Riverside Reservoir(private lake in Weld County)

[Lonny Frye]

The Boulder Bird Club led by Skip Dines spent the morning at Riverside Reservoir east of Greeley. This lake has a lot to offer. When it was built in 1903 it was the largest reservoir west of the Mississippi and has remained a secluded preserve for waterfowl that is seldom disturbed by humans. The lake is entirely private and inaccessible to boaters or the public. There are large island colonies of pelicans and the trees were filled with nests of cormorants and herons. We had an unusual Wigeon hybrid that perplexed us. It looked rather like someone added a second tail section to it, having two distinct white patches. We hope to post some pics soon. Warbler numbers were not very exciting, most of the activity was from the large numbers of Chipping Sparrows feeding. We thought that next week, Riverside will be full of warblers feeding on the numerous insects. Despite higher than expected water levels, we did manage to see a nice group of Whimbrels and a couple Marbled Godwits. I think that early fall would be ideal for shorebirds on the exposed mudflats before duck season gets underway(yes, it is used for a hunting club). We actually did not see a sole, besides the caretaker, while exploring a lake 3 miles on a side. To have such a resource available for birds that isn't full of watercraft is a rarity these days. An all around lovely day and we hope to return soon.

Lonny Frye

[Tom Wilberding]

Here's a map of Riverside Reservoir, one of the few places American
White Pelican nest in Colorado. http://tiny.cc/4z27m
Here are some pics of the strange Wigeon. What species were his
parents? (Click on "Slideshow" upper right for full view.)
http://twilberding.zenfolio.com/p91779541
Beautiful place. Thanks to Skip Dines & Boulder Bird Club.

Tom Wilberding
Boulder, Colorado