Northern Shoveler X Cinnamon Teal. Photo by Lisa Wilk

This lovely drake was enjoyed on a field trip to Monte Vista National Wildlife Refuge, March 13-14 2023.

Click here to see the list of birds seen.

 

By John Bregar

     We had a really fun two-day field trip to the San Luis Valley on Monday and Tuesday this week, barely sneaking our adventure in between weather systems.  The main draw of our trip was to experience huge flights of Sandhill Cranes at the Monte Vista National Wildlife Refuge -- and we did see lots of cranes!  Plus lots of geese, including Greater White-Fronted, Ross's, and Snow Geese.  We also explored an intriguing trail and wetland system along the Rio Grande in the town of Alamosa, drove lots of rural agricultural lands, and visited the Russell Lakes State Wildlife Refuge.  All of these areas would be interesting to visit later in the year, when so many more species would be present.

     Highlights of our trip, besides the cranes and geese, included a beautiful hybrid Northern Shoveler X Cinnamon Teal, a couple of Northern Shrike (or possibly the same one twice), two Rough-legged Hawk, a Prairie Falcon, three Great-horned Owl, six American Tree Sparrow, a Lesser Yellowlegs, and two flocks of 30 each Wild Turkey along the Piedra River on our way home.  We finished with 50 species on our trip list.