12-15-2022, 07:44 PM
(This post was last modified: 12-15-2022, 09:01 PM by Steven B in PV.)
This morning I found another good bird feeding on sunflower below the feeders. The Harris's Sparrow is an arctic bird that nests in the taiga of northern Canada. It is the largest sparrow in North America and a rare winter visitor to Colorado. I've seen them many times in PV and at the Palisade farm. This is a 1st year bird that will officially become an adult, or 2nd year bird, on January 1st.
My first Harris's in Peaceful Valley was 35 years ago and I watched as it was taken down and eaten by a Northern Pygmy Owl. The sparrow is an inch longer at 7.5", but half the 2.5 ounce weight of the owl.
Not a great pic but diagnostic enough. I need to clean my windows.
Two weeks ago, my good neighbor Sue said that she had seen two scrub jays in her yard, the first she'd ever seen in PV in over 30 years. Sue is a good birder and bird photographer but didn't have time to photo the jays.
I've seen Woodhouse's Scrub Jays in PV on several occasions, mostly in August and September as post-breeding wanderers. They are rare in the higher mountains and having them here at the end of November is remarkable. Here's one I caught at the feeder a couple of years ago.
My first Harris's in Peaceful Valley was 35 years ago and I watched as it was taken down and eaten by a Northern Pygmy Owl. The sparrow is an inch longer at 7.5", but half the 2.5 ounce weight of the owl.
Not a great pic but diagnostic enough. I need to clean my windows.
Two weeks ago, my good neighbor Sue said that she had seen two scrub jays in her yard, the first she'd ever seen in PV in over 30 years. Sue is a good birder and bird photographer but didn't have time to photo the jays.
I've seen Woodhouse's Scrub Jays in PV on several occasions, mostly in August and September as post-breeding wanderers. They are rare in the higher mountains and having them here at the end of November is remarkable. Here's one I caught at the feeder a couple of years ago.