2 Ruddy Turnstones and more - SE CO

[Jack Bushong]

Hi all,

This past weekend my brother and I visited Lamar and the surrounding area for a bit of birding. I will list the locations with the best birds, for a more thorough description would be tedious. Photos can be seen on Ebird checklists for any of those interested. 

Melody Tempel Grove: arrived early in the morning. Somewhat birdy with a nice host of migrants but nothing rare. 

1 Cassin's Vireo

1 Barn Owl 

1 Dark-eyed Junco (early?)

2 Western Tanager 

1 empid sp. (Possible Yellow-bellied Flycatcher - further review of photos is necessary for confirmation)

We then made a quick stop along a CR to John Martin, where there were multiple Burrowing Owls.

Lake Hasty: Late morning, somewhat dull in terms of migrants, but the whole area was not covered. 

2 Belted Kingfisher

1 Common Nighthawk

John Martin Reservoir

3 Pectoral Sandpiper

Lesser and Greater Yellowlegs

1 Rock Wren

Savannah and Song Sparrows

1 RUDDY TURNSTONE: observed on shoreline a few yards south of where the reservoir floods County Road JJ, making it impassable. Associating with three Pectorals. Flushed by NOHA, after which it could not be relocated. https://ebird.org/ebird/view/checklist/S39239481

Van's Grove 

1 Hammond's Flycatcher - Ebird maps show it may be a scarce migrant, although I am not sure

1 Red-breasted Nuthatch

Many Chipping Sparrows

Upper Queens Reservoir

1 Sanderling

1 Long-billed Dowitcher

Lower Queens: Extensive mudflats. Only thoroughly checked the south and west side. Great potential. 

3 Red-necked Phalarope

1 Wilson's Phalarope

1 Western SandpiperConsiderable numbers of Baird's and Least, as well as some distant dowitchers.

1 Stilt Sandpiper

7 Pectoral Sandpiper

4 Sanderling

3 Semipalmated Plover

1 Cassin's Kingbird

Neenoshe Reservoir

1 American Golden-Plover - flooded lands near Locust Grove

1 Black-bellied Plover - accompanying golden-plover.

The following day we investigated a few areas on the way back. 

Lamar Community College Woods - I would like to thank everyone who posted about the prevalence of chiggers - long pants, long socks, spray, and limiting breathing did the trick. 

1 Broad-winged Hawk

4 Northern Cardinal

Yellow, Yellow-rumped, Orange-crowned, Wilson's Warblers. 

1 Blue-gray Gnatcatcher

Sewage Ponds near Lake Meredith : phenomenal shorebird habitat

3 Pectoral Sandpiper

12 White-faced Ibis

1 Glossy/White-faced Ibis

1 Short-billed/Long-billed Dowitcher

5 Semipalmated Sandpiper

Considerable numbers of yellowlegs and BASA and LESA. 

1 RUDDY TURNSTONE - noticeably different from the one seen the previous day. Photographed. 

14 Cattle Egret

Chico Basin Ranch - didn't find Tropical Kingbird, but we did not spend much time

1 Townsend's Warbler

1 Red-naped Sapsucker

Good Birding,

Jack Bushong,

Louisville, CO