Golden-crowned Sparrow, CSR, El Paso Co., Wed

[Steven Brown]

Hey COBirders,

It has been pretty slow banding at Clear Spring Ranch the last several days, averaging about 15 birds per morning. Today I was expecting much either, as the foggy days didn’t deliver much in migration, and the clear nights have been times for flyovers.

But today saw a departure of almost everything I had been seeing (read - Chipping Sparrows), and the unexpected arrival of several new birds at dawn. Among them several Gambel’s and Mountain White-crowned Sparrows (a usual October regular as they winter here), but with them a hatch-year Golden-crowned Sparrow - my first banded, and only my third in Colorado. Photo below.

Also First-of-Season of Yellow-rumped Warbler (Audubon's - HY F), and Hermit Thrush (HY). A few Orange-crowned Warblers continue to filter in, usually later in the mornings, but not big numbers. Also surprising today - a HY M Wilson’s Warbler, recap that I banded September 21! Still hanging around - but not seen in the time in between.

Not banded - but fun to watch - a long, giant flock of over 300 Canada Geese descended to meet another 100 on the ground in the cut hayfields, and around 700 swirling Red-winged Blackbirds - in the air, in clouds, or blanketing the power lines for 100m! And… no mosquitos finally!

Numbers so far - 2050 birds netted for the season so far, 1150 of them Chipping Sparrows (of which about 450 were banded), 250 Wilson’s Warblers for the season, and yesterday a REAL LATE  - AD F  Black-headed Grosbeak. I’d only previously caught one outside of August - and that on September 7, so a month later than my previous late record!

I am still missing kinglets, only one so far, not many Orange-crowned Warblers, as mentioned, only two thrushes, one today,  and today being the first multiples of White-crowned Sparrows - some Octobers I’ve banded 150.

Every year is different. 

Plans are to continue until weather shuts me down, or Halloween, whichever comes first.

Happy Migration

Steve Brown

Colo Spgs