On this beautiful, mild morning along the Colorado Front Range, I participated in the mid-winter waterfowl survey at South Platte Park. Despite the inviting weather, most lakes and ponds remain ice-covered and birders assigned to those locations were left to document their morning walk.
Fortunately, I was assigned to a section of the South Platte River, where waterfowl congregate when the lakes and ponds are frozen. Even so, their numbers were less than impressive, dominated by mallards and gadwalls, joined by smaller groups of buffleheads, common goldeneyes and hooded mergansers. Other sightings included great blue herons, a belted kingfisher, a pair of killdeer and a lone black-crowned night heron (yes, this wader is a permanent resident in Metro Denver).
As can be the case on birding excursions, the experience did not live up to expectations. On the other hand, the results of these counts are important for wildlife managers and conservation organizations, offering important information on the health and distribution of waterfowl populations. Besides, unlike some past winter counts, this morning's adventure was especially pleasant.
