I hesitate to report this sighting from Boulder County

[Pam Piombino]

But, today I was driving just south of McCall Lake on N. 63rd Street when a bird flew over my car.  My first reaction was that it was a falcon, but then I had a clear view of white wing bars and a finely barred breast.  

I know it is early, but it had to be a Common Nighthawk.  I referred back to my Harold Holt bar graphs, and his data indicates that they can be present in small numbers from the beginning of May.  

I usually don't see or hear them until much later in migration.

Best. Pam Piombino

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[M T]

No reason to hesitate. As a wildlife rehabilitator in northern Colorado, I have taken several calls about Common nighthawks/poorwills over the last couple weeks from citizens finding "small baby owls" on the ground first thing in the morning. While there are many young Great horned owls out there, several calls with associated pictures have confirmed that they were indeed our insectivorous friends in torpor making their way back for the summer.

Michael Tincher

Loveland/Fort Collins, CO

[Kathy M]

There is truly an issue as the rehabber I volunteer for in Colo. Sprgs is getting calls on Poorwills. She has taken in 5 so far, one didn't survive, and one has feather damage, the one brought today is cold and thin, and one "baby owl" (Poorwill) found 3 days ago in a warehouse not yet captured/removed to the outdoors.

Perhaps our cold temps lately,  no/low miller moths in the air are affecting their migration? Certainly tragic, be on the lookout.

Kathy Miller

CS, CO