February is usually one of the slowest months of the year for birders. Not only is it a short month, but also it does not usually produce many rarities. February 2005 was a real exception to this norm. A record number of 112 bird species was seen; this is only the second time that numbers have topped one hundred for this month. By comparison March was lackluster with few reports. The rather poor total of 105 bird species missed such common species as Cedar Waxwing, Cassin’s Finch and Pine Siskin. However, the only bird that had not been reported for over a year was a Sage Sparrow that was seen at Walden Ponds in March.

So what was so unusual about February? First the weather was very moderate with only one day that failed to go above freezing, and only small amounts of snow that melted very quickly. Secondly, this mild weather meant that birds which had been seen on the Christmas count were still around; in this category were Turkey Vulture, Virginia Rail, White-winged Dove, Gray Catbird, Northern Mockingbird and Lesser Goldfinch. Third there were signs of an early spring migration even by the end of February. Both Eastern and Mountain Bluebirds were seen both months. A Common Poorwill and an Indigo Bunting seen in March were both very early sightings. Last, but probably most importantly, coverage was excellent with few common species missed. Some of the less usual species included Common Barn Owl and Long-eared Owl.

Rosy Finches of all three types continued to be seen both months at the Fawnbrook Inn in Allenspark. By the end of March the number of these birds had dropped significantly. Bohemian Waxwings were also seen in huge flocks; at least one observer said that the numbers were the greatest that she had ever seen in Boulder County. There were also huge flocks of gulls present in the county. The majority were Ring-billed Gulls, with decent numbers of California Gulls among them. A few oddities such as Thayer’s Gull, Lesser Black-backed Gull, and Great Black-backed Gull rewarded the patient observer.

Eurasian Collared Dove arrived in the county in March, having been known to winter in Weld County. This is a bird that gives every sign of being here to stay. How it will impact our Mourning Dove population remains to be seen. Five species of dove were seen over the two months. TOP