We began with a loud call of American Crow, in the stand of pines trees we observed flocks of Bustits, it’s a social songbird & one of the smallest passerines in North America. They were feeding on small insects & Bustits do love spiders one of their favorites. Along the South Platte, we heard many calls of American Goldfinches, Song Sparrows, House Finches singing, & Black-capped Chickadees surrounded us with their bouncy flight in & near cattails. As we continued along the river, Mourning Dove flew above with its long, pointed tail, & a sizable Buck was startled running along the other side river. Just as we headed across the bridge, we noticed a few Killdeers on the rocks in water & several Mallards, Buffleheads, & one stunning Common male Goldeneye. Passing the bridge, off to left a trail led us to a peaceful pond filled with Ducks both (dabblers & divers). We saw few Buffleheads, American Widgeons, a pair of Northern Shovelers, several Ring-necked Ducks, one Lesser Scaup, one American Coot. At the pond we watched closely 3 muskrats eating pond weeds or it looked like Cattails roots, & two Beavers swam by us. As we were getting ready to return back a few Common Mergansers flew in. These Mergansers, our only ducks that specific in eating fish & the largest of the three Mergansers we have. A delightful sunny bird trip with lots of Nature that surrounded us.
Bushtit 25
American Crow 1
American Goldfinch 4
Song Sparrow 4
Black-capped Chickadee 8
Red-winged Blackbird 2
Canada Geese 15
House Finches 6
Red-tailed Hawk 2
Morning Dove 1
Killdeer 4
Mallard
Belted Kingfisher 2
American Robin 1
Northern Flicker 3
Common Merganser 3
Common Goldeneye 1
American Widgeon 10
Bufflehead 12
Ring-necked Duck 8
Northern Shoveler 2
Lesser Scaup 1
American Coot 1
Muskrats 3
Beaver 2
Pterodactyls 0
What a wonderful outing and productive too! : ) Ruth is very knowledgable.