[cobirds] Rigden Reservoir, Fort Collins (Larimer) on 2Feb2021

I checked Rigden Reservoir at the east end of Horsetooth Road in Fort Collins this morning and discovered maybe 70-80 gulls on the ice near the middle.  I am sort out of the chaser loop but think these birds have been previously reported by Robert Beauchamp and maybe others.  I am also somewhat embarrassed to be talking about gulls, life forms lower than flatworms.  Oh, chill out larophiles, I'm just kidding.  Something has to eat garbage and dead fish and I'm very glad they do.

The most exciting bird was what I think is a first-cycle Iceland Gull of the "Kumlien's" type.

 

                                                                       First-cycle "Kumlien's" Gull standing and taking off.

                                           First-cycle "Kumlien's" Iceland Gull flying away.

First-cycle Herring Gull on the left, first-cycle "Kumlien's" Iceland Gull taking off to the right, adult Ring-billed sitting at far right.

Also, present were two adult Lesser Black-backed Gulls, dozens of Herring Gulls of all ages, a few 1st-cycle Iceland Gulls of the "Thayer's" type and many Ring-billed Gulls.

Dave Leatherman

Fort Collins