[cobirds] John Martin Reservoir CBC results

Birders, 

The John Martin Reservoir (Bent County CO) was held on December 15th, 2025, in unseasonably warm temperatures and with a lack of ice on open water and snow on the ground. Thirteen observers found 107 species of birds in a year when species numbers and diversity seem to be low region-wide. The open water allowed us to see some species of birds not expected in winter in Colorado. I'm only listing extraordinary records, but every group found unique birds essential to this successful Count. 

I found a group of 5 White-faced Ibis on the west end of the Reservoir on December 9. They could be hard to locate some days, but 4 were seen on Count Day, a first Count-Day record for Colorado. I predict that they'll stay until extreme cold forces them out. We had the only previous CBC Count Week report in 2015, but a cold snap on Count Day made them no-shows in that year.  

On December 12, 2025, I was in the right place at the right time and photographed two Blue-winged Teal at close range, adding them as Count Week additions to the Count. I would have placed the odds of re-finding them amongst thousands of waterfowl on a huge reservoir as minimal, but two incredible birders did just that, making this a new addition to the Count. 

 

Finally, two Long-billed Dowitchers, I think seen previously on only one CBC (JMR in 2024) stayed through Count Day, joined by record numbers of late Greater Yellowlegs and Killdeer. 

I hope this abbreviated summary spurs more people to find great birds on other CBCs. 

Duane Nelson

Las Animas, Bent County, CO