Pueblo West Gravel Pit (Pueblo Co.) 4/13

[Brandon]

Hi all,

There were 13 species of shorebirds found at the Pueblo West Gravel Pit pond, east of Osprey Picnic area, on the North side of Rock Canyon, at Lake Pueblo State Park (Pueblo County) on Tuesday, April 13th.  In morning after 9:30am, three of us (Van Truan, Chris Knight, and I) saw ten species of shorebirds, a Pectoral Sandpiper (which is much rarer in spring than fall, was the big surprise), a Semipalmated Plover, two Black-necked Stilts (present since Saturday), a flyover Long-billed Curlew, Baird's and Least Sandpipers, many Lesser Yellowlegs, a couple of Greater Yellowlegs, four Wilson's Snipe, and Killdeer.  In the afternoon, more birders came and saw Marbled Godwit, two Semipalmated Sandpipers, and American Avocets to make it to 13 species of shorebirds for the day.  Other highlights in the morning: two juvenile Neotropic Cormorants (continues), a first year Iceland (Thayer's) Gull, 21 White-faced Ibis, four Bonaparte's Gulls, many Franklin's Gulls, a Chipping Sparrow, all six normal swallows, some lingering ducks (Common Goldeneye, Hooded Merganser,  Buffleheads).  A total of 65 species of birds during the hour and 45 minutes (in the morning).  I am sure over 70 species of birds were seen at the Gravel Pit yesterday.  I am expecting a good variety again today and probably more birders looking too.  The cooler spring weather seems to drop in waterbirds, more than the hot days.  I am still waiting for any Warbler around Pueblo that isn't a Yellow-rumped, should be any day now.

Good birding,

Brandon Percival
Pueblo West, CO