[cobirds] El Paso county --- Long-tailed Duck and Common Loon

COBirders,

I stopped by Big Johnson late this evening and was able to relocate the LONG-TAILED DUCK which can be very elusive.  It was actually relatively close tonight compared to where it has been hanging out.  Typically it is on the northeast side of the reservoir which usually means you need to be there early in the morning to have fewer shimmers to deal with or walk all the way around the reservoir.  Just note that walking around will get you closer but probably only by about 300 yards.  There was also a basic plumage COMMON LOON out in the middle with a couple of HORNED GREBEs that were starting to show their "horns."  The other thing that I noted was that there were 12 CALIFORNIA GULLs which are the first that I have personally seen at this site this year.

I did not see the Burrowing Owl tonight but I was not surprised.  From the upper parking lot according to Google Earth it is ~1200 yards to the mound that it seems to prefer.  This is one that if you walk around it would pay off with much closer looks.

 

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Mark Peterson
Colorado Springs