Park County 10/26

[David Suddjian]

Yesterday I visited most of the ponds and reservoirs in Park County that might be worth a look, with noted exceptions of Buffalo Creek Reservoir and the remnant of Antero (still closed to access).

Spinney Mountain Reservoir had 4 Surf Scoters (2 adult males together and 2 females together), all sleeping, and all off the southwest end of the dam. Two Common Loons were in the same region of the reservoir. Bufflehead numbers are increasing, with about 1,280 present...minus one, since an adult Peregrine Falcon (late for Park) nabbed one out of the air at the end of an amazing dive. Also 2 late Baird's Sandpipers, 1 lingering Am. White Pelican, 1 female Red-breasted Merganser, and about 6,700 Am. Coots. 

Eleven Mile Reservoir had 6 Common Loons in the southern third of the lake, but nothing else of special note. There were about 900 Bufflehjead here, plus about 4,250 Am. Coots, 1 Horned Grebe and and 23 Eared Grebes.

Most of the other bodies of water had hardly any waterbirds, but for a smattering of Sandhill Cranes here and there. However, the pond along CR 34 had a flock of 11 Wood Ducks resting on the shore, which were seasonally, numerically and geographically out of the ordinary for Park County. And a pair of Hoodeed Mergansers at Lake George were uncommon for Park County.

The most unexpected landbird was a late Gray Catbird at a small willow corridor along CR 98 south of Eleven Mile Reservoir. This road also had moderate numbers of Type 2 Red Crossbills, and 4 Evening Grosbeaks. Some stops near Fairplay had Rough-legged Hawk, Pine Grosbeak, Gray Jay, and Type 5 Red Crossbills. Another Rough-legged Hawk was near Jefferson. An American Dipper along Tarryall Creek near the Ute Trail head (downstream of Tarryall Reservoir) was the first I'd seen along that stream. An American Three-toed Woodpecker was at the eastern campground at Kenosha Pass.

I was surprised by the paucity of Horned Larks. Long stretches of roads that should have had 100s had none, and I only found them in small numbers in a few spots. Mountain Bluebirds have nearly vacated the area (total of just three noted), leaving many roadsides feeling lonely as I drove along

David Suddjian

Littleton, CO