The Pacific Loon had finally moved from Macintosh Reservoir, possibly the bird seen at Boulder Reservoir on the 5th was the same one. Another Pacific Loon was reported mid-month at Union Reservoir. The middle of October is when we would expect to begin seeing migrating loons so these sightings are not particularly surprising. Ducks were well reported this month with all our reservoirs appearing to contain large numbers. Both Black Scoter and Surf Scoter were reported on Boulder Reservoir; these were new sightings for the year. Short-eared Owl is a bird that has become increasingly rare with housing developments on the eastern plains taking much of their habitat. Thus it is always pleasing when one is reported. The sighting of a Short-eared Owl in car headlights at dusk is typical for this elusive species. Three hummingbird species were reported this month; while an October sighting of Broad-tailed Hummingbird is not that unusual, both Rufous Hummingbird and Black-chinned Hummingbird are unexpected. It seems that Black-chinned Hummingbird might be one of our hardier hummingbird species. This year it was the first to arrive at our feeders in south Boulder and the last to depart. Rufous Hummingbird is rarely reported in October.

Altogether 112 bird species were seen in October. TOP