El Paso County Winter Wren and Long-tailed Ducks

[Lee Farese]

Hi Folks,

I did some birding around Fountain Creek Regional Park and Big Johnson Reservoir in El Paso County this morning.

Fountain Creek was pretty lively feeling, with several good birds for November. The best bird here was a Winter Wren near the mile 18 marker. Though very shy, the bird was calling pretty frequently and shouldn't be too hard to pin down. Other fun finds were three getting-late Yellow-rumped Warblers (all Audubon's), a Hermit Thrush, a Ruby-crowned Kinglet, and a Mourning Dove. There was also a nice cooperative Merlin.

Big Johnson had a good variety of ducks, grebes. Highlights here were two Long-tailed Ducks (1 male and 1 female) and a Common Loon.

Happy Trails,

Lee Farese

CO Springs