[cobirds] Bent County birds

Hello birders,

I've stayed put in Bent County so far this year, and all sightings are
within the boundaries of the John Martin Reservoir CBC area.

Deep snow in late December thinned out lingering land birds, and John
Martin Reservoir nearly froze following -19 temperatures on December
18th (it is currently open for 5 miles west of the dam, but that could
change with the predicted cold snap, which hits tomorrow afternoon). I
have not been able to find rare loons or grebes, but most other birds
remain in the area. Here are some highlights:

Snow / Ross' Geese are back, but in much smaller numbers. I don't think
the number currently exceeds 20,000.

American White Pelican (2) and Double-crested Cormorant (2) remain,
almost always seen on the tiny island west of the dam on the south side
of the reservoir.

Rare Gulls. Observed one adult Great-black-backed and one sub adult
Lesser Black-backed Gull from the dam today. For the first time in
decades, there is not a waterfowl closure, and hunters were in a
formerly-closed area on the south shore. Every time they shot, birds
scattered.

Hasty Campground. Observed one adult male Red-bellied Woodpecker and one
White-breasted (Carolina) Nuthatch today in north side of grove.

Eastern Bluebird. 20 counted in one flock near junction of Purgatoire
and Arkansas Rivers today (email me for complex directions). None at
traditional sites such as Hasty Campground.

Swamp Sparrow. I could find only one following the big snowstorm of
December 17th, south of Road JJ via Road 17.25.

Happy New Year!

Duane Nelson, Las Animas, Bent County, CO

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