Westcliffe CBC 12/21

[Janelcsw]

The Westcliffe CBC was held on Sunday, December 21 with ten participants in 4 teams.  Total # of species was 43 + one count week species.  This is the same as the 22 year average for this count.  Individuals numbered 1589, close to twice the 22 year average. 

Highlights included a pair of Common Mergansers on a small piece of open water on mostly frozen Lake DeWeese.  Last year was the first of this species for this count. The never before species for this count were 2 Western Bluebirds.  Gray-crowned Rosy-Finches numbered 120, and although not unusual for this count, what was unusual were that the flock was in the parking lot of the golf club on the valley floor, when usually they are found at a higher altitude in this circle.

Many thanks to the participants who braved strong winds for parts of the day. Couldn't do it without you!!

Jane Pedersen

Jane...@aol.com