Cassin's Finch in prairie valley along Purgatory River

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Yesterday I birded a little south of La Junta,Colo in the Higbee area which is in the Purgatory River valley. This is a prairie-canyon area where there are large deciduous trees likely planted by farmers in the area. I was surprised to see a small flock of Cassin's Finch, usually a more foothill to mountain bird, feasting on the tender buds on those decidious trees along with at least 1 Lesser Goldfinch and hundreds of American Goldfinch. I also saw at least two Chihuahuan Ravens in the area. SeEtta

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