April 2011 was a good month for birders with 164 bird species seen. While this does not rival the 179 species seen in 2008, it is still a very respectable total. There were several rarities reported. The rarest bird of the month was probably a Hudsonian Godwit seen on Boulder Reservoir. This is a first sighting for Boulder County, although one was seen on Union Reservoir in Weld County in 2008. Another exciting species was a Yellow-throated Warbler found on the eastern part of the Boulder Creek path. This was the fourth time that this bird has been reported since the wildlife inventory began in 1979. Fortunately it stayed around for several days so many were able to add it to their county lists. Ironically, this bird was found by birders looking in the same area for an almost-as-unusual Yellow-throated Vireo; this bird had previously been reported five times. Far fewer birders managed to observe the vireo. Another rarity was a Sedge Wren found near Boulder Reservoir; this also was a fourth report for the inventory. Yet another fourth report for the inventory was Chestnut-collared Longspur seen in the grasslands near Mesa Reservoir. This is a bird that seems to be making a possible comeback.

Both Snow Goose and Ross's Goose were reported. Duck numbers, particularly diving ducks, were beginning to decrease. Six Broad-winged Hawks were observed; I am unsure whether these are actually becoming commoner or people are more readily identifying them. Shorebird migration was certainly present, but did not seem to be particularly noteworthy. Warbler migration was going strong by the end of the month with less usual species being Northern Parula, Chestnut-sided Warbler, Blackburnian Warbler, Palm Warbler and Hooded Warbler. Black-throated Sparrow and Sage Sparrow are two of our less usual sparrows. The Golden-crowned Sparrow continued to be seen at the Teller Lakes Farm trailhead. TOP
Birds