Lots of nest building at Standley Lake

[Donna Stumpp]

Nest building at Standley Lake is on!

The Cormorants and Great Blue Herons have returned to "Bird Island" in the NW portion of Standley Lake to nest. Yesterday, I counted 53 Cormorants improving nests (most had 2 of them working IN the nest at the same time!), and 14 Great Blue Herons doing the same, but they only had one bird in the nest at a time. There is a tremendous amount of flying out to gather nearby nesting material. Best viewed from the north shore. Be sure to watch for the wire fence that protects the nesting Bald Eagles. Live stream available here Link to live Eagle cam

And for those who haven't heard yet, motor boats have been banned from Standley Lake permanently, which will result in habitat and shoreline improvement, as well as paddle boarding and kayaking (they rent them too). You can now paddle anywhere on the lake, including the western section which is inaccessible on foot. Paddling usually runs from May 1 - Sept 30.

You can park in the free lots off 100th Ave or 88th Ave. I have volunteered here for years and am excited to watch for changes in bird species and numbers in the absence of motor boats.

Donna Stumpp, Westminster

Jefferson County, CO

[Donna Stumpp]

Standley Lake UPDATE 3/31

• There's a fun little "pond" called Loon Lake on the NE end of the Standley Lake Open Space (easily accessed by parking at Wayne Carle Middle School). Today I saw a FOS Green-winged Teal (pair), as well as a FOS Say's Phoebe! The pond also has a pair of Cinnamon Teals, Hooded Mergansers, and a handful of other ducks. Loon Lake is not a HotSpot, so you may not run across the birding lists unless something rare shows up.
  
  
• Bird Island still has 14 Great Blue Herons nesting, but the number of Double-crested Cormorants is up from 53 to 83!
  
  
• Parking lots on the north and south shore are filling by early afternoon...