Indigo Bunting - Westlands Park (Arapahoe)

[Jared Del Rosso]

I made a short visit to Westlands Park in Greenwood Village (Arapahoe) early this morning (11/9) to pursue a Greater White-fronted Goose that another birder found there yesterday. Geese came and went. Lots of Cackling, but I didn't get the White-fronted. On a lark, I took a short walk up the unimpressive trail leading past some pines and a little grassy brush that separates the park from a private residence. In that grass was a juvenile Indigo Bunting, chipping incessantly and picking seeds. This is my first Indigo in Arapahoe Co. and the state. This bird was on my "wish list" for my local birding circle. I'd picked out a few open, brushy fields along the High Line Canal as places where I might see it. I never figured it'd be at Westlands, which is as plain a park as there is in the area.  

(Thanks to Steve Mlodinow & Tony Leukering for confirming this bird.)

- Jared Del Rosso

Centennial, CO