The morning of Laramie Audubon's first fall outing began with heavy, low clouds and chilly temperatures of September's first cold front. The undaunted few who donned jackets and winter hats to walk the Laramie Greenbelt were rewarded with a lovely morning at the river. Green foliage and the presence of Swainson's hawks and Western Wood-pewees indicated that summertime had not yet left Wyoming, but the rabbitbrush in full bloom and slight hints of changing color suggested that autumn is on its way.
Numerous Wilson's Warblers, recently arrived in town, called from the willows and occasionally flew out in little yellow bursts. Migrating Clay-colored Sparrows joined other sparrows, such as Song, White-crowned, and Chipping, along the trail. Mink and muskrat appeared briefly before diving back underwater.
At one point, the bike path became a bird path, when a loud Killdeer landed right in the middle of the pavement and refused to budge. This noisy plover let onlookers see its orange eye ring and details of its molting plumage. Observers took photographs and wondered at the reason for its apparent tameness. A passing dogwalker even held her big dog back so the Killdeer could be admired for longer.
Later, everyone followed the high-pitched calls of a Cedar Waxwing to the river's edge to find the youngest waxwing fledglings anyone present had ever seen. The endearing youngsters had only the pale beginnings of the adult bandit mask and were balls of gray fluff on the lookout for insects flying over the water.
Thirty-eight bird species were noted, and not only did the rain hold off, but blue skies emerged. The sun shone on a lone Barn Swallow swooping over the river and an Olive-sided Flycatcher perching upright on a dead branch at the end of the walk. A Spotted Sandpiper's two-note call said goodbye. (Many thanks to Vic for the trip report and photo).
