Recent Canon City birding

I have birded around Canon City several times since my return and though I haven't found any rarities, it has been productive. Five Greater White-fronted Geese are still here. Canon City has been one of the most reliable sites for this species for a number of years. I haven't seen the Ross' Goose that was here in November but could be around.

Other waterfowl in the area are Green-winged Teal, Redheads, Northern Shoveler, Gadwall, Am Wigeon, Ring-necked Duck, Lesser and at least 1 Greater Scaup, Common Goldeneye, Pied-billed Grebe as well as the ever present Mallards and Coots.

I have seen a Marsh Wren several times along a local waterway and have been scolded for trespassing near it's territory. There are at least 3 Am Dippers continuing in the Arkansas River in Canon City and a short ways east of town though I am not hearing them sing as they did up to early December.

Black-capped Chickadees are more frequently seen this winter than since their population took a dive in 2002. I usually see/hear several Brown Creepers along the Canon City Riverwalk along with White-breasted Nuthatches, Ruby-crowned Kinglets and Downy Woodpeckers.

There is a noticeable paucity of White-crowned Sparrows here (and I believe in many parts of Colorado) this year.
SeEtta