Since my normally-reliable birding companion is out West, bumming around the Four Corners region, I enticed one of my grandsons to join me for an excursion to Eagle Bluffs Conservation Area this afternoon. Low clouds shrouded the floodplain, light rain was falling and shallow water covered the channels, sloughs, pools and low spots in the fields. In other words, recovery from the prolonged, man-made drought is nearly complete.
From mid-October through the winter, access is limited to the northern half of the refuge to protect wintering waterfowl. Based on our observations this afternoon, the waterfowl have not yet responded to the improved conditions; we observed about 75 mallards, 36 American coot, a dozen or so gadwall, four northern shovelers, two Canada geese and a lone pied-billed grebe. No waders or shorebirds were seen nor was there any sign of duck hunters.
Nevertheless, the watery landscape was the star of our visit. This fabulous wetland refuge has recovered and, hopefully, the waterfowl will soon find out.
