Cassin's Vireo, Clr Spgs Ranh, El Paso Co, Thurs

[Steven Brown]

Hi COBirders,

I had a steady, if low volume, flow of migrants working their way up Fountain Creek this morning. Many 1’s and 2’s of small birds moving through the treetops. Coolest was a Cassin’s Vireo from about 20’  for 5 minutes, giving VERY good looks while hunting for moths in the top of a dead bush. There was a flock of Bullock’s Orioles, 15+, feeding in the fields with large numbers of Red-winged Blackbirds, Eur Starlings, and White-crowned Sparrows.  Flyovers included Peregrine Falcon and Purple Martin.  A Pretty Good Day.

Banded today:

Gray Catbird  3

Northern Waterthrush (#4 this season!)

Yellow Warbler

Com Yellowthroat 3

Wilson’s Warbler 3

YB Chat

Spotted Towhee

Mountain White-crowned Sparrow

Red-winged Blackbird 5

and a SORA (!)   For those of you who haven’t yet had a Sora in the hand (!!), it was surprisingly docile and quiet, although it has pretty sharp claws on VERY strong feet, and it poops a lot.

(It was definitely a first for me!)

Happy Migration,

Steve Brown

Colo Spgs