Banding Report, CSR, El Paso CO, Friday

[Steven Brown]

Hey COBirders,

Dang. I missed the massive fly-by yesterday, as Clear Spring Ranch banding was blown out early - high wind warning from 6am to 10pm. So I was pretty jealous seeing the Chico Basin report of the huge arrival, only 15 miles away! Sigh.

Today I went very early, before the wind was supposed to re-start, and was opening nets before 6am. By 615 I had 15 birds, then it slowed down. About 845 there was a series of strong gusts in the S wind, and a large arrival of warblers with the wind! The influx of small birds continued until about 10, by which time both the wind, and the bird activity had died down.

70 birds today, with 2 recaps from earlier this week, and 3 returns from previous years. Highlights included:

1 Turkey netted, but not banded. Ugghh. Only tore two huge holes in the net.
2 Black-chinned Hummingbirds (F) netted, but not banded
1 House Wren
3 Hermit Thrush
4 Gray Catbirds (1 return)
2 YB Chats (1 return)
17 Chipping Sparrows
1 Lark Sparrow
7 Lincoln’s Sparrows
1 FOS Green-tailed Towhee
3 FOS MacGillivray’s Warblers
1 Orange-crowned Warbler
7 Com Yellowthroats (1 return)
9 Yellow Warblers
7 Wilson’s Warblers (all males - 1 Ad, 6 SY)
1 FOS Black-headed Grosbeak
1 Lazuli Bunting

Ok, I’m happy now.

Have a good weekend,
Steve Brown
Colo SPgs