WESTERN GULL in Chaffee; TRICOLORED HERON in Park

[Jack Bushong]

Hi all, 

I had a fantastic day trip through the central mountains yesterday. Below are the highlights (bolded are birds that eBird considered notable). 

Park County: 

I started in the latish morning at Roland Dr. in far eastern Park County, which furnished several birds of interest, including two Band-tailed Pigeons and (marginally) early Chipping Sparrows and a Broad-tailed Hummingbird. Also present were several flocks of Evening Grosbeaks.

I then quickly passed through the towns of Jefferson and Hartsell; Hartsell had an early Common Grackle among a mixed blackbird/cowbird flock on the N side of town. 

On to perhaps the most exciting stop of the day: Antero Reservoir. Packed with waterfowl, as always, including a male Mexican Duck, several Greater Scaup, and several Red-breasted Mergansers. Also present were four Black-necked Stilts, a Lesser Yellowlegs, a large flock of Marbled Godwits, three Snowy Plovers, several Bonaparte's Gulls, and a TRICOLORED HERON on the far S shore (see eBird list for pin and photos: eBird Checklist - 19 Apr 2026 - Antero Reservoir--southeast side - 45 species (+4 other taxa)). 

Chaffee County: 

After a quick check of ponderosa woods outside Buena Vista for Western Bluebirds, I went to Clear Creek Reservoir. This unassuming reservoir at 9,000 ft was actually quite productive; the W end at the creek mouth was full of birds, including well over a hundred Franklin's Gulls. Also present was a pair of Red-breasted Mergansers. Then, while driving out, I saw a flash of brown flying by over the reservoir. Thinking it might be an imm Bald Eagle, I pulled over and put my bins on it, only to find that it was a WESTERN GULL. The bird flew directly at me and then turned W, paralleling the shoreline and flying toward the large gull congregation at the creek mouth. I went back and, despite quite a bit of searching, could not relocate it. Pics here (eBird Checklist - 19 Apr 2026 - Clear Creek Reservoir - 25 species (+1 other taxa)).

Lake County:

I checked Twin Lakes to see if the Western Gull had flown over, to no avail. The lakes were predictably devoid of birds save for a nice flock of American Avocets on the W side. Also present in the vicinity were two early Common Grackles.

 

I then drove through the smattering of lakes at Lake CR 7 (private; view from road) and had a nice assortment of birds, including earlyish (for Lake Co.) Ruby-crowned Kinglet and Red-naped Sapsucker. 

The day ended with a beautiful Common Loon at the ever-receding Dillon Reservoir. 

Overall, a fun day with great views of (somewhat) snowy peaks and even better birding. 

Jack Bushong

Louisville, CO