[Douglbirds] Autumn Passerines, Raptors and More

[KarenSMetz at cs.com]

I observed my first Northern Shrike of the season at Castlewood Canyon SP 
today.  The  bird still showed immature plumage and was using nest boxes along 
the park/Winkler Ranch boundary fence for hunting perches.  

A very vocal flock of twenty-some Bushtits greeted me yesterday along the 
park's Inner Canyon Trail.  Mountain Chickadees were with them.  

I've been seeing Northern Harriers regularly this autumn over the park's east 
section and also along open areas of Castlewood Canyon Road.  This species is 
a recent non-breeding resident to the park, perhaps because the resident 
Red-tailed Hawk population has not been productive.  Migrating Red-tails were very 
frequent last month over the park.  I've recently seen female harriers 
interacting with Cooper's Hawk and Red-tails.  They can put on quite a show.

Autumn Golden Eagle sightings are irregular, but occasional, from the park, 
Winkler Ranch, Hidden Mesa Open Space, and the McLain quarry pond.  This is 
certainly a time to be grateful for conserved lands.  

A mixed flock of chickadees and nuthatches seems to have attracted a few 
Golden-crowned Kinglets to my pine trees this week.  I've decreased my bird seed 
offerings recently because of a bear that is fattening up for hibernation.  
Well-mannered, that visitor damaged only one feeder during a single nightime meal 
of three peanut butter suet cakes and at least 12 cups of sunflower chips.  

Enjoy what each season brings!
Karen Metz
Franktown   
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