Prowers, Bent and Otero counties Sat, May 9

[Nick Komar]

My group of 5 spent the global eBird birdathon (May 9) along the Arkansas River Valley from Holly to La Junta. We started by driving roads south of Holly in search of Lesser Prairie Chicken, thinking it might be an important tick for the Global Big Day effort. However, the weather was uncooperative and muddy roads forced a retreat from our initial destination of Baca County. Instead we birded at Lamar Community College grove, john Martin Reservoir/Hasty Campground and Lake Cheraw.

Highlights were:

LCC grove (Prowers)- At least 10 species of warbler including Nashville, Black-throated Gray, Black-throated Blue, northern Parula, Northern Waterthrush (More than 50 species observed here mid-morning).

Hasty Compround (early afternoon, Bent County)- Eastern Bluebird family, Canyon Towhee singing, Summer Tanager, Cape May Warbler, American Redstart, female Scott's Oriole.

John Martin Reservoir (mid afternoon and dusk)- Scaled Quail, Red Knot in basic plumage roosting near gull flock on north shore spit (from SWA), Common Nighthawk (FOS), Bonaparte's Gull, Hammond's Flycatcher (at Van's Grove).

Lake Cheraw (Otero County, late afternoon)-
Good variety of waterfowl and shorebirds including 28 Snowy Plovers, Peregrine Falcon.

Nick Komar
Quetzal Tours trip leader
Currently in Lamar

Sent from my iPhone