Summit County Birds

[Jack Bushong]

Hi all, 

This past Sunday my brother and I did some birding in Summit County, hitting the two major reservoirs and other various locations. The morning began at Ute Pass Rd., where there was a Northern Pygmy Owl tooting from the coniferous forests and a Dusky Grouse on the guard rail. We then went down to the cattail marsh along Hwy 90, where there was an early Common Yellowthroat. Green Mountain Reservoir had a good deal of mudflats but was devoid of shorebirds. There was an early House Wren along the Blue River entering Green Mountain, and a Barn Swallow at Heeney. In the canyon below the Green Mountain Rez. Dam, 12 White-throated Swifts made a show above the river, and a few were observed entering possible nesting locations. The Silverthorne Wildernest area did not turn up many finches, and there are now signs along Elk Thistle Drive that state "birders not allowed." Dillion Reservoir had 8 Willets near the marina, nesting dippers at the bridge at Swan Mountain Road, and a few California Gulls and Blue-winged Teals. We then made a quick stop at Angler Lakes, where we flushed what appeared to be a Magnolia Warbler from the willow thickets. Attempts to relocate the bird were unsuccessful. 

Good Birding,

Jack Bushong,

Louisville, CO