Bent County December 5, 2013

[Duane Nelson]

Birders,

I ventured out into the cold and wind today (no snow here). Despite the
cold temperatures, John Martin Reservoir remains largely open, although
I think that as soon as the wind diminishes, much of the lake will
flash-freeze. I got to see some great December birds that I presume will
soon be gone or receive an expiration stamp: 100 American White
Pelicans, 50 Double-crested Cormorants, 13 Western Grebes and one
Pied-billed Grebe.

On the brighter side, I observed a tight flock of at least four
Steller's Jays at the Green Heron Slough, 1/4 mile south of the
intersection of Bent County Roads 16 and HH. I did not need to cross the
pointless fence constructed by the Colorado Department of Corrections
one month before the Ft. Lyon Prison shut down. Seeing mountain birds
more than 100 miles away from their obligate mountain habitat is a big
treat around here. I hope someone else captures this rare montane
incursion, especially at points farther to the east, like Kansas or
Oklahoma.

Duane Nelson
Las Animas, Bent County, CO