Tim Smart and I also headed to southeast Colorado this past weekend, after participating in Chris Rurik's excellent DFO trip to some beautiful locations east of Denver. Although we didn't find much in the way of rarities in southeast CO, the birding was good, and the weather was excellent. I realize the excellent weather probably means many birds flew over Colorado without stopping, but we were definitely in the mood to be out on crystal clear fall days.
-- The southeast CO lakes remain busy, as reported previously by Steve Mlodinow. At John Martin Reservoir (Bent County) on Saturday (October 5), shorebirds remained abundant (thousands of 'em) on the mudflats on the west end. Highlights were 5 American Golden-Plovers (all juvenile) and 5 Black-bellied Plovers (including 1 adult). Duck numbers were up from from two weeks ago, with perhaps 4000 or so present. We also spotted 4 Sabine's Gulls around sunset.
The Kiowa County lakes remain loaded with shorebirds, ducks, and a few gulls and grebes. With the exception of one distant shorebird that looked quite intriguing, we found expected species. Neesopah Reservoir and Jett Reservoir were the best in terms of variety, while Neegronda Reservoir was dominated by fewer species, particularly Ruddy Ducks and Northern Shovelers. For some reason, it seems this year that the lakes west of Hwy 287 have water but that the lakes east of Hwy 287 are dried up.
Brandon has already reported on the birds at Lamar Community College (Prowers County). The only other bird of note we found there on Sunday (October 6) was a late Rose-breasted Grosbeak.
Our next stop was Two Buttes Reservoir, including some landbirding below the dam. Unfortunately, we didn't find the Clark's Nutracker (!) that was there yesterday. In general, the habitat there looks to be in good shape -- lush vegetation, lots of bugs -- an encouraging sign after last year's flood.
White-crowned Sparrows with the occasional White-throated Sparrow, Ruby-crowned Kinglets, Yellow-rumped Warblers, and Orange-crowned Warblers were found at most landbirding locations. The rest area east of Holly (Prowers County) had these plus three sapsuckers: one Yellow-bellied Sapsucker and two Red-naped Sapsuckers (one of these perhaps a hybrid).
David Dowell
Longmont, CO
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