Jackson County shorebirds
Tom Wilberding
Hello birders,
Here are some photos of elusive Colorado shorebirds Barb and I saw this week in
Jackson Country, and also a bit north at Hutton Lake NWR in Wyoming, about 30
miles north of the Colorado boarder. We did not see a lot of shorebirds; I
think we were early, but I was pleased to get a few photos.
https://www.flickr.com/photos/twilberding/albums/72157715469076278
Hutton Lake NWR has five lakes. Only Lake George and Hutton Lake had
water on Monday. Not a lot of shorebirds, but ample shore-beach-mudflats on
Lake George and Hutton Lake. . Close views of Willets, Avocets, Wilson
Phalaropes, and a couple of distant Whimbrels. Lots of Sage Thrashers, too. BTW, as a
CoBirder cautioned recently, avoid “Flag Road.” It is private and dead end,
despite internet navigation.
Cowdrey Like SWA: beautiful spot, full of water,
steep banks, and on Monday no mud flats or shorebirds that we could see.
Pole Mountain Lake: good potential, many distant
waterfowl and American White Pelicans, but we saw only one shorebird, a
Killdeer. This is a private reservoir visible only from CR 26A
Lake John SWA: beautiful, vast reservoir. There were a few shorebirds,
and a fox eyeing them, at a small alkaline pond on the left as we drove in.
Close views of Wilson Phalaropes and Baird’s Sandpipers today.
Arapaho NWR Automobile Wildlife Tour: today a distant Black-necked
Stilt, Wilson Phalaropes and the usual beautiful scenery and waterfowl.
We camped Monday and Tuesday night near Buffalo Pass at Teal Lake campground,
and spent Tuesday hiking the Continental Divide Trail—saw some mountain birds,
mostly juveniles, and spectacular summer wildflowers. At times pretty smokey in
western North Park due to the Pine Gulch
and Grizzly Creek fires in western Colorado. Makes for red sunsets, red moon, red sunrises, and
camping gear that now smells like smoked ham.
Good birding,
Tom Wilberding
Littleton, Co
Joe Kipper
Joe Kipper,
Fort Collins