Sea birding the Comanche Grasslands

[Glenn and Laurie Walbek]

Folks,

 

I am working in southeast Colorado this week in the Comanche Grasslands of Las Animas County.  This under-birded area is ripe with birds moving through.  Grassland birds are plentiful including American Kestrel, Cassin’s Kingbird, Chestnut-collared Longspur, Vesper Sparrow, and Western Meadowlark.  Accipiters seem to be on the move, many observed in crazy plains and grassland habitats.  A Scissor-tailed Flycatcher was photographed, likely one of the breeding pair observed there this past spring.  A handful of Chimney Swifts were heard and observed flying over Lucy’s taco stand in La Junta, a bit tardy on their southbound trek.  Not unusual but still fascinating are the kettles of Sandhill Cranes flying to NM.  But sea birding is what I said in the subject, so here goes...

 

During my second hour of work on Monday, I noticed an unusual bird flying towards me in the middle of nowhere.  It was a Parasitic Jaeger, sallying around the gull-less expanse of Comanche Grasslands.  The bird flew within 400 meters and I obtained some poor photos, included in the ebird list.  What are the chances? 

 

I would not start a cobirds post with ‘sea birding’ if all I had was one lousy Parasitic Jaeger.  Today, on a smallish pothole pond, about the size of a football field in the middle of nowhere were 18 (eighteen) Surf Scoters.  The birds continued throughout the day and were observed by several co-workers.  I am thinking the mountain lakes may be worth a visit this weekend.

 

http://ebird.org/ebird/view/checklist/S39565635

http://ebird.org/ebird/view/checklist/S39526617

http://ebird.org/ebird/view/checklist/S39565491

 

 

Glenn Walbek

Castle Rock, CO

https://gwalbek.smugmug.com/2017-Birds/