Larimer County migrants and breeders

[arvind panjabi]

A few migrants were passing over Horsetooth Mountain Park this morning including two northern harriers and a merlin that were kettling and traveling north. Also seen was a FOY vesper sparrow.

More interestingly, the red-breasted nuthatches that invaded here last winter now appear to be breeding. I have seen several of these nuthatches going in and out of cavity holes (mostly excavating) and singing from the treetops, including in my own backyard. Not in 20 years of living here have I ever seen red-breasted nuthatches nesting here in the lower foothills in the dry and open ponderosa pine forest, although I recall they do nest in these types of forests in the Black Hills.  

Of other news, red crossbills appear to have wrapped up breeding and have mostly moved on, although a few linger.  A nest I was monitoring fledged on March 25.  

Other recent arrivals include Broad-tailed Hummingbird and Says Phoebe.  Mountain Bluebirds have been coming through but unfortunately have nowhere to nest since the county took down the nest boxes in the park.

Hope everyone is able to enjoy the birds near their home these days.

Arvind Panjabi

5500’ on the north slope of Milner Mountain

Larimer Co.

Sent from Yahoo Mail for iPhone

[Jeff Kehoe]

Arvind,

I live in the lower Big Thompson Canyon just a few miles from you.  I haven't witnessed Red-breasted Nuthatchs nesting here, but they are a year round resident at my feeders.  White-breasted are also year round and Pygmys usually in the winter.  I saw a Pygmy going into a hole excavated by a Hairy Woodpecker recently.  I'll keep an eye on them.

Jeff