red crossbills, Abert's squirrels Boulder

[R Carol Cushman]

Yesterday morning Scott Severs, Shelley Schlender, & I saw a flock of red crossbills and 4 Abert's squirrels near the picnic area at Betasso Open Space off of Sugarloaf Road, north of Boulder Canyon. One brilliant red male crossbill perched at the tip of a ponderosa pine while his mate sat in an adjacent tree. Also saw or heard all 3 nuthatch species. To see the tufted-eared squirrels, it's best to go fairly early morning on a Wednesday or Saturday when the trails are closed to bikes.
Carol Cushman
East Boulder County