Pueblo Reservoir and Eagle Day

I stopped by the Pueblo Reservoir this afternoon on my way to a doctor's appointment. Thought there is ice on the reservoir, much of it is open and there are multitudes of birds taking advantage of this. I didn't have much time but saw a number of Common Goldeneye (though I have seen posts showing Barrow's Goldeneye as well) in addition to the hundreds and hundreds of gulls. Those that I could identify were Ring-billed Gulls, common here in the winter.

Eagle Day, an annual event held at the Pueblo Reservoir, will be held on Saturday Feb 3. The event’s co-sponsors are the Colorado Division of Wildlife (DOW), Lake Pueblo State Park, Pueblo Zoo, Greenway Nature Center of Pueblo, The Pueblo Raptor Center, Aquilla Power Company and the Arkansas Valley Audubon Society (my Audubon chapter). Events at the day-long event include live bird demonstrations, bird watching classes, wildlife viewing stations and the release of three hawks that were nursed back to health by the Pueblo Raptor Center.

All of the activities are free and open to the public, but vehicles must have a valid Colorado State Parks pass to access activities on the north side of the park. A Park’s Pass is not required to attend activities at the Park Headquarters Building on the south side. Most exhibits and indoor events take place at the Headquarters Building. There will be free boat rides on Lake Pueblo for eagle viewing, on the hour every hour depending on weather.

This photo is one I took of "Hali", a Bald Eagle at the Pueblo Raptor Center.

SeEtta

Watch for banded gulls

We get both Thayer's and Glaucous Gulls in SE Colorado so if you are looking at gulls here please check for these banded ones here or anywhere you see these species.

"LOOKING FOR COLOR-BANDED GULL–Please keep your "eyes peeled" for color-banded Thayer's and Glaucous Gulls. Adults and fledglings of both species have been banded over the past 4 nesting seasons (2003-2006) in the Canadian high Arctic and we'd love to know where these birds are going in the fall, winter and spring. Each THGU has been banded with a bright yellow leg band that has been engraved with a black alphanumeric code (e.g., B1). Similarly, each GLGU has been banded with a red or white leg band that has been engraved with a white or dark blue alphanumeric code, respectively. Each adult bird has additional solid color bands on one or both legs. If you observe banded adult or juvenile Thayer's or Glaucous Gulls, please record the location, date and the alphanumeric code. Also, any information regarding behavior or diet would be greatly appreciated. If you see any of these birds, please report the sighting(s) to CINDY ANDERSON, Wildlife Biology Program, University of Montana, Missoula, MT 59812 (EM: cindy.anderson@mso.umt.edu). Your help is kindly appreciated!"
SeEtta