Cobirders, Horseshoe Lake in Loveland is still a local hangout for thousands of gulls. Numbers peak at dusk once the landfill closes and the birds are preparing to roost communally. Last night I noticed that the California Gulls and some Franklin's roosted locally just off-shore, whereas the Ring-billed Gull flock heads east, presumably to Boyd Lake for roosting at night.
The Ring-billed Gull flock can reach 150 birds, mostly immatures, as the adults have flown north to breeding colonies. The California Gull flock numbered 1500 birds on Tuesday night, but was about half that number last night. These are mostly adults, with many pairs copulating. Only a few (literally) immatures have been present. I suspect these adults will eventually head out to nearby breeding colonies. The Franklin's Gull flocks (all adults) exceeded 500 birds last night. This massive concentration of larids attracts rarities as well. Last week, an adult Thayer's Gull was present. Small numbers of straggling Herring Gulls are sprinkled throughout the throng, with at least 6 present last night. On Tuesday, a first cycle Lesser Black-backed Gull appeared; last night, a second-cycle Lesser Black-backed Gull joined the roost. On Tuesday, a Whimbrel and a Marbled Godwit were present. Last night, a Forster's Tern and a Caspian Tern joined the show. Distant photos have been archived via eBird (Horseshoe Reservoir is an eBird hotspot). Viewing requires a telescope. The show is accessible from the city utility property at the southwest corner of the lake, along Monroe Ave. Nick Komar Fort Collins CO -- 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/638012643.13484712.1493303583873.JavaMail.zimbra%40comcast.net. For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/d/optout.
