Neotropic Cormorant at Smith SWA

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Action is really picking up in the San Luis Valley.  

At Smith Res SWA there was a Neotropic Cormorant, posed on a rock not 100 feet from a much larger Double-crested Cormorant. The Neotropic was about 2/3rds the size of the nearby Double-crested. Bird had the smaller relative bill and white border on the gape, which was pointed. Tail was relatively longer than a Double-crested. If approved, it may be the first for the San Luis Valley. 

Another exciting feature was the fact that I saw 5 species of gulls on the lake today. The Herring Gull that I found a while back is still there, along with RB, Bonaparte's, Franklin's and a large gull that appears initially to be a 1st winter Lesser Black-backed Gull. 

Its a great time to be out there enjoying the new greenery and birds flitting in it!

John Rawinski

Monte Vista, CO