Hi, Jeff and I headed up to do a relaxed day of birding in Weld County.
Our first stop was Crow Valley Campground where we found Steve Mlodinow and Nick Moore already present. The campground was quite birdy, mostly Spotted Towhees and a solid mix of sparrows (White-crowned, Brewer's, Clay-colored, Chipping, Lincoln's, Vesper), but with a few other treats. Jeff and I were able to see the Palm Warbler found by Steve and Nick as well as at least one Wilson's Warbler. To round-out the warblers, we had Orange-crowned (couple) and Yellow-rumpeds (mostly Myrtle). We also found a Hermit Thrush as well as Nick and Steve's Long-eared Owl doing an outstanding branch imitation. Jeff and I then drove WCR 96 (the birding route) and had surprisingly little. We found no longspurs and no plovers. Lots of Vesper Sparrows and Horned Larks. One possible female Lark Bunting was observed through the curve of the windshield. We wrapped up the afternoon doing some water-birding with some nice results. The farm pond north of Galeton on WCR 51 held 5 Marbled Godwits. More Marbled Godwits (roughly a dozen) along along with lots of Wilson's Phalarope, Long-billed Dowitchers, and a couple possible Short-billed Dowitchers were present on WCR 59 just south of the Kuner Feedlots (US 34). Loloff held six Whimbrel on the west side near the oil tanks as well as a Willet and more distant dowitchers. Beebe Draw at WCR 42 was sporting yet another Marbled Godwit as well as two Long-billed Curlew. American Avocet and Black-necked Stilt and ducks of all types were also seen in many locations. A great day to be out with some fun birds. Good birding, Kathy Mihm Dunning Denver -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Colorado Birds" group. To post to this group, send email to [email protected]. To unsubscribe from this group, send email to [email protected]. For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/cobirds?hl=en.
