Huerfano, Alamosa and Rio Grande Counties

[Charles Hundertmark]

Paul Slingsby and I visited the Monte Vista NWR Sunday and Monday, with stops on Sunday at Lathrop SP (Huerfano) and the Alamosa NWR (Alamosa).

At Lathrop SP, highlights were 8 Great Blue Herons on or near nests, a Golden Eagle, 2 Juniper Titmouse and two Western Bluebirds.

Alamosa NWR was very dry with 11 species noted on the tour loop; Northern Harrier was the most notable.

Late Sunday afternoon, at the Monte Vista refuge, while scanning for the previously reported Brant in the field north of CR8, we spotted Greater White-fronted Geese among the numerous Sandhill Cranes and Canada Geese feeding in the field. Geese of both species had heads down much of the time, but occasionally one of the geese raised its head. Most had white-cheeks; a few, however, had pink or orangish bills with a white base. Obtaining a count was difficult until the geese all raised their heads just before taking off. We counted 14 of the Greater White-fronted, more than either of us had previously seen at one time in Colorado.

This morning at the refuge, there were no Greater White-fronted Geese among the cranes. We did, however, spot our FOS Lark Bunting and heard three Marsh Wrens. There were also two Mountain Bluebirds and at least two Yellow-headed Blackbirds.

At Home Lake SWA this morning, we found 2 Western Grebes, 7 American Avocets, and 2 Greater Yellowlegs along with a variety of ducks.

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Chuck Hundertmark

2546 Lake Meadow Drive

Lafayette, CO 80026

303-604-0531

Cell: 720-771-8659

chunde...@gmail.com