Bruce Sparrow Mountain Blue Bird Picture

from The Lost Creek Guide April 07, 2021

Way of the World

Photo by Bruce Sparrow of Keenesburg, CO

Mountain Bluebird

Sialia currucoides

Conservation status Nests in many remote areas, where it is less affected than the other bluebirds by competition for nest sites with Starlings and other invaders. Numbers are apparently stable.

Greenwood Village, CO. - Former Colorado GOP Chairman Ken Buck released his final statement as leader of the Colorado Republican Committee following the election of new officers by the State Central Committee:

“I’m excited to congratulate new Colorado GOP Chairman Kristi Burton Brown, Vice Chair Priscilla Rahn, and Secretary Marilyn Harris. I know that the Colorado GOP is in good hands as we move to retake our state in 2022 and provide Colorado with leaders who will step up and fight for our state,” stated Former COGOP Chairman Ken Buck.

“Kristi, Priscilla, and Marilyn are the first all-female team to lead the Colorado GOP and I’m confident that they will be successful at driving our Party to many wins and successes over the next two years.”

Background: • For the first time ever, the Colorado GOP will be led by an all-female team. • Chairman Kristi Burton Brown won on the third ballot by 59.36%, Vice Chair Priscilla Rahn won on the third ballot by 53.09%, and Secretary Marilyn Harris won on the first ballot by 59.1%. • The new team took office at today’s State Organizational Meeting.

(Left to right: Secretary Marilyn Harris, Vice Chair Priscilla Rahn, and Chairman Kristi Burton Brown)

Family Thrushes

Habitat Open country with some trees; in winter, also treeless terrain. Often in more open areas than other bluebirds. Breeding habitats not always in mountains; found in lowland prairies and sagebrush flats as well as alpine zones above treeline. In winter, most common in pinyon-juniper woods but also in open grassland, desert, farmland, even barren plowed fields.

The powder-blue male Mountain Bluebird is among the most beautiful birds of the West. Living in more open terrain than the other two bluebirds, this species may nest in holes in cliffs or dirt banks when tree hollows are not available. It often seeks its food by hovering low over the grass in open fields. During the winter, Mountain Bluebirds often gather in large flocks, even by the hundreds, sometimes associating with Western Bluebirds.

Information from the Audobon.org site

LETTER TO EDITOR

Neatness not necesarily good for birds

I am going to complain bout … neatness. Spring is here and everyone is anxious to start prettying up our properties. Just do not do too much.

I know when people move from the city to the country , hey are used to pretty, manicured lawns. I agree they look nice. But please, do not mow everything down.

The Lark Bunting, our state bird, will be arriving soon. Their population is in a steep decline due to loss of natural prairie habitat. Their traditional nesting places re being paved over for developments, or mowed down, just for … neatness.

Lark Buntings, Western Meadowlarks, Horned Larks, Mourning Doves, Grasshopper Sparrows, Savannah Sparrows, Dark-Eyed Juncos, Kildeer, and Curlews are all ground nesting birds that require the prairie to survive.

It has been about 5 years since I have heard a Rooster Pheasant crow. There just are not any in our area and a big reason is … neatness. The tidy farmers cannot seem to bring themselves to leave some weeds standing that would serve as Pheasant nesting places. Therefore, no Pheasants.

So, when you move to the country and buy acreage, certainly mow fire-breaks next to roads and around your buildings but have a little mercy on the birds and leave the grass and sagebrush standing and give the baby birds a chance.

Old and opinionated Nature Lover