I took an arc across eastern Boulder County (and into a bit of Weld County) today, exploring what the mid-point of March might have in store. I started at Eldorado Canyon State Park, probably the least birded state park in the metro area. Well, perhaps for good reason as ECSP was pretty un-birdy this morning. I was hoping for the Canyon Wrens, White-throated Swifts and Peregrine Falcons that nest there, but maybe next trip.
Along Brockway off 76th St. north of S. Boulder Rd., most of the feeders that brought in lots of bird activity in January seemed unattended, but there was a Prairie Falcon dining on something atop a power pole (Eurasian-collared Dove, perhaps?) plus a Spotted Towhee and Hairy Woodpecker. At Prince Lake #2 I checked the geese and did not see the previously reported Greater White-fronted Goose that I had at that spot earlier in the month. But I understand that both John Vanderpoel's field trip and Peter Gent had that bird there today. What I will stake claim to from this spot, however, is an American Avocet. I heard a loud "plink-plink" but never saw the bird. Looking at eBird, I note that while there are reports from NM and OK, CO has not had any yet. However, there are reports all over the Great Salt Lake area in UT. And we will have them in spades in a week or so. Panama Reservoir had several American White Pelicans and Double Crested Cormorants and a huge number of Northern Pintails (eBird chastised me for putting down a count of 250. eBird was right-it was probably many more). Of note were eight Horned Grebes, but still no Eared ones. On the grebe line, however, the two Red-neckeds were still present at Firestone Gravel Ponds, and the FGP just north of the St. Vrain had 8 Cinnamon Teal. There wasn't much that I could find at St. Vrain St. Park, but there was a large white, silent lump sleeping on Mlodinow Marsh that I assume was the Mute Swan resident around the Park these days. Union Reservoir had more pelicans but not much else to stop for. Finally, I had a couple of well-defined Greater Scaup among a nice variety of diving ducks at Clark Reservoir NW of Longmont. Bill Kaempfer Boulder -- 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 cobirds+unsubscr...@googlegroups.com. To post to this group, send email to cobirds@googlegroups.com. For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/groups/opt_out.
