Coyote Ridge Natural Area, Larimer County (Wed. Dec. 3)

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Scott Baron

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Dec 5, 2014, 12:21:24 PM12/5/14
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Hi,

Late post here.

I had an enjoyable visit to Coyote Ridge on Wednesday.  The walk from the cabin to the top of the hill was the most birdy.  The best bird I had was an apparent Loggerhead Shrike.  I first noticed it when a Western Scrub-jay was scolding something in a Ponderosa.  I thought the object of scolding was the shrike but it turned out to be a Great Horned Owl.

Anyway, when I got close to the shrike it appeared to have a short bill without a prominent hook.  It perched atop Mullein and Mountain Mahogany and made forays to the ground where I couldn't see it.  I never got a close look at the underparts.  I hadn't realized that Loggerheads are supposed to be farther south in Colorado at this time of year until I did some ebird research last night.  If I had known it at the time I would have passed it off as a Northern.

The location was approx. 1/2 mile past the cabin on the north side of the trail.

Other neat birds there included Canyon Wren, a soaring Golden Eagle and a pair of Prairie Falcons perched together on a dead Ponderosa.

Happy birding,

Scott Baron
Loveland, Colo.
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