Black-bellied Whistling-Duck (Sat. - NOT Sun.), Durango, La Plata Co.
Susan
Dugald Owen found 4 Black-bellied Whistling-Ducks along the Animas River on June 20, 2015. The birds were sighted on Saturday evening between 7:00 PM and 9:00 PM. Dugald searched for the birds again today, 6/21/15, but failed to see them. Dugald is willing to submit written documentation to the Colorado Bird Record Committee.
The birds were sighted in Durango on the east side of the Animas River north of 32nd Street. Turn north from 32nd Street onto River Bend Road. Drive north past the boat launch area to the short term parking. Park there and walk a short distance upstream (approximately 1/4 mile north) to the end of the public road. The Black-bellied Whistling-Ducks were in the grass with some Canada Geese on the east side of the river about 50 feet upstream from the end of the road.
I think there is only one accepted record of this species for the state of Colorado. That record is from Pawnee National Grasslands on 7/11/1991. Several of us are hoping to be able to find the birds tomorrow. We'll post an update if we have success.
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