Four Goose Species at Home Lake

[John Rawinski]

Home Lake (Rio Grande County)  near Monte Vista remains free of ice. There is a good variety and concentration of waterbirds present including Snow, Ross's, Cackling and Canada Geese. We are not exactly in the white goose flyway, so seeing any here is a treat. 

Ducks included American Wigeon, Ruddy, Redhead, and Bufflehead.  Ring-billed and Bonapartes were present as well. 

Perhaps the strangest sight was seeing 2 Long-billed Dowitchers standing on edge ice, wondering how they were going to get to the tasty treats in the mudflats. 

Two days ago, Lisa and I saw a hen Ring-necked Pheasant, which is now a rare bird in the San Luis Valley. 

John Rawinski

Monte Vista, CO