John Martin Res/Hasty (Bent) on 10/29

[DAVID A LEATHERMAN]

Highlights at Hasty/Lake Hasty/John Martin Res yesterday, 10/29:

Sandhill Cranes (we estimated 11,000!! flew over, with this probably being a woefully low count of what was within sight in all directions, one of the events that makes birding the eastern plains of Colorado a joy at this time of year)

Snow Goose (18, FOS)
Dunlin (2, maybe 3, reported earlier by Duane Nelson, about mid-way along the north shore, access via network of roads from RdJJ)
Rock Wren (2, in rocks along the north side of res)
Canyon Wren (2, ditto)
Osprey (1, southeast of campground along outlet)
Eastern Phoebe (1, just south of the dam on the road and rocks on the Lake Hasty side)
Red-breasted Merganser (at least 40, FOS)
Long-billed Dowitcher (75+, along the north shore)
Stilt Sandpiper (1, along the north shore)
5 species of grebes, but no Red-necked, which Duane had reported recently
American Avocet (still at least 100), Least Sandpiper (5), Baird's Sandpiper (1), several of both yellowlegs
Common Loon (1)
NO Red-throated Loon, which Duane had reported recently

Tens of thousands of waterfowl to sort thru, water level low (lots of fish groping for air), probably things we missed

Dave Leatherman
Fort Collins