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(1) You can Sign Up for our "Saturday Bird Walks List" to receive information and results from our Bird Walks, or (2) Sign Up to receive our regular eNewsletters.

Note: The "Bird Walk" list is separate from our "Monthly eNewsletter" list. You can indicate your preferences if you would like to receive one or both. See the "Every Saturday Morning" article below for details on participating in our Bird Walks.

Saturday, October 4, 2014

Sunny and mild. 60�F. 2-12 mph. 13 participants.

It's starting to smell like fall! Going on a bird walk is always a sensory experience, not only for your eyes, but all of your senses. Today, many of us took note of and commented on the great fall smells we came across. I have even found great horned owls in the past because I could smell them first. Some owls like to eat skunks. So get out there and smell your way around!

View our Regular Saturday, October 4, 2014 Bird Walk

Slide Show

South Mesa Trail:

Oct 4, 2014 7:45 AM - 8:35 AM
Protocol: Traveling
0.75 mile(s)
11 species (+1 other taxa)

Sharp-shinned/Cooper's Hawk 1
White-throated Swift 6
Northern Flicker (Red-shafted) 2
Western Scrub-Jay 3
Black-capped Chickadee 2
Red-breasted Nuthatch 1
American Robin 4
Spotted Towhee 1
House Finch 2
Pine Siskin 1
Lesser Goldfinch 2
American Goldfinch 4

Baseline Reservoir:

Oct 4, 2014 8:45 AM - 9:10 AM
Protocol: Stationary
7 species (+2 other taxa)

Canada Goose 10
duck sp. 150
Common Loon 1, see Bird of the Day
Western/Clark's Grebe 6
Double-crested Cormorant 5
Ring-billed Gull 2
Black-billed Magpie 1
American Crow 1
Yellow-rumped Warbler 1

Walden Ponds Wildlife Habitat:

Oct 4, 2014 9:20 AM - 10:20 AM
Protocol: Traveling
1.0 mile(s)
27 species

Canada Goose 20
Gadwall 40
American Wigeon 80
Mallard 80
Northern Shoveler 30
Northern Pintail 6
Green-winged Teal 30
Redhead 1
Ring-necked Duck 30
Pied-billed Grebe 10
Great Blue Heron 2
American Coot 80
Killdeer 4
Greater Yellowlegs 5
Wilson's Snipe 3
Ring-billed Gull 100
Rock Pigeon (Feral Pigeon) 60
Belted Kingfisher 1
Prairie Falcon 1, chasing a killdeer. See slide show.
Blue Jay 1
Black-capped Chickadee 2
European Starling 150
Green-tailed Towhee 2, Good view showed the white throat, rust cap, and green back and tail.
Song Sparrow 3
White-crowned Sparrow 10
Red-winged Blackbird 4
House Finch 4
American Goldfinch 6

Total species seen: 43

Note: Species in bold are birds that were special on the walk for
reasons like a great view, out-of-season, great numbers, or rarity.

Every Saturday Morning

- From 7:30 a.m. (promptly) to 10 am -

Meet at Wild Bird Center of Boulder

1641 - 28th St., Boulder, CO 80301

(303) 442-1322

Every Saturday year-round. No reservations required. Every last Saturday of the month we travel further afield than normal and return a little later. Bird Walk locations are determined on the morning of the walk.All ages and birding abilities are welcome!

To Sign Up for our "Saturday Bird Walks" List or "Monthly eNewsletter" List

simply Click Here. (Note: The "Saturday Bird Walks" list is a separate list from our "Monthly eNewsletters." You can update your preferences to receive one or both.)

--Thanks, Steve

Wild Bird Center of Boulder, CO

OCTOBER 4, 2014

Wild Bird Center

Boulder, Colorado

Quick Links

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Slide Shows of Photos taken by participants on our Saturday Bird Walks

2014 (all photos)

2014 (grouped by Walks)

2013 (all photos)

2013 (grouped by Walks)

2012 (all photos)

2012 (grouped by Walks)

Bird of the Day
October 4, 2014
Saturday Bird Walk

Common Loon

�Steve Frye

Click to Enlarge

Common Loon

We found a common loon passing through on its way to warmer climes. It was not too far out into Baseline Reservoir. While it was peacefully diving, three double-crested cormorants flew in right next to it. It appears that loons and cormorants don't always get along. I think the cormorants were looking to steal some food. When the loon was coming to the surface after a dive, one of the cormorants would also dive to meet it. A lot of splashing ensued. On several occasions, the loon would raise its wings or give them a flap in a somewhat threatening posture. After a while, the cormorants went their way and the loon returned to its fishing.

Cornell Lab of Ornithology,
All About Birds

Common Loon

BirdFellow

Common Loon

Youtube Video by
Paterson Field Guides

Common Loon