S. El Paso Co. 12/08 (Rusty Blackbirds, Winter Wren, Harris's Sparrow)

[Brandon K. Percival]

Hi all, I spent quite a bit of time today at Clear Springs Ranch (Exit 123 off East of I-25).  Two of the Rusty Blackbirds put on a good show for several people, along Fountain Creek, just north of where the trail either goes north or south.  Another birder saw a Northern Mockingbird along the trail south of here.  Some other things that I saw in this area were a Marsh Wren, Hairy Woodpecker, Brown Creeper, Spotted Towhee, Wilson's Snipe, several American Pipits and Killdeer. At Fountain Creek Regional Park (Exit 132 off I-25), I went to the Gazebo Area, and saw the immature Harris's Sparrow, a Winter Wren, and the wacky dark duck that Dan Maynard reported the other day.  I have photos on my flickr site of the wacky duck.  I've never seen anything quite like this duck.  Another birder saw a Sora at Fountain Creek Regional Park today, and I read on the Bird Board at the Nature Center, that a Black-crowned Night-Heron was reported on December 4th, two more interesting birds to add to collection of odd things recently found at Fountain Creek Regional Park. I will have photos of the Rusty Blackbird, Harris's Sparrow, Winter Wren posted soon.  Brandon Percival Pueblo West, CO http://www.flickr.com/photos/brandonsbirdphotos/