SE Colorado Birding: Crowley County Stilt Sandpiper

Wednesday, May 24, 2006

Crowley County Stilt Sandpiper

As I posted last night, I saw about 15 Stilt Sandpipers at Lake Meredith in Crowley County yesterday. This is a photo of one of them that shows the field marks for Alternate Plumage. Stilt Sandpipers in Alternate (breeding) Plumage have heavily barred underparts and the distinctive chestnut cheek patchs(sometimes referred to as ear patches).

This medium sized sandpiper has relatively long legs. The long bill droops slightly at the tip. Read more about this species here

Why bird southeast Colorado?

From our high montane areas to the riparian areas along the Arkansas River as it exits Colorado, southeast Colorado offers birding opportunities for beginners to those serious birders who seek out the less common species. We have great shortgrass and sandsage prairie birding including public areas on the Comanche National Grasslands. We have wetlands including playa lakes (playas are important shallow, depressional wetlands that provide essential habitat for waterfowl and many other bird species). We have small lakes (such as Lake Cheraw north of La Junta)and large lakes (such as John Martin Reservoir that encompasses 35 square miles) that host an impressive diversity of bird species. And we have large expanses of pinyon-juniper woodlands with their special birding opportunities.

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SE Colorado Birding

Wednesday, May 24, 2006

Crowley County Stilt Sandpiper

Why bird southeast Colorado?

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