During April 2003, spring migration was well underway with one third of the bird species being new sightings for the year. The weather was typically variable for the season with a cold spell near the beginning of the month, followed by a warm dry spell, followed by cooler, showery weather. Birders were reasonably active, lured outside by the promise of unusual migrants. Sixteen species of shorebirds were seen with a Black-necked Stilt probably being the most unusual sighting. Ducks were still present in fair numbers with both White-winged Scoter and Barrow’s Goldeneye lingering on in the county. Cattle Egret were seen for the second year in a row near Mineral and County Line roads, and Snowy Egret were present at Walden Ponds.

Ospreys returned and showed signs of nesting at both Valmont and Lagerman Reservoirs. Bald Eagles continued to be seen in the county – traditionally these birds have migrated northwards by the end of March. Burrowing Owls were seen in two separate locations; hopefully, these birds are on the increase having almost completely been driven out of the county. The burn area near Walker Ranch continues to be good for woodpeckers – both American Three-toed Woodpecker and Red-naped Sapsuckers were seen there.Apart from Yellow-rumped Warblers, it was not until the end of the month that the first warbler species appeared. The only unusual warbler species so far was a Black-throated Gray Warbler seen in a Boulder back yard. The sewage treatment plant on the St. Vrain river in Longmont continued to produce good birds. As well as a re-sighting of the White-winged Dove, two Wild Turkeys were found there. An additional Wild Turkey was seen near campus in central Boulder. Turkeys in Boulder County are normally found in the foothills and do not move far from their traditional territories, so these were highly unusual. Both Western Scrub Jays and Stellar Jays were reported in Louisville, much further east than normally expected.

Altogether 150 bird species were seen in April. This is a lower total than that of the past two years (last year was a record year with 170 species), but it compares very favorably with the overall totals for April. No birds were seen that had not been seen in 2002. TOP