The number of birds on the mountain lakes is still very low, presumably due to the lake of major cold fronts keeping more northerly lakes mostly ice free. Still 9 intrepid birders ventured through the mountains "to see what we could see."
Eleven-Mile Reservoir (State Parks pass required): Very few birds in the "deep water" most were at the shallow end. Common Goldeneye - 2 (species just arriving) Surf Scoter - 1 Black Scoter - 1 Common Loon - 4 Red-necked Grebe - 1 Spinney Mountain Reservoir (State Parks pass required): Common Goldeneye - 1 Common Loon - 2 LOTS of Bufflehead and Coots to look through Antero Reservoir (access to the dam is blocked do to Denver Water construction): Pacific Loon - 1 Common Loon - 2 Red-necked Grebe - 1 juv up close observed eating a chad of some sort Bonaparte's Gull - 4 Mount Elbert Forebay: Surf Scoter - 1 imm Dillon Reservoir: Very little. Water is the highest I've seen it for several years. The marina actually has water in it! No Barrow's Goldeneyes on any lakes nor on the Blue River Wastewater Treatment Plant pond. Other birds seen while making the loop: Lewis's Woodpecker - 1 Pinon Jays - 40+ Note: Birding the mountain lakes does require a spotting scope as most of the birds are VERY far out. Even with scopes the birds can be difficult to find and see well. Once in a while a bird swims close by and great looks can be had. Joey Kellner Littleton, Colorado -- 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/msgid/cobirds/000301ced3d8%24c31ce310%244956a930%24%40net. For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/groups/opt_out.
