The 16th annual Pueblo County Fall Migration Count 9-17-11 tallied 146 species. It was but the 9th best total of the 16 counts. This year's event was hurt by one of the hottest & dry summers on record in the County. Many lakes & streams were bone dry, which considerably lowered waterfowl & shorebird numbers and probably impacted passerines. But there was an important milestone with the County's first ever Leconte's Sparrow, found and photoed by Bill Maynard at Chico Basin Ranch. Bill also saw a Summer Tanager--far more common in spring than fall.
 
A Sabine's Gull, first of the season in the County, was found by Brandon Percival at Pueblo Reservoir, along with an Orchard Oriole below the dam. The Oriole represents a late date for the County. A Black-throated Gray Warbler was a good find by Rich Miller on his route along Siloam Rd to Beulah. The Greenhorn Valley Team tallied 84 species for the top list, including the only N. Waterthrushes. 
 
17 birders participated with 3 at feeders. These Counts are sponsored by the Arkansas Valley Audubon Society and are compiled with the help of Brandon Percival. All birds reported are entered in the ebird/Inernational Migratory Bird Day data base<www.birdday.org> To receive a complete list of birds seen on this year's Count, please respond to this message.

 
Next Migration Count will be May 12 2012. Pueblo birders are encouraged to do a rain dance!
 
Dave Silverman, compiler
Pueblo County Migration Counts