Woods
*Northern Cardinal (only one male heard in Russian-olive thicket east of south end of road behind LCC)
*Not much else except expected migrants like Orange-crowned Warblers, Western Kingbirds. The woods, like everything else down here, is very dry.

Willow Creek Subdivision
*Black-chinned Hummingbird
*Northern Cardinal female
*White-winged Doves
*Red-breasted Nuthatches

Fairmount Cemetery
*Red Crossbills (about 15, most sound like 2s, a few sound like 4s)
*Golden-crowned Kinglet
*Black-and-white Warbler (1 male on 4/25 on the move traveling se to nw)
*Red-bellied Woodpecker (clearly heard, could never see)
*lots of Chipping Sparrows, some Lark Sparrows

North Gateway Park (east of Holiday Inn Express at north end of town s of Arkansas River)
*Tundra Swan first found weeks ago by Claudia Gill continues. It is usually in east most pond or hay field east of that.
*Shorebirds usually on small spit on west side of middle pond. Of late this has been Western , Semipalmated, Least and Baird's Sandpipers.
*Red-breasted Merganser female has been on western fishing pond for weeks but I did not see it yesterday.

So far, 101 species in "Lamar". since 4/22

(Highlights of trip to Two Buttes below the dam on cold, windy 4/23 (Baca) were Ash-throated Flycatcher and 30+ Orange-crowned Warblers). Touring the 70,000 acre fire area from Walsh e to Kansas line was the lowlight. This area needs rain in the worst way.)

Dave Leatherman
Fort Collins


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