June and July 2007 were unusually hot and dry, although the rain from the spring caused everything to stay green. Birders were much more active in the foothills and mountains than in the plains causing some birds to not be reported. The highlight of both June and July must surely be the adult male Scarlet Tanager that delighted so many birders in Gregory Canyon. Its striking plumage and distinctive song made it easy to locate. An article about the bird headed “Scarlet Tanager causing Red Alert” appeared in the Boulder Daily Camera on Friday July 13. This species was last reported in the county in 2004. However, this was not the rarest bird to be seen. That honor goes to a Sedge Wren found on a private pond near Lagerman Reservoir. This was a first report of Sedge Wren for the wildlife inventory.

Other unusual sightings were a Red-headed Woodpecker (last seen in 2002), a Magnolia Warbler found up in the tundra, an American Redstart and at least two Baltimore Orioles. The last three species were all seen in 2005 but not in 2006. Red-headed Woodpeckers used to breed regularly in the county but no longer do so, and are now a species of concern. Other birds that were new for the year were Northern Bobwhite, Sora, Black Swift, Calliope Hummingbird, Eastern Wood-Pewee, Willow Flycatcher, Sage Thrasher, Brewer’s Sparrow and Lark Bunting. Many of these first sightings are birds that are habitually reported late in the summer. This is the third year in a row that Eastern Wood-Pewee has been reported. Calliope Hummingbirds appear to be continuing to expand their range with birds seen throughout the county including up in the tundra. Rufous and Broad-tailed Hummingbirds were seen on the plains as well as in the mountains, and Black Chinned Hummingbird was reported both months.

July saw shorebird migration under way, as well as gulls reappearing. It was suggested that many small birds such as sparrows may start migrating much earlier than previously supposed. Many of these small migrants move at night and it is only by identifying their flight calls that their presence can be recognized. There has been quite a lot of discussion about whether Common Nighthawks are a declining species in Boulder County. A flock containing seventy five birds flying over the south eastern part of the county was the largest to be recorded in the wildlife inventory, and no firm evidence can be given of a decline.

Altogether 164 bird species were seen in June and 153 species in July. The numbers in June were helped by the Indian Peaks Breeding Bird Count (IP). The number of species seen was very typical for the time of year. TOP

Prentice, Joe. “Scarlet Tanager Causing Red Alert”. Boulder Daily Camera, Friday, July 13, 2007, page 6c.