SE Colo 4/25 to 28

[Dan Stringer]

I went to SE Colorado with Michael Kiessig and Chuck Aid Sunday the 25th through today. Here's some info on how spring is progressing, in case anyone will be going there soon. 

In Bent County, Hasty Campground area was active with Chipping, Vesper, and Lark Sparrows, American Goldfinches, only 2 Western Kingbirds, only 1 Mountain Bluebird on the road in. Many Yellow-rumped Warblers, mostly Myrtle, one early Yellow Warbler and one Wilson's. Melody Tempel Grove was very quiet, the irrigation ditch is dry. The south shore of Adobe Creek Reservoir had 10 shorebird species, 51 Marbled Godwits being the highlight. 

In Kiowa County, Neegronda and Neenoshe reservoirs had few shorebirds, Upper Queens boat ramp area hosted 6 shorebird species, with an eye-opening 108 American Avocets shoulder-to-shoulder. Lower Queens reservoir was dry.

In Otero County, I saw shoreline at Lake Cheraw for the first time in 4 years, there were 9 shorebird species including 2 Snowy Plovers, and a good number of Yellow-headed Blackbirds which seem to have shown up late this year. Holbrook Reservoir was bone dry, Rocky Ford SWA was very quiet.

In Prowers County, Thurston Reservoir had no shoreline, good numbers of birds on the water and 5 swallow species. Lamar CC Woods early a.m. hosted Brandon Percival therefore it was productive, 2 vocal Carolina Wrens, 1 carrying nest material, were the highlight of my 4 days. A Common Poorwill, a Black-chinned Hummingbird, a few Chimney Swifts, only 1 Mississippi Kite so far, numerous Northern Cardinals, warblers were many Yellow-rumped, mostly Audubon, several Orange-crowned, 1 Yellow, 3 Wilson's, 1 Virginia's, 1 Nashville, 1 Northern Parula on the north end and 1 on the south end.

In Baca County, on Road M 1 Common Nighthawk was heard, in Carrizo Canyon were 2 pair of Eastern Phoebe nest-building and the usual area specialties. Two Buttes Reservoir was completely dry, the Black Hole area below in hot mid-afternoon was very quiet.

There were more dry areas than I've seen before, from small ditches / ponds / playas to large reservoirs, the years-long drought is continuing and the moisture on the front range etc. is repeatedly not making it down there. It's early for warblers, vireos, and many other birds but it's pretty fun to observe that the switch is being slowly flipped and there are daily changes in trees, plants, insects, and birds.

Dan Stringer

Larkspur, CO

[Mark Obmascik]

This is a great report, Dan. Thanks so much for posting.

Several Cobirds posts have noted the low level of reservoirs in the lower Arkansas River basin. Is SE CO in drought? Yes. 

But there is one other issue at play: Farmers violated the Arkansas River Compact for years by taking too much water for irrigation, and they have been forced to stop it.

In the case of Kansas v. Colorado, the US Supreme Court ordered Colorado to use a new hydrologic model to stop illegal water use. The court also ordered a $35 million penalty against Colorado. 

Love to hear a water engineer or water lawyer weigh in on this, but I believe this means the Arkansas River farmers gained the benefit of water overuse for years, but statewide taxpayers picked up the bill for the penalty in the end.

The upshot for birders (and birds) is that we had many years with more water in SE Colorado than was legal. Today, however, we have the double-whammy of drought and legal enforcement that prevents Colorado from taking more than its share of Arkansas River basin water.

I know cobirds is about birding, but sometimes the outside world of government and politics matters to birds and birding.

Good birding,

Mark Obmascik

Denver, CO

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[Robert Raker]

Great detailed report Dan! Much appreciated.

Interesting to hear how dry it is. I've heard the same from others. 

Rob Raker

Lakewood, CO

[mvjo...@gmail.com]

Thanks Dan. Hope things will pick up. Hope to be down there soon.

John Rawinski

Monte Vista, CO

On Wednesday, April 28, 2021 at 7:55:41 PM UTC-6 Dan Stringer wrote: