Brush Hollow Reservoir/SWA

I visited Brush Hollow Reservoir and State Wildlife Area yesterday. This location often has interesting waterfowl, shorebirds and landbirds on the surrounding pinyon-juniper in the SWA in late fall, winter and early spring (there are often many fishermen and other users during the late spring to early fall).

The most unusual bird was a Greater Yellowlegs (fortunately it was calling while it fed so I could more easily identify it as the light was far enough away that the poor lighting made visual id difficult). We do not get many Greater Yellowlegs here and this is bird is early though they are also already being seen in the lower Arkansas Valley area. The only other shorebird was one Killdeer. There was one Common Goldeneye, one Ring-billed Gull, as well as Common Mergansers, American Wigeon, Green-winged Teal, Mallards and a few Lesser Scaup on the lake.

Landbirds in the cottonwoods and shrubs around the lake included Northern Flickers (many), Mountain Bluebirds (fewer than the usual hundreds often at this location), Song Sparrows. Although I didn't get any Bushtits which I usually find here, I did find a flock of 35-45 Pinyon Jays. I am always pleased to find Pinyon Jays as they are a species of special concern as they are on the Partners In Flight Watch List
SeEtta