A Catbird Soliloquy

 Late this morning and into the afternoon, a male gray catbird has been delivering a prolonged soliloquy of musical notes, calls and other harsh sounds from a shrub line in our backyard.  Of course, having just arrived from his wintering grounds, he is staking out his summer territory and trying his best to attract a mate.

Though he tends to remain hidden for much of the day, he does come out to search for insects in the grass before returning to his seemingly endless vocalizations.  Once he attracts a mate, a nest will be placed in the shrubbery and his soliloquies will eventually give way to the mewing sounds for which he is named.  By early autumn, his diet will shift to a mix of insects and berries and he will soon be off to the Southern U.S. or Mexico for the colder months.

Until then, this noisy but attractive summer resident is more than welcome on our property.  After all, like other insectivores, his service is far preferable to the use of toxic pesticides.

Avian Explosion at Eagle Bluffs

Now that this fabulous floodplain refuge has returned to its former glory and we are in the midst of spring, Eagle Bluffs was alive with birds this morning.  Indeed, on my two hour visit, I encountered 43 species, many of them summer residents.

Swallows (all five species), blue-winged teal, dickcissels and indigo buntings were most abundant.  Highlights included a pileated woodpecker,  American avocets, white-faced ibis and soras; the latter, usually best observed on cloudy, rainy days, were especially vocal and visible on this bright, May morning.  Eastern kingbirds and common yellowthroats were more numerous than I had expected and our common waders, great egrets and great blue herons, are gradually regaining their past summer populations.  Ironically, an immature bald eagle was the only raptor that I saw.

Though I had hoped to encounter black terns, a personal favorite, it is a bit early for those late spring migrants.  Nevertheless, my overall experience was more than rewarding and I'll continue regular visits whenever I'm in Columbia. 

A Snowstorm in May

It is not rare for snow to fall along the Colorado Front Range during the month of May.  An unruly spring jet stream, significant changes in elevation and the presence of a storm system crossing the Desert Southwest are the usual ingredients.

The current snow storm, which began yesterday, developed as a deep atmospheric trough (dip in the jet stream) allowed cold, Canadian air to drop southward along the Front Range while counterclockwise winds, around a low pressure center in New Mexico, pulled in Gulf of Mexico moisture from the Great Plains.  This upslope flow dropped two feet of snow in the mountains, a foot of snow in the foothills and rain changing to snow along the Front Range urban corridor.

This welcome moisture will likely have a limited effect on the State's drought and on Metro Denver's water shortage but it is surely welcomed by the regional flora and fauna.  Perhaps the greatest benefit of the storm will be to diminish the threat a wildfires across the eastern slope of the Front Range as the annual fire season gets underway.  Early and prolonged Southwest Monsoons and normal to heavy mountain snowpacks over the coming years are needed to end the drought. 

New Sheriffs on the High Plains

By early April, it is getting too warm for rough-legged hawks on the High Plains of the U.S. and they begin moving back to their Arctic breeding grounds.  There they will nest on rocky outcrops and feast primarily on lemmings as they raise their young.

In their absence, Swainson's hawks take charge on the High Plains, arriving from Argentina where they spent the winter.  Usually nesting in a solitary cottonwood tree, struggling to survive along a dry stream bed, these raptors prefer open country where their diet ranges from rodents to snakes to insects.  They will occupy the High Plains until early October, when the promise of a perpetual summer draws them back to Argentina, often traveling in large flocks.

Today, I observed several Swainson's hawks on our journey across the High Plains of Colorado and Kansas.  We'll spend the night in Hays and complete our roadtrip to Missouri tomorrow.  Details, if warranted, to follow. 

Racism Endures in America

Back in my college days, when we were protesting the Vietnam War, racism and, it seemed, most of our parents' generational beliefs, I imagined a better world, led by my liberalized generation.  Now, more than fifty years later, I acknowledge that little has changed.

The quest for wealth, power and superiority has poisoned my generation as well and a significant portion of American society retains the mysticism, racism, militarism and nationalism that existed back in the Sixties and Seventies.  Though we managed to elect a black President for two terms, the underlying racial hatred in our country surfaced throughout his years of leadership.

Now, led by a racist buffoon and subject to the whims of a far-right Supreme Court, civil rights are under attack.  Each ruling takes us farther back in time, to an era when all "minorities" were second class citizens.

See also:  The Nature of Racism and No Racist

Frustrated by Virga

Anyone who lives in an arid or semiarid environment is familiar with virga, precipitation that evaporates in dry air before reaching the ground.  Viewed from a distance, it resembles a curtain, hanging from the bottom of a rain or storm cloud but not extending down to the terrain below.

During our current drought along the Front Range, many of us check the local radar when rain is expected.  Watching the green or yellow blobs move toward and then over our neighborhood, we anticipate a downpour.  In many cases, however, we stay dry or receive only a light drizzle, a victim of virga.

This phenomenon is enhanced in Metro Denver when storms arrive from the south or west.  As the air descends from higher terrain, it warms up and dries out and precipitation evaporates as it falls into the lower, drier layer of the atmosphere. 

A Honey Bee Swarm

Yesterday, while wandering about our Littleton farm, I came across a large honey bee swarm (photo), having attached themselves to one of our piñon pines.  Its mass consisted of worker bees and a queen, waiting for scout bees to locate a new hive site.

A common event in the spring, this swarming splits the old colony and the remnant colony will attend to a virgin queen, which emerges from a cell in which an egg was laid by the original queen, prior to her departure.  Other virgin queens may leave the hive with small "cast swarms" of worker bees to establish their own colonies.

Swarms, such as the one I found, generally move on within hours or days, once the scout bees have collaborated and agree on a new hive location.  Fortunately, my wife and I are now the only part-time residents of the farm and we can easily avoid the swarm until it departs.  Since they are focused on their moving adventure, the swarm tends to be rather docile anyway. 

Tainted Gold

A disturbing article in the New York Times, released yesterday, describes the varied sources of gold used by the U.S. Mint.  Despite a law passed by Congress in 1985, which requires the Mint to use only American mined or recycled gold to produce its coins, that policy has been ignored.

In fact, much of the gold comes from illegal sources, some run by drug cartels and terrorist groups.  In such cases, environmental protection is nonexistent and workers are exposed to toxic debris.  A variety of other non-American sources are also revealed in the article.  Furthermore, the Times reports that this practice has occurred for decades, over the course of multiple Administrations.

As America's image across the globe takes a major hit from Trump's antics, we cannot deny the fact that our country has long abused the citizens of foreign countries in order to maintain our wealth and power.  What can the average American do to protest such behavior?  We might start by selling any gold coins or gold investments that we own and by not buying the Trump commemorative coins when they become available.

  

Egrets in Centerfield

Attending my grandson's little league game this past weekend, I was pleased to observe a quartet of snowy egrets, feeding in centerfield.  Common summer residents in Metro Denver, they were the first I encountered this spring.

These sociable birds usually nest in colonies, often in groves of trees along lakes or streams.  They feed on a wide variety of aquatic and terrestrial invertebrates as well as fish, amphibians, lizards, snakes and small mammals.  Come autumn, they will head for Mexico or for coastal areas along the Gulf of Mexico or the Baja Peninsula.

Lest readers be concerned about the egrets' safety during the ballgame, be assured that, in my grandson's age group, balls rarely reach the outfield.  Indeed, the ratio of walks to strikeouts generally determines the outcome of a game. 

Common Ravens

In North America, common ravens are found across Canada and Alaska, southward through the Appalachians and throughout most of the Western U.S.  Able to adapt to a wide range of habitats, these large, aggressive, hardy corvids are identified by their large size, thick bills, heavy build, diamond-shaped tail and deep, croaking calls.

Unlike their smaller cousins, American crows, which often move about in flocks, common ravens are generally observed alone or in pairs, often harassing hawks, owls and other perceived enemies.  Their diet consists of invertebrates, nestlings, eggs, amphibians, reptiles, small mammals, carrion, food waste and berries; in other words, they are not picky eaters.  Nests are generally placed in conifers or on rock ledges.

Here in Colorado, common ravens are found throughout the mountains and western deserts and have, in my experience, become increasingly common along the Front Range urban corridor, likely taking advantage of roadkill, discarded food and other human handouts.

 

The Bear Creek Greenbelt

Bear Creek rises on the east face of Mt. Blue Sky (formerly Mt. Evans) and flows downward through alpine tundra, forests and meadows.  Below Evergreen, Colorado, it slices through its tortuous canyon in the foothills before rumbling onto the Piedmont, eventually joining the South Platte River.

Before the construction of the Bear Creek Lake Dam (1977-1982) to control flooding, Bear Creek, having also received significant flow from Turkey Creek, to its south, had produced a broad floodplain of wetlands, meadows and cottonwood groves through the west side of Metro Denver.  Once its flow was greatly diminished by the dam, that floodplain began to dry out and a large portion of it is now protected as a Greenbelt for walking, biking and nature study.

Of course, this flood-control project has had a significant impact on the floodplain itself, where the massive cottonwoods are gradually dying off and the wetlands have all but disappeared.  Human development and recreation have been the winners.  

FEMA and Looming Disasters

While spending billions on an unjustified war, Our Dear Leader has cut back on the funding of FEMA, the Federal Emergency Management Agency.  This decision comes amidst the threats of climate change (a challenge that he and his Administration ridicule).

Currently, severe drought across the American West and the Southeastern States has set the stage for a destructive wildfire season.  Meanwhile, tornados and flooding have ravaged the Upper Midwest and the Atlantic Hurricane Season begins within a month.

As with most of the decisions he makes, Trump's policies boost his "strong man" image and benefit the wealthy class, those least affected by natural disasters.  After all, those loyal supporters readily donate to his personal projects (such as the planned ballroom and arch) that will define his legacy. 

Wind, Raptors & Drought

Meeting a friend at South Platte Park this morning, we were greeted by a strong and desiccating southwest wind.  As expected, this kept the songbirds huddled in the shrubs and thickets but it certainly appealed to the raptors.

During our visit, we encountered an osprey, two bald eagles (an adult and an immature), two turkey vultures and an American kestrel.  While the others were cavorting in the wind, the kestrel was having breakfast atop a bluebird box, much to the chagrin of tree swallows that were nesting there.  Double-crested cormorants and great blue herons seemed to enjoy the wind as well, catching a ride as they traversed the refuge.

But the most noticeable feature of the Park was the ongoing drought, which has significantly lowered water levels in the South Platte River and its adjacent lakes.  Indeed, I do not recall levels this low over the past three decades.  Though rain is forecast to arrive this weekend, it will take an early and long-lasting monsoon to produce a significant recovery along the Front Range. 

Getting Personal on Earth Day

On this annual Earth Day, many of us will attend gatherings, speeches, demonstrations or fairs to show our support for the welfare of our home planet; that is not enough.  Our commitment to the health of natural ecosystems must be personal.

We must ask ourselves if our recycling efforts are maximized, if we make every effort to eliminate the use of herbicides and pesticides, if we limit artificial irrigation and if we have naturalized our property to avoid the use of fertilizer and to provide natural nutrition sources for wildlife. 

Just as importantly, do we contribute to conservation organizations (such as those in the right column of this blog) that have the financial, legal and political clout to combat the anti-environmental fervor of the Trump Administration?  Will we support candidates who openly acknowledge the threat of climate change and who offer policies to combat pollution, excessive consumption and the degradation of natural habitat?  That is the very least we can do for Mother Earth. 

Majestic View Park

On this bright April morning, my wife and I visited Majestic View Park, in Arvada, Colorado.  Off 72nd Ave., between Wadsworth and Kipling, the 80-acre park offers a broad view of the Mt. Blue Sky massif and the adjacent Front Range Foothills.

Two miles of paved and earthen trails wind through the Park, which harbors open grasslands, riparian woodlands, a pond and a creek-side marsh (now undergoing restoration).  Red-winged blackbirds and blue jays were the most conspicuous residents this morning though we also saw a pied-billed grebe and a large garter snake on our walk.

Majestic View Park also has a Nature Center that offers educational programs throughout the year.  Though the Park is rather small, its scenery, its variety of natural habitats and its accessibility make it worth a visit for Metro Denver residents and visitors. 

Our Summer Tenants

According to the records on my eBird site, I have observed 98 avian species on our Littleton farm since May of 2016.  Almost all have been permanent residents, winter residents, migrants or seasonal visitors.  Only two summer residents inhabit the property.

Summer residents are birds that winter to our south, arrive in the spring, nest here and then return to their wintering grounds in the fall.  Our two summer tenants are northern house wrens and broad-tailed hummingbirds.  Since returning from Missouri yesterday, I have encountered one of each.

Soon, the cohorts of these pioneers will arrive and courtships will commence.  Nesting will occur and the families will grace our farm until October.  Among all the other species, these summer tenants tend to garner much of my attention.

Addendum: Some birders might suggest that I also include brown-headed cowbirds on my short list of summer residents.  However, they merely lay their eggs in the nests of other songbirds and do not actually raise their young or reside on the property.

Back in Dry Country

Driving back to Colorado this morning, the landscape was noticeably drier than usual from the High Plains westward.  None of the rivers (except for the South Platte) held water and the grasslands had browned out, an unusual appearance for April, one of the snowiest months along the Front Range.

Of course, the desiccated landscape reflects the unusually warm and snowless winter in this region.  The small amount of snow received from the most recent Pacific storm was not enough to make a difference and has already disappeared.  Here on our Littleton farm, the shrubs and pastures have held up well but our "lawns" are not the least bit green.  In addition, the recent hard freeze killed off the unfurling leaves in many of the trees but these should recover as the temperature rebounds.

Indeed, we expect warm, sunny weather for the next week; no rain is forecast until next weekend.  As always, the dry air has its benefits: cool nights and more tolerable daytime heat.  But we desperately need precipitation, in any form; perhaps May will bring a welcome change. 

Heading West

Following a stormy night in Columbia, we headed west this morning.  A steady north wind had brought down clear, cool, dry air behind the storm front, perfect for traveling.

Farther west, in eastern Kansas, plumes of smoke rose from the Flint Hills as the annual burning of grasslands was underway.  Designed to remove invasive plants and to nourish the pasturelands, one wonders about the carbon load released into the atmosphere.

And what wildlife did I encounter today (you might ask)?  Easy: turkey vultures, great-tailed grackles and dead raccoons.  But we did see thousands of cattle!  We'll complete our journey to Colorado tomorrow. 

Damage Watch

As a powerful Pacific storm system spun its way along the U.S.-Canadian border yesterday, its cold front stretched from the Upper Midwest to the Southern Plains, producing a broad swath of tornadoes, severe thunderstorms, large hail, high winds and torrential rain.

Millions of Americans, ourselves included, were glued to their TVs and computer screens, waiting to see if their community would be damaged or spared.  Even before this storm system arrived, severe flooding had developed in Wisconsin from storms deflected northward by the Southeastern ridge.  Here in Columbia, tornado sirens blared by mid evening as a twister passed just south and east of our city.

Meanwhile, on the back side of the system, cold air plunged southward, bringing snow to the Northern Plains and, finally, to the Front Range of Colorado.  As the storm pushes eastward in the coming days, its severity will diminish as its forward speed increases; nevertheless, more flooding and wind damage is expected before it heads out to sea.