[cobirds] Yard List, Bent County CO

Birders, I was going to pass on this until someone involved in the yard bird discussion implored to me post highlights of my 1+ acre yard in Las Animas, Bent County CO, where I've lived since 2000. My yard list currently stands at 195 species. Many of you have been to my yard, since I love

[cobirds] Cinnamon Teal in Bent County

Birders, I'm not quite ready to declare that winter is over in SE Colorado, but I saw a male Cinnamon Teal near the junction of the Arkansas and Purgatoire Rivers in Bent County today. This is my first January sighting of this species in SE Colorado. Duane Nelson Las Animas, Bent County,

[cobirds] Thick-billed Longspurs in Bent County, Co

Birders, The historic cold spell has eased, and daytime temperatures are finally above freezing. Today, I ventured north from Las Animas CO on County Road 10 toward Adobe Creek Reservoir. At the small pond on the east side of Road 10, about 8 miles north of SH 194, I was rewarded with seeing

[cobirds] John Martin Reservoir CBC results

Birders, The John Martin Reservoir CBC took place on Monday, December 18th, postponed by a major storm event on the scheduled count day of December 14th. The 16 participants were rewarded with a calm day with temperatures in the upper 50s and light winds. 108 species were tallied, for an

[cobirds] Thick-billed Longspurs in Bent County, CO

Birders, I observed multiple Thick-billed Longspurs at a pond in Bent County, CO today. They are visiting a stock pond on the east side of Road 10 midway between Adobe Creek Reservoir and Las Animas. This is an historic site in years when the pond has water in it, which it does this year,

[cobirds] Kiowa County, CO, November 18, 2023

I easily found the immature Black-legged Kittiwake, first found by Glenn Walbek, at the Long Lake playa south of Haswell in Kiowa County CO, this morning. Also present were a late Black-bellied Plover and 7 late Sandhill Cranes. At nearby Adobe Creek Reservoir, I saw two immature/female

[cobirds] Wildfire near Van's Grove, John Martin SWA, Bent County CO

Birders, In recent years, every April seems to have a devastating wildfire somewhere on Federal Property at John Martin Reservoir. There is, right this minute, a devastating fire in the marshes and bottomland of the west end of the reservoir, near Van's Grove. There were countless road

[cobirds] American White Pelicans return to John Martin Reservoir (Bent County) in SE Colorado

Birders, Birding here in the banana belt of Southeast Colorado has been extraordinarily slow this winter, due to ice formation on most Reservoirs in November, countless subzero cold snaps and snow events, and a failure of most of the food crop. Things took a turn toward our normal today,

[cobirds] John Martin Reservoir CBC results

Birders, The John Martin Reservoir Christmas Bird Count took place on December 14, 2022. This year, sixteen people contributed, a few more than our average. There were seven teams. This area received a surprise snowstorm on the night of December 12, and groups had to deal with up to six

[cobirds] Pygmy Nuthatch at Hasty CG, Bent County

Birders, I saw and photographed an apparent first Bent County record of Pygmy Nuthatch this afternoon at Hasty Campground, below the dam at John Martin Reservoir. I first saw it in tall trees near campsite 73, then photographed it in a tree on top of the rectangular "hill" 50 yards to the

Re: [cobirds] SULPHUR-bellied FLYCATCHER, Chico basin 9/10

Great find, and within the expected window of Sulphur-bellied Flycatchers showing up out of range in North America. I found the first state record of Sulphur-bellied Flycatcher at Adobe Creek Reservoir (Bent County) on September 18th, 2002. It was the first record for the interior of the

[cobirds] Bent County landbirds, 5/5/22

Birders, The Wood Thrush I reported yesterday at Van's Grove was still there late this afternoon, as were the two Black-and-white Warblers. At Hasty Campground I saw and heard a male Northern Parula, as well as a singing male Tennessee Warbler. Despite rain yesterday afternoon and overnight,

[cobirds] Wood Thrush at Van's Grove, Bent County, CO 5/4/22

Birders, I found and photographed a Wood Thrush at Van's Grove (Bent County, CO) this morning. I was able to relocate it for two parties later in the day. While we were trying to re-find it, we saw a female American Redstart and two Black-and-White Warblers (together!). Also present was a

[cobirds] Bent County birds, 5/2/2022

Birders, On a blustery day with north winds reaching 40 mph, I ventured to John Martin State Park to buy an annual State Parks Pass. I dared to get out of my car in the Hasty Campground. It was worth it, despite having to wear a winter parka and hat. Near Campsite 79, I had a singing male

[cobirds] Cape May Warbler at Hasty Campground, Bent County

Birders, An adult Cape May Warbler was seen this morning at Hasty Campground below the dam at John Martin Reservoir. It was seen east of the south side parking lot, just northwest of the three dumpsters. Duane Nelson Las Animas, Bent County, CO -- -- You received this message because

[cobirds] John Martin Reservoir CBC results

Birders, The strategy of conducting the John Martin Reservoir on a weekday, as early in the season as possible, worked this year, as water was open, and late migrants continue to pass through. Fourteen observers found 112 species of birds, with another 5 species seen Count Week (CW) only.

[cobirds] A couple of Lake Hasty (Bent County) birds

Birders, The Lake Hasty area provides a welcome respite from the intensive hunting activity around John Martin Reservoir this time of year. A few interesting birds were here on November 27th. A Long-tailed Duck has been present on South Lake Hasty on both November 26th and today. I think