Morning Birding Species List | October 3, 2017


ACES Staff

October 5, 2017

Morning Birding Species List | October 3, 2017

Tuesday, October 3, 2017, 8:00AM – 11:00AM
Weather: sunny
Location: Hallam Lake and the Rio Grande Trail from Stein Park

Species Identified    

Canada Goose
American Wigeon
Mallard
Green-winged Teal
Pied-billed Grebe
Great Blue Heron
Turkey Vulture
Belted Kingfisher
Steller’s Jay
Black-billed Magpie

 

Song Sparrow
Dark-eyed Junco
Wilson’s Warbler
Yellow-rumped Warbler
American Crow
Common Raven
Black-capped Chickadee
White-breasted Nuthatch
Ruby-crowned Kinglet
American Robin

Comments: 

Following the first significant snowfall at the level of the valley floor this season, bird activity was a bonanza this morning. More than 6 inches of heavy, wet snow fell over the past two days, bringing down a great deal of tree limbs and saplings, as well as causing birds to hunker down under cover rather than feeding as usual. Today’s sunny weather brought birds out in droves, particularly migrating warblers that were picking insects off tree foliage. Most duck species are in mid-molt at this time, and we had a rich study of the species on the lake this morning:  wigeons, mallards, and green-winged teals.  A pied-billed grebe was also in non-breeding plumage and had a solid-colored bill. Fall migration brings many species through bird hotspots in Aspen, including the Wilson’s and yellow-rumped warblers that breed in high-elevation willow carrs and spruce-fir forests, respectively. No matter the weather at this time of year, birding is always full of exciting behaviors, molting phases, and migratory species. Join us in November on Tuesday the 7th!

~ Rebecca Weiss, ACES Bird Guide 

 

Photo by Dale Armstrong

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