Saguache Bonanza

[mvjo...@gmail.com]

I birded the Saguache area (all in Saguache County) and it was a bonanza of colorful birds. I have never seen so many hundreds of Evening Grosbeaks in town! Amazing.

Russell Lakes: Great Egret and Canvasbacks were highlights.

Road 46. Take Road Z west from Saguache to Rd 46 and go south to stream crossings: Northern Waterthrush, Gray Catbird.

In Saguache Town: Many hundreds of Evening Grosbeaks and Pine Siskins. When you enter the town, it sounds like going into an aviary, loud with all sorts of birds singing. A few reasons why is that Chinese Elms are seeding and this is a big attraction for grosbeaks and siskins. Another reason is that the town is gridded with a network of small ditches that flow water. Finally the town has done some excellent landscaping and there is a variety of spruce, elm, cottonwoods and crabapples for outstanding cover. very little street traffic to worry about either. You might get a few "looks" as not a whole lot of birders walk though town.

It took me a while to sort through the songs but heard a rising buzzy warbler. After considerable effort, I saw the male American Redstart at the Museum building. Black-headed Grosbeak, Rose-breasted Grosbeak, Lewis's Woodpecker, many Western Tanagers, and some Cassin's Finches. A Swainson's Thrush stayed in the dark shadows of the habitat.

All in all, a fabulous day in Saguache. I know it will change by the day so enjoy it if your path takes you this way.

John Rawinski

Monte Vista, CO