Spring migrants
Birding around the Canon City area today produced a number of spring migrants. A flock of about 30 Tree Swallows spent a few minutes circling the east Canon City area before continuing on their trip (these are the first swallows I have seen since I saw the single early Tree Swallow as noted on March 13 post.
A few miles east of Canon City I saw several Common Grackles, the first I've seen this year, intersperced with some Brewer's Blackbirds in a tree. Nearby was also the first Double-crested Cormorant, a fairly common waterbird that seems to be increasing in numbers in this area, of the year.
I found more Common Grackles at Florence River Park at the east end of Florence. I found 1 Greater Yellowlegs feeding briskly in a flooded field on Florence river road. The road on the north edge of Florence, referred to as the Florence river road, has a number of small farms that still use flood irrigation in the spring and many good waterbirds and shorebirds can be found in this area.
Last but not least I walked the BLM "Blue Heron" area adjacent to H115 just north of the Arkansas River. Prior to being purchased by the BLM and opened to the public this area historically was a great migration stopover for many waterbirds, Am White Pelicans and shorebirds. There are two ponds that were gravel was mined, and now hold irrigation water. Sadly, since the BLM opened them to the public birding has suffered due to disturbance my persons with off-leash dogs, hunters training their dogs in the ponds, and fishermen accessing the area.
Today the birding at the BLM Blue Heron area was quite good, but though it was a beautiful day there was no one there (thus no disturbance). The south pond held 1 American Avocet (first of the year here), 2 Greater Yellowlegs and 1m and 1f Bufflehead. I saw an 2 additional Greater Yellowlegs on the adjacent Arkansas River on the gravel bars. 3 Double-crested Cormorants landed on the north pond which also held a few canada Geese and an American Coot. And a Say's Phoebe called from the nearby farm yard.
I did look for the Black Phoebe I heard at dusk yesterday but could not locate it. For the past several years Black Phoebes have been seen nearby as they migrate up the Arkansas River so I suspect that is the case with this bird.
SeEtta
