This year's convention was in Lamar, Colorado May 5-9. The weather cooperated mostly, and attendance seemed to be better than ever. There was over 225 birders attending this year's field trips, lectures and banquet. As always, it was great to connect with friends from across the state that we don't often get the chance to bird with. But before we could get to the convention, we had to make our way through some obstacles that got in our way.
After finally getting through the local cattle drive, we were off to Karval Reservoir State Wildlife Area (SW), where we ran into another group heading south to the convention. Having never been to Lamar, or any of the great birding spots in Prowers, Bent or Baca Counties, it was all new and enjoyable to me. We went on field trips to Two Buttes SWA, Van's Grove, Adobe Creek, Cheraw, Holbrook, Lake Hasty, Fort Lyon SWA, Bent's Old Fort and several locations highway 50 on the way home.
We arrived in Lamar on Thursday afternoon and after settling in the hotel room we wondered over to the welcome picnic to meet the other birders, trip leaders, eat dinner and see some local birds in the park. While we were hanging out with some friends we saw several Mississippi Kites, Chimney Swifts, House Finches, Mourning Doves, Brown-headed Cowbirds, Robins, Turkey Vultures and more.
My personal list for the weekend was 124 confirmed species and a few more possibles. That list included several Colorado firsts and a couple birds to add to my life list which include the Golden-winged Warbler and Snowy Plover.
Here are a few of the birds and locations I saw on the drive down and during the three days of field trips.
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| Happy Birding |
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