Chris Michelson

The longest day of the year is past. Many local nesting species have young now and a few are nesting for a second time. The temperatures are high, as usual, but fall migration has already started. Now is the time to get out and look for migrant shorebirds. The best locations for these species are along the shores of ponds and in wetland areas. Don't overlook the mountains because rufous hummingbirds are starting to move through the area.

The migrant shorebirds that one finds now will mostly be adult birds still in breeding plumage.There will be a few birds in non breeding plumage. Shorebird young are able to care for themselves within 24 hours of hatching.The parent birds thus leave the young and begin the fall migration as soon as nesting is complete. Early migrants are thus mostly adult birds.In August and early September, there will be another batch of shorebird migrants which will mostly be juvenile birds. Species which have been noted so far in the Casper area include greater yellowlegs, marbled godwit and long-billed curlew. Local nesting shorebirds, American avocet, black-necked stilt, Wilson's phalarope, Willet and killdeer, have produced young and are now starting togather in flocks.

It appears that at least one pair of snowy egrets is nesting in the Casper area this year. There have been reports of as many 4 adult birds so perhaps there is more than one nesting pair. Snowy egret does not nest in the Casper area every year.

There have been reports of a pair of peregrine falcons in the Casper area this year. Last year there was one pair which produced young. Perhaps there will be another successful nesting in the area this year. This specieshas not successfully produced young in the Casper area every year.

There have been a couple of unusual species reported in the Casper area during the last few days. A female hooded merganser was found in earlyJuly. This species winters in the area but is not usually found here in the summer. One great-tailed grackle has been reported in the area. This southern species has been expandingto the north and west for a number of years. It is now well established in eastern Colorado and has had asmall nesting colony in the Torrington area on occasion. This species is about twice the size of the common grackle and about 4 times as noisy. I suspect that most would not welcome any large population of this species in this area.

Two remaining banding dates for the MAPS banding station at the Garden Creek Audubon Center are Tuesday and July 29. Visitors are welcome to observe during the process. One can call either Jess or Larry at 473-1987 for additional information about times.

Chris Michelson is a veteran bird watcher and board member of the Murie Audubon Society.