COBirds,
Uploaded some photos of the pale-bellied Brant here:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/26102738@N07/Bird was present when I arrived at 1:00pm today (Sunday). Was still present when I left at 1:45pm. Initially it was grazing right along the gravel path on the southwest side of Houts Reservoir, seemingly ignoring a few folks strolling within 15 feet of it. After a few minutes it decided to go swim and preen with his single Canada Goose buddy who he/she followed quite closely on the water. On land it was clear to see the sharply demarcated breast and pale belly. Quite different looking from the dark high contrast black/white Brants I've seen in Oregon/Washington. Bird seemed quite healthy, although never saw it fly. There was also a small group of distant geese standing on the south shore of adjacent Equalizer Lake, so that could be another place to check as that is the original observation spot I take it. From I-25, take Hwy 34 west a short way to Boyd Lake Road. Boyd Lake Rd north to the unmarked dirt road (Medford Dr on google maps) paralleling the utility lines, east a few hundred feet to the dead end at the lake shore. Brant was just a few yards to the left (north). Thanks to Scott Baron for finding and Nick Komar for helping to get the word out. Beautiful bird!
Good birding,
Derek Hill
Fort Collins