This has been a good week for migrating birds in Ouray County and Ridgway Reservoir in particular. On Thursday afternoon, Tony Leukering, Kathy Mihm-Dunning and I found a first county record of Black Scoter at the reservoir. This female Black Scoter hasn't been seen since, although I've spent a good deal of time looking for it. We also had a male Barrow's Goldeneye, which can be a difficult bird to find in Ouray County. However, yesterday (Saturday) there were three male Barrow's Goldeneyes on the river near the lake. Joining the Barrow's Goldeneyes was a second county record of Iceland Gull. This second-winter gull joined the long staying Lesser Black-backed Gull at the sound end of the reservoir. A good variety of ducks have also been present, although they are typically far from shore. Sandhill Cranes by the hundreds have been attempting to cross the San Juan Mountains the past few days, only to turn around probably due to the lack of good thermals. Today has clear weather, so hopefully they will have an easier time of it.
Don Marsh
Ridgway, CO
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