Canon City update

Birding on the Arkansas Riverwalk through Canon City has been quite pleasant yeaterday and today with temps in the 60's--great spring weather (though gusty winds have kept small landbirds down). There were no rarities or even unusual species, but that doesn't keep me from enjoying them.

There are good numbers of waterfowl along the Arkansas River and in local ponds. The Cinnamon Teal, in their brilliant fresh plumage, are common now as are Common Mergansers. The one advantage of the eastern section of the Canon City Riverwalk is that it is elevated 20-50 feet above the water which makes viewing waterfowl in the river easier (though it is still necessary to stand behind shrubs or trees to disguise one's profile when trying to view very sensitive ducks such as Common Mergansers and Green-winged Teal) as birds are less threatened by humans located above them (rather than on the same level).

There were a few Western Bluebirds near Shadow Hills Golf Course on the southwest side of Canon City. There was one American Tree Sparrow there also.

I also saw a Cooper's Hawk in "downtown" Canon City (yeah, not a big city but it does have a downtown area with many historic buildings). It flew from tree to tree, perching in each to survey the area for possible lunch-meat (yeah, an intended pun).

SeEtta