High pressure continues…
Scrub-Jay, preparing for winter.
The weather was perfect for my final walk around the site, pretty much just taking in the sights before I leave today. Just me and my best friend Pepe the dog! The dawn was full of Solitaire song. A few Yellow-rumps (c18) around, 2 Orange-crowned Warbler and White-crowned Sparrows now appearing all over. The weekend is set to see some cold weather which could well bring another crop of birds, especially Sparrows and Sandhill Crane. Talking of which I went out to the Medano last night to take in a final sunset and look for Cranes. The sunset was beautiful but unfortunately I’ll be leaving the San Luis Valley again with out seeing a single Crane! There’ll be in the 10,000’s in less then a months time. There were a few wildfowl out there and a single Eared Grebe.
American Wigeon, Pintail, Blue-winged Teal, Gadwall and Northern Shoveler.
It’s been a real pleasure to spend the last 5 months here at Zapata ranch and to make birding an almost daily fixture. For me a highlight is to see a landscape and it’s bird’s change with the seasons. There’s something complete about seeing the birds arrive and depart in the autumn. I hope this blog will be an insight for anyone interested in the birds and birding at Zapata Ranch. It’s a site that offers a lot at anytime of year. I may put together a little round of the 5 months. Otherwise it maybe as long as March 2014 before there are any further posts. Thanks for looking! Bye Bye.
Pepe, needs to learn some birding field skills but I forgive him!
ZAPATA BIRDING 