Purple Sandpiper, Summit

[Peter Gent]

All,

A group of about a dozen of us looked at and photographed the Purple Sandpiper between noon and 1pm.  Park in the pulloff off Hwy 9 about 1/4 mile north of Swan Mountain Road.  We had to walk about 100 yds north to get a clear view of the bird: follow the postholes in the snow.  The bird was on the reservoir shore right where the Blue River flows in.  I just talked to Bill Kaempfer who saw the bird in the late afternoon, and he said the bird flew a little way upstream along the Blue River.  So, if it's not actually on the reservoir shore, check along the Blue River itself.

Thanks to the Bushong boys for finding this bird and showing the place to everyone.

Cheers,  Peter Gent.

Boulder.

[Glenn Walbek]

Folks,

 

Steve Stachowiak, Steve Larson, Loch Kilpatrick and I were able to see and photograph the Purple Sandpiper this morning.  The dark color, orange legs and orange basal quarter of the mandible appear to eliminate Rock Sandpiper from contention.  Thanks indeed to the Bushong boys who found this rarity during a blizzard.  Photos of the bird can be seen by following this link.

 

https://gwalbek.smugmug.com/2016-Birds/

 

Glenn Walbek

Castle Rock, CO