swans, meadowlarks, & more at Valmont Res, Boulder County

[R Carol Cushman]

Inspired by Bill Kaempfer's & Peter Burke's great reports from Valmont Res, Maureen Lawry and I walked up the little hill west of the Open Space offices off 75th Street yesterday, Jan. 20. 3 tundra swans were snoozing in open water at the southeast inlet; 11 bald eagles (both adults & immatures) were on the ice & flying around; 6 western meadowlarks flushed at the top of the hill; a prairie falcon flew overhead; and a northern harrier flew low. The ducks were too distant to identify without a scope, but we did pick out about 5 common mergansers. What a great Christmas gift! Thank you, Bill and Peter.

Carol Cushman

East Boulder County