Hello, Birders. Hannah Floyd and Andrew Floyd and I are back from a great visit with the 15th annual High Plains Snow Goose Festival this past Presidents' Day (extended) Weekend, Thurs.-Sun., Feb. 16-19. Here are some quick highlights:
Kit Carson, *Cheyenne County*, Thurs., Feb. 16. We kicked things off with a lovely *Eurasian collared-dove* sitting at a nest and soaking up the late-afternoon sun. Hey, ya gotta start somewhere... Nee Noshe Reservoir, *Kiowa County*, Thurs., Feb. 16. On the basis of a text from Elena Klaver that there were "gajillions of Snow Geese" at the rez, we hastened thereto, arriving a bit after sundown. Indeed, it was wall-to-wall *snow geese,* at least 15,000 of them roosting there. Also 20 *sandhiill cranes* flying over (and no doubt more of them), a *short-eared owl* hunting over the prairie, and, as we were heading back to the car, the mellow, baritone hooting of a male *great horned owl.* Willow Creek Park, *Prowers County*, Fri.-Sat., Feb. 17-18. Several short trips during the course of the two days resulted in flyover *snow geese* and 1 (just the one!) flyover *sandhill crane, Harlan hawk,* a fake long-eared owl, *Taiga merlin, Carolina nuthatch, Carolina wren, Townsend solitaire,* a red *cedar waxwing* (and many "normal" ones), 1 or a few *lesser goldfinches,* at least 4 and up to 7 *northern cardinals,* and a flyover flock of 200 *great-tailed grackles.* Also nice to see the tiger beetle *Cicindela tranquebarica*. Well, "nice" to see; not sure if it's really normal to see it so early in the season. Two Buttes State Wildlife Area, *Baca County*, Sat., Feb. 18. Below the dam in "The Black Hole," we found 1 *prairie falcon,* 1 *canyon wren,* 3 *curve-billed thrashers,* 1 *sage thrasher,* and 2 *canyon towhees.* Also, the usual gang of porcupines, and, up on the dam, great views of the eternal hoodoos. In the prairie beyond, *ferruginous hawk* and *Chihuahuan raven.* Hasty Campground & vicinity, *Bent County*, Sun., Feb. 19. Thousands of *snow geese* and a few *Ross geese* on final approach to John Martin Reservoir, 1 *greater scaup,* 12 *ruddy ducks,* wild turkey feathers everywhere, 1 male *red-bellied woodpecker,* 1 *loggerhead shrike,* 1 *northern shrike,* 1 *Carolina nuthatch,* 7 *eastern bluebirds,* and 1 *American pipit.* On the drive west along U.S. 50, near Bent County road 15, we saw the mother of all *great-tailed grackle* flocks. Bare minimum of 1,600 birds and probably 2,000+. What an amazing sight! And sound! Sounds! Saw another *loggerhead shrike* here too. Lake Henry, *Crowley County*, Sun., Feb. 19. A strong south wind was really picking up here, and the gulls were absolutely loving it. The place had a coastal feel to it. Along with the many *herring gulls* and *ring-billed gulls,* we saw two *lesser black-backed gulls,* one first-cycle and one second-cycle. The gulls had no problem with the wind, but a couple *northern harriers* and *bald eagles* struggled. On the drive back home, up state route 71, we futilely dried to dodge the Russian thistles but delighted in all the roadside raptors, including a *rough-legged hawk* and *prairie falcon* near the turnoff to Box Springs Pond. We had a wonderful time! Thanks to Vincent Gearhart and everybody involved with the High Plains Snow Goose Festival! Ted Floyd Lafayette, Boulder County -- 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/009727ff-4bfe-4bb8-bdc4-88aa634d71cc%40googlegroups.com. For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/d/optout.
