Hey folks,
Didn't manage to make it to the Hotel yesterday before the light went entirely (meetings etc). Dennis didn't either I'm afraid. I hope to be able to swing past sometime later today and have spoken with Dennis who hopes to be able to do the same.
Mother Hen - I understand that you have field glasses today at the office. First question, does the bird have a white breast. You will have no difficulty seeing it. Second question, is the bird sitting upright, like an owl rather than a crow for example? Third question, when the bird is sitting, can you see the wings and tail? If you can, the wings will cross at the back and be longer than the tail when the bird is sitting/roosting.
From the photo and the fact that the birds y'all are watching haven't come to the east side of the building makes me very suspicious about their identity (sorry folks). Their territory covers all large area that includes the legislature, HSC and points further in all directions. The nest site is all of the building so they visit all the spots on at least a daily basis when they first return and I have yet to see them or any sign of them on the east side (all their spots on all the buildings east of the Hotel in fact). They won't have even begun nest selection so there is no way they are showing any nest site preference at this point. And to be honest, they are are, based on average return dates, back a bit early. Considering they would have had to fly through the Colorado low we are suffering through at the moment, I'm frankly surprised they (if they are "they") are back. But I have been surprised before, so its not out of the realm of possibility, it just means that I really do need to see the birds before I'm satisfied ...
Sorry to be the stick in the mud. We will try to confirm/deny this all today though, bad weather or not (and yes, it is bad weather here right now).
