Saturday 25 August 2012

[cobirds] Ruddy Turnstone at Blanca Wetlands

Yesterday produced some nice birds, including one rarity at Blanca Wetlands. A Ruddy Turnstone was found by Lisa Rawinski at pond #16. It was seen on the west side in the southern third of the pond. This is only the second occurence for the San Luis Valley (none in Righter and Andrews) and Randy Ghormley also got to see the bird as well.
 
Other species included 8 Stilt Sandpipers, Pectoral Sandpipers, 2 Snowy Plovers, Peregrine Falcons, Greater and Lesser Yellowlegs, Baird's Sandpipers, and a Loggerhead Shrike trying to catch a Starling. Overall pretty good numbers of shorebirds. Best places to see them are at pond #16, a short walk behind a gate (see Birding Hotspot for specifics) and a pond just SE of North Mallard Parking Lot. You will see about a thousand assorted birds there.
 
Was not able to re-find the Northern Waterthrush found previously by the Neldners, but a great day afield.
 
John R
Monte Vista, CO

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