Yellow-crowned Night-heron at Blanca Wetlands

[John Rawinski]

Today, while conducting her shorebird surveys, Lisa Rawinski found a first year Yellow-crowned Night-heron at Blanca Wetlands (Alamosa County). Currently, the wetlands are closed but will be open to birders on July 16th. The bird was seen in the wetlands just to the NW of the parking lot at North Mallard.

This will be a first San Luis Valley record, so far as I know.

Interestingly, Righter and Andrews said "....very rare nonbreeding visitor...most birds being seen in mid-July and later are probably migrants or post-season wanderers." Looks right on.

John Rawinski

Monte Vista, CO