Tuesday, 10 December 2019

[cobirds] Windsor Lake Oldsquaw, Larimer

At Windsor Lake this afternoon ~1530-1630hrs Tues 10 Dec, conditions nice glassy water with good light on open water. 4 digit ducks and geese, only two or 3 gulls.

Long-tailed Duck - 1
Mallard - 1000
Northern Pintail - 5
Gadwall - 5
American Wigeon - 10
Common Goldeneye - 100
[zero BAGO detected]
Ruddy Duck - 2
Common Merganser - 75
Canada/Cackling Goose types - 5000
Snow/Ross's Goose types - 75
Ring-billed Gull - 3

Several hundred white cheeked geese on water. Large flocks flying to and fro above open land north of lake, including disparate groups of white geese. Beautiful conditions until gloveless hands go numb. The Oldsquaw is a beauty, much more petite than neighbor divers and dabblers, with the clownish white head with black patch on lower/rear cheek. White head with dusky mid crown, medium gray breast, solid black back, whiter flanks, tho not as extensive as white flanks on say a male goldeneye. Diving a bit, but above surface plenty to enjoy good looks.

Nice lady walking her dog asked what the "white diving ducks" were, so she got some nice looks through my scope. A primate specialist at Denver Zoo, she mentioned having Barrow's Goldeneye in their zoo collection at somw point. Cool beans!

Windsor Lake is always worth checking!

No Gyr in a brief 30 minute check near FOCO landfill Trilby Rd ~1300-1330hrs.

Good birding,
Derek Hill
Loveland

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