Posted Tuesday, March 9, 2004

03/08 — Diane Penttila of Ouray NWR conducted a general water bird survey and reported the following conditions and bird sightings: impoundments with water are still frozen but the Green River is starting to open, and shallow ditches that had water remaining over the winter experienced a carp kill and attracted some bald eagles. The following birds were seen within the accessible survey route:

• Canada geese, 307
• Mallard, 60
• Gadwall, 11
• Northern Shoveler, 3
• American Wigeon, 2
• Northern pintail, 26
• Green-winged teal, 165
• Cinnamon teal, 2
• Common merganser, 14
• Bufflehead, 5
• Ring-necked duck, 2
• Great blue heron, 1
• Bald eagle, 45
• Merlin, 1
• American kestrel, 1
• Rough-legged hawk, 1
• Great horned owl, 1
• Killdeer, 2