Scott's Oriole in Monte Vista

[mvjo...@gmail.com]

I received a report from Mary Thompson of a suspected Scott’s Oriole at her feeders in Monte Vista (Rio Grande County). Mary is known to have the very best of habitat and feeder varieties and draws an amazing array of colorful birds. Wife Lisa and I stopped by today and Mary provided photos of the first year male. We still are examining to see if there might not be two as the degree of blackness on the throat varies with some of the photos. This would be ONLY the second record for the San Luis Valley, since David Leatherman found one at John James Canyon during a CFO field trip years ago.

 

Mary is very amenable to folks stopping by on the county road and viewing the birds (please stay on the county road unless specifically invited closer). To get there, from Hwy 160 east of Monte Vista, Take the 1E road south, past the Colorado Parks and Wildlife. She is at the intersection of the 1E and the 1S road.

 

Lisa and I birded Home Lake this morning and saw Eastern Kingbird and many Western Tanagers there.

 

John Rawinski

Monte Vista, Colorado