Male Prothonotary Warbler, Lake Estes, Estes Park, Larimer Co. 9/10

[Jim Nelson]

We had a nice, late-morning walk in the Matthews-Reeser Bird Sanctuary and along the north shore of Lake Estes in Estes Park today. There were lots of Wilson's Warblers and Yellow-rumped Warblers. As we explored the side trail that leaves the main trail on the right just east of the small pond, I spotted a beautiful male Prothonotary Warbler in the bushy, wet area on the left of that side trail. It really stood out from the Wilson's Warblers. I lost the bird after about a minute, and we couldn't relocate it, but there is lots of good habitat in the Bird Sanctuary area. I see them each year at home in Maryland, but it's particularly fun to see one here and add it to my Colorado list.


Jim Nelson
Bethesda, Maryland