Bird lore - Project Puffin

Bird- Lore
was once noted in January for two or three successive days, and Pigeon Hawks
are not infrequently observed. Horned Larks have been seen rarely. There
were at one time three Ring-necked Pheasants in the northern end of the park,
a cock and two hens; one of the latter disappeared, and at present I am not
MOUNTAIN TOWHEE
at all sure if there is
more than one bird
left. They attempted
to nest, but the nests
were broken up or the
young killed, possibly
by cats.
The winter life of
the park, if not so
varied as in summer,
is always interesting,
and the observer can
always find some birds
to study, and the fact
that the birds vary
much in numbers adds
to rather than detracts
from the interest; it
gives a bit of chance
to the game.
Usually in late February or early March the first Mountain Bluebirds and
Robins come, and for a while there is a mixture of the first of the spring and
the last of the winter birds, but presently the latter are all gone, except per-
haps for a few belated stragglers.
THE SUMMER BIRDS
Under this head I include not only the true summer residents but also the
migrants passing to and from their summer homes. Some of these migrants
or visitors are summer residents in the mountains, and foothills close by, and
even on the plains, but do not find the conditions they desire for breeding within
the park limits. As my list shows, several species of Ducks have been seen on
the ponds and reservoir, and I am hoping to see more make the park a refuge
and resting-place as the years go by. I have seen seven Mallards in one flock
on a pond on a stormy March day. The Spotted Sandpipers come about the
first week in May, and are gone by the middle or last of September. Last
July I saw a pair with at least one young bird in downy plumage; I have
always been quite sure they bred in the park, as they have been about every
summer, but this is the first direct evidence.