A peaceful Sunday morning at the watch. Birders arrived mostly in pairs and trios. Migrant raptors flew by solo. A few Swainson’s, Zonetails and Turkey Vultures provided what passed for a liftoff today. A Black Hawk rose from behind the tall cottonwoods near the playground giving us our best look in days. Reports of a nearby Winter Wren provided treasure hunting opportunities.
Six local Gray Hawks displayed their flight skills. Counters where caught off guard by a stealthy dust devil which made a direct hit, knocking over some scopes. The dearth a migrants gave us ample time to clean the dust from our optics.
A few families stopped by the ball park with their youngins to toss a ball and take a few swings.
Late afternoon a local Zonetail dove after dinner in the cottonwoods, emerging with something small and red in its talons. It dropped a piece tree, perhaps a flowering cottonwood catkin, in disgust. In the canopy below a lucky pine siskin breathed a sigh relief.
