March is typically not the birdiest time in the Denver metro and this year was no exception. I'll be honest, most of March is just plain awful. Most of the Cackling Geese have left by the third week and not much has moved in to make it feel like spring. There are a couple Mountain Bluebirds around to liven things up, but that's about it. I went for regular walks to my patch (Clement Park) and around my neighborhood over the last couple weeks, and did not have much to report (but at least I went for some nice walks). However, there have a been a few highlights other than getting my first Common Grackle and Barn Swallow on 29 March.
Before I get into the bird stories, please consider a tax-deductible donation or pledge per species (pledges do not need to be paid until the 2021 green big year ends). The pledges and donations are incredibly motivating. Once I hit 250 species, we will have topped $22,000! I'm in awe of the support. I really am. Thank you. I think we as a birding community can do bigger and better for Joe and for bird research in Colorado long after I've chased my last bird on the bike (which hopefully isn't for a long time after 2021). Let's make this effort really have a long lasting impact. Would you please consider making a pledge or donation and help us raise $30,000? Let's do this!
https://cobirds.org/CFO/Grants/
25 March 2021
On the 23rd, a Canvasback was reported along a little series on ponds between homes in Littleton. The location isn't far from my house and I have always thought this area could be interesting as there is a decent amount of cattails and brushy/wooded areas. I decided to ride over and check on the Canvasback because I needed a ride and it wasn't far. I honestly held zero hope since it's a weird place for a Canvasback and it was two days after the report. If you recall, Canvasback is my green nemesis bird this year as I missed them on three different rides to different parks.
I roll up to the spot and see another birder. What are the odds of that since NO ONE really ever birds this spot. It was Bill Hopping! We didn't coordinate this and couldn't have done it better if we had tried. Bill says to me, "Don't you need a Canvasback? That female is right here." Score! It was uneventful since she was sleeping on the far bank (literally ion the edge of someone's yard) but it was a Canvasback. She never even looked up at us. Green nemesis checked off! I've said it on this blog a couple times already, birding with others make this that much more fun. It's fun whether you plan to meet someone at a spot or just happen to run into a friend while out. Once I get Blue-winged Teal, I'll have all the expected ducks in the proverbial green big year bag!
After I got the Canvasback, I ended up riding around a hilly neighborhood west of the first hogback and then tested my fitness up the local canyon just to see if I could ride a steady climb for a couple miles without pushing myself too hard or having any knee pain (which has been an issue lately). I surprised myself and rode 3.5 miles up the canyon and was never in real difficulty (in non-cycling terms, that means I didn't suffer miserably). This is great since I hadn't done a climb over a mile in many months and I rode up to my turn around spot without wanting to give up beforehand. In spite of wanting to ride up higher (and maybe get Pygmy Nuthatch, I did listen for them), I turned around and didn't push myself too hard. I don't need to push myself too much quite yet. However, I'm STOKED for hopefully getting to high elevations more frequently this spring and maybe I really do have some fitness to do so! Maybe I just ate my Wheaties this morning. We'll just see I guess. I also have been riding regularly for a year now, so that definitely helps!
26 March 2021
After pushing myself on the bike the day before, I had not planned on riding today (just a walk to loosen up). However, I saw a report of a Sagebrush Sparrow at Chatfield State Park and in a very accessible location. I decided I had to go right then since this is a good bird to get (Code 4 on my list). I didn't even get to chase a one day wonder the week before (and didn't have to slop in a lot of mud to not see it, and I'm not upset about that!). I told a couple friends about the sparrow and was surprised to see a couple of them there when I arrived. I got there in record time on the bike too! After about 5 minutes, the Sagebrush Sparrow came out of the brush and put on a nice show in the gravel along the bike path.
Sagebrush Sparrows are just one of those really cool birds. They not only have a really pretty plumage with a bright, almost shiny gray head, a white breast with a central spot, and brownish back, but they run around on the ground like a mouse and hold their tail up like a Bewick's or Winter Wren. I managed to get some decent digibin photos (below) and was home within an hour. Now that efficient.
Side note - almost one year to the day is when I started this green birding thing. I happened to chase 2 Sagebrush Sparrows about 8 miles from the house for that first legit chase. It's been an amazing year riding for birds. Hopefully soon I'll compile my complete list of green birds from my house.
Now for the photos:
A few other species are starting to show up here at the very end of the month and hopefully some rides in the next week or two (when it's in the 70's and I'll get miserably overheated!) will turn up a few of these birds and then some. I guess I better get my rest since the next couple months are going to be busy on the bike! I'm making plans to try for specific target species and just getting out a lot in general. It's going to be fun and exhausting. We have a big goal to accomplish and it's going to be a heck of a ride (literally) getting there. I'm looking forward to seeing many of you along that path.
Green Big Year species list: 112
Miles ridden: 541 miles (as of March 29)
2021 Joe Roller Memorial Green Big Year Species List
Thank you for all the support!
Scott
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