March saw the arrival of several spring migrants, as well as the lingering of some winter species. Altogether 108 bird species were seen in March, a very respectable total for the month. New arrivals included Blue-winged Teal, Cinnamon Teal, American White Pelican, Great Egret, Turkey Vulture, Osprey, Say's Phoebe, Tree Swallow, Rock Wren, Western Bluebird, Yellow-headed Blackbird and Brown-headed Cowbird. None of these arrivals are particularly noteworthy by themselves, but together, made a remarkably good showing for the end of March. Shorebird migration seemed to have started early with the arrival of American Avocet, both Greater and Lesser Yellowlegs and Long-billed Dowitcher by the end of the month. Gull numbers had decreased significantly from February, but did see the arrival of both Bonaparte's and Franklin's Gulls. The most unusual birds were the Golden-crowned Sparrow still wintering at the Teller Lakes Farm trailhead, a Barrow's Goldeneye at Walden Ponds and a Chihuahuan Raven. Long-eared Owl is always a good sighting at any time of year. One American Tree Sparrow was reported on the 1st; this is almost certainly the last sighting of this species for the winter. A Porcupine was an exciting addition to the mammal list; it has been several years since this species was last reported. TOP

Birds