Stopped at Simpson Ponds SWA on the way home, but was unable to find the Rusty Blackbirds.
Mike Henwood Morrison Jefferson County
I arrived around 7:30 a.m. and first birded the Kodak SWA (the sun
was more favorable) seeing only one Red-tail. Then proceeded to the
north side of the river and walked the Poudre Trail. There were a
number of other birders and we stopped and waited at the spot where
the bird had been seen previously. After waiting for 10 - 15 minutes
in the cold, I proceeded along the trail to the east. I eventually
spotted the bird with it's back to me. I had some good looks, but not
of the front side. The Red-shouldered flew to the south and perched
again. This time the hawk was further away but I did get good looks
at the front with my scope. After a few minutes the bird flew further
to the south toward the town of Windsor property (water treatment
plant) where I lost sight of it. I did see a large flock of Turkeys
across the river and on private property. I then walked back to the
car and parking lot, changed into lighter weight clothing, and ate a
sandwich. Most of the birders took off, but I walked back hoping to
get another glimpse of the elusive Red-shouldered. I was rewarded
with several good close-up looks along the river and then of the Red-
shouldered across the river and back toward Kodak SWA - the same place
we had waited in the morning. Also had two large white swans (Tundra
or Trumpeter) fly over me. I didn't see them so much as I heard them,
looked up, saw their large size and outstretched necks as they flew
over heading up the river to the west.
