AVAS FIELD TRIP FOR OCTOBER

AVAS Field Trip Chair Margie Joy invites everyone to Bird & Bag the Valco Ponds State Wildlife Area. She writes:

“Celebrate Columbus Day, October 12, by helping clean up our adopted wildlife area.

“Meet at 8:00 a.m. in the parking lot at Valco Ponds, west of Pueblo on Hwy. 96. We will pick up trash (bags will be provided) and look for remaining fall migrants until 11:00.”

Everyone is invited, no previous experience necessary!

Contact Margie Joy by phone, 647-1235 (evenings) or by email, mar1joy@juno.com for information.

AUGUST FIELD TRIP REPORT

by Dave Sliverman

Long-billed Curlew

It was probably no coincidence that the 2003 Wet Mountain Valley field trip had the most birds and birders in the 19 years AVAS has sponsored this popular August field trip. About 30 birders tallied 123 species. A Long-billed Curlew at Lake Deweese was the first ever for Custer County, and a Red-necked Phalarope was also an uncommon migrant. A Black Tern was a good find at this high elevation. Three or four Willow Flycatchers were carefully studied in the riparian habitat along the shore of Lake Deweese with hopes of a possible Alder Flycatcher. No Alder for sure, but we'll keep trying.

Several Townsend's Warblers were spotted and always contribute to a Colorado trip list.  An Olive-sided Flycatcher cooperatively perched in dead snags for all observers to see near trip leader Jane Pedsersen's cabin. This flycatcher is becoming rarer in Colorado.  Other good birds were Northern Goshawk, Prairie Falcon, Calliope Hummingbird, Red-naped Sapsucker, and Bank Swallows.

Thanks to all participants for making this year's trip the most successful ever.  The results lend credibility to the old saying:  "the more birders, the more birds."