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Wind and Warblers
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Birding at the Chico
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Although there were migrants, the wind was the bigger story. Wind might be good for kite flying, but it makes finding birds difficult. The HQ Pond remains good for shorebirds with a all three peep species, Western, Least, and finally a Semipalmated Sandpiper being seen. Joining a Marbled Godwit were two Willets, making comparisons easy. A large flock of dark ibis, all of them White-faced put in a show in the shallow water. An Eared Grebe dove for food.
Warblers were on the move but unfortunately not everyone saw all of the species present. Two Vermivora warblers were caught (photographs courtesy of Steve Brown) at the RMBO/CBR Banding Station and those who were present were able to see the orange crown feathers of each species, feathers that are often concealedin the birds' crowns (Virginia's Warbler above and Orange-crowned Warbler below). The wide wide eyering in Virginia's Warlber and the split yellow eyering in Orange-crowned was obvious.
Other warblers present were two Northern Parulas, one feeding only 6 feet off the ground and out of the wind, and a 30 minute discussion ensued on the proper pronunciation of "parula". The first Common Yellowthroat of the season was caught and a Blue Jay with an old and worn band is being investigated to see when and where it was first banded. A Cedar Waxwing finally made it into a net and it was inspected before being banded. A yellow-striped White-throated Sparrow was seen at the Bell Grove.
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Posted by Bill M. on 04/24/2010
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April 23, 2010
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LIVE from the Ranch
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What a fun day we had yesterday on the Chico! Students from our local school, Hanover Elementary, where joined by a home school group from the Springs for a day of fun and learning. We started our day at the Banding Station, where students learned all about the research the RMBO does on the ranch from Nancy Gobris and Steve Brown. Long-time Chico educator Pat Grove led the students on a nature walk where the students learned to identify different songbirds through their songs. Each student also played Migration Headache and learned about the challenges that songbirds face during their migrations.
We then headed up to the ranch headquarters for lunch. Jonathan gave a great corral tour and taught the children all about safe horsemanship, and explained the important role that horses play in our lives everyday. Michael harnessed Ruby and Raven and took all the kids for a fun wagon ride- they LOVED it! Then, we finished the afternoon with a visit to our pond, where students got to see our precious Painted Turtles basking in the sun, followed by a Prairie Walk. What a fun day!
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Posted by Caroline F. on 04/23/2010
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Shorebird Migration Continues
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Birding at the Chico
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Although the landbird migration ground to a halt, new yearly shorebird species continue to land and forage in the existing mudflats. A first-of-the- year Wilson's Phalarope and Black-necked Stilt flew in to feed. A very large species, a Long-billed Curlew circled twice before landing right in front of us.
The length of the shorebird's bill determines upon what it will feed. Long-billed species normally probe deep into the mud. However, this Long-billed Curlew used its very long bill to pick up items off the surface of the mud. Today's photograph is courtesy of Brandon Percival who captured the curlew as it came in to land.
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Posted by Bill M. on 04/21/2010
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Bird Banding Season Begins!
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LIVE from the Ranch
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Well, its official- bird banding season has officially started on the Chico! Nancy Gobris, a biologist with the Rocky Mountain Bird Observatory arrived last night and is busy putting up the banding nets this morning. We are grateful for her time and efforts on our behalf.
It has been a busy weekend- yesterday, twelve students from a FANTASTIC program in Pueblo called Pueblo Youth Naturally, spent the day with us learning about the prairie ecosystem and touring the ranch headquarters. It was a great day with super questions and lots of smiles.
Some of the ranch horses provided a welcome distraction as we toured around the lake at headquarters. Steven, one of Duke's favorite horses, followed our group almost the whole time! He loved the attention and the kids were fascinated by his curiosity.
The highlights of our afternoon at headquarters were observing the new filly at headquarters and doing some stamping in the leather shop. What a great day! Many thanks to Linda and Terry with Pueblo Youth Naturally for bringing these great kids to the ranch.
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Posted by Caroline F. on 04/18/2010
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Nesting Owl
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Birding at the Chico
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An early nester like most species that use tree cavities, the Great Horned Owl is a common breeding bird on the Chico wherever there is a tree cavity large enough to house these large owls. When no tree cavity is available, these huge predators use abandoned hawk or squirrel nests and brave the elements.
This individual probably has young birds in the nest hole with her. Because it was such a cold day for mid-April the adult stayed in the nest to provide some warmth to the nestlings. Notice the adult's tail is bent upwards; a large bird in a relatively small tree cavity.
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Posted by Bill M. on 04/17/2010
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Early Warblers
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Birding at the Chico
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Most birders can't wait for spring migration in order to see warblers. Sometimes it is the song, sometimes the color combination and for some it is how rare the species is. The number of birders increased dramatically today because of two birds, Hooded Warbler (upper photo) and Northern Parula (lower bird). Both birds are eastern species and both are species all birders would like a chance to see. Both photographs are courtesy of Brandon Percival.
Today and yesterday, both species were visible at the RMBO/CBR Banding Station. Sometimes they were at the tops of trees and sometimes the Hooded Warbler came as low as the ground where it often spread its tail to flash the white inner webs of each tail feather, part of its courtship display. Let the fun begin.
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Posted by Bill M. on 04/17/2010
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Shorebird Migration
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Birding at the Chico
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Across most of the state, storage reservoirs are full. This means that migrant shorebirds, winging their way to their arctic tundra breeding grounds, must continue flying north to find mud flats where they use their bills to probe the mud for arthropods, restoring their fat reserves. With the current drawdown of water for the alfalfa field irrigation, there is a nice mud area at the southeast end of HQ Pond and with it a variety of shorebirds. Today, the first Stilt Sandpiper appeared and a Long-billed Curlew called loudly before setting down in the alfalfa field. Just about every day you should be able to spot both Greater and Lesser Yellowlegs (photo), two species appropriately named for the color of their legs.
One of the biggest surprises today was the discovery of nesting Golden Eagles on the Chico with at least one white young partially visible in the nest. One adult sits on the nest while the other forages for food to feed their hungry chicks. Another nesting species, a Great Horned Owl was seen leaving a tree cavity and it shouldn't be too long before their youngsters appear in the tree opening.
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Posted by Bill M. on 04/16/2010
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April 15, 2010
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LIVE from the Ranch
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Calving season continues to go well for us. In this photo, Allen is patiently trying to teach this 2 day old heifer to suck from the bottle. Michael found her and told Allen that her Mama wasn't taking care of her. So, we brought her home and began the task of getting her stronger and trying to find her Mama. The kids loved having her around (the dogs did, too), but we are all happy that she is back safe and sound with Mom, and everyone is doing well. So nice to be able to share a success story!
The wind continues to be pesky, but we are all enjoying the sunshine and warmer temperatures.
We had our first school group out last weekend, and will hit the ground running next week with 85 second graders!!
Thanks for tuning in!
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Posted by Caroline F. on 04/15/2010
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Bewick's Wren Singing
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Birding at the Chico
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A rare migrant in the Spring, a singing Bewick's Wren was at the small Headquarter's Pond this morning. They are common just to the south along the Arkansas River and a few do get recorded now each year at the Chico. This species has been documented as expanding its range northward, probably as a response to warming trend in the past 10 years.
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Posted by Bill M. on 04/11/2010
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Mountain Plovers - They're Back
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Birding at the Chico
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One of the Chico specialties is the breeding Mountain Plovers that prefer the prairie dog colonies up on the big hill. They are bare ground specialist and most often chose an area where black-tailed prairie dogs keep the vegetation short and the ground clear of dense vegetation. Today, a male Mountain Plover was observed doing one of its head down and tail up courtship displays to a nearby female. Of in the distance a single Burrowing Owl watched the fuss.
Although Mountain Plovers are cryptically colored, enabling them to blend with their dull habitat, the males' hindnecks turn rufous in color in spring making them somewhat more attractive than just a dull brown-and-tan bird; however it is their display right in front of the females and their choice of a suitable nesting area that clinches the bond between the male (upper photo) and female (lower bird).
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Posted by Bill M. on 04/11/2010
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Migrantion Continues
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Birding at the Chico
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Joining the common Red-winged Blackbirds, Yellow-headeds posed at the edge of HQ Pond, some likely staying to breed in the cattails. With water being diverted from HQ Pond to irrigate the alfalfa field, mud is appearing at the edges making it perfect for shorebirds. Today, both Greater and Lesser Yellowlegs stopped by on their way to the arctic tundra to breed.
Early migrants, both Barn and Tree Swallows were scooping insects over HQ Pond and Savannah and Vesper Sparrows appeared, right on schedule. Barn Swallows breed on the Chico but Tree Swallows move on where tree cavities or nest boxes near water provide summer breeding areas. Neither sparrows will stay to breed at the Chico but both species breed in the state.
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Posted by Bill M. on 04/11/2010
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Saturday, Apr 10, 2010
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LIVE from the Ranch
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The first day of branding season was yesterday. We gathered the north camp pasture and held them around number 3 trough, going in and pulling them out on horseback with ropes. It was a crystal clear day with Pikes Peak and the Spanish Peaks on the horizon, almost touchable, a soft breeze blowing most the time. Jeff and his crew came over from the MZ, and all 10 of us, including Duke from college, and good friend Duke Beardesly. What a great day
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Posted by Duke P. on 04/10/2010
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March 6, 2010
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LIVE from the Ranch
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This wind just will not let up! Fortunately, it has been balmy with some nice sunshine this past weekend. This is a great shot of one of our first calves- she was born on April Fool's Day, and I spotted her this morning, basking in the sun next to her Mom.
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Posted by Caroline F. on 04/06/2010
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Spring is coming!
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LIVE from the Ranch
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Signs of spring are all around us on the Chico. We have enjoyed a warm week, and the grass is noticeably greener. New calves are being born every day, and we received the first of three trailer loads of brood mares from the MZ today, so we will also have foals on the ground soon!
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Posted by Caroline F. on 04/01/2010
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