Colorado Nature Narratives

Since mid-March, I have been watching for the return of the White-throated Swifts. Last fall, they “disappeared” from Garden of the Gods Park on September 23 on a very blustery day. Their disappearance was expected, though, and happens every year when the Swifts migrate south for the winter.

Today, it was snowing at dawn, but by mid-morning the snow had ceased and the clouds were beginning to lift. I decided to go ahead and hike in the Garden to look for the Swifts. Since the Swifts left on a very blustery day in September, perhaps they would “reappear” on this very blustery day in April.

Today in Garden of the Gods

My friend and I hiked on the trail that leads from the Main Parking Lot to the Twins Rock Formation. Along the way we saw flocks of Dark-eyed Juncos, cavorting Ravens, a pair of Scrub Jays, several Spotted Towhees, and heard the two-note whistle of the Black-capped Chickadee. But no White-throated Swifts.

Hiking back, we were surprised to see Wild Turkey tracks in the snow – the first such tracks I’ve ever seen in Garden of the Gods.

Wild Turkey Tracks

We also saw Rock Pigeons, an American Robin, a Bushtit, several Black-billed Magpies, heard a Canyon Wren, and watched a fast-flying Prairie Falcon circling North Gateway Rock. Then, I finally heard the familiar, high twittering of the Swifts. There they were, flying high over Gray Rock! Welcome back, White-throated Swifts, to your summer home.

(For more information about the Swifts, visit my very first Nature Narrative Blog dated February 8, 2010.)

I have had the privilege of closely observing wildlife in Garden of the Gods Park for almost 20 years. One of my annual spring challenges is to locate the nest of the Prairie Falcons. Usually they nest high on the east face of North Gateway Rock in a weathered hollow in the sandstone. Every year, the birds perform their courtship rituals, lay eggs, and raise their fledglings – while seeming oblivious to the many park visitors who hike on the trail 200 feet below the nest.

The Prairie Falcon is a bird of prey built for speed. It is streamlined with a sleek head, long pointed wings and a tapered tail. These features enable the Falcon to overtake its favorite prey of White-throated Swifts and Rock Pigeons and snatch them out of the air.

Another hunting technique is “stooping.” Flying at great heights, the Falcon targets a bird, then folds its wings and dives at almost 200 miles per hour to strike its prey with such tremendous force that it knocks it out of the air. I witnessed this dramatic event one morning while hiking in the Garden. A White-throated Swift was flying incredibly fast just 3 feet off the ground when all of a sudden, a Prairie Falcon appeared out of nowhere and knocked the Swift to the ground. I cautiously approached the Swift. It was already dead from the impact. Then I waited about 100 feet away to see what the Falcon would do. It again appeared as if out of nowhere, landed next to the dead Swift and immediately began to tear it into bite-sized pieces and consume it.

In Colorado’s Pikes Peak area, the Prairie Falcons can be found year-round in the cliffs and canyons of the foothills. In Garden of the Gods Park, close observers may see Rock Pigeons and Swifts scatter whenever a Prairie Falcon takes to the air.

Location: Southeastern Colorado Birding Trail: Pikes Peak Region
Garden of the Gods Park
1805 N. Street, Colorado Springs, CO  80904

Description of April 27, 2009 Bird Walk:
It was a perfect Colorado day for a morning bird walk in Garden of the Gods Park. The week’s rain showers had left the air fresh, the sky cobalt blue and Pikes Peak glistening white under a new blanket of snow. My friends and I decided to begin our birding at the east Rock Ledge Ranch entrance of the park so that we could walk through a variety of habitats from the Ranch to the towering rocks in the heart of the park.

Sandstone pinnacles in the heart of the park

As we neared the Ranch pond, we saw our first migrant, a Yellow-rumped Warbler (Audubon’s), flitting among the willow branches. We then watched as a female American Robin, its beak packed with insects, furtively made its way to its nest in a tall White Fir tree. In contrast, a male Red-winged Blackbird broadcast its presence with its piercing call and showy red wing patches.

The tranquility of the pond was broken by two male Mallard Ducks fighting over one female. The two drakes fought in the middle of the pond, biting each other’s heads as they whirled in circles, loudly splashing the water. Meanwhile, the female climbed out of the pond and disappeared into the willows, and eventually, one of the drakes gave up the fight and flew away. Continue Reading »