PA birders touring CO, we explored the river valley, the John Martin Dam area, Bent's Old Fort, and Fort Lyon areas yesterday ahead of today's storm. Valley produced Gambel's White-crowned Sparrows and a flock of male Lark Buntings that we welcomed home. The reservoir and Lake Hasty had Western and Eared Grebe, a Snowy Egret, assorted ducks, and a Greater Roadrunner. A few Forester's Terns worked the area. The ranger said a few Least Tern have been seen, but we could not find them. Bent's Old Fort marsh has been divided into territories by the Red-winged Blackbirds that harassed the resident pair of Northern Harrier. On the river were Northern Shoveler, Blue-winged Teal, and Green-winged Teal. A stop at the Las Animas State Fishing Unit added Lesser Scaup, Redhead, Bufflehead, Ruddy Duck, Black-necked Stilt, American Avocet, Wilson's Phalarope, and a solitary Long-billed Dowitcher.
A return to Bent's Old Fort and the Fort Lyon Wildlife Easement corner after dark yielded calls of Virginia Rail and Sora but none for Black Rail, a target bird of ours. This species may be wisely delaying its arrival this season. Too bad. Today in the mist at Lamar a flock of Gambel's White-crowned Sparrows work the gravel outside our motorhome. We move tomorrow to near Gunnison to find the sage grouse and begin search for Northern Pigmy Owl, Boreal Owl, and Flammulated Owl. *Any reports of specific locations for the owls in the Montrose/Gunnison areas greatly appreciated.* Charles Strehl Biglerville PA woodstrehlatgmail.com -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Colorado Birds" group. To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to [email protected]. To post to this group, send email to [email protected]. To view this discussion on the web visit https://groups.google.com/d/msg/cobirds/-/X-s5RxDt-jEJ. For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/groups/opt_out.
