Date: 4/20/26 3:57 pm From: Jack Bushong <jcbushong01...> Subject: [cobirds] WESTERN GULL in Chaffee; TRICOLORED HERON in Park
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) <https://ebird.org/checklist/S324333615>).
*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) <https://ebird.org/checklist/S324396263>).
*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
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