BIRDS . Ill

WESTERN COLORADO

by

William A. Davis

prepared for the

Colorado Field Ornithologists CONTENTS

General Topography of Western Colorado •• 1

H~it~s • • • • • • • 2 Explanation of text 6 Acknowledgements and references •••••••••••••••• ·7 BIRDS IN WESTERN COLORADO 8 through 37 Trips and Special Birds • • • • • • • 38 Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Monument ••••• 39 Colorado National Monument • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • 40 De Beque Canyon • • • 43 The Grand Mesa • • 44 Hanging Lake •• 46

Hart's Basin . o •• o ••••••••• 47 Highline Lake and Mack-Mesa Reservoir • 48 Mesa Verde National Park •••••••• 49 Rifle Gap Reservoir, Falls and Fish Hatchery ••• 50 Rock Creek Bird Nesting Area ••••• • • 51 The San Juan Mountains • • • • • 52 Sweitzer Lake 55 Black Swifts • 56 Gray Vireo, Burrowing Owls • • • • • • • •••• 56 & 57 White-tailed Ptarmigan, Rosy Finches • • 57 & 58 Empidonax Flycatchers • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • 58

I Western Colorado is Colorado west of the Continental Di­ vide. It has an area of about 38, 000 square miles and consti­ tutes about one third of the state. Much of it is wild or sparse­ ly inhabited, and unreachable by paved roads. It is rich in num­ bers of species of birds, some of which are unknown in most parts of the country. Yet it is relatively unexplored ornitho­ logically. Bailey and Niedrach's "Birds of Colorado" has few records from the western side of the state and notes " that there has been comparatively little field work in the counties west of the Continental Divide".

This booklet has two purposes. One is to present a pre­ liminary fi'e1d list of the birds of Western Colorado which will be increased, improved and corrected by future observers. The list shows when the different species are present, their usual habitat and an indication of the ease with which they may be found. The other purpose is to provide visiting bird-watchers with an introduction to the area and suggest trips to see birds. General Topography

Western Colorado is high dry country. The days are us­ ually sunny, the nights cool, and the air clear. The Rocky Mountains on the eastern side are massive and jagged with many peaks over 14, 000 feet high. Timberline is at about 11, 500 feet so the higher mountain tops are bare rock or thinly cover e d with a dense coniferous forest down to an altitude of about 8,000 feet. Snow falls deep on the mountains in winter. The many streams fed by the melting snows rush down the mountainsides cutting valleys through the rock. In their higher reaches these valleys are narrow and moist. The stream beds are edged with willow and alder while the steep sides are covered with aspen and blue spruce as well as the conifers found on the mountain­ side. Westward the mountains fall off into the Colorado Plateau, cut up by many deep canyons and river valleys. This high pla­ teau descends gradually to the west into Utah and south into Ari­ zona and New Mexico with an average elevation of about 6,000 feet at the state lines. Because the land slopes downward to the west from the high Rockies, western Colorado is commonly called the ''western slope". Characteristic vegetation of the dry plateau and its canyons is a thin growth of Rocky Mountain jun­ iper and pinyon pine,

1

• The rivers of western Colorado flow in a westerly direc­ tion; all become part of the Colorado River. In some p 1 aces the river gorges are steep rocky walls. In many places, how­ ever, the valleys are wide with a nearly level floor of open fields. Such open valleys or plains are called "parks", a term that is used for any open grassy area in this land of arid and desert-like. Their characteristic vegetation is sagebrush, wil­ low and tamarisk at the water's edge as well as occasional marshy places with cattails.

Though the general topography of western Colorado f o 1- lows a simple pattern, with the Rockies on the east run n in g north and south and the plateau with its rivers falling off grad­ ually to the west, the pattern is so broken up that it is not ap­ parent at first. The crinkling of the earth's crust which creat­ ed the mountains has been irregular. The San Juan Range to the south and the Elk Mountains in the center are we 11 to the west of the main ranges. The Uinta Mountains of Utah extend eastward into the northwest corner of Colorado.

The Grand Mesa, situated in central western Co 1 or ado, has an enormous lava cap lying over the sedimentary rocks which constitute the plateau. Flat topped, with an elevation of 10, 800 feet, it has more than 200 lakes and reservoirs scat­ tered through its forest. The annual precipitation on the Grand Mesa is about 30 inches; most of this comes as snow which piles to depths of over 10 feet.

The Grand Valley lies just west of the Grand Mesa. About 12 miles wide, its floor has an altitude of about 4600 feet and an average annual precipitation of about 9 inches. In it is the town of Grand Junction, so named because it lies at the junc­ tion of the Gunnison and Colorado Rivers. This valley was for­ merly a sage brush desert and parts of it still are. Much of the valley has now been developed into orchards or farms by irrigation.

Habitats

Western Colorado varies in altitude from about 4, 300 feet in the gorge of the Colorado River where it enters Utah to over 14, 300 feet on Uncompahgre Peak in the San Juan Mountains. It varies in contour from precititous cliffs to level river valleys,

2 in vegetation from dense coniferous forest to bare alkali waste and from busy cities to uninhabited open spaces. The result is a wide variety of habitats and a wide variety of birds. In some places the change from one habitat to another is sudden, as when a river flows through desert. In others, where the mountain slopes are gradual, plant associations overlap so there is no boundary between them. Though oversimplified, the f o 11 ow in g habitats will be used for reference.

1. Tundra (from a Russian word meaning c o 1 d desert.) Timberline is at about 11, 500 feet. Above it the mountain tops are treeless with bare rock or a thin covering of low w i 11 ow s and other plants related to those of the arctic tundra. This is the Arctic-Alpine zone of Merriam's life zone terminology. Characteristic nesting birds above timberline are White -tailed Ptarmigan, Water Pipits and Brown-capped Rosy Finches.

2. Mountain Forest. The highest part of the mount a i n forest, from about 11, 000 to 11, 500 feet, has a growth of trees stunted by wind. This is the Hudsonian zone or wind timber. Characteristic trees are limber pine, bristle-cone pine, sub - alpine fir, Engelmann spruce and willows. Breeding birds include White-crowned Sparrows, Wilson's Warbler and Pine Grosbeak.

From about 8,000 feet to 11,000 feet the mountainsides have a dense forest of conifers--Engelmann spruce, sub-alpine fir and lodgepole pine--interspersed with stands of aspen. This is the Canadian zone. Though wet while the snows are melting in the spring, mountain forest dries out in the summer and has little undergrowth. Breeding birds include the Gray Jay, Clark's Nutcracker, Hermit Thrush, Mountain Chicadee, B 1 u e Grouse, Audubon's Warbler and Gray-headed Junco.

3. Transition Forest. Between the dense growth of the mountain forest and the sparse growth of pinyon pine and juni­ per which is found on the plateau and dry canyons are a num­ ber of different plant associations which make up the Transition Zone. fu general, these form a rather open forest. Highest up are quaking aspen, Douglas fir and lodgepole pine. Character­ istic birds are Steller's Jay, Williamson's Sapsucker, Bro ad - tailed Hummingbird, Black-capped Chicadee and Western Blue­ bird. Lower down are wide areas of scrub oak interspersed

3

I with ponderosa pine, Colorado hawthorn and serviceberry. Char­ acteristic birds are Scrub Jay, Poorwill, Solitary Vireo, Dusky Flycatcher, Virginia's Warbler and Green-tailed Towhee. There is much intermingling of the Transition forest and its bird life with the zones above and below it.

4. Pinyon pine and Juniper. The dry plateau with it s ridges and canyons has a sparse growth of Rocky mountain jun­ iper and pinyon pine. This pinyon-juniper habitat, part of the Upper Sonoran zone, covers large sections of western Colorado from about 5, 000 to 7, 000 feet in altitude. Interspersed, par­ ticularly at lower levels, may be sagebrush, rabbit brush and yucca but most of the pinyon-juniper habitat is open with a thin­ ly covered floor of grass. Characteristic birds are Pinyon Jay, Gray Vireo, Gray Flycatcher, Bewick's Wren, Plain Titmouse and Chipping Sparrow.

5. Sagebrush. The driest, lowest and hottest parts of the valleys are arid and desert-like. The vegetation is sparse, consisting of sagebrush, cactus, yucca, rabbit brush, grease­ wood, grass and other low plants. This is part of the Upper Sonoran zone and the same plants grow at higher altitudes among the junipers and pinyon pine but on the valley floors there are no trees. Birds are few for there is little food or water. The Sage 1hrasher, Horned Lark, Blue-gray Gnatcatcher and Sage Sparrow are characteristic. Sage Grouse are found in a few places where there are extensive stands of larger sage.

6. Cliffs. Precipitous cliffs and rocky hillsides are found throughout western. Colorado. Some birds which are usually seen in the open air--such as the Black and the White-throated Swifts, Cliff and Violet-green Swallows, Ravens and Golden Eagles -- nest on cliffs. Rock and Canyon Wrens feed and nest on rocky hillsides.

7. Open water. Lakes, reservoirs and rivers provide the habitat needed by ducks and other water birds. Mallards, Mer­ gansers, Widgeon and Goldeneyes winter on the rivers. Dippers inhabit the fast flowing streams; Spotted Sandpipers the qui e t ponds. The ice in the valleys melts in late February but the mountain lakes remain frozen until June. Larger river s stay open all year long.

4 8. Cattail marshes. There are no extensive marshes in western Colorado but there are many patches of sedge and cat­ tails along the edges of lakes, streams and the irrigation ditch­ es. Yellow-headed Blackbirds and Redwinged Blackbirds inhabit these in summer; Common Snipe, Coot and Cinnamon Teal are found in the wetter parts.

9. Willowgrown areas. Wet areas by lakes, beaver ponds and flowing streams often have a growth of willows and alders. Sunlight penetrates to the ground through their loose foliage so there is an undergrowth of thick grass and flowering p 1 ant s • Characteristic breeding birds are Wilson's and MacGillivray' s Warblers, Song Sparrows and (above 8,500 feet) Lincoln's and White-crowned Sparrows.

10. Riverbanks. Cottonwoods and brush grow on the dry land along the sides of streams as they fl.ow through dry coun­ try. Black-billed Magpies, Bullock's Orioles, Black-headed Grosbeaks, Red-shafted Flickers and Mourning Doves use the cottonwoods for nest sites while Gambel 's Quail and Song Spar­ rows live in the brush.

11. Ranches. Ranches, pasture land and farms have open country where birds perform much service to man by foraging for insects. Characteristic birds are Western Meadowlarks, Mourning Doves, Brewer's Blackbirds, House F inches, Barn Swallows, Pheasants and Sparrow Hawks. Ranches U'SUally have weedy areas between the roads and fences where Juncos, Spar­ rows and Siskins feed in winter. Also associated are the barn­ yards which are favorites of Magpies, wintering Blackbirds, Starlings and the ever present House Sparrows.

12. Towns. Towns with lawns, trees and shrubbery which bear fruit or berries provide a habitat quite different from the surrounding country. To the visitor used to the abundant bird life in suburban gardens of the east or west coasts, wester n Colorado towns seem empty. Birds are commoner in win t e r when flocks of Robins, Cedar Waxwings and Evening Grosbeaks come to feed on berries in the yards and Red-shafted Flickers, Cassin's Finches and Juncos seek the shelter of the valleys.

5

I Explanation of text

The field list consists of brief comments on each species and charts which .indicate the time of year when it is pres en t and the relative ease with which it may be found. The charts are diagrammed as:

Regularly Irregularly Common •••••• Uncommon ••••••

Rare --,.~-- • • • Accidental, or few

These terms are not entirely satisfactory but are used for lack of better ones. "Common" means likely to be seen on more than half of full day field trips if sought in the proper habitat. ''Uncommon" means unlikely to be seen on most field trips. "Rare" means unlikely to be seen at all. "Accidental" refers to an accidental visitor, outside its normal range and possibly re­ corded only once. Obviously the terms indicate the numbers of birds only to a slight degree. For example, Turkey Vu 1 tu res are considered common because they soar high in the air and are easily seen while Pygmy Owls are considered rare because they are rarely seen residents of deep forests though there may be more owls than vultures in western Colorado.

Arrival dates for birds of the high forest are subject to another obvious deficiency, for they depend on the condition of the roads by which bird watchers arrive as much as on the ar­ rival of the birds.

Habitat refers to the usually preferred habitat of the species.

An asterisk (*) has been placed before the name of those species for which there is only a sight record, that is, there is neither a specimen nor an adequate photograph to prove the ev­ idence of the bird in the area.

6 Acknowledgements

The charts follow the basic plan originated by Ludlow Griscom for the "Field List of the Birds of E s s ex C o u n t y Massachusetts". The nomenclature and listing follow the "Check­ list of North American Birds" of the American Ornithologists Union, fifth edition, 1957.

The material presented is based on personal field trip s supplemented extensively by the observations of others. All ref­ erences are to personal communications except the records from the Colorado National Monument which have been kept by suc­ cessive park naturalists and which were made available to me by Mr. Alan Eliason and the many published references given in Bailey and Niedrach's ''Birds of Colorado". I am particularly indebted to Mrs. Lucy Ela of Grand Junction who has allowed me to use the records which she has kept for many years, as well as to Mrs. Robert Gustafson of Grand Junction, Mr. Alan Eliason of the Colorado National Monument, Fruita, Professor A. Sidney Hyde of Western State College, Gunnison, Mrs. Mer­ ritt Dismant of Palisade, Mrs. Allegra Collister of Longmont, Mr. Harold Holt of Morrison, Mr. George Shier of Golden and Mrs. Harry Colborn of Hotchkiss. Dr. A. M. Bailey of the Denver Museum kindly reviewed a manuscript and made con­ structive suggestions.

References

Bailey, A. M. & R. J. Niedrach "Birds of Colorado", Denver, Denver Museum of Natural History, 1965. Two large vol­ umes which are the definitive work on Colorado birds. Peterson, R. T. "Field Guide to Western Birds", Boston,Hough­ ton, Mifflin Co., 1961. An excellent field guide. Robbins, C. s., B. Bruun & H. S. Zim "Birds of North Amer­ ica", New York, Golden Press, 1966. A new field guide with sonograms and range maps.

7

I 'J. 1 m fl m 'J. 'J. fl s 0 n D . CollillLOn. Loon. . - - . - ... - - ll1lLU.c. Loon. • R.e.d-nu.luul ~e. . H.olUl.ed ~e. . . .. •

[ CVLe.d ~e . I • . /UIV,).t.eJtn. f;luWe • - .. - - I- - -- - N..e.d-,/;,Ule.d ~e. . -. . ~ • .... --~ Wh.Ue. Pe.Uc.an. . . . . •• •

BMwn. P~ . DoiWle.-cJLe4Ud CoJun.o/U:IJU. . ~ 8lue. /tell.on. - - ... - ~/tell.on. ..

.£U.U.e. 8lue. /tell.on. CaMA..e. f.qlLe.-t. . Sn.owy. E.tjlLU 8.la.ci.-CA.own.e.d fU.qh.t. /tell.on. • LUI.<1.t. /3UUAJt. . /lJn.eAA.can. ~ ...... Wood J,/;-i.4 .

I ' I'

8 Species Tablilation

LOONS--Family Gaviidae Common Loon: rare spring and fall visitor on open water. Arctic Loon: accidental, Breckenridge, Nov. 15, 1887 (B & N).

GREBES--Family Podicipedidae *Red-necked Grebe: 2 seen at Mack-Mesa Resevoir, Mesa Co., Nov. 20, 1961. (Ela & Gustafson). *Horned Grebe: rare spring and fall migrant on open water. Eared Grebe: common spring and fall migrant on open water. Western Grebe: rare migrant on open water. Pied-billed Grebe: uncommon migrant and rare summer resi­ dent on ponds.

PELICANS--Family Pelicanidae White Pelican: probably a regular migrant over the area, rare­ ly coming down to land. Brown Pelican: accidental, Pitkin Co., July 1908 (B & N).

CORMORANTS--Family Phalacrocoracidae Double-crested Cormorant: probably a rare visitor sinceitnests in Utah and eastern Colorado; an immature taken at Mon­ trose (B & N).

HERONS and BITTERNS--Family Ardeidae Great Blue Heron: locally common summer resident; a few win­ ter along rivers. *Green Heron: accidental, Gunnison Co., Nov. 20, 1953 (B & N); Mesa Co., Nov. 21, 1966 (Ela). *Little Blue Heron: rare but regular late summer visitor along rivers. *Cattle Egret: 2 seen April 16-26, 1968, south of Durango (Den­ ver Field Ornithologists. Monthly Report of Field Obser­ vations. vol. 3, no. 10, July 1968). Snowy Egret: locally common summer resident along rivers. Black-crowned Night Heron: locally common summer resident along rivers and . at reservoirs. Least Bittern: Accidental, Archuletta Co., May 25, 1915 (B & N). American Bittern: rare visitor to marshes.

STORKS and WOOD IBISES--Family Ciconiidae *Wood Ibis: 1 seen near Grand Junction, May 28, 1964 (Dismant).

9

I 'J 1 fli R Ill. 'J 'J R s 0 n D /i}h,,U.,e.-f,ac.ed 1.b-i.4 - . - -- Ro4e.cU.e. Spoonh.u.l . /ilhMW-n.q, Swan. ·- . Canada. Sfo Me.

B.la.ck. 811.an,t. . lilhLte..-tMM.ed. {;004e. • . . . Sn.ow (to 04e. -1-- . fllaLlalui. . ~a,U . - - J>.ln,t.a.U -- ~-w.lnq.e.d TeaA. BJ..u.e.-w.in.<µui T eaA. • .. - etnn.am.on. T eaA. -~ ....._ ... l/JneA,lc..on. lil,LJJ.,q.e.an. - Sh.a ve.Lle.IL .. /ilood Du.ck......

Re.dh.ead R..inq.-n.e.ck.e.d Du.ck. .. . CLUwa4'la.ck. ~ SCllJ.Lp. . ..

~4eA. Sca.u.p. . . C omm.on. {;o~e. -·- 8aAA.ow'4 {;o~ . . - ~

liJh,,U.,e.-w.lnq.e.d ScoUIL . R.u.ddlf Du.ck. '-~ Ila ocU.d liie/Uj4114eA. . • . Comm.on. flle/Uj4114eA. - . - ... --- - - ....

Red-~ lfleA..g.an.4e.IL . .

10 IBISES and SPOONBILLS--Family Threskiornithidae White-faced Ibis: rare spring and fall visitor. *Roseate Spoonbill: accidental, a flock seen near Hovenwee p Monument, May 24, 1938 (B & N).

SWANS, GEESE and DUCKS--Family Anatidae Whistling Swan: uncommon regular migrant, resting on open water. Canada Goose: common migratory visitor and uncommon sum - mer resident. It has been reintroduced recently in several places. Black Brant: accidental, 1 taken near Grand Junction, Oct. 25, 1956 (Ela). White-fronted Goose: rare spring and fall visitor to open water. Snow Goose: rare migratory visitor, usually seen with o the r geese, Mallard: common year-round resident, wintering on rivers. Gadwall: common spring and fall migrant, rare summer resi­ dent. Pintail: common spring and fall migrant on open water. Green-winged Teal: common migrant and uncommon summer resident, usually on small ponds. Blue-winged Teal: common migrant, usually on ponds or cattail swamps. Cinnamon Teal: common migrant and uncommon summer resi - dent on marshes. American Widgeon: common migrant, a few wintering onrivers. Shoveller: common migrant and rare summer resident on ponds and reservoirs. Wood Duck: rare visitor, reported to have nested in Dolores Co. (B & N). A pair wintered in an open stream at Hotchkiss, early 1966 (Colborn). Redhead: common migrant on open water. Ring-necked Duck: common migrant on reservoirs. Canvasback: uncommon migrant on open water. Greater Scaup: rare migrant, associating with Lesser Scaup. Lesser Scaup: common migrant, usually found on reservoirs. Common Goldeneye: common migrant and winter resident, us- ually on rivers. Barrow's Goldeneye: rare winter visitor. Bufflehead: uncommon spring and fall migrant and rare winter resident, usually on rivers. *White-winged Scoter: accidental, seen on Mesa Lake,MesaCo., October 1912 (B & N).

11

I Ruddy Duck: common migrant and occasional summer resident on lakes. Hooded Merganser: rare winter visitor to rivers. Common Merganser: common winter resident on rivers, pro - bably rare summer resident along mountain streams. Red-breasted Merganser: uncommon winter resident on open ri­ vers.

'F {{/ R. m R. s 0 n D ------'J 'J 'J TWtk-ei;- If~ . Black./]~ . )?04h.aJ.11k. S halr.fl-41Wuied Hawk.

CoopVI. ',, Hawk. Red--ULlled Hawk.

Sw~on '"' Hawk. Rough.-J..e.gq.e.d Hawk. . . .

'F elVU.LgA.n.oU4 Hawk. . <;o.ld.en. E.cuµ.e. f3a,ld ~ ... - Q/o.Mh. Hawk. ------

°"fJIU!.IJ ------CMacaAa . ~on ... l'llaUUe 'Falcon ------. - . - -- 7'~ 'Falcon -- - . ------7'-lq.e.on Hawk. -- . . Spa/VI.ow Hawk. ------Blue. (;ll.OU4€.

Rutf..ed ~OU4€. . /JJM.U--ULlled ]'~ Sh.tvtp.--ULlled (;ll.oU4e.

Sa.g.e. ~OU4€.

12 AMERICAN VULTURES--Family Cathartidae Turkey Vulture: common summer resident, rarely seen in winter. *Black Vulture: sighted Colorado National Monument, Sept. 19, 1963 and Sept. 14, 1964 (by Hambly, park naturalist).

HAWKS and HARRIERS--Family Accipitridae Goshawk: rare resident of heavily wooded areas. Sharp-shinned Hawk: comm9n winter and rare summer resident. Cooper's Hawk: common winter and rare summer resident. Red-tailed Hawk: common resident, usually seen soaring o v e r fields. Swainson's Hawk: uncommon summer resident and migrant, a few winter. Rough-legged Hawk: uncommon winter visitor, usually in open fields. *Ferruginous Hawk: status uncertain; perhaps a rare sum me r resident. Golden Eagle: resident, becoming uncommon. Bald Eagle: uncommon winter resident along open rivers; for­ merly a rare summer resident. Marsh Hawk: uncommon summer and common winter resident, usually seen over open fields.

OSPREYS--Family Pandionidae Osprey: rare spring and fall migrant along open water; r a r e summer resident in southern counties.

CARACARAS and FALCONS--Family Falconidae Caracara: accidental, Glenwood Springs, May 1948 (B & N). *Gyrfalcon: seen Colorado National Monument, Dec. 28, 196 7 (Eliason). Grand Junction, Dec. 7 & 12, 1968 (Davis). Prairie Falcon: rare resident. Peregrine Falcon: rare migrant. Pigeon Hawk: rare winter visitor, formerly nested. Sparrow Hawk: common resident, often seen on telephone wires.

GROUSE and PTARMIGAN--Family Tetraonidae Blue Grouse: resident, locally common in coniferous forests. *Ruffed Grouse: status uncertain; has been reported from the Uncompaghre National Forest, the Uinta Mountains, and the Grand Mesa. White-tailed Ptarmigan: resident on mountains above timberline, the population depending on the available winter food sup­ ply of willow.

13

I Sharp-tailed Grouse: local resident on scrub oak slopes. Sage Grouse: locally common in sage-brush habitat.

- I I J. ' I ., ff/ R ff/ i I J. R s 0 n D

f;am.be-l ',,, Otuz,U JU.n.g-M.ci.ed l'hetuan..t Chu.k.alt. ~]'~ I TUllk.e-'J-

San.

Comm.on~ . . /lm.e./Uc.an. Coo-t - s~ l'LoueA. - _,_ - ...._ Snowy. J'.l .. oueA. . . .

: XLJ...ldeeA. /lloun.taA.n J'.l.. oueA. . /lm.e.IUc.an. f;o-lden. l'-lo veA. . B.la.c.k.-he..lU..e.d l'-loueA. . . Comnion SnA..piz. I - LOfLfj-'1-Ule.d Ci.vUe.w . - ltJ~ .-·

14 QUAIL and PHEASANTS--Farnily Phasianidae Gambel 's Quail: common resident in brushy areas of valleys. Ring-necked Pheasant: common resident about farms and ranches. Chukar: locally common resident in open rocky canyons. Gray Partridge: status uncertain; introduced south of Craig in 1963.

TURKEYS--Farnily Meleagrididae Turkey: uncommon resident of open woods, most likely to be found in Arclruletta County.

CRANES--Farnily Gruidae Sandhill Crane: common migrant, usually seen in flocks high in the air; rare summer resident in Routt Co. (B & N).

RAILS, GALLINULES and COOTS--Farnily Rallidae Virginia Rail: status uncertain; rarely reported, perhaps be­ cause few observers have searched its marshy habitat. Sora: uncommon summer resident in cattail swarnps,more often heard than seen. *Common Gallinule: accidental, two sight records from M es a Co. in spring. American Coot: common migrant and occasional summer resi­ dent on marshes and cattail bordered reservoirs.

PLOVERS, TURNSTONES and SURFBffiDS-­ Farnily Charadriidae Semipalmated Plover: rare migrant, found along shores of open water. Snowy Plover: 2 at Grand Junction, Nov. 7, 1964 (Thomas); one found dead in Gunnison Co. by D. Radovich in May 1966 (Hyde); one seen with Semipalmated Plover at Highlin e Lake, April 27, 1968 (Davis). Killdeer: common resident in fields and on shores, rare in win­ ter. Mountain Plover: accidental visitor; photographed April 1, 1967 at Fruita by Edgar Muhr; seen at Hart's Basin with Kill­ deer on July 21, 1968 (Colborn). American Golden Plover: accidental, New Castle, Oct. 2, 1902 (B & N). Black-bellied Plover: taken at Gunnison, Sept. 21, 1959 (B & N); seen with other shore birds at Highline Lake, Mesa Co., April 27, 1968 (Davis).

15

• 'J t m II. m 'J 'J. II. s 0 n D

----~-- · --- r------Up.land P.lovrvz. .. Sp.oti.ed San.dp,j.pM. SoUtalu;. San.d.p,i.p.e,11. - /JJ-Ule,t ------,_ - ~ !fe-l.lowl.e.q4 . .. ,_ . . Ll!4<1eA. !Je-l.lowl.e.q4 :--'"9 . J.'.'n.o.t. . l'e.c..tolULI.. S

SeJIU.pa,l.m.a.t.e..d San.,dpA.p.e.;L .. • . IJM.t.elui S

l/Jne,t.lcan. llvo~ . Blac.k.-ne.ck.ed s.u.u -- . -- W.U.0 on.' <1 Ph.a,la/t.o fJ1!. --- . no~ Ph.a,la/t.ofll!. -- -- -... . Pom.a!W!.e. ').aeq.eA. . I

..

- ·· - I

16 WOODCOCK, SNIPE and SANDPIPERS-­ Family Scolopacidae Common Snipe: common migrant, found in swampy spots; sum­ mer resident in Routt Co. (B & N), Gunnison Co. (Hyde) and probably other areas; rare in winter but remains un­ til the wet spots freeze. Long-billed Curlew: rare migrant. *Whimbrel: accidental; seen at Mack-Mesa Reservoir in Mes a Co., May 2, 1968 (Ela and others). *Upland Plover: accidental; 4 sight records are listed in B & N. Spotted Sandpiper: common summer resident by lakes and reser­ voirs. Solitary Sandpiper: common migrant along moist places; a few remain .in summer. Willet: rare migrant. Greater Yellowlegs: common migrant along open water, mo r e likely to be seen in fall. Lesser Yellowlegs: uncommon migrant along open water. *Knot: accidental; seen along Colorado River in Mesa Co., Sept. 1, ll166 (Gustafson). *Pectoral Sandpiper: probably a rare migrant; there is one re­ cent record. Baird's Sandpiper: regular migrant, found along watercourses. Least Sandpiper: common migrant, sometimes lingering u n ti 1 water freezes. Long-billed Dowitcher: uncommon migrant; only spec i man is from Gunnison (Hyde) but sight records are assumed to be this species. Stilt Sandpiper: accidental; one taken in Grand Co., May 9, 1884 (B & N). Semipalmated Sandpiper: status uncertain; probably a rare mi­ grant but may have been missed. Western Sandpiper: uncommon migrant, found along muddy shore­ lines. Marbled Godwit: rare migrant; available records are a 11 for spring. *Sanderling: seen at Mack-Mesa Reservoir, Mesa Co., May 16, 1968 (Ela, Gustafson and others).

AVOCETS and STILTS--Family Recurvirostridae American Avocet: rare migrant on shallow open water. Black-necked Stilt: rare visitor to shores of open water.

17 PHALAROPES--Family Phalaropodidae Wilson's Phalarope: common migrant and uncommon summer resident, breeding in mountain parks. Northern Phalarope: uncommon migrant, usually seen in small ponds and irrigation ditches.

JAEGERS and SKUAS--Family Stercorariidae *Pomarine .Jaeger: accidental; seen near Grand Junction, Oct. 15, 1965 (Gustafson and Dismant). - 'J 1 m II. m '). 'J II. s 0 n D

H.eAIU.nq. ~ .. . CaLq..o.IUIA.a ~ ...... RA.n.r;.-b.ule.d ~ - . . 11Lan.kLln., 4 ~ -.._ .._ I- - Bon.a.pa.IU.e.'4 ~ - . S

le.a4.t T eAn. EU.acJr.. TeJtn. . .. Band-.taA..led l'.lq.e.on Rock. Dove.

blh,,Ue-uUn.IJe.d Dove. . moUllJUAq. Dove. r - . /je.U.oUJ-b.ule.d Cu.ck.oo -- - RocuiJu.uuuvt . ..

&wi. Oal s~ Oal 1~0A1.l . . .

18 GULLS and TERNS--Family Laridae Herring Gull: uncommon visitor, usually seen at reservoirs. California Gull: rare visitor, which is surprising since it nests in Utah and eastern Colorado. Ring-billed Gull: regular but uncommon migrant along rivers. Franklin's Gull: uncommon spring and fall migrant along open water, usually seen in small flocks. Bonaparte's Gull: rare migrant along rivers. Sabine's Gull: accidental, but there are four records, three col­ lected specimens (B & N). Forster's Tern: rare visitor to marshes and reservoirs. *Common Tern: accidental, but the presence of a small flock of both adults and young at Highline Lake, Mesa Co., Sept. 7, 1968 (Davis) suggests they may have been missed. *Least Tern: accidental; a small flock seen along the Colorado River below DeBeque, spring 1964. *Black Tern: rare migrant visitor; flocks were seen on two reservoirs in Delta Co. on July 28, 1968 (Co 1 born and Davis).

PIGEONS and DOVES--Family Columbidae Band-tailed Pigeon: locally common summer resident in open transition forest. Rock Dove: common resident in towns and at ranches. *White-winged Dove: accidental; sight record in Moffat Co., July 3, 1967 (Holt). Mourning Dove: common resident in all areas except high moun­ tains; rare in winter.

CUCKOOS and ROADRUNNERS--Family Cuculidae Yellow-billoo Cuckoo: uncommon resident of deciduous woods, more often heard than seen. Roadrunner: rare visitor,. chiefly to southern counties.

BARN OWLS--Family Tytonidae *Barn Owl: reported from the southwest counties in 1907 (B & N) no recent records known.

TYPICAL OWLS--Family Strigidae Screech Owl: uncommon resident; there are few records. Flammulated Owl: rare summer resident in mountain forests, reported only from Montezuma Co. in recent years. Great Horned Owl: locally common resident in woodlands.

19 'J 1 m A. m 'J 'JI A. s 0 n D

~ llolUl.ed. Ow'.l Sn.OWIJ °'1.l 1'1J-911Uf QaJ BWVl.OW.f..ruj. Ow'.l . .

S110.t.ted °'1.l Lan.q.-e..a/U.d Ow'.l Sh.a.U.-e..a/U.d Ow'.l . . . . Ball.e.al

SCJ111-wh.e.-t °'1.l J>a OIL-w-U.A.. Co11m.on. /'Uqhtuwk. Bla.cl.. Su;,lf,t,

/JJh-Ue-.tlvuJaM.d Sw.lµ I T ? ~ Sw.lµ . I. . f3.la.ck.-c.1Win.e.d /l_;;.;;. • -..; '- • L> . /lnno. I

,

i I

1 20 *Snowy Owl: winter visitor, reported twice in B & N, no recent records. Pygmy Owl: uncommon resident of mountain forests, rarely seen. It sometimes comes down into the valleys in winter. Burrowing Owl: locally common summer resident in des er t areas. Spotted Owl: status uncertain; taken in Pitkin Co. in 1903 (B & N) and listed as resident at Mesa Verde National Park. Long-eared Owl: uncommon resident in woodlands. Short-eared Owl: uncommon winter visitor to open fields. Boreal Owl: rare winter visitor. There is recent evidence of its breeding in high mountain forests near Breckenridge. Saw-whet Owl: uncommon resident of deep forests and swampy thickets.

GOATSUCKERS--Family Caprimulgidae Poor-will: probably a common summer resident of open slopes, but is inconspicuous since it flies at night. Common Nighthawk: common summer resident, often seen fly­ ing over towns.

SWIFTS--Family Apodidae Black Swift: locally common summer resident, nesting on pre­ cipitour cliffs by waterfalls. *?Chimney or Vaux Swift: status and identification by sight un­ certain; short gray swifts seen migrating with White - throated Swifts on three occasions could be either species (Davis). White-throated Swift: common summer resident, nesting on sheer cliffs. HUMMINGBIBDS--Family Trochilidae Black-chinned Hummingbird: common summer resident in d r y canyons. *Anna's Hummingbird: accidental; a hummingbird with red throat and forehead was observed at a feeder in Hotchkiss f o r over a week in late August, 1966 (Colborn and Blide). Broad-tailed Hummingbird: common summer resident in hi g h country. Rufous Hummingbird: .common late summer and fall m i gr ant , rarely seen in spring. There are several sight records of Allen's Hummingbird, all at the time when the Rufous is most abundant. Since the female Rufous has throat marks which may make it appear all dark in some light as well

21 as some red on the throat, a specimen must be well iden­ tified before Allen's can be accepted. Calliope Hummingbird: rare migrant and perhaps summer res­ ident in high mountains. Rivoli's Hummingbird: rare summer visitor. *White-eared Hummingbird: accidental; a female observed re­ peatedly at short range and sketched on Grand Mesa, Me­ sa Co., July 23, 1963 (Ela, Gustafson and others).

KING FISHERS--Family Alcedinidae Belted Kingfisher: uncommon summer resident and migrant, a few winter along open rivers.

WOODPECKERS--Family Picidae *Yellow-shafted Flicker: sight record, Grand Junction, Dec. 17, 1966 (Davis). Red-shafted Flicker: common resident throughout the year. Pileated Woodpecker: status uncertain; reported from the Ma­ roon Bells - Snow Mass Wild Area (B & N). Red-headed Woodpecker: accidental; Grand Co., 1877; Routt Co., 1908 (B & N). Lewis' Woodpecker: locally common but generally uncommon resident. Yellow-bellied Sapsucker: common summer resident, usually in aspen. Williamson's Sapsucker: common summer resident, usu ally in conifers. Hairy Woodpecker: uncommon resident, breeding in high country and wintering at lower altitudeso Downy Woodpecker: uncommon resident, breeding in mountains and wintering in the valleys. Northern Three-toed Woodpecker: rare resident in high coni­ ferous forests.

TYRANT FLYCATCHERS--Family Tyrannidae Eastern Kingbird: uncommon summer resident. Western Kingbird: common summer resident, often nesting on telephone poles in townso Cassin's Kingbird: uncommon summer resident. Ash-throated Flycatcher: common summer resident in piny o n pine - juniper habitat. *Olivaceous Flycatcher: sight records, Palisade, Mes a Co. , Sept. 1, 1964 (Gustafson); Colorado National Monument, July 24, 1965 (Hambly). 22 'J 1 Ill fl. Ill 'J 'J fl. .s 0 n D /JJ/i,U,e.-eoA.e.cJ. flummA..n.ghUu:l . Be..l.t.W. 7an..g,/MheA. !Je..U.aw-<>ha,f..ted 1.Llc.k.M. Re.d -<>haµed 1.Llc.k.M. .

P~ /Jlaadpec.k.elt. Ju.ck.M.

/JJ~an'<> SafM'ucl:.tvz. flaA..luj /Jla a dfl=.k.M. lJawfU/ /Jlaadpec.k.elt. na~ 7/vLee--toed /Jlaad{lR-Ck.M.

Uz4-tvui Xln..g.b.Uul ...... /Jle<>-tvui 'X.A.n..g)J.uut

0JA<>A.n.. I.() XU-1.g)J-Uul R.<>h-;/:JviaaA:.ed 1-U.;.ca,tch.e;i. . . OU.u-ac.eaU<> 1-U.;.ca,tch.e;i. . . S Ph.awe . . . . 71UU.U'<> 1~ . flamm.afLd I.() 1,/,-ljca,tch.e;z.

JJ1.14Lj 1,/_;;.ca,tch.e;i. ~ 1~ . .

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I 'J t m fl m 'J 'J fl s 0 n D

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B~<> 'f.lijc,a,t,c.heA. . . . H.olULed LaA.k.

/J~oLe-t.-g/U!.en Swa.l-low M 1 TJte.e. · Swa,l.low

Bank. Swa,l.low 'R.oiu;fi.•w~g,ed Swa,l.low . BaJUI. Swa,l.low cu+/. Swa,l.low

Pu.ILp.le nlaJl.;,Un...... ~ 'JwJ s.t.eU.e.;z. '<) 'JwJ SCIUW 'JwJ

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ClLJA.k_ I<) n~

I I I I I· I I I I I I I l I

24 Say's Phoebe: common summer resident, occasionally seen in winter. Traill's Flycatcher: uncommon summer resident in swampy areas and stream sides grown to willows and alders. Hammond's Flycatcher: summer resident in dense coniferous forests. Dusky Flycatcher: summer resident in open forest such as scrub oak, aspen or willows at high altitudes. Gray Flycatcher: summer resident in pinyon pine-juniper or sagebrush habitat. Western Flycatcher: summer resident in moist forests and shady canyons. Western Wood Peewee: common summer resident in open de­ ciduous woods. Vermillion Flycatcher: accidental; female collected at Gunnison, Nov. 18, 1952 (Hyde); sight record Colorado National Mon­ ument, Aug. 30, 1963 (Hambly). *Beardless Flycatcher: sight records June 10, 1962 and April 23, 1963 in Mesa Co. (Gustafson); caught and banded Colorado National Monument Sept. 15, 1964 (Hambly). Olive-sided Flycatcher: uncommon summer resident of high con­ iferous forests, usually seen high in the trees.

LARKS--Family Alaudidae Horned Lark: common resident of open country from deserts to tundra.

SWALLOWS--Family Hirundinidae Violet-green Swallow: common summer resident, usually see n in ponderosa pine habitat or about cliffs. Tree Swallow: common migrant and uncommon summer resident. Bank Swallow: uncommon migrant and uncommon summer resi­ dent along waterways. Rough-winged Swallow: generally uncommon migrant and sum­ mer resident, locally common summer resident near streams and ditches. Barn Swallow: common migrant and common summer resident about ranches. Cliff Swallow: common summer resident, nesting on cliffs and bridges. Purple Martin: rare summer visitor.

25 JAYS, MAGPIES and CROWS--Family Corvidae Gray Jay: common resl.dent of high coniferous forests. Steller's Jay: common resident of conifers in the transition for­ est. Scrub Jay: common resident of scrub oak, often in nearby areas. Black-billed Magpie: common and conspicuous resident of open country, usually nesting in cottonwoods. Common Raven: common resident, nesting on cliffs. Common Crow: common resident but less abundant than Magpie or Raven. Pinyon Jay: common resident in pinyon pine - juniper habitat. Clark's Nutcracker: common resident of mountain forests.

'J 1 m II. m 'J 'J II. s 0 n D

Bla.ck.-c.a.ppe..d CM-ccuie.e. Olau.ri,t.a,ln. ChA.Ga.du.. 7'./...aA.n.. 1 UAz.aMe. Camm.an. Bu4/i..UA..

/UhU.e.-.&~

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.C.an.q.-./J.U...U.d {(IJl)t,(,h. UJ-un. . Ca.luf an. IU.ll.e.n. 'J!.acJ:.. /Ult.ell mackA.n.q..IMA.d.

Ca-th-Uul

26 TITMICE, VERDINS and BUSHTITS--Family Paridae Black-capped Chicadee: uncommon resident, usually nesting in aspen or ponderosa pine and wintering in the valleys. Mountain Chicadee: common resident, usually nesting in coni­ ferous forest and wintering in the valleys. Plain Titmouse: common resident in pinyon pine - juniper hab­ itat. Common Bu~htit: common resident in brush and scrub oak. NUTHATCHES--Family Sittidae White-breasted Nuthatch: uncommon resident, often nesting in high woods and wintering at lower levels. Red-breasted Nuthatch: rare resident, nesting in transition for­ est and wintering at lower altitudes. Pygmy Nuthatch: common resident in ponderosa pine habitat , ranging somewhat in winter. CREEPERS--Family Certhiidae Brown Creeper: uncommon resident of mountain fore st s and winter visitor to the valleys. DIPPERS--Family Cinclidae Dipper: common resident along mountain streams, wintering as far up as the water is open. WRENS--Family Troglodytidae House Wren: common summer resident at higher altitudes. *Winter Wren: status doubtful; sight records are in sum m e r which makes them unlikely. Bewick's Wren: common summer resident in pinyon pine - juni­ per habitat, a few winter. Long-billed Marsh Wren: status uncertain; there are few recent records though B & N report it as widely distributed. Canyon Wren: uncommon summer resident of dry canyons; a few winter in southern counties. Rock Wren: common summer resident of dry rocky areas, rare in winter. MOCKINGBIRDS and THRASHERS--Family Mimidae Mockingbird: uncommon resident of brush, in or near towns. Catbird: rare summer resident in streamside thickets, most likely to be found in southern counties. *Brown Thrasher: accidental; sight records from the Black Can­ yon of the Gunnison, Oct. 12, 1952 (Hyde) and July 10, 1961 (Inez Baker, by Collister). Sage Thrasher: common summer resident in sagebrush.

27 'J r m fl (// 'J 'J ll s 0 n D 81town. Thluu/Le.IL . . Satµ. ThluuheA.. Ro.Um lie.A.Jn,i,t TlllW.4h

Sw~on.'~ TIVl-U/.Jh - - - ~ /Jee/Uj

/;J~.tv!.n. Blue.h.uut - fl/oUJ1..t.a,Ui 8.lu.ek-Ui.d

Tow~en.d'~ So~ 8-lue-g/Lalf ~ . ~olden.-CA.own.ed ~ .. . . RuJJlf•CA.own.ed ~

Wa-tvi N..p-U . . .. Sp1ta.g.1.u. '~ J>.lp-U ...... Boh.em.lan.. WQ.XIJ!-UuJ Ceda.lt WCl.Xlll-lfuJ •• •• •• •1• • • • •• • . . . . ~ .• • ••

THRUSHES, SOLITAIRES and BLUEBIRDS-- Family Turdidae Robin: common resident, nesting in forests and in towns. Hermit Thrush: common summer resident in mountain forests. Swainson 's Thrush: spring and fall migrant and rare summer resident in mountain forests. Common summer resident in Gunnison National Forest (Hyde). Veery: common summer resident of moist bottomland thickets, rarely found elsewhere.

28 Western Bluebird: common migrant, uncommon summer resi­ dent usually in transition forest, rare in winter. Mountain Bluebird: common migrant and summer re side n t , sometimes common in the winter in the valleys. Towensend's Solitaire: uncommon resident, nesting in mountain forests and wintering in the valleys.

OLD WORLD WARBLERS, GNATCATCHERS and KINGLETS--Family Sylviidae Blue-gray Gnatcatcher: common summer resident in sage, pin­ yon pine - juniper, and river bank brush. Golden-crowned Kinglet: generally uncommon migrant and rare summer resident in coniferous forests. Common in high spruce forest of Gunnison Co. (Hyde). Ruby-crowned Kinglet: common migrant and summer resident in evergreen forest; a few winter.

WAGTAILS AND PIPITS--Family Motacillidae Water Pipit: common summer resident above timberline, some­ times winters in the valleys along the rivers. Sprague's Pipit: rare migrant.

WAXWINGS--Family Bombycillidae Bohemian Waxwing: irregular winter visitor, sometimes in large flocks. Cedar Waxwing: irregular visitor, usually seen in flocks which appear and disappear without apparent reason.

TYPICAL SHRIKES--Family Laniidae Northern Shrike: common winter visitor to valleys. Loggerhead Shrike: uncommon summer resident, nesting in open country, and common winter resident usually seen on tele­ phone wires.

STARLINGS:..-Family Sturnidae Starling: common resident about towns and ranches, wintering in flocks in the valleys.

VIREOS--Family Vireonidae Gray Vireo: uncommon summer resident in pinyon pine - juni­ per habitat. Solitary Vireo: common summer resident in scrub oak-ppnder­ osa pine habitat.

29 Red-eyed Vireo: rare; one found dead in Durango, Sept. 12, 1957 (Reames, in B & N); seen Hotchkiss, May 4, 1966 (Colborn) and a pair present at Gunnison during the summer of 1967 (Hyde). *Philadelphia Vireo: seen near Durango Sept. 16, 1967 (Reames, in Denver Field Ornithologists, Monthly Report of Fie 1 d Observations. Vol. 3, No. 3, December 1967). Warbling Vireo: common summer resident in deciduous woods.

'J 1 fl{ II. Ill 'J 'J II. s 0 n D no~ Stvu.k.e . . ,.. log.q.eA)ie.ad Stvu.k.e s.toAA.A.ri.

S o.u..t.aluJ, ll-Ul.e.o Re.d-e.tJe.d ll-Ul.eo . . PIUJ..adeA.pJU.a. lJ -Ute.a . Wa!Wwu;. ll-Uteo

Blaci..-cuu:l -wh-U..e. /J}a/W.f.eA. . WcM111.-e.oM.tu;. !UalW.leA. . . T Ulll.e.44ee /JJalW.leA. .. . ~-c.4aw1ie.d /Ua/WW. .. . fla,o/w,UU. /J}~ . v~ '<) wcvw.LeA. .. -- l:Ju:Jj '4 /JJcvw.LeA. . J>Cllt.UA..a. wcvw.LeA. . /le.Uow wcvw.LeA. . flltµ-Ue. /JJCVW.leA. . . /W.dulJon. '4 /JJ~ Blaci..-Vvt.oa..te.d ~ wcvw.LeA. . .. . T 0Wfl.4e.n.d , ..., /JJalW.leA. .. ~, <) iiJcvw.LeA. --- WOOD WARBLERS--Family Parulidae *Black-and-white Warbler: accidental; reported from Fruit a about September 1926 (see B & N). Worm-eating Warbler: accidental; one found dead in Durango, Oct. 22, 1960 (Reames in B & N); seen Dinosaur National Monument, May 1, 1963 (B & N). Tennessee Warbler: there are 3 records from Gunnison by Pro­ fessor Hyde, who considers it ''probably a regular though rare migrant". Orange-crowned Warbler: uncommon migrant and probably sum- mer resident in moist mountain brush; rare in winter. Nashville Warbler: rare migrant; all records are in fall. Virginia's Warbler: common summer resident in scrub oak. Lucy's Warbler: found nesting in Montezuma Co. in 1913 (B& N). Parula Warbler: accidental; adtilt male collected Gunnison, May 24, 1952 (Hyde). Yellow Warbler: common summer resident, often in willows along streams. Myrtle Warbler: regular migrant, probably often missed among the abundant Audubon's Warblers. Audubon's Warbler: common summer resident in mountain for­ ests, a few winter. Black-throated Gray Warbler: common summer resident in pin­ yon pine - juniper habitat. Townsend's Warbler: uncommon fall migrant; collected near Montrose, May 23, 1951 (Hyde); seen Hotchkiss May 8, 1967 (Colborn). Grace's Warbler: uncommon summer resident in ponderosa pine habitat of southern counties. *Northern Waterthrush: rarely seen migrant, found in moist thickets. *Connecticut Warbler: accidental; sight record Grand Junction, April 30, 1965 (Ela). MacGillivray's Warbler: common migrant, uncommon sum me r resident in willow thickets of mountain valleys. Yellowthroat: uncommon summer resident in brush near water. Yellow-breasted Chat: locally common summer residentin brush along streams. Wilson's Warbler: common migrant and summer resident in wil­ low grown mountain valleys. *American Redstart: rare visitor; sight records at Grand Junc­ tion, Sept. 4, 1963 (Gustafson); four at Gunnison, June 2, 1964 (Hyde) and others seen at Gunnison in 1966 and 1967 (Hyde).

31 *Painted Redstart: seen at Hotchkiss, May 26, 1967. The bird remained for six days and was seen by several observers (Colborn).

WEAVER FINCHES--Family Ploceidae House Sparrow: common resident about towns and ranches.

'J 1 nz fl Im 'J 'J II s 0 n D

noMlt.e.luL /JJ~h. 1- - Con.n.e.cUcu,t /JJcV/..IJ"-eA. . - lfl~Vll.alJ. 14 /J]cV/..IJ"-eA_ - . !J.e.-llow.thltoa-t --

!Je.-llow-.bJt.ea.ot..ed Ch.at /iU..l.oon. '.o /JJcV/..IJ"-eA. . l/Jn.eA,lcan. Re.d/.l.t..cvz;,t . • l'aA.n...te.d Re.d/.1-t.a!U. .

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&Lllock.! .o OIU.a".e. Ru.diJ. 8-Uu:.lc.h.Uui . . /3Jt.e.wu '.o 13lac.kh.uut 11111 81t..a1J111.-h..e.ade.d Caw.b.UL

/JJe..o.t.e.lln. 7 aru:uµA. -- Sca-r.le.t 7aru:uµA.

32 MEADOWLARKS, BLACKBIRDS and ORIOLES-­ Family Icteridae Bobolink: rare and irregular summer visitor, nesting in grass­ land. Western Meadowlark: common resident in open fields, less com­ mon at high altitudes or deserts. Yellow-headed Blackbird: locally common summer resident in cattail marshes. Redwinged Blackbird: common resident, nesting in marshes and wintering in large flocks in the valleys. Orchard Oriole: accidental; a pair seen at Hotchkiss, May 11, 1958 (Crews, in B & N); one found dead near Gunnison in 1967 (Hyde). *Hooded Oriole: accidental; seen at Hotchkiss, 1959 and 1960 (Crews, in B & N). *Scott's Oriole: seen in Black Canyon of the Gunnison, June 1960 (B & N). Bullock's Oriole: common summer resident in towns and decid­ uous woods. Rusty Blackbird: rare winter visitor, perhaps overlooked. Brewer's Blackbird: common resident of towns and r anc hes , wintering in flocks in the valleys. Brown-headed Cowbird: common summer resident at lower alti­ tudes.

TANAGERS--Family Thraupidae Western Tanager: common migrant and locally common sum­ mer resident, usually in transition forest. Scarlet Tanager: accidental; "two males collected in Garfield Co. in 1892" (B & N).

GROSBEAKS, FINCHES, SPARROWS and BUNTINGS-­ Family Fringillidae *Cardinal: accidental or escaped cage bird at Grand Junction, May 27, 1962 (B & N). *Rose-breasted Grosbeak: accidental; Gunnison, May 26, 1964 (Hyde in B & N); Grand Junction, May 27, 1962 (Gustafson). Black-headed Grosbaek: common summer resident, nesting in brush and deciduous trees, Blue Grosbeak: uncommon summer resident, nesting in brush near fields. Lazuli Bunting: uncommon summer resident, nesting in scrub and hillside brush.

33 Painted Bunting: accidental; one taken at Mesa Verde, Aug. 29, 1938 by Don Watson (B & N). Dickcissel: accidental; Montrose, July 10, 1926; collected at Gunnison, Sept. 18 and Oct. 4, 1957 (Hyde, in B & N); seen at Hotchkiss, Aug. 28, 1966 (Colborn). Evening Grosbeak: irregular but sometimes common resident • nesting in coniferous forest. Often seen in towns in the winter. Cassin 's Finch: common resident, nesting in high country; some come to the valleys in winter. House Finch: common resident about towns and ranches, 1 es s common in winter. Pine Grosbeak: uncommon resident of coniferous mountain for­ ests. Gray-crowned Rosy Finch: common winter visitor; flocks feed on bare ground as high as snow permits, along r o ad side s when snow is deep. Black Rosy Finch: common winter visitor, less common than the Gray-crowned. Brown-capped Rosy Finch: resident, nesting in crevices ofrocks above timberline and wintering in the valleys, often in as­ sociation with other Rosy Finches. Common Redpoll: rare and irregular visitor to weedy fields in winter. Pine Siskin: irregularly common resident; in winter they are often seen in flocks feeding on weed seeds in open fields. American Goldfinch: common resident, sometimes nesting in towns. Lesser Goldfinch: uncommon summer resident in scrub oak - ponderosa pine habitat, a few winter in the valleys. Red Crossbill: rare, irregular and local; look for them in pon­ derosa pines at any time of the year. White-winged Crossbill: rare winter visitor to coniferous for - ests. Green-tailed Towhee: common summer resident, usu a 11 y i n scrub oak or serviceberry; rare winter resident in th e valleys. Rufous-sided Towhee: uncommon resident of brush and scrub oak, likely to be seen in valleys in winter, Less common than would be expected in view of its abundance in scrub oak in the east. *Brown Towhee: rare visitor; sight records at Hotchkiss, May 18, 1966 (Colborn); and Grand Junction, March 13, 1967 (Ela). 34 'J. 1 m fl m 'J. 'J. fl s 0 n D Calutl.nal . Ro.oe.-.iJIUUl4-te.d ~o.o.IJw I .. 8'.acl.-h.ead.ed ~o.o.IJea.k. . 81.ue. ~4.IJea.k. .

La~ ~ ]'cun,,te.d ~ . 1J.lc.Ju::M.oeJ...... £ue.nAN; ~4.IJea.k. •1 ,..._ •• •• • • •• ~- -· - ~- •• •• Ca.o4.ln. , 4 1 ,£n,ch.

fl OIUJe. "f,i.n,ch.

N.n.e. ~4.IJea.k. ~-c..t.oillne.d. Ro41f 1,i.n,ch. ~ lUaJc. 'Ro.olf 1,i.n,ch. - ,_ ~-c.appe.d 'R.041.f l,i.n,ch. Coaun.on. Re.d.po.U.. -- . l'-in.e.. SibiUn. ------•• • • I •• • II • ., "9• •• •• • •• •• ~· llm.eM.can. r;o~ Le.44e/l. frJ.ldµ.n,c.h. Rut Clr.o.o..w.ul -~- ~- .-- - . - -· -- - -~- 1.flh,U.e-IJJ-Uuµui. CJt.044./J,i...U . . --

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35

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36 Lark Bunting: uncommon summer resident in fields and moun­ tain parks. Savannah Sparrow: generally uncommon migrant and summer resident in moist mountain parks. Common in the Gunnison valley (Hyde). Grasshopper Sparrow: one taken Gunnison, Oct. 15, 1953 (Hyde). LeConte's Sparrow: taken Breckenridge, Oct. 24, 1886 (B & N) and at Gunnison, May 6, 1952 (Hyde). Sharp-tailed Sparrow: accidental; one taken Gunnison, Oct. 23, 1952 (Hyde). Vesper Sparrow: common summer resident in grassy pastures. Lark Sparrow: common summer resident in dry brushy areas. *Rufous-crowned Sparrow: status uncertain; there are several sight records and it should be sought in dry rocky can- yons. . Black-throated Sparrow: locally common summer resident in desert scrub. Sage Sparrow: summer resident in sagebrush, shy and difficult to identify. White-winged Junco: rare winter visitor. Slate-colored Junco: rare winter resident, usually noted at feed­ ing stations with other species of Juncos. Oregon Junco: common winter resident. Gray-headed Junco: common resident, nesting in mountain for­ ests, less abundant in winter than the Oregon Junco. Tree Sparrow: uncommon winter visitor to weed p at c he s and brush. Chipping Sparrow: common summer resident in open areas in­ terspersed with trees, particularly pinyon pine - juniper habitat. *Clay-colored Sparrow: rare visitor, easily confused with the common Brewer's Sparrow or young Chipping Sparrows. Look for the median line through the crown and the brown­ ish rump. Sight records in Mesa Co. , March 8 , 1954 (Carmen, reported by Ela) and Feb. 14, 1955 (Gustafson) and at Hotchkiss, June 1967 (Colborn). Brewer's Sparrow: common summer resident in sage and low brush. *Field Sparrow: accidental; sight records at Colorado National Monument, Feb. 12, 1966 (Ela) and Glade Park, Mesa Co., Sept. 6, 1965 (Gustafson). Harris' Sparrow: rare winter resident, associating with flocks of White-crowned Sparrows.

37

I White-crowned Sparrow: common resident, nesting in mountain brush and wintering in the valleys. *Golden-crowned Sparrow: accidental; Pitkin Co., September 1958 (B & N). White-throated Sparrow: rare visitor. Lincoln's Sparrow: common summer resident in willow - grown areas in mountains, Fox Sparrow: rare summer resident, known to breed in willow­ grown bogs at high altitudes. Song Sparrow: common resident in brush and thickets. Lapland Longspur: rare winter visitor to weedy fields; most re­ cords are from Delta or Gunnison Counties by Professor Hydeo Chestnut-collared Longspur: accidental; Montezuma Coo, April 4, 1906 and a sight record by Hyde in Gunnison Co., April 5, 1964 (B & N).

ADDENDUM *Oldsquaw: female, Highline Lake, December 5 and sever a 1 weeks after, 1968; Gustafson and many others.

TRIPS AND SPECIAL BIRDS

Bird finding is not as easy in western Colorado as it is in some other parts of the country. There is no large refuge teeming with waterfowl, no ocean with a seacoast. No wave of migratory warblers comes up the Rockies in spring as there does in the Appalachians, no swirling migration of hawks drifts down the ridges in fall. Birds of the mountain forest are hard to see among the trees and few roads lead up to timber 1 in e • Birds of the pinyon pine - juniper habitat are thinly distributed. Some migratory species steer clear of mountainous are as or pass over the dry Colorado plateau. Those that come down to rest are widely separated. As Peitingill put it, birds are "dif­ ficult to dig out" in the Rocky Mountain area because it is nec­ essary to cover a considerable amount of territory to find both mnnbers and variety o

These suggestions are to help visiting birders. There are two parts--trips for bird finding in general and ways to see special birds which are not seen in most parts of the country o

38 Place Nearby towns 1. Black Canyon of the Gunnison Montrose or Hotchkiss 2. Colorado National Morument Grand Junction 3. DeBecque Canyon Grand Junction 4. Grand Mesa Grand Junction or Delta 5. Hanging Lake Glenwood Springs 6. Hart's Basin Delta, Cedaredge or Hotchkiss 7. Highline Lake and Grand Junction Mack-Mesa Reservoir 8. Mesa Verde National Park Durango or Cortez 9. Rifle Gap Reservoir and Rifle Rifle Falls 10. Rock Creek Bird Nesting Dillon or Frisco Area 11. San Juan Mountains Montrose, Ouray, Silverton, and Durango 12. Sweitzer Lake Delta

Special Birds

Black Swifts Burrowing OWls Empidonax Flycatchers Gray Vireo Rogy Finches White-tailed Ptarmigan

References

Pettingill, O. S. Jr.: "A Guide to Bird Finding (West)", New York, Oxford University Press, 1953. Kingery, Hugh: A Colorado Gazeteer. The Western Tanager, 34:97 & 35:1, 1968. (published by the Los AngelesAudubon Society).

Black Can.yon of the Gunnison National Monument--from Montrose or Hotchkiss

The Black Canyon of the Gunnison is a deep wild gorgecut by the Gunnison River. The part set aside as a National Monu­ ment is visited by many people. It has excellent roads and foot paths along its south rim which give eagy access to its rugged beauty.

39 The entry to the south rim is about 8 miles east of Mon­ trose on route 50. State route 347 goes from the grassy valley up to the top of the plateau, reaching the canyon in about 5 miles. The vegetation at the top is chiefly scrub oak, service­ berry and sagebrush. Green-tailed Towhees, Scrub Jays and Virginia's Warblers are in this habitat. The canyon itself has bare rocky walls. Looking down into the gorge, White-throated Swifts and Violet-green Swallows are seen from above. Other birds which have been seen are Golden Eagles, B 1 ac k Swifts, Red-tailed and Sparrow Hawks and Turkey Vultures. In the little draws leading down into the canyon there is vegetation and here Mountain Bluebirds, Mountain Chicadees, Black-headed Gros - beaks and Broad-tailed Hummingbirds may be found. The high­ est and farthest part of the drive is bordered by pinyon pine and juniper where Plain Titmice, Pinyon Jays and Gray-headed Jun­ cos are most likely to be seen.

The north rim of the Black Canyon can be reached from Delta by way of route 92 through Hotchkiss and Crawford. Just beyond Crawford there is an unpaved road, on the right. This leads to the rim, which is 14 miles south.

Colorado National Monument--near Grand Junction

A visit to "the Monument" is well worth while for anyone. Here the processes of erosion have carved great canyons with sheer cliffs and weird rock formations. Two public picnic areas and a campground are available as well as a small museum at the National Park Service headquarters. A good road climbs up from the valley to skirt the top of the chasms. There are plenty of stopping places which afford magnificent views and op­ portunity to take pictures or look for birds. Spring and sum­ mer are the best times to visit. The drive · through the Park can be done in two hours but to search for birds in all the places suggested here will take most of a day.

To reach the Monument, go west on Colorado route 340 which starts at First Street and Grand Avenue in Grand Junc­ tion. This soon crosses the Colorado River. Barn and Cliff Swallows flock by the bridge; Snowy Egrets, Black-crowned Night Herons and Great Blue Herons feed in the shallow downstream in summer. In winter there are Mallards, American Widgeon, Common Goldeneyes and Mergansers in the river below the bridge. 40 Turn left soon after crossing the bridge and fo 11 ow the signs to the Monument. The road leads through arid valley where Mourning Doves, Horned Larks, Mountain and We st e rn Bluebirds and Loggerhead Shrikes are often seen. At the Park entrance note your mileage.

A quarter mile inside the Park there is a parking p 1 ace with a path leading to the Devil's Kitchen, with a picnic area across the road. Park in the area to the left (east) and look about for birds. Lark and Black-throated Sparrows sing from the tops of the bushes in spring. Chukar partridges are com­ mon residents among the broken rim rocks but are more often heard than seen. White-throated Swifts and Violet-green Swal­ lows fly overhead while Scrub Jays explore the picnic area for scraps. Walk down the path toward the streambed, which is usually dry. Rock Wrens are resident on the rocks and Plain Titmice in the junipers. Stop again as the path forks ju st be­ fore going down into the sagebrush. Say's Phoebes, Blue-gray Gnatcatchers and Black-throated Sparrows are common. Golden Eagles are sometimes seen up the canyon, hunting for rabbits. Across the stream is typical pinyon pine - juniper habitat with Black-chinned Hummingbirds and Gray Vireos. After exploring the region and returning to the car, con­ tinue upward to the top of the plateau. This is covered sparsely by pinyon pine and Rocky Mountain juniper, the characteristic habitat of the region. Though birds are diffused, Pinyon Jays may be anywhere along the road. Stop at Co Id Shivers Point. Ravens, Turkey Vultures, Red-tailed Hawks and Black-bi 11 e d Magpies may be soaring in the air. One summer the point it­ self was the singing spot for a Canyon Wren.

Continuing along the Rimrock Drive you will want to stop at the turnouts provided ·along the way.

Two roads lead off to the left, each marked "to G 1 ad e Park". Take the second one, which is about 12 miles from the Park entrance. Proceed a quarter mile to a dirt road just out­ side the Park marked Black Ridge Hunter Access. Park here and walk along the dirt road in the arroyo. Plain Titmice, Black-throated Flycatchers are resident. White-breasted Nut­ hatches, Mountain Chicadees, and Oregon and Gray-headed Jun­ cos are common visitors in fall and winter. There is a chance of finding Gray Vireos and Gray Flycatchers in the proper sea­ son. 41 The road toward Glade Park winds up through pinyon-jun­ iper forest to a wide high open section ,;vhich was former 1y sagebrush but which is now partly farm or ranch land. Moun­ tain Bluebirds are fond of this open country during migration, while Brewer's Sparrows are common summer residents along the fencerows. In late July and August migrating Rufou s and Black-chinned Hummingbirds feed on the abundant wildflowers.

About 1. 5 miles beyond the Black Ridge Access, on the right, is a broken-down wooden corral which marks the en­ trance to a dirt road leading west. This road is entered through a gate. (Close it after going through; the owner likes to keep his sheep from wandering.) After a mile through op en fields where Horned Larks nest, you reach a reservoir. Look for Cin­ namon Teal in the cattails on the right, where Redwinged Black­ birds nest. The main body of water is on the right; migrating ducks, grebes, coot, herons and sandpipers may be found. Just once, a Prairie Falcon was seen to strike a Mh.i.lard as a flock of ducks rose from the pond.

A second and somewhat larger reservoir may be seen to the north. This can be reached by following a dirt road through several fence gates. Sage Thrashers should be seen. in summer, and the same sorts of birds as may be seen at the first reser­ voir. Returning to Rimrock Drive in the Park, proceed westward to the visitor center which is the Park Headquarters. A list of Birds of the Colorado National Monument is available. The mu­ seum is well worth visiting. No food is served at the Head­ quarters but there is safe water, soft drinks and rest rooms.

The campground is a half mile further on. From it the Window Rock Trail leads to a lookout over the valley. This is the most likely spot from which to see Golden Eagles. Turkey Vultures, White-throated Swifts and Violet-green Swallows are present in summer; Rosy Finches are occasional winter visitors.

Continuing on, the main road descends through tunnels and down Fruita Canyon to the west entrance to the Monument. Just inside the entrance is a water reservoir and a patch of large sagebrush. Park by the turnoff and investigate the s eve r a 1 markedly different habitats nearby. Bewick's Wrens, Lark and Black-throated Sparrows, Lazuli Buntings, Bullock's 0rio1 es,

42 Black-billed Magpies, Mourning Doves and Sparrow Hawks are likely to be present in proper season. The return to Grand Junction may be made by two routes. By going to Fruita, the Colorado River is crossed by a bridge which affords another place to look for waterbirds or walk the brushy riverbank. From Fruita, Colorado route 6 & 50 lead back to Grand Junction along the railroad. Look fo"I'. 'N.Q"\'.~~~"\'..~ ~~ Loggerhead Shrikes in winter as well as for wintering hawks over the fields. By turning right on route 340 just after leaving the west entrance to the Monument, the trip continues through ranch country to Grand Junction by way of South Broadway. Western Meadowlarks, Ring-necked Pheasants, Gambel 's Quail, Blue and Black-headed Grosbeaks, Redwinged and Brewer 1 s Blackbirds Shrikes, White-crowned Sparrows and Oregon Juncos m ay be seen from the road. There is just a chance of seeing deer and buffalo as South Broadway goes along the fence which encloses the Park. DeBecque Canyon--from Grand Junction

DeBecque Canyon is the name given to the steep walled section of the valley of the Colorado River between Grand Junc­ tion and Debecque. The west or lower end is at the bridge where route 70 crosses the river at the east end of Grand Val­ ley; the upper end is about 19 miles east where the river widens out into the valley where the town of DeBecque is located. This is not one of the best birding areas but is included as the road is a main route and rarities are sometimes seen.

To reach DeBecque Canyon go east on route 70 for about 12 miles to the bridge. In winter, Shrikes and Rosy Finch e s are likely to be seen along this section. Note your mileage at the bridge, drive slowly and watch the river. After 4 miles there is a recreation area with a pond which is used by migra­ tory water birds unless there are too many fisherman. A herd of buffalo are kept in the field nearby. A mile further on is the exit to the Grand Mesa, and a mile beyond that is a dam which forms a wide area in the river. Mergansers and Goldeneyes stay here in winter until it freezes over. Eight miles further is a large stand of cottonwoods across the river. The nests of a colony of Great Blue Herons may be seen in the tops of the northern trees. Two miles further on the valleywidensinto cul­ tivated fields. 43

• In winter, the river is inhabited by Common and Red­ breasted Mergansers, Common Goldeneyes and Mallards. Mi­ grating Eared Grebes are usually in the ponds. In summer Great Blue Herons and a few Mallards are on the river, Yellow Warblers nest in the willows along the banks and other small birds inhabit the cottonwoods.

The Grand Mesa--from Grand Junction or Delta

The Grand Mesa is a great lava-capped plateau covered by mountain forest and studded with more than 200 lakes. Because two rivers--the Colorado on the north and the Gunnison on the south--have cut deep valleys which join to the west, "the Mesa" has the appearance of a flat-topped mountain. A trip over its 10, 800 foot top provides magnificent scenery, All the habitats of western Colorado are found except ponderosa pine forest and tundra. Allow a full day for the trip.

The road over the Mesa is good but may be difficult b e - tween November and June because of snow. The upper lakes do not melt until June. Visitors are advised to have some warm clothing available even in summer.

Several trips are outlined. The birds seen on them w i 11 be similar depending on the season and the time spent search­ ing.

A) To reach the Grand Mesa from Grand Junction, go north on 7th Street from North Avemie. Birds of the town are Bullock's Orioles, Brewer's Blackbirds, Robin s and H o u s e Finches. Drive to route 70, following the signs, Black-billed Magpies, Redwinged Blackbirds, Mourning Doves, Killdeer, Western Meadowlarks, Sparrow Hawks and Gambel 's Quail may be seen in the outskirts of the village. Take route 70 east to­ ward Denver, noting your mileage at that point.

The first few miles are through arid country with thin sagebrush on the left and irrigated ranches on the right. Flocks of Rosy Finches feed along this road in winter but sum m e r birds are few. After about 12 miles the road leaves the Grand Valley and follows the Colorado River with cliffs on both sides. (This is DeBecque Canyon, which is described separately.) Look for hawks, ducks and Ravens along the river. After 17 miles, turn right on route 65 toward Mesa.

44 This road follows Plateau Creek which flows between steep walls. Cliff Swallows are abundant summer residents, their mud nests plastered just above the road in several places. After 28 miles the road crosses the creek into ranches. Continue straight on through the town of Mesa with its cattle attended by flocks of Brewer's Blackbirds and on up into pinyon pine - juniper habi­ tat. Red-tailed Hawks often soar over these fields and Mountain Bluebirds perch on the fences. The road enters an area of scrub oak where Scrub Jays are at home. A short side trip to the Powderhorn Ski Area goes through an aspen grove and permits a view back over the valley. Soon the road is in mountain for­ est of conifers with extensive stands of aspen.

Stop at Mesa Lakes Resort (Skyway on the road map) where there are cabins and a restaurant by Beaver Lake. Dip­ pers inhabit the stream which flows from lake to lake. Birds of the mountain forest include Gray Jays, Clark's Nutcrackers, Common Ravens, Yellow-bellied and Williamson's Sapsuckers, Steller's Jay, Mountain Chicadees, Pine Grosbeaks, Ruby­ crowned Kinglets, Cassin's Finches and Pine Siskins. Look for them crossing the lake.

A short walk or drive upwards leads to Mesa Lake Picnic Grounds. This lake has a path around it. Yellow and Audubon's Warblers, Warbling Vireos, Western Wood Peewees, Gray-head­ ed Juncos, White-crowned Sparrows and House Wrens are sum­ mer residents here.

Route 65 continues upward to the top of the Mesa, which is mostly covered by Engelmann spruce but also has broad mea­ dows and small lakes. A walk in the forest may reveal Blue Grouse, Hammond's and Olive-sided Flycatchers, Gray Jays, Clark's Nutcrackers, Robins or perhaps a Northern Three-toed Woodpecker.

On the top of the Mesa is a road which turns south to Land's End, while route 65 cpntinues over the Mesa to reach Cedaredge in 20 miles. B) The road to Land's End goes through forest, open areas and on to a glass-walled observatory at the top of cliffs. This vantage point provides a full view of the Grand Valley. The road beyond is the shortest way back to Grand Junction but is unpaved, steep and tortuous. It leads through scrub oak down

45 through pinyon pine - juniper to sagebrush desert in the valley and back to Grand Junction by route 50.

C) Continuing on the well-paved road toward Cedaredge, Island Lake is reached in about 4 miles. Grand Mesa Lodge here serves food. After circling Island Lake with its cottages and fishermen, the road turns south by Carp Lake. Dirt roads and paths in the region of these lakes give easy entrance to the forest away from the main highway.

Descending the Mesa, about 4 miles beyond Carp Lake, is an open meadow with Ward Creek passing through it. Spotted Sandpipers and Mallards are summer residents of the Ward Creek Reservoir. Look for birds of the forest as they cross the clearing as well as birds of willow-grown mountain valleys such as Wilson's and MacGillivray's Warblers in the brush around the reservoir.

Continuing the descent, the road passes successive 1 y through mountain forest, transition forest with scrub oak, pinyon pine - juniper and then ranches as it comes to Cedaredge. Delta is reached 15 miles further on, after going through Eckert and Cory. (See Hart's Basin, described separately.) Delta has sev­ eral eating places and a motel. Route 50 leads back to Grand Junction th.rough desert where Common Ravens, Horned Larks, and Mourning Doves are common; Golden Eagles and antelope sometimes seen.

D) The trip over the Grand Mesa reverses those outlined. Starting on route 92 heading east, take route 65 north to Cedar - edge and on to the top of the Mesa. Return can be by way of the Land's End Road or over to route 70 to Grand Junction and back to Delta by route 50.

Hanging Lake is an emerald lake enclosed by precipitous brown cliffs and fed by a white waterfall. Deciduous trees and brush surround the lake and tall spruces are on the mountain - sides. Dippers are common along the stream which come -s down from the lake and forest birds may be seen or heard.

To reach Hanging Lake, drive east from Glenwood Springs about 9 miles on routes 6 and 50, A sign and a few houses mark the path which starts from the main road as it f o 11 ow s

46 the canyon of the Colorado River. The walk up to the lake i s about 11/2 miles. The path follows along a rushing stream through the forest. This path is steep, rocky and sometimes difficult. Allow an hour for the trip each way. The scenery is magnificent but birds are few and the trip is not for the weary.

Hart's Basin--near Delta, Cedaredge or Hotchkiss

Hart's Basin is a large artificial lake setin ranch country about 8 miles northeast of Delta, 7 miles south of Cedaredge and about 20 miles west of Hotchkiss. Its shallow north end is bordered by mudflats which are popular with herons, sandpipers and similar waders while its deep south end by the dam is fre­ quented by migratory ducks. The wooded areas, brush, fields and orchards around the reservoir provide habitat for a diversity of other birds.

Local names are confusing. The lake is shown on the gas­ oline company maps as Fruitgrower's Reservoir, east of Orchard City and with no roads to it. Actually it is known locally as Hart's Basin. The two small towns of Cory and Eckert are on route 65 and hard-top roads lead to both the north and south ends of the reservoir.

To reach Hart's Basin from Delta, go northeast on route 92 for 4 miles and turn left on route 65 toward Cedaredge and the Grand Mesa. This road crosses the Gunnison River after about a 1/2 mile; in spring and fall stop to look for ducks. After about 2. 5 miles you are in Cory where a sharp right turn off the main road has a sign "Hart's Basin" and leads to Austin. Take this for about 50 yards, turn left toward Antelope Hill and in about a mile you come to the dam at the south end of the lake. This road continues on up the hill to orchards but does not circle the lake. There is a convenient parking p 1 ace just over the dam from which the lake can be scanned with a tele­ scope.

The north end of the reservoir is reached from E c k e rt , which is at about 3.5 miles on route 65, a mile beyond Cory. A road leads east here, nearly opposite a stone church. Take this. In about a half mile you will be in open fie 1 d s , w he r e Gambel 's Quail, Pheasants and several species of Sparrows may be found. Just beyond is the lake, with broad mudflats. The

47

I road is bordered by willows which should be searched for land birds. A colony of Black-crowned Night Herons breed in the line of willows which extend into the water. Look for Canada Geese in the fields across the lake.

Highline Lake and Mack-Mesa Reservoir--near Grand Junction

These small close-adjacent artificial lakes are in dry sage­ brush country about 20 miles west of Grand Junction. They serve as resting places for migratory waterfowl and shorebirds. The vegetation immediately around them attracts migratory land birds because it is a spot of greenery in the desert. Among the less common species which have been seen are Whistling Swan, Western and Red-necked Grebes, Snowy and Black-bellied Plover and Clay-colored Sparrows. The best times to visit are around the first of May and the first of September, which are also the most likely times to see Baird's Sandpiper. Though both are popular with fishermen and Highline Lake is used for w ate r­ skiing in warm weather, the birds do not seem to be bothered too much. A telescope is helpful here.

To reach these reservoirs, drive west from Grand Junc­ tion on routes 6 and 50 for about 20 miles. Just west of Loma turn north on 12 road; go north for about 4 miles and turn west again where signs lead to the Recreation Area.

Highline Lake is nearer the road, its dam visible. Ducks are most likely to be at its north end where the water is shal­ low and there is considerable vegetation. Shore birds such as Baird's and Western Sandpipers, Semi-palmated Plover and Kill­ deer are likely to be on the south shore near the dam. Wilson's Phalorope, Coot and Eared Grebes may be anywhere.

Mack-Mesa Reservoir is a half mile further north over gravel roads. The same kinds of birds are to be found there though the diving ducks such as Scaup, Ring-necked Duck, Red­ head and Canvasback are more likely to be at the Ma ck-Mesa Reservoir. Look over the bushes for land birds such as Swal­ lows and Sparrows. Sage Thrashers and Lark Sparrows are in the dry sagebrush areas, while Marsh Hawks course the irriga­ tion ditches.

48 After returning to route 6, another small reservoir may be inspected by going 5. 5 miles west of Mack. The water is a half mile south of the road but can be reached by following a dirt road and going through several gates.

Mesa Verde National Park--between Durango and Cortez

Mesa Verde, where the homes of the vanished cliff - dwel­ lers can be seen, is of such archeological interest that its other aspects may be forgotten. Yet in 1964 Don Watson compiled a check list of 167 species of birds which had been seen on Mesa Verde and considered about a quarter of these to be common.

The entrance to the Park is on route 160, half way be­ tween Cortez and Mancos and 35 miles west of Durango. Head­ quarters and the remarkable museum are 20 miles south of the entrance, A restaurant with a view over the mesa and overnight lodging are available during the summer at Spruce Tree Lodge a few miles north of headquarters. Camp grounds are also available. Many miles of excellent roads provide an opportunity to look for birds as well as to see the well preserved remains of many prehistoric Indian vilages.

Mesa Verde (the name means green tableland) has an ele­ vation of about 8, 000 feet. The north rim overlooks the wide Montezuma Valley. To the south are many canyons which all lead into the Mancos River. Roads skirt these canyons where the cliff dwellings are, The high north part of the me s a is covered by scrub oak with some open spaces. The southern part has a vigorous growth of piny on pine and juniper.

After entering the park, the road climbs up the north rim. Stop near the top and look back over the valley. This is the best point from which to see Golden Eagles, Turkey Vultures, Common Ravens and Red-tailed Hawks. About 10 miles from the entrance there is a side road leading to the lookout on Park Point, the highest place in the park. This is also a good place to search the skies for birds.

Everyone will wish to see the Park Headquarters and Mu­ seum, The Checklist of Birds of Mesa Verde National Park is available (25~). To find birds, get off the roads by w a 1king in the forest or wait at a clearing. Birds are thin 1y distributed

49

I but may be found in any part. Blue Grouse, Townsend's Soli­ taires, MacGillivray's Warblers, Green-tailed Towhees and Golden Eagles are more likely to be seen toward the north rim. Scrub Jays, Solitary Vireos and Virginia's Warblers are in the oak scrub. Black-throated Gray Warblers, Plain Titmice and Bewick's Wrens inhabit pinyon pines and juniper.

Rifle Gap Reservoir, Falls and Fish Hatchery--north of Rifle

North of Rifle are several interesting places to visit as well as to see birds. They include the Rifle Gap Re s e r v o i r which was completed in 1967, Rifle Falls which is in a state park with picnic areas, the Rifle Fish Hatchery where gigantic trout may be seen and an entry to the White River Nation a 1 Forest through a wild narrow canyon.

To reach these, go north from Rifle on routes 13 and 789 for about 4 miles. Turn right onto route 325 at the Rifle Sup­ per Club, which is recommended. The road passes through open ranch country and by a small public golf course. (This 9 hole course is also recommended; it is set in the valley with interesting rock formations around it. House Wrens sing in the woods along the stream and Barn Swallows speed above the fair­ ways). Rifle Gap and the dam are just beyond.

Rifle Gap Reservoir has shallow edges. Stop on the dam and look for migrating waterfowl and shore birds in spring and fall.

Follow route 325, turning right (eastward) as it goes across the dam and continue about 9 miles. A sign here indicates the Rifle Falls State Park at a fork in the road. Dropping gently out of the dry coniferous forest, a dirt road leads down into a moist ravine with deciduous woods and a stream. In spring the migrating Audubon's, Yellow and Virginia's Warblers congregate along the streamsides. White-breasted Nuthatches, Black-headed Grosbeaks and Yellow-bellied Sapsuckers inhabit the woods and Lazuli Buntings the open brushy areas at the bottom. Soon the road comes to an end where three waterfalls come roaring down over a limestone cliff. Dippers nest below the falls, BarnSwal­ lows beneath the small bridge and Rough-winged Swallows are common in summer. An enormous patch of watercress grows in

50 the stream. A path leads up the ravine alongthe stream through the woods to scrub oak where Rufous-sided Towhees and Scrub Jays are found.

A mile north of the falls is the Rifle Fish Hatchery. This is open to visitors. Houses at the hatchery are set among gar­ dens and lawns, a good place to look for hummingbirds.

Route 325 ends at the hatchery, where the paved surface stops. A good gravel road leads north through a narrow canyon into the wilderness of the White River National Forest. A river, popular with fishermen runs through this canyonwhich is heavily wooded with tall spruce.

Rock Creek Bird Nesting Area--north of Dillon and Frisco

The Gore Range Wilderness is a spectacular region ofhigh peaks separated by moist .wild valleys, part of the White River National Forest. On its east side is a beautiful little park where over 60 species of birds have been seen and 30 species are be­ lieved to nest either in the valley or in the forest around it. This is the Rock Creek Bird Nesting Area, which has been set aside as forever inviolate from development. It provides one of the best opportunities to find birds of the mountain forest and high willow grown areas. Spring and early summer are the best times to visit.

To re.ach the Rock Creek Area, go north on route 9 from the Dillon Dam, half way between Dillon and Frisco. The road follows the picturesque Blue River Valley, with ranches on the west side and the river on the east. Drive slowly and look for birds as you go along. About 9 miles north of the Dillon Dam, on the east side, is the Blue River Campground. Nearly oppo­ site, leading westward through forests of aspen and spruce to­ ward the Gore Range, is a gravel road. Take this. It is some­ times steep and narrow but it is practical for passenger cars in good weather. After about 1. 7 miles the road forks; take the left hand branch and follow the main track for another 3 miles to the signs marking the Gore Range Trail. A half mile farther on the forest opens so you look down into a meadow with an abandoned white concrete-block house. Two roads lead down to it, the second a bit less bumpy. This meadow and the forest around it is the Rock Creek Bird Nesting Area.

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• A clear mountain stream runs through the park, bordered by willow and alders. There are small ponds and a small aban­ doned reservoir near the house. Look in the willows for Wil­ son's Warblers, Lincoln's and White-crowned Sparrows. Mac­ Gillivray 's Warbler, which usually hides in bushes, sings in full view in the nesting season. Here also may be found the Fox Sparrow at its only known nesting site in Colorado. Forest birds include the Gray-headed Junco, Cassin's Finch, Evening Grosbeak and Pine Siskin. Perhaps the best way to start is to sit down in the open meadow with bincoulars to listen and look before exploring. Look in the high spruces for the Olive-sided Flycatcher, around the house for the Western Flycatcher and for forest birds crossing the open space.

The San Juan Mountains--Montrose, Ouray and Silverton to Durango

A drive through the San Juan Mountains provides some of the most magnificent scenery in the Rockies and is a favorite with tourists. It also offers many opportunities to see birds of the mountain forest and willow grown areas as well as views of the mountains above timberline.

Though the distance from Montrose to Durango is only 110 miles, the road is sometimes steep and twisting south of Ouray. Three hours should be allowed for the driving, at least as much for the interesting stops. Be sure to take your camera. In win­ ter the road may be hazardous from snow, so the comments here apply only May through October.

Starting at Montrose (elevation 5820 feet), route 550 pass­ es south through open ranch country in the valley of the Uncom­ paghre River. Three miles south of the town is the Ute Mu - seum, a small but well-done free exhibit about the Indians who once inhabited the region. Common roadside birds inc 1u de Black-billed Magpies, Western Meadowlarks, Mourning Doves, Brewer's and Redwinged Blackbirds, Sparrow Hawks and Moun­ tain Bluebirds. Gradually the valley narrows to end at Ouray, set in a narrow canyon and flanked by precipitous cliffs.

Ouray has good motels and eating places. Jeep trips through wild country and over high passes are available.

52 At Ouray the road begins to climb and twist. Just above the town take a small dirt road marked "to Box Canyon", for a few hundred yards until it crosses a narrow gorge and park by an old stone building. Sitting on the rocks, look about for a few minutes. Western Flycatchers nest in the gorge and Black Swifts may be found high in the sky. (They enter Box Canyon Falls and probably nest there, but if so the nests are beyond sight in deep crevices.) Violet-green Swallows and White-throated Swifts may also be seen as well as forest birds such as Evening Grosbeaks, Audubon's Warblers, Western Tanagers, Pine Siskins and Cas­ sin 's Finches. This road continues up to the Camp Bird Mine and beyond to high mountain pastures where myriads of w i 1 d flowers attract Rufous and Broad-tailed Hummingbirds in late July and August. The Camp Bird Mine trip is one of the more popular jeep rides.

After returning to the main road and continuing southward through the mountain passes, the road climbs for several miles and then drops into a valley 8 miles beyond Ouray. On the right is a reservoir, on the left an abandoned building and Red Moun­ tain is in full view. Stop near the building. This valley with its stream is grown to willows and alders. Wilson's Warblers, Redwinged Blackbirds, White-crowned and Lincoln's Spar rows are abundant summer residents. There are also a few Song Sparrows so the two similar sparrows can be compared for plumage and song • .A walk anywhere along the stream can .be interesting, but by going over the fence and walking along the banks of the reservoir the visitor has good footing away from the highway. The reservoir has several pairs of nesting Mal­ lards and a few Green-winged Teal in summer, and other mi­ gratory waterfowl in spring and fall. Spotted Sandpipers n e st along the stream. Beyond the water is spruce forest with Pine Siskins, Hermit Thrushes, Robins, Red-shafted Flickers and Gray-headed Juncos. Look up at the mountain tops where Violet­ green Swallows, Black Swifts, Red-tailed and Cooper's Hawk and Golden Eagles might be flying.

Red Mountain pass is a few miles farther south. Though it has an elevation of over 11, 000 feet it is still below timber­ line. There are a number of abandoned buildings at the pass and the old path by them leads into high mountain forest.

Three miles south of Red Mountain Pass (9 miles north of

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• Silverton) is a gravel pit on the west side of the road at about 10,400 feet elevation. This is surrounded by willows which have a population of White-crowned Sparrows. Dippers inhabit the stream which comes down from the beautiful falls above; Hermit Thrushes sing in the spruces and Golden Eagles hunt rabbits on on the slopes above. A jeep road leads up to .abandoned mines but this is hazardous.

Silverton (elevation 9302 feet) is an old mining town set in a valley. It has few sleeping accomodations but many shops. The special lunch provided at the old Imperial Hotel is recommend­ ed. This lunch is for the passengers of the narrow gauge rail­ way which comes up the Las Animas Valley from Durango every day in summer.

The gorge of the Las Animas River can be entered at Sil­ verton either by walking down the railroad tracks or by driving down a small dirt road just west of town. The gorge is wild and uninhabited with numerous deserted mines and waterfalls along its steep sides. Black Swifts are regularly seen in the air from mid-June to September, Blue-gray Gnatcatchers inhabit the sagebrush at the bottom, Western Flycatchers nest in the old mines and White-crowned, Song and Lincoln's Sparrows are found in the willows along the stream. Animals such as beavers, marmots and pikas are resident. Gray Jays, Steller 's .Jays, Mountain Chicadees and deer are in the forest.

Continuing south, route 55 0 again rises toward Mo 1 as Pass. Just before the pass on the east side is Mo 1 as Lake, surrounded by willows and inhabited by the same sort of birds as are found at the reservoir by Red Mountain. A little farther south a dirt road leads up to Little Molas Lake (elevation 10,800 feet). Follow this for about a mile to a parking area overlook­ ing the lake. Here the road is just on the divide between spruce forest and high mountain meadows. Camping sites are available. Birds of the forest include Pine Siskins, Cassin's Finches, Rob­ ins, Hermit Thrushes, Mountain Bluebirds, Audubon's Warblers, Gray-headed Juncos, and Olive-sided and Hammonds Flycatch­ ers. Willow grown sections along the stream have W i 1 son 's Warblers, and White-crowned and Lincoln's Sparrows. The open meadows may be followed all the way up to Grizzly Peak for those who have the time and strength.

54 South of Molas Divide (elevation 10, 910 feet) the road grad­ ually descends below the mountain forest to areas of scrub oak, then to a grass grown valley and the city of Durango (elevation 6505 feet).

Durango is !mown particularly as the home of the narrow­ gauge railroad which travels the rugged Las Animas Canyon to Silverton and back daily from June through September. This trip, which requires a whole day, is so popular that the train has two sections. Durango has many good motels, a quaint old hotel, excellent restaurants and an arena where rodeos and horse shows are held. Look for the Lewis.' Woodpeckers which fly over the town.

Sweitzer Lake--near Delta

Sweitzer Lake is a favorite stopping place for migratory waterfowl in spring and fall. Though the center of the lake is much used for water skiing in summer, ducks are usually at the far end where the water is shallow and bordered by sedges or cattails. A road goes all around the lake so observations are easy. A telescope is helpful.

To reach Sweitzer Lake, drive southeast on route 50 for about 2 miles beyond Delta. A sign marks the road to the lake which is part of a state park. After reaching the water, follow the road around it going slowly and stopping for observations. The road can be muddy and impassable in wet weather but is safe when dry or frozen.

The ice begins to break up in mid-February and birds ar­ rive soon after. At least 16 species of ducks, 3 species of geese, 4 species of grebes and Coot have been recorded. Fall migration begins in late August and waterbirds may be found un­ til the lake freezes solid in mid-December.

Summer residents ar~ Redwinged and Yellow-headed Black­ birds. Birds of the surrounding fields include Gambel 's Quail, Killdeer, Western Meadowlarks, Mourning Doves, Black-billed Magpies, Marsh Hawks and Sparrow Hawks. In winter, White­ crowned and Song Sparrows, Horned Larks and an occasional Bald Eagle may be seen.

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I Special Birds Black Swifts

The trick to finding Black Swifts is to look for them with binoculars as they fly high in the air in the general region of their nesting sites. They are locally common or known to nest in the following places:

1. Box Canyon Creek, at Ouray. 2. Cascade Falls, northeast of Ouray. 3. The Valley of the Las Animas River, south of Silverton. 4. Niagara Gulch, at the ghost town of Eureka, 10 miles northeast of Silverton. 5. Cataract Gulch, near Silverton. 6. West Creek near McClure Pass, on route 133 south of Redstone. 7. Bridal Veil Falls and Ingram Creek at Telluride. 8. Dead Horse Creek, near Glenwood Springs (3 colonies at 3 falls). 9. Black Canyon of the Gunnison, northeast of Montrose, nest sight unknown. 10. ''Mystic Falls of the Dolores River" in the southeast part of the state. 11. The region of Pagosa Springs, nest site unknown.

Nesting sites have the following characteristics; they are on sheer cliffs, inaccessible to predators, on moist dark ledges, by waterfalls and where there is no obstruction to flight. Search near waterfalls providing the other factors may r e v e a 1 more nesting colonies of Black Swifts.

Look for them between June 15th and September 10th. Ouray and Silverton are the places easiest of access. You may need a while to find them even there.

Reference: Knorr, O. A. The geographical and ecological distribution of the Black Swift in Colorado. Wilson Bulletin 73: 155, 1961.

Gray Vireo

The Gray Vireo is a plain inconspicuous little bird whose

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ll range is known to extend at least as far north as west central Colorado. It lives in dry pinyon pine - juniper habitat. The bird is not really shy but tends to keep out of sight in the s ma 11 conifers, making only a few low flights in the open. The best way to locate the Gray Vireo is by its song, which is similar to that of the Solitary Vireo. My notes say "the voice of a Solitary coming from the junipers". When you have located the singer sit down close by and the bird will be found singing from the end of a low branch or hopping about leisurely within the brush. Get a good look, for Solitary Vireos are common in scrub oak which is often nearby.

The easiest place to find Gray Vireos is in the Colorado National Monument. After entering at the east end, park at the Devil's Kitchen, walk a hundred yards or so south toward the stream and listen, Early morning from May through July is the best time.

Burrowing Owls

Burrowing Owls are uncommon, widely scattered summer residents of the sagebrush desert. They are most easily seen when they sit on the mounds outside their burrows in the day­ time but may also be seen hovering in the air at dusk. Look for them on mounds, particularly in prairie dog colonies.

One place where Burrowing Owls may be found (1968) i s near the airport at Grand Junction. Drive north on 7th Street (which becomes 26 1/2 Road) or on 12th Street (which becomes 27 Road) to H Road. The birds are on the north side of H Road, between 26 1/2 Road and 27 Road, in the desert.

White-tailed ptarmigan

White-tailed Ptarmigan are resident on the high mountains above timberline. Such areas are not easily reached and the protectively colored birds are not easily seen even when close by and in the open. Their tundra habitat may be reached by car and some walking in the following places: 1. Independence Pass, on route 82, southeast of Aspen. 2. Milner Pass on route 34 in Estes Park (back of the stone house on Trail Ridge Road is just out of West­ ern Colorado).

57 3. Little Molas Lake, just south of Molas Divide on route 550 south of Silverton. 4. Loveland Pass on route 6, east of Dillon. 5. Hoosier Pass on route 9 south of Breckenridge. 6: Cottonwood Pass on route 306 northeast of Gunnison. 7. Guided jeep trips which go above timberline from Ouray and Silverton.

The most likely places are Independence Pass and back of the stone house on Trail Ridge Road in Estes Park. Look for the birds in bleak open areas near dwarf willows, away from where the tourists go.

Rosy Finches

The three species of Rosy Finches are most easily seen in winter, when they come down from their high breeding areas to feed along the roadsides and snow free hillsides of the val­ leys. They congregate in nervous flocks, which feed briefly and then fly off to another place for no apparent reason. They may be found on any sort of bare ground when the high country is covered by deep snow.

Only Brown-capped Rosy Finches nest in Co 1 or ado. In summer they are found above timberline at altitudes of 12, 000 to 14, 000 feet. The nests are on ledges in caves, in deep cre­ vices of cliffs or even abandoned buildings. Nesting is from late June to the end of August.

In summer, Brown-capped Rosy Finches are widely dis - persed over the wildest and highest mountains. Obviously these are not easily reached but Rosy Finches may be sought in the same areas as Ptarmigan. They have been seen at the parking lot at Maroon Lake near Aspen as late as June 22nd.

Empidonax Flycatchers

Five species of Empidonax Flycatchers----Hammond 's, Dusky, Gray, Traill 's, and Western -- are known to breed in western Colorado. They are all gray-brown little birds, notor­ iously difficult or impossible to identify in the field. Those who have looked at specimens in a museum, all identified by experts and then perhaps reidentified differently by other experts, real-

58 ize they are also hard to tell apart in the hand. Furthermore, although the songs of the Traill 's and the Western are distinc­ tive, the voices of the other three are similar. Written des­ criptions of the songs are miserably inadequate and differ be­ tween authors. Probably it is best to just call them Empidonax flycatchers except when there are unusual opp o rt unit i e s for identification. Such opportunities come chiefly in May and June when the birds are in their characteristic nesting habitat and the males are giving their advertising songs from esp o s e d branches. A review of the songs by listening to the recordings from the Cornell Laboratory is helpful.

Hammond's Flycatcher inhabits mountain forests above 7, 000 feet, where it feeds from high open perches sh ad e d by tall conifers. Nests are usually more than 20 feet from the ground. Its advertising song sounds to me like "ts e -1 i ck" or sometimes ''tse-lick, zrp", the last note low and faint. Hoff­ mann describes it as "siwp, tsurp, treep" and considers the tsurp diagnostic. Delivery is emphatic and sharp, on one level. Hammond's is the smallest and most olive-green of the group. Look for it. on top of the Grand Mesa, at Molas Divide in the San Juan Mountains and in other mature coniferous forests.

The Ducky Flycatcher inhabits open scrub above 7 ,OOOfeet. This may be the chaparral understory of mixed coniferous for - est, scrub oak or willows. Such areas are more open and sunny than those occupied by the Hammond's. Feeding is done mostly in the air from a low perch. Though the birds go high in the trees, their nests are usually less than 20 feet from the ground (averaging 5 feet in one study), placed in the upright twiggery of chapparal, compact and made of fine materials. The adver­ tising song sounds to me like "tse-weep" which may be repeated to form a four syllable song or only one or two syllables may be given. Hoffmann describes the song of California birds as ''prit - brrit - peet" or ''prit - brrit - prit - pseet. The song is more variable than Hammond's, both in syllables and in the pitch of alternate couplets. The Dusky Flycatcher is brownish. Like the Hammond's, the outer webs of the outer tail feathers are paler than the rest of the tail. The Dusky is widely distri­ buted in Western Colorado, particularly where there is scrub oak with scattered ponderosa pines as on the Uncompaghre Pla­ teau. The Gray Flycatcher inhabits relatively open areas such

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I as pinyon pine - juniper, sagebrush or open pine forest with a sparse understory. When the Gray and the Dusky are in close proximity, the Gray will be found in the open areas with bar e or thinly covered ground. Feeding is much from the ground or near it. Nests are bulky and of coarse materials, usually on the large limbs of pines or mature sagebrush where there is bare ground. The advertising song sounds to me like "zeewip", is described as "chiwip" in Peterson and as " spriat - prit " by others. It consists of two syllables, given repeatedly on the same level and without the click of Hammond's. The Gray is the grayest of the group, has relatively little yellow even on the lower belly and has a pale lower mandible. Look for it in the piny on pine - juniper on the Colorado National Monument or areas with high sage brush.

Traill '.s Flye atcher inhabits alder thickets and willow grown swamps. Nest are usually in a fork of low growth. Feeding is chiefly by sallies into the air from a low perch but the birds may also dive into the grass to catch insects. The song is a characteristic hurry husky ''we-beo" or "fitz-brew" which is the best identification. It is the brownest of the Empidonax group and has a rounded tail. (All the rest have slightly forked tails.) Look for it in any large swampy area grown with willows or al­ der. In my experience it is the least common Empidonax in the region.

Western Flycatchers inhabit moist shady woods and r a - vines but do come out in the open like others of deserted mines etc. The song is usually a thin weak lisping "seest" or "pee­ ist". (It is also said to have a three syllable "ps-seet-ptsic - sst'). The back is olive brown. The Western is the only one of the genus in Colorado in which the yellow of the underparts ex­ tends up to the throat. Look for it in the valley of the Las An­ imas River below Silverton, where the moist woods, ledges and abandoned mines provide ideal habitat.

Dusky and Traill 's Flycatchers may be found in the same habitat. There they may be distinguished by the voice, or, if views are adequate, by the tail which is all brown and rounded on Traill 's but has pale outer margins and is slightly forked in the Dusky.

Western and Hammond's Flycatcher may inhabit the same

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I area and both are olive-brown. The throat, yellow on the West­ ern and whitish gray in the Hammond's, is the best identifica­ tion mark unless you can hear the song.

The Western Wood Pewee, though not a member of the Empidonax group, is a common small flycatcher with wing bars which may be confused with them. The Wood Pewee 's usual habitat is open woodland groves with a leafy canopy above but Pewees are surprisingly common on exposed perches in willow swamps by beaver ponds. I have seen them in habitatconsider­ ed typical for each of the Empidonax flycatchers. The Wood Pewee may be distinguished by its lack of an eyering, its black­ ish gray tail, the lighter colored line down the middle of the breast which separates the darker sides and the n as a I "pee" which is its song. (All the Empidonax and the Pewee sometimes utter a soft ''pit".)

Many times it is best to just call a bird an Empidonax flycatcher.

References; 1. Johnson, Ned K. : Biosystematics of Sibling Species of Flycatchers in the Empidonax hammondii-oberholseri -wrightii complex. University of California Publications in Zo­ ology 66, pp. 79 - 238, 1963.

2. A Field Guide to Western Bird Songs, recorded by the Cornell University Laboratory of Ornithology, arranged to ac­ company Peterson's Field Guide to Western Birds. Houghton - Mifflin Co., Boston.

3. Hoffman, Ralph : Birds of the Pacific State3. Houghton­ Mifflin Co., Boston, 1955.

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