This week’s Bird of the Week, compliments of the Weminuche Audubon Society and Audubon Rockies, is the lesser goldfinch. In many types of patchy, open habitats this bird is found from South America all the way to Washington State in North America, with much of the population in the United States living west of the Rocky Mountains. While these small birds in North America were historically found primarily in the southwest, they are rapidly expanding their range throughout the Pacific Northwest. Data supplied by birdwatchers who log their observations online in eBird and Project Feeder Watch has been instrumental in documenting this population shift. Goldfinches are primarily seed eaters, and even nestlings are fed a mix of moistened seeds regurgitated by their parents. They mainly eat seeds of plants in the sunflower family. Their small size allows them to cling to the seed heads, bending the stem and ending upside down in the process. After prying open the outer seed covering with its bill, the goldfinch shakes its head to loosen the husk before swallowing the seed. They also readily come to feeders for Nyjer seeds. Lesser goldfinches lose water quickly and need to drink frequently. During hot temperature extremes they may risk dehydration in less than two hours. Recent research conducted in partnership between the Cornell Lab of Ornithology and Washington State University revealed that “rivers emerged as crucial corridors” along with urban areas in the northward range expansion of these birds. Adult lesser goldfinch males are yellow below and have a glossy black cap and white wing patches. Typically their backs may be solid black in the eastern part of their range or dull green along the coasts. Females and immature birds have olive backs and dull yellow undersides. They are often found feeding in mixed flocks with other finch species, white-crowned sparrows and western bluebirds. Contact calls between flock members are frequent and sad sounding. While lesser goldfinches are permanent residents in much of their range, inland populations may move south or downslope in winter in search of food. We see them here much more commonly in summer than in winter. At a time when many species are struggling to thrive under a warming climate, lesser goldfinches are seemingly adapting better than others. For information on events, visit www.weminucheaudubon.org and www.facebook.com/weminucheaudubon/.
Bird of the Week
Extension Viewpoints
Here in the southwest, September into October is typically warm and sunny with plenty of T-shirt weather days ahead. This makes it difficult to know just when to quit managing noxious weeds for …
Community
Children in the community are invited to celebrate the fall season with two upcoming pumpkin parties featuring Bible lessons, singing, pumpkin-themed games and snacks. These events will offer …
Artist's Lane
The family called hospice. It was the right choice to make. We have always been of the opinion that we would reach out at the very end. Those who have been in the same place that we are in said, …
Rotary Club members will be ringing bells on World Polio Day, Saturday, Oct. 24, at City Market to inspire local generosity in the effort to end polio worldwide. Pictured are Rotarians Pat Love and Melanie Garrett during a previous fundraiser.
Community
On World Polio Day, Saturday, Oct. 24, members of the Rotary Club of Pagosa Springs will be at City Market from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., ringing bells and collecting donations as part of Rotary’s global …
Local News
A fatal crash took place on U.S. 160 near milepost 131 on Thursday night, Oct. 15. According to an email from Trooper Gabriel Moltrer with the Colorado State Patrol (CSP), CSP received a call at …
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Education

Colorado students can apply to college for free during ninth annual Colorado Free Application Days, Oct. 20-22

The Colorado Department of Higher Education (CDHE) and Gov. Jared Polis are pleased to announce the ninth annual Colorado Free Application Days, taking place Tuesday, Oct. 20, through Thursday, Oct. …
Senior News

Protect yourself and others from the flu

As flu season approaches, seniors are encouraged to take extra steps to protect themselves from getting sick. Older adults can lower their risk by getting a flu shot, washing their hands often, …
Library News

The world reads. Why don’t we?

I have traveled many places in the world, some exotic, some mainstream. Whenever I leave the U.S. I am gratified by the deep reverence for the written word and my profession. It begins when the …
Mountain Alibi will provide live music for Our Savior Lutheran School’s inaugural Oktoberfest Fundraiser and Pig Roast on Saturday, Oct. 24, from 5 to 9 p.m.
Community

Our Savior Lutheran School to hold Oktoberfest Pig Roast

Our Savior Lutheran School Our Savior Lutheran School (OSLS) is thrilled to announce the inaugural Oktoberfest Fundraiser and Pig Roast that will be held on Saturday, Oct. 24, from 5 to 9 p.m. …
Education

Spiritual Experiences Group of Pagosa Springs to discuss ‘Finding a Spiritual Perspective in Today’s World’

Finding our life’s purpose can mean different things to different people. For me, I’ve been interested in understanding more about the spiritual side of life and how to live it. I am always …
Things to Do

Pagosa Unitarian Universalist Fellowship to view portions of ‘Meet the Moment’

This Sunday, the Pagosa Unitarian Universalist (UU) Fellowship will be watching excerpts from “Meet The Moment,” a program of the Unitarian Universalist Association, and discussing answers to its …
What Readers Are Saying
Thingamajig Theatre Company’s teen company will open “The Addams Family” Sunday, Oct. 18, at 3 p.m., brining to life the musical comedy about Wednesday Addams, played by Olive Fladwood.
Community

The Shark Is Broken’ to continue this weekend, ‘Addams’ teen musical will open Sunday

After a sold-out opening night, Thingamajig Theatre Company’s “The Shark Is Broken” continues Friday and Saturday, Oct. 16 and 17, at 7 p.m. at the Pagosa Springs Center for the Arts. …
Things to Do

What's happening in and around Pagosa Springs

Here's a look at upcoming events in and around Pagosa Springs and Archuleta County. Find more events on our calendar . Thursday, Oct. 8 Ruby’s Writers Guild. 9-11 a.m., Sisson Library. …
Education

SpiritFire Inspirational Living Center announces upcoming events

Save the dates for the following activities at the SpiritFire Inspirational Living Center: • Thursday, Oct. 15, 6 p.m.: “The Importance of Higher Self Connection and How It Can Change Your …
Community

Pagosa Sidewalk Astronomers to host Saturn-viewing event

For the last year and a half, Saturn’s rings have been edge-on from our perspective here on Earth. This ring-plane crossing happens every 13 to 15 years when Earth passes through the plane of …
This graphic shows the typical impacts of an El Niño event on winter weather across the U.S., including wetter conditions in the southwest and southern U.S. and drier conditions in the north. Colorado lies in the more unpredictable middle ground between these patterns, making forecasting what El Niño may mean more difficult.
Local News

Will the super El Niño bring super snow?

This fall and winter, southwestern Colorado and Pagosa Springs will experience the impacts of super El Niño conditions in the Pacific Ocean, which will help shape precipitation, temperatures and …
A rendering shows the proposed renovation design for the building at 449 San Juan St., which formerly served as the Archuleta County Courthouse.
Local News

Renovation design for former courthouse approved by town planning commission

On Oct. 13, the Pagosa Springs Planning Commission, sitting as the town’s Design Review Board, approved a sketch major design application for major renovations at the former courthouse building at …
Local News

Board of Health discusses potential changes to regulations for septic systems

During a meeting held by the Archuleta County Board of Health (BoH) on Sept. 17, the board heard from Water Quality Manager Jessica Green about potential changes to the county’s regulations …
Business

2027 tourism budget outlined

During a work session held by the Archuleta County Board of County Commissioners (BoCC) on Tuesday, Oct. 13, the board heard from Executive Director of Tourism Jennifer Green, who presented the …
The traffic switch was completed early this week on the east end of the project. Motorists are driving on the south side of U.S. 160 while work continues on the north side.
Local News

U.S. 160 reconstruction information

Week of Oct. 19-24 Work activity Note: The forecast continues to call for inclement weather; all project work is weather dependent. Crews may work consistent weekends, especially when work …
Sports

School board discusses importance of defining athletic philosophy

During its regular meeting held on Wednesday, Oct. 7, the Archuleta School District (ASD) Board of Education (BoE) discussed the status and efforts of the newly formed athletic advisory committee. …
Editorial

Do your research and vote

Between this issue of The SUN and last week’s, we’ve printed more than 50 letters to the editor, many of which focus on aspects of the Nov. 3 election. They present a variety of opinions and …
From the Oct. 3, 1968, Pagosa SUN — QUEEN AND ESCORT – Karen Hartong, homecoming queen, is escorted off the field by Scott Kleckner after being awarded the title at half time ceremonies. Miss Hartong was a representative of the junior class.
History

Looking Back: October 15, 2026

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Obituaries
 Lynn Anthony
Lynn was a man who brought people together. He was loving, energetic, playful and full of life, with a gift for making people feel seen, valued and cared for. He loved people deeply and never seemed …
Joel T. ‘Tom’ Hall
Brig. Gen. (USAF Ret.) Joel T. “Tom” Hall lived a life of service devoted to his country and his family. He passed away quietly in Chandler, Ariz., on June 23, 2026, at the age of 90. Born …
Mary Jo Gwaltney
Mary Jo Gwaltney, born Mary Jo Bottoms, passed away on Sept. 3, 2026, in Pagosa Springs, Colo. She was born on Oct. 18, 1944, in Arkansas, and lived a life marked by kindness, devotion to children …
Mary Jean (Potter) Riethmiller
Mary Jean was born in Susquehanna, Penn., on March 27, 1940, to Kenneth and Jessie Potter. She attended schools in New Milford, Penn., until her senior year before moving with family to Columbus, …
Virginia Catherine Snow
Virginia Catherine Snow (née Lowney), 66, of Pagosa Springs, Colo., passed away on Aug. 9, 2026. Born on Dec. 15, 1959, in Sacramento, Calif., Virginia made her home in Pagosa Springs, where she was …
Kennie May Persson
Kennie May Persson (née Parrott) was born May 2,1948, in Denver, Colo., and passed away in Pagosa Springs, Colo., on Aug. 22, 2026, after a brief illness with Alzheimer’s. She passed peacefully …

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