Since May 2002 was such a phenomenal spring migration month with 14 more bird species seen than any previous May, it is not surprising that May 2003 seemed as if it was a let down by comparison. However, the 211 bird species reported made for a very respectable May total. This was aided by the Indian Peaks Spring Count (IP) and the Boulder County Audubon Birdathon. The Birdathon team consisting of Ted Floyd, Bill Schmoker, Richard Trinkner and Chris Wood are to be congratulated on managing to observe 165 bird species within Boulder County on a single day; this broke all previous records.

Two new species were added to the wildlife inventory. The arrival of the first Eurasian Collared Dove was certainly not unexpected, and we expect to see many more reports of this expanding species. Purple Martin breeds on the western slope, but are rare east of the continental divide. There were few birds reported that had not been reported in 2002; those that were included Flammulated Owl, Common Barn Owl and Northern Saw-whet Owl (all last seen in 2001), Gray-cheeked Thrush (last seen in 1999) and Scarlet Tanager(1997).

Many of the shorebirds reported in April did not linger on into May. Ducks were becoming much harder to find, as were grebes. Our wintering hawks had entirely disappeared. Boulder Creek was still a good place to look for warblers, and unusual migrants, although some observers described the birding there as very slow. The weather was typically variable with one day of wet, heavy snow (May 10) and several with heavy rain (May 15,16,18,19). As we have noted in the past, the bad weather days were usually the best for birders with many birds grounded by the weather. Perhaps, the concluding comment should be that this was about as typical as May can be for birders. TOP