When I got to Lake DeWeese this afternoon, two other birders had already been there loeoking for the Reddish Egret without success. I looked for awhile then went to town for a sandwich. After some birding around Westcliffe, I returned this evening to see if the Reddish Egret might have returned but there was no sign of it. However it was a beautiful day to be in the mountains with temps in the lows 80's. And there were good numbers of shorebirds at Lake DeWeese for the middle of summer.
I was surprised to be told there was a Stilt Sandpiper there. Not only did I refind it, but I found a second Stilt and was able to see (barely) the reddish cheeks on them. Other shorebirds were Baird's,Least, Semipalmated and Spotted Sandpipers, several whirling-dervish Wilson's Phalaropes and at least 2 Greater Yellowlegs. Western Grebes were being followed by offspring as were Mallards and Canada Geese. I saw one Eared Grebe in it's striking Alternate Plumage. There were also about 2 dozen American White Pelicans in what I wasn't aware is called "supplemental plumage" by BNA--".Crown and nape plumes shed, replaced by short medium to dark grayish feathers on crown (and nape on some individuals); crown plumage highly variable among individuals." In fields around the Wet Mountain Valley were Brewers, Savannah, and Vesper Sparrows and Horned Larks plus a Prairie Falcon and a Northern Harrier. The Vesper Sparrows were singing up a storm as evening approached--they are such beautiful singers. I got some interesting photos of them including one with wings raised just as it was about to fly off and I will get those up on my blog by tomorrow. On my way home I heard a flock of Pinyon Jays off Copper Gulch Road about 5 miles from the reservoir. Lots of Mountain and Western Bluebirds on the fence posts. SeEtta Moss Canon City http://BirdsAndNature.blogspot.com --~--~---------~--~----~------------~-------~--~----~ Colorado County Birding: http://www.coloradocountybirding.com/ You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Colorado Birds" group. To post to this group, send email to cobirds@googlegroups.com To unsubscribe from this group, send email to cobirds+unsubscr...@googlegroups.com For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.as/group/cobirds?hl=en -~----------~----~----~----~------~----~------~--~---
