[Douglbirds] Hawks Ibis and Turkeys

[Hugh Kingery]

    Swainson's Hawks have returned in force. After Karen Metz's hawk yesterday, Uring and I saw at least 4 or 5 between Parker and Franktown.
    We saw 32 White-faced Ibis fly down Cherry Creek just north of Castlewood State Park -- we wonder if somebody saw them over Castlewood Canyon. . 
   At the McClain Pit, on Castlewood Canyon Road south of Colo. 86 about a quarter mile, the Common Loon persists -- Glenn Walbek found it a week ago Friday. 

    I should add one extraordinary experience last Thursday. Driving down Rocky View Road in one of the sprawling arms of Castle Rock (NE of Colo. 86 and Founders Village), I noticed a Wild Turkey by the side of the road. I stopped about 100 yards down the road to look at it and then both a Tom and a Hen trotted down the road, the Tom spreading his tail feathers. They came right up to the car door, looked in the window, and started gobbling.  If you have never looked at a Wild Turkey close up, I recommend it. They have remarkable faces, decorated with baby blue and red, and wattles including one that hangs on one side of the bill.
    To escape this display, I finally drove off and watched in the rear view mirror as the Tom started to display in the middle of the road and a second Hen showed up behind him.

Hugh Kingery
Franktown, Colorado


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