Coverage for both February and March 2006 was spotty with few birders in the foothills but many observing the influx of gulls and the continued presence of Rosy Finches in Allenspark. This ended up with above average number of bird species for both months but breaking no records: 98 in February and 118 in March. Signs of spring were definitely present both months with the first Mountain Bluebirds seen on 20 February heralding the arrival of the first spring migrants. Shorebird migration seemed to start early with six shorebird species seen in March. The first Greater Yellowlegs, American Avocet and Lesser Yellowlegs were seen on the 6th, 21st and 25th of March respectively. While none of those dates are the earliest that those species have been seen, that all three species were sighted so early is definitely notable.

Two of the more unusual species seen are both candidates for being possible escapees. A Northern Bobwhite was seen after a gap of one year and Gyrfalcon was seen for the first time since 1995 and is only the third record for the inventory. An increasing number of Bald Eagles are now remaining in the county over the summer and the total number of these birds seen in March was barely less than the number seen in February, whereas most Bald Eagles used to have migrated northwards by March. We hope to find many more of these birds successfully breeding in the county. Barn Owls are another bird which have increased their breeding range to include Boulder County. A camera inside the nest site at Valmont Reservoir allowed the public to view these beautiful birds at close quarters.

Eurasian Collared Dove and Great-tailed Grackle are two potential “junk birds” which are here to stay. It will be worth watching what effect they have on the more common Mourning Dove and Common Grackle. Certainly it seems that most, but not all, of the grackles that winter are Great-tailed. Some previously common species such as Evening Grosbeak are now worthy of note when they appear. Although all three Rosy Finches (Gray-crowned, Black and Brown-capped) were seen both months at Allenspark with less than four Black Rosy Finch reported, the ratio of Gray-crowned to Brown-capped varied widely with different observers at different times reporting both as the more prevalent. March also appears to be the changeover month for shrike species, with the winter Northern Shrike being replaced by our breeding Loggerhead Shrikes. Both species were seen in March 2006. Care has to be taken as a few Loggerhead Shrikes are known to winter in Colorado.

Many observers spent time scanning the hundreds of gulls on our eastern reservoirs and many were rewarded for their efforts. Nine species of gull were seen over the two months: Franklin’s, Mew, Ring-billed, California, Herring, Thayer’s, Lesser Black-backed, Great Black-backed and Glaucous. Of these the single Great Black-backed Gull is probably the most unusual. There were several comments on a few pink Ring-billed Gulls; supposedly the pink tinge to these birds is caused by their diet. Not much seems to be known about this sub-species and it will be interesting to learn more. TOP