Monte Refuge Update

[mvjo...@gmail.com]

There are now about 10,000 to 12,000 birds on the Monte Vista Refuge, primarily Sandhill Cranes, Cackling and Canada Geese. Ducks like Cinnamon Teal, Gadwall, Ring-necked, Pintails, Common Goldeneye and Coots have trickled in. Bird patterns are changing by the day as we are experiencing a thaw and water and feeding patterns change accordingly. You can see much of the action at the 8S Turnout or along Hwy 15 turnouts. Still a lot of snow in the fields but ever changing. Next week is Crane Festival and I will be leading a couple of birding walks and hope to see you there.

Last Sunday, the first of year Sage Thrashers arrived (2) at MVNWR, and this was 5 days earlier than the earliest San Luis Valley arrival date. With all the snow, I wondered why so early?

Great Horned Owls are on nest now.

I know many of you are interested in Sagebrush Sparrows which arrive about this time every year east of Antonito. I was there this past week and the snow drifts are prohibitive. They will soon be followed by widespread mud. So you may want to delay that trip a bit so that things can dry out. Should be good to go by April.

Mornings are magical at the Refuge but you gotta get up super early. Image is one I took this past week.

John Rawinski

Monte Vista, CO