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Spring Wrap Up

5 June 2021

Well that's a wrap for spring 2021 of the Joe Roller Green Big Year. I didn't get out this past week due to work and other obligations. I'm now going in the field to do Breeding Bird Surveys and trap and tag Thick-billed Longspurs and Mountain Plovers in eastern Montana (it's tough, but someone has to do it!). My body needs a rest anyway! 

However, last weekend I rode up Deer Creek Canyon (meaning big long climbs) and picked up a few more green year birds. I later got an Olive-sided Flycatcher just up the street from my house for #233! 

In summary, the first 5 months of this crazy green year have been epic. Amazing rides, so many good birds (and a lot of luck refinding or finding really good stuff), and great times with folks out birding. I'm not sure I've ever had so much fun birding as I have this year.

Some of the highlights include finding an American Bittern, Long-billed Curlew, Long-eared Owl, Red-headed Woodpecker, among other lesser rarities, while relocating Green and Little Blue Heron, Scarlet and Summer Tanager (!!), White-winged Crossbill, Black Tern, Yellow-crowned Night-heron, Black-throated Gray and Palm Warblers, Marbled Godwit, Whimbrel, Short-eared, Long-eared, and Burrowing Owls, Northern Parula, Sagebrush Sparrow, and so many more. I look forward to getting after some birds upon returning from my road trip, but my body is pleased to get a break for a couple weeks!  

That said, I was talking to a friend recently about Joe Roller and some of the long time Colorado birders. One conversation brought back the memory of the Purple Sandpiper in the mountains a few years ago. I drove up to see it with the legend Dick Schottler. I happened to run into Dick at Wheat Ridge Greenbelt in early May, and we both missed the Green Heron (his third miss!). Anyway, it was Joe who connected me with Dick such that we spent the day together going after the Purple Sandpiper (and we got it!). Joe knew Dick wanted to see the bird and I'm grateful that he connected us. That was a really great day birding with and getting to know Dick. All thanks to Joe. Dick and I pretty much always mention the Purple Sandpiper when we run into each other in the field. That's what it's about. Good times, good birds, good people. And somehow Joe sneaks into so many of these stories. Thanks Joe!

Totals:

Green Big Year species list: 233 (as of June 5)
Miles ridden: 1306 miles (as of June 5)
Elevation gain in 2021: 54,482 ft
# of rides with a frozen water bottle and broken shifter: 1 
# of dropped water bottles at stop lights: 1
# of trips to Chatfield State Park: 18
2021 Joe Roller Memorial Green Big Year Species List

Now that I'm inching closer to 250 species, would you consider a pledge or donation to support the Joe Roller Memorial Research Grant? Click the link (scroll to the bottom). All funds support bird research in Colorado. We are getting closer to raising $30,000 to support the next generation of ornithologists (once I get to 250 species). Thank you!
https://cobirds.org/CFO/Grants/


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