[cobirds] American White Pelicans return to John Martin Reservoir (Bent County) in SE Colorado

Birders, 

Birding here in the banana belt of Southeast Colorado has been extraordinarily slow this winter, due to ice formation on most Reservoirs in November, countless subzero cold snaps and snow events, and a failure of most of the food crop. 

Things took a turn toward our normal today, with the return of at least 37 migrating American White Pelicans to the west end of John Martin Reservoir, despite the lake remaining at least 99 percent covered with ice. I've noted before that American White Pelican may be the harbinger of spring here, appearing in numbers some years the last week of January. 

Numbers of some waterfowl are also picking up, with increases in the numbers of Northern Pintail, American Wigeon, Canvasback, Redhead and Green-winged Teal. 

Of course, we're bracing for our next winter storm warning, beginning tomorrow night. 

Duane Nelson

Las Animas, Bent County, CO