Jackson Reservoir 8/21 (Morgan)

[David Dowell]

Fall passerine migration is well underway at Jackson Reservoir.  Birds along the inlet canal today (Aug 21) included a Cassin's Vireo, an Olive-Sided Flycatcher, a Western Tanager, Empids, and a couple of Wilson's Warblers.  In the campground groves, there were a couple of GREAT CRESTED FLYCATCHERS, more Empids, and another Wilson's Warbler.

Shorebird highlights were a BUFF-BREASTED SANDPIPER and a SHORT-BILLED DOWITCHER (worn adult; ID based on slender profile in feeding stance).  As of this evening, both of these were along the northwest shore, with closest access being the north end of the state park.  Shorebird habitat is now extensive, and the shorebirds were in several clusters around the lake, moving around a bit from location to location.

Quite a few ducks (roughly 1000) have shown up now, joining the gulls, Forster's terns, and black terns.

Colorado just wouldn't be the same without Morgan County!

David Dowell

Longmont, Colorado