Interesting Birds

[Linda B]

This is an open invitation to all who read the Interesting Birds thread, those who have contributed and those who will, to join us in watching birds feeding in the little hummingbird meadow by our cabin in Peaceful Valley.  The air is dancing with hummers at flowers and feeders.  There are lots of our local Broad-tailed, along with migrant Rufous, and maybe a Calliope or two.

When:  Saturday August 3, anytime from 7:30 am through the day.

Where:  The address is 50154 State Highway 72 in Peaceful Valley about 8 miles west of Jamestown and about 3.5 miles from the Bar-K entrance. 
Go right or north at the Peak-to-Peak where Overland Road ends.  As you descend into the valley go slowly through the end curve.  Do not turn on the old Peaceful Valley road, but cross the highway bridge over the river to find 3 mailboxes on the right.  Be very careful of traffic here.  Please park well off the highway and walk down the driveway to the end cabin.  Seniors with mobility issues may park in the driveway without blocking it.


What to bring:  Suggestions include water, any snacks you want to eat, binoculars, camera, hat, rain jacket, good footwear, insect repellent, questions and a penchant for patient quiet.  There should be plenty of seating but bring a favorite camp chair if you like.

What not to bring:  Dogs or other domestic animals of any kind including rowdy children.  Good kids are always welcome.  

We look forward to meeting and sharing with our good mountain neighbors!


Steve & Deb
970-250-6161


Steve and Deb,

Thank you for hosting this delightful event and sharing your love and knowledge of these amazing little creatures.  We had a wonderful time and learned a lot.

Chet and Linda

[Steven B in PV]

After the very busy summer and as the fall preps for winter begin to wind down, I'd like to catch up on some of the interesting birds of late summer.  Despite the warm and dry weather, hummingbird visits wound down very quickly with our last bird seen on September 16.  This compares with 2023 when our last hummer was seen on Sept. 23.  The migration happens regardless of the abundant food resources, with many fresh feeders and a yard full of blooming flowers available.

Since mid summer we've had several visits by a Dusky Grouse hen and two nearly full grown chicks.  They have fed on scattered seed and cracked corn only a few yards from the porch.  For much of the time, the hen stands guard as the chicks feed.

An exciting first for our yard was a flock of 13 turkeys feeding through the meadow.  We occasionally see turkeys in and around Peaceful Valley, but never on our property.  The flock was captured on some of our wildlife video cams.

From late July into mid September, we enjoyed daily visits by a juvenile Green-tailed Towhee.  Like some other sparrows, towhees hop and scratch the ground with both feet to find seeds and insects.  We've seldom seen Green-tailed Towhees here by the river, but they have long nested among the shrubs on the south facing hillside only three hundreds yards from the cabin.

Another recent visitor to the water fountains and the scattered seed has been a Hermit Thrush.  The secretive thrush is a close cousin to the American Robins and Townsend's Solitaire that also frequent the yard.  Hermit Thrushes nest annually in the dense spruce-fir forest around the cabin.  Similar to the Swainson's Thrush which has also nested in our yard, the Hermit is distinguished by it's rust red rump and tail.  They are a late fall migrant with some remaining in late October to early November.  To my ear, it's melodious song is one of the most beautiful bird songs in North America.  

Hermit Thrush songs


   

   

   

   

   

[burtonwc1]

You know it’s fall in the canyon when the White-crowned Sparrows appear, back from their higher-altitude summer haunts. Three sighted on Ward St. today. I’ve been gone for 2 weeks so may have come down earlier.

Bill Burton

[burtonwc1]

You know it’s fall in the canyon when the White-crowned Sparrows appear, back from their higher-altitude summer haunts. Three sighted on Ward St. today. I’ve been gone for 2 weeks so may have come down earlier.

Bill Burton