Gray Vireo in Bent County

[Duane Nelson]

Birders,

I have been looking for Gray Vireos in Bent County for decades. I
finally found a male singing on territory today. It was just south of
Road J, 2.6 miles west of the south entrance to Setchfield SWA. If
approaching from the east on Road J, ascend the switchback (!) to the
mesa top, drive east through an unforested area, cross a red cattle
guard, and start descending on the road. Look for low cliff bands on
both sides of the road, dense juniper growth, and abundant deciduous
shrub growth below the junipers. I was unable to photograph the bird due
to private property issues.

I have tried to sort through the micro-habitat needs of this species in
Southeast Colorado, and have come up with some variables. At most sites
I've seen them in Las Animas and Otero Counties, they have favored
north-facing hillsides, where trees are taller and closer together.
Almost every site has had rock outcrops within view of where the birds
are seen. Finally, an understory of deciduous shrubs seems to be
essential. The juniper forests I've surveyed elsewhere in Bent County
miss one, two, or three of these variables. The site where I found the
Gray Vireo today had all three.

Duane Nelson

Las Animas, Bent County, CO