North Park (Jackson County) shorebirds, ibis, egrets and waxwings
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Charles Hundertmark
Aug 26, 2015, 11:34:47 PM8/26/15
to Cobirds
I visited North Park yesterday and today. The farthest pond on the Arapaho NWR tour loop hosted a nice variety of shorebirds including Solitary (2), Stilt (1), and Baird's Sandpipers. Also Greater and Lesser Yellowlegs. Sage Thrashers were around in numbers.
Walden Reservoir had abundant waterfowl including a spectacular number of coots. A Peregrine Falcon was well positioned to scan the dining options. While not spectacular for listing purposes, there were nice numbers of Snowy Egrets and White-faced Ibis visible. I had one group of 19 Snowy Egrets, mostly this year's birds suggesting that the heronry was very productive. There has been a small colony of these egrets nesting on the large island since around 2006. This is the best evidence of success I've seen yet. There were also good numbers of White-faced Ibis feeding in shallow waters at various spots. Many were this year's young. This is the second year the ibis have nested at the reservoir with up to fifty pair present. During most of the season, however, they are inconspicuous. While ColonyWatchers so far have found only White-faced Ibis, it is worth checking for Glossy Ibis which have nested not too far north of the Wyoming line.
The City Park in Walden had a small group (at least 8) Cedar Waxwings apparently attracted by a lush crop of berries on bushes lining the Fourth Street edge of the park.
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