Jackson Reservoir

[Cathy Sheeter]

Yesterday I checked out the Jackson Reservoir area to see what it was looking like. The reservoir is still all frozen or almost all frozen. One corner (South-west I think) was loaded up with mallards (1000+) and pintails(100 or so) so I assume there must be some water in that corner, but most were in some grasses and if there was water I could not clearly see it. There was also some moderate heat shimmers going on and the birds were a ways off toward the sun, so the view was not as clear as it could be.

From the campground side the light was perfect. There was, interestingly, people hunting from the campground area, which I did not think was permitted, however there is perhaps a special goose hunt going on?? Out of shooting range, but good for scoping was at least 2000 geese standing on the ice, which included 6 snow geese, 1 Ross's, and one White-Front. There were also two White Cheek goose x Show goose hybrids mixed in. Present on the ice was also a lone tundra swan with a blue neck collar.

The campground areas are still quite active for land birds, with lots of 'normal stuff' including 75+ juncos, solitaires, black-capped chickadees, white breasted nuthatch, song, tree and white crown sparrows, robins, etc.

On CR-5 near some houses I found a flock of WCSP and there was also an immature Harris's Sparrow which gave me two good views before taking off.

I scored a wide variety of raptors in the area - 7 RTHA, 1 RLHA, 1 immature Ferrug, 1 sharp-shinned hawk, 1 GH Owl, 1 prairie falcon, 1 female Merlin (prairie race), 2 bald eagles and numerous kestrels (also saw a coop on the drive up).

All and all a pleasant day of nice weather and birds!