Search for the Boulder County Long-tailed Jaeger

September 14, 2007

Bryan Ehlmann and I went searching for the Long-tailed Jaeger in Boulder County. We received a call that the Jaeger was no longer at Boulder Reservoir so we detoured over to Union Reservoir (Weld County). It was not there either, but we did find a Sabine’s Gull, Great Egret, and a few Snowy Egrets.

We also checked Lagerman Reservoir. No jaeger, there was a Bonaparte's Gull and Stilt Sandpiper. There was no better success at Baseline Reservoir, Prince Lakes, Valmont Reservoir, and Ish Reservoir. We did find a few Baird's Sandpipers, 2 Western Sandpipers, and 2 Least Sandpipers at Prince Lake #2.

After an early dinner, we checked out Boulder Reservoir. The jaeger still had not show up. So we headed up to Gross Reservoir. We did not really expect the jaeger to be at this high mountain reservoir and it was not. Two Mountain Bluebirds, a Spotted Towhee, and Green-tailed Towhee were around the northeast parking area.

A search for Common Poorwills turned one up along the road to the southern entrance of Gross Reservoir. It was found at the switchbacks that start dropping sharply downhill (about 2/3 of the way to the southern entrance).

A listen for owls around the ranger’s home and southern entrance road did not turn up any tonight.