[cobirds] Mexican Ducks, Caspian Tern, BB Plover and others, Summit/Park

Hi all,

My brother and I had a very productive weekend around Dillon and Antero Reservoir. The following is an account of some of the more interesting species:

Dillon Reservoir (8/29)

Blue River Inlet had a Least Sandpiper as well as several Cinnamon Teal on the expansive mudflats. The nearby Soda Creek Inlet was even more productive. Along with several Lesser Goldfinch, Baird's Sandpiper, and American Wigeon, we found three Mexican Ducks. All of them were in the wetland S of the main waterbody, although they were frustratingly skittish. Summit is certainly a good place to look for Mexican Ducks - we have now documented seven different individuals in the county over the past year and a half. 

Antero Reservoir (8/30)

We decided to bring our canoe to gain access to the far W side of the reservoir. This turned out to be a good choice! We started off birding the river just E of the dam while thick fog burned off the reservoir. The river had another Mexican Duck (this time a male), as well as two Lesser Yellowlegs and a Ferruginous Hawk. A nearby wetland had three peep species: Least, Baird's, and Semipalmated. The fog having burned off, we launched our canoe and started working the S and W shoreline. Some of the more notable finds included three Red-necked Phalarope, a Black-bellied Plover, and a sizable flock of Marbled Godwit among other shorebirds. Continuing along the shore, we were rewarded with three Common Terns, a Black Tern, and a Caspian Tern, as well as an early Herring Gull. Also present were seven Clark's Grebes. Unfortunately, we had to go back before we could bird the rest of the reservoir. 

Frisco area (8/30)

After returning from Antero, we birded around Frisco and found a few interesting migrants. The Bills Ranch Community (private) had two Lazuli Bunting and a Willow Flycatcher. Nearby, the Rainbow Lake/Temple Trail area had a Plumbeous Vireo and a Nashville Warbler. I was also amazed to find a nearly-homogenous flock of 32 Townsend's Warbler (more than I have ever seen in CO at one place by several dozen). 

Good Birding, 
Jack Bushong,

Louisville, CO

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