Lower Arkansas Valley 12-13-05

This morning Duane N. took me to several areas around John Martin Reservoir, a very large lake along the Arkansas River between Lamar and the small town of Las Animas. Due to high winds, the unusual winter Lincoln's Sparrows were not up though a few Song Sparrows popped up briefly. Amazingly, almost the entire Reservoir was frozen over as a result of the severe artic cold spell. There were a few open areas in the middle of the reservoir that were filled with waterfowl including a number of white geese.

There was also an open area at Lake Hasty, a small lake below the John Martin dam, and it was also filled with waterfowl including 2 adult Trumpeter Swans, 1 immature Trumper Swan and 1 probable immature Tundra Swan. Duane said the swans had been there since before the artic front came in.

Later this afternoon I drove to Lamar to do a little birding. In the area behind Lamar Jr College I saw a Great Horned Owl in one of the large cottonwoods. I did not find the Red-bellied Woodpeckers I hoped to see but instead saw at least 1 male Downy and 1 female Hairy Woodpecker.

I made a last light of the day check at the cemetery south of the Jr College. As I walked up the cemetery road a Great Horned Owl, that had been hidden well within the branches of a juniper, flew out. I later heard a Great Horned calling but it might have been a second owl. An unusual sight, at least for me, was 2 Red-tailed Hawks perched on top of one of the 40 foot pine trees. There were 2 more Red-tails nearby and I think they intended to roost in these pines but were flushed by the workers nearby.
SeEtta