[cobirds] Goodies around Weld County

I was fortunate to have several nice birds in an afternoon jaunt around Weld county today.

At a pond off of County Road 26 just west of County Road 17 I had a female BARROW'S GOLDENEYE. This pond is part of the Saint Vrain Sanitation District and can be viewed from CR 26.

At Firestone Gravel Pitts the RED-NECKED GREBE pair continue and are coming in to breeding plumage. I wonder if they will nest here this year? Would it be a first record for the state of breeding RNGR?

From here I headed north up the frontage road to the ponds that are along there. The trucks and various heavy machinery were actively running, but there were still plenty of ducks present including a female MEXICAN DUCK. Not an easy ID, but I felt confident after observing her for quite some time. For anyone that should choose this mission it is a female bird somewhat similar to female mallard, however was a notably darker brown color on back and sides with less red tone. Each feather on her back was heavily patterned. Clear color delineation between darker breast (slightly red tinged on this bird) and paler neck and face. Face clearly marked with line running across the eye area. Tail had notable brown in it. Bill orange with dark on top. She appeared to be paired with a male mallard.

Next I headed to St. Vrain State Park. A good number of ducks present, with bufflehead making an especially strong showing. I had my FOS great egret fly over. Osprey are on nesting platforms and have been for a few weeks.

My last stop of the day was the Frederick Rec area ponds and the golf coarse across the way. At the golf course my only notable were two late migrating tree sparrows. At the rec. area pond is a COMMON LOON.

Happy birding and enjoy the sunshine!

Cathy Sheeter
Ft. Lupton






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