Huerfano County Update: Black-billed Cuckoo

[Polly Neldner]

Just wanted to let those of you wanting to hear/see Black-billed Cuckoo...bird was calling this morning at 5:30 am...however things are pretty wet down here this morning and forecast is calling for good chance of rain throughout the day. It could mean a cool/wet slog if you try for it.

Polly Wren Neldner
La Veta, CO

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[Polly Neldner]

Had a report from an early visitor to our yard that the Black-billed Cuckoo was heard and briefly seen at around 5:20 am this morning. Was seen just past Wahatoya Creek on the North side of CTY Rd. 358. Cuckoo was still calling from roughly the same location at shortly after 6:00 am when I took my very sick pup out for a walk.

As the bird has been seen three times in the past two days at this location, three visiting birders were holding vigil there when I took Scooter out for another walk at around 10:15 am. The Cuckoo flew right past us to a copse of oaks directly East of our house. I called out to the others, they were rounding the corner as the Cuckoo called. Once everyone was in fairly close, I did try playback briefly. I saw the cuckoo hop up higher in the oaks and then lost track of it. Sadly none of the others saw it.

We all looked and listened until 4:30 pm or so with not peep and no other sightings. Paul and I had to leave at around 5:00 pm. There were three different birders
watching the site on CTY RD. 358 at that time. As I have not heard from them...am thinking they did not hear or see it either.

Hoping it is still around...and if it is gone...so very glad a Black-billed Cuckoo graced our yard for a few days and that some folks were lucky enough to see it.

Polly Wren Neldner
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