Lots of ducks etc. @ Russell Lakes SWA

[Amber Carver]

Hi, All!

I spent the weekend in the San Luis Valley and passed by several wetlands and waterbodies. Other than a bunch of Sage Thrashers at Alamosa NWR, it was pretty quiet until I got to Russell Lakes SWA.  The ponds there were very crowded, and species included (in no particular order):

Blue-winged Teal

Cinnamon Teal

Northern Shoveler

Gadwall

American Wigeon

Canvasback

Redhead

Ring-necked Duck

Ruddy Duck

Bufflehead

American Coot

Mallard

Canada Goose

There may have been other species as well, but I don't have a spotting scope and had trouble seeing more distant birds due to the sheer density of individuals and the turbulence caused by the stiff wind.  Someone with a scope could probably pull out more species.  In the adjacent fields there were several Sandhill Cranes.  There was at least one Northern Harrier working the fields.  I heard a single Marsh Wren.  Earlier (in Monte Vista), I saw an Osprey standing in the middle of a tilled field.

-Amber Carver

Littleton, CO