As in Missouri, the autumn waterfowl migration has been sluggish along the Front Range, no doubt a reflection of persistent mild weather up north. Indeed, we expect summer-like conditions here through the week, hardly appealing to our usual winter residents.
A friend and I did encounter gadwall, American wigeon and ring-necked ducks at South Platte Park this morning where a small flock of white-crowned sparrows (also winter residents on the Colorado Piedmont) were foraging in the rabbitbrush. In addition, I have seen a small number of dark-eyed juncos on our Littleton farm.
Though we usually get our first snowfall in Metro Denver by the end of October, the prospect for that seems rather dim this year. For now, we'll hope that the vanguard of winter residents foreshadows more seasonable weather along the Front Range.
