Aguilar Warblers

[Archer Silverman]

Hey all,

Jason Zolle, Isaac Boardman, and I had a great morning of birding around Aguilar today. I hope this email can provide a summary of the sightings along with strategies for birding the town.

The best area is a stretch of the Borrego Ditch, from here (37.398142, -104.656763) on San Luis Ave to here (37.396419, -104.657742) on S San Antonio Ave (See first linked habitat picture). This has had at least two American Redstarts, at least one Northern Parula, Hooded Warbler, Kentucky Warbler, and Worm-eating Warbler. The Kentucky was not seen again today. The Worm-eating Warbler was extremely cooperative, hanging around the first set of coordinates and our group saw it on at least five separate occasions. The Hooded showed well for multiple observers today.

Another productive area is another section of the ditch here (37.400045, -104.652817), on South Ave between East St and Santa Rita St. This area had a Blackburnian Warbler yesterday and Northern Parula(s) both days, and a Yellow-throated Warbler today. It also had the best views of the large Leiothlypis (Orange-crowned and Virginia's Warblers) flock. One quick note about the Orange-crowns: of the thirteen our group had today, almost all appeared to be confirmable as the Pacific subspecies, L. c. lutescens.

There is another creek that runs through the north side of town (37.402799, -104.656279). Although it is currently dry, it provided a Tennessee Warbler yesterday and today. 

One other area that seems to be productive is here (37.401461, -104.650146), along 1st St. Luke and Pablo had Northern Waterthrush and Nashville Warbler here on 05/01.

Here's our list from today: https://ebird.org/checklist/S332180565

Happy birding!

-Archer Silverman

Denver

[Jake Shorty]

Wow, this is an awesome list. And great photos Isaac!

[Ted Floyd]

On Mon, May 4, 2026 at 9:00 AM Jake Shorty <jakes...@gmail.com> wrote:

Wow, this is an awesome list. And great photos Isaac!

100% agree with Jake's assessment of the list and photos.

But I might clarify that this is an awesome *eBird checklist*, regardless of the awesomeness of the birds on the list. Superb comments, superb photos, superb context, superb everything. My guess is, the eBird reviewer for Las Animas County will very quickly verify all the exceptional sightings—because the eBirders (Archer S., Isaac B., Jason Z.) have helpfully, competently, and excellently done all the reviewer's work already! :-)

As opposed to, sad to say, the proliferation of Colorado eBird checklists with "evidence" (not) like:

"Photos"

"Male"

"Continuing"

"In a tree"

"Seen well"

"We have these on our property"

"I know this species well"

It is impossible for an eBird reviewer to accept a record with such "support" (not). Yes, of course, a hardworking eBird reviewer can reach out to the observer and ask to have the photos uploaded; or ask how you knew it was a male (or why that is even relevant); or who found the continuing bird (and how long it's been there); and what species of tree (which could, in certain instances, be relevant); or how far you were from the bird seen well (and how long you saw it for); and...well, as to "We have those" and "I know this," yeah no.

But that's not fair to the eBird reviewer at all, plus it slows down the eBird review process terribly. So, please, please, please: Let's all be like Archer & Isaac & Jason, and upload checklists like this one. You'll get your eBird records verified much more quickly! And, more important, you'll contribute to the quality and value of the eBird database.

Ted Floyd
Lafayette, Boulder Co.