Re: [cobirds] Park County, Arctic Terns

The pond at CR 34 is 4.3 miles from Hwy 285, for the record. But as Steve noted, you can't miss it. This pond's bird life has always been interesting every time I've visited, except when it is frozen, of course. 

And for the record, the Mountain Plover near Antero was seen from private land to the southeast of Hwy 24 and would not have been visible from there, although once I have seen one from 24.

David Suddjian

Littleton, CO

On Thu, May 26, 2016 at 6:21 PM, 'Steven Mlodinow' via Colorado Birds <cobirds@googlegroups.com> wrote:

Greetings All

Today, I went to the pond described by David Suddjian at Park County Rds 34 and 72. There were no migrant shorebirds, but two Arctic Terns were dipping down and up from the pond like huge swallows (among a large swallow flock). I got a number of distant photos, which I will download tomorrow. 

Of note: PCR 34 goes east from between the towns of Como and Jefferson. If you look at the DeLorme, you will not see a PCR 72, or at least not one near PCR 34. So... the pond is about 4 miles to the east of the hwy on the left, you can't miss it. 

The terns were no longer visible after I reviewed some photos. I don't know if they flew off or were just perched on the near shore, which is not visible from any angle I could discern

Both were gorgeous full breeding plumage adults.

--- Elsewhere in Park, I did not see any of David's highlights at Elevenmile Res, but did have 2 Common Goldeneye. At Spinney Mile Reservoir, there was another C Goldeneye and lotsa shorebird habitat without any migrant shorebirds. California Gulls were walking in the grass munching on a feather-antennaed midge. I've never seen a large gull eat such small prey.

--- Also, I could not find the Mtn Plover(s) near Antero.

Other major highlights from my 6 days off west (mostly sw) included

Montezuma County:

Green Heron- Puett Reservoir (pond on entrance road)

Yellow-billed Cuckoo - dead on road along Bauer Reservoir

RN Phal (a first for Montezuma??) at Totten Reservoir

N Parula and Am Redstart at Lone Dome SWA

5 Lucy's Warblers (but no Summer Tan) at Yellowjacket Canyon

Indigo Bunting in the town of Cortez

Bonaparte's Gull and Common Goldeneye at Smith Res in Costilla

a CANYON TOWHEE, across the street from the Blanca STP, which are on the road to Smith Res

Willet, Stilt Sand, Marbled God, RN Phal at San Luis Lake SP - Alamosa

Willets at Vallecito Reservoir in La Plata

I am sure that I am forgetting something. The southwestern portion of the state was still awash in western migrants such as Western Tans, W Wood Pewees, WC Sparrows and such. 

Good Birding

Steven Mlodinow

Longmont CO

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