[cobirds] Valmont Reservoir, Boulder County, Dec. 25

Hello, all.

Late yesterday afternoon, Christmas Day, Dec. 25, Andrew Floyd and I birded Valmont Reservoir, Boulder County. We birded from 75th St., rather than from Arapahoe Ave; as others have noted recently, this is really the only way to see the great magnitudes of birds gathered out there right now. The situation there is puzzling to me, with Hillcrest and Leggett Reservoirs completely frozen, but Valmont Reservoir proper completely open; in recent years, Valmont typically has been the first of the three to freeze over.

Anyhow, birds. The continuing pacific loon was constantly in view, and two continuing red-necked grebes were reasonably close in. Unnatural numbers of mergansers of all three species, plus the beginnings of a gull roost. A couple of adult lesser black-backed gulls were the first I'm aware of in Boulder County in more than a month. I think it just had to get cold.

Speaking of which, I offer the following advice: If you're going to look for gulls at sunset in late winter in Boulder County, don't leave your gloves at home... (And have Andrew carry the scope!)

Ted Floyd

Lafayette, Boulder County

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