Hello, Birders. Even if you're not into gulls, it's worth seeing the spectacle at Waneka Lake, Boulder County. Did I say "seeing"? You will smell it too.
Anyhow, the lake is being drawn down; and, with the recent warm weather, the ice is gone, and the lakebed is covered with pop archaeological treasures of every sort. If you've ever wanted Stroh's beer and Tab cola cans, today is your lucky day. Also old Tonka trucks, turtle carapaces, and shoes. Gulls, too, if you want them. The flock isn't too huge (ca. 150, I would say), but it's nicely varied. Yesterday, Presidents' Day, Monday, Feb. 15, Hannah Floyd and Andrew Floyd and I saw 1-2 first-cycle *lesser black-backed gulls,* 2-3 *Thayer's gulls* (1 first-cycle, 1-2 adults), 40ish *herring gulls,* and the rest *ring-billed gulls.* The herrings are impressively diverse: With a bit of imagination, you can turn the first-cycles into hybrids, slaty-backed gulls, or anything else. The gulls allow really close approach; they are intoxicated by the fish. Just don't sink in the mud, a decided possibility. Also scavenging the lakebed: an adult *bald eagle,* many *American crows, *a* common raven, *a* great blue heron,* and *mallards* and *American wigeons.* The north shore of the lake has had a *ruby-crowned kinglet;* *northern flickers* are singing and drumming now, and a *great horned owl *is often out by day. Say, can you do me a favor? If you see kids out there beach-combing for car parts and such, they're probably mine. Depending on the time of day, just encourage them to go back to school, or send them home... ;-) Ted Floyd Lafayette, Boulder County P.s. Checklist and pix here: http://ebird.org/ebird/view/checklist?subID=S27610583 -- 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/469c59ff-32af-4ffb-b434-62f46bb99335%40googlegroups.com. For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/d/optout.
