Goodies at Greenlee Preserve, Boulder County, May 9

[Ted Floyd]

The difference a day can make!

 

Yesterday morning, Monday, May 8, was dry and sunny, and I found a grand total of three (3) migrants at the Greenlee Preserve–Waneka Lake–Thomas Open Space–Hecla Lake ecological complex, eastern Boulder County: 2 Audubon warblers and 1 chipping sparrow.

 

Today, Tuesday, May 9, was cool and humid, and there were migrants aplenty, including 1 gray flycatcher, 1 northern waterthrush, 1 black-and-white warbler, and the first black-throated gray warbler I’ve ever seen at the site. Other land bird migrants: broad-tailed hummingbird, dusky flycatcher, blue-gray gnatcatcher, orange-crowned warbler, Audubon warbler, white-crowned sparrow, green-tailed towhee, and a Pheucticus grosbeak.

 

Also this morning, I saw a flock of recently fledged bushtits. Seems early, yes? Hecla had wood duck, American wigeon, redhead, and hooded merganser; also 5 snowy egrets scattered about the shoreline. Waneka has too much water, but 5 western grebes didn’t seem to object; also American white pelican and double-crested cormorant there. Greenlee has no water at all, alas.

 

Some other odds and ends this morning: osprey, Cooper hawk (pair), Swainson hawks and Say phoebes at nests; diverse swallows over Waneka; yellow warblers back on territory; and several singing spotted towhees.

 

It’s all on eBird of course:

 

ebird.org/ebird/view/checklist/S36686698

 

Finally, a prediction and an exhortation: With moist upslope conditions projected to continue—indeed to intensify—over the next 24 hours, I’m thinking the birding will be good across the whole metro region in the next couple days. Go eBirding!

 

Ted Floyd

Lafayette, Boulder County