Rich Stevens' Bird Trips
December 2004
Cherry Creek Reservoir 12/31
While doing chores this morning, I stopped a Cherry Creek
Reservoir (Arapahoe County). Did not scope the lake, however
I did see a 1st year Thayer's Gull northeast of the dam tower.
No larger white gulls, many Herring Gulls.
Bald Eagle count was over 20. Another cobirder mentioned that
several are roosting in the campgrounds.
Birding Jefferson County & Wheat Ridge Greenbelt 12/30
I decided to hike Wheat Ridge Greenbelt this morning. The plan
was to go from Johnson Park to the west end of Prospect Park
(about 3.5 miles). The weather was nice with temps around
52 degrees and winds 10+ mph.
When I reached Johnson Park, Eric Lane informed me that I had
missed the Bohemian Waxwings by 15 minutes. So I hiked east first
to where the bike path crosses under I70. No Bohemian Waxwings,
however I did find a flock of 8 Black-capped Chickadees. This is
the most I have seen in one place since the West Nile Virus struck
Colorado two years ago.
When I returned to Johnson Park 30 minutes later, a flock of 95-
110 Bohemian Waxwings flew in from the south. They stood in the
large cottonwood northeast of the parking area (on the north side
of Clear Creek). Thirty minutes later, they went down for a drink
in the creek and then took off.
There seems to be at least two different flocks. This flock was
totally Bohemian Waxwings. A second flock seen last Tuesday
and Sunday was made up of 120 Cedar Waxwings and 3-5
Bohemian Waxwings (the count was similar both days).
The hike to Prospect Park was uneventful. Six additional Black-
capped Chickadees were observed, not much else. No Waxwings
were seen at Clear Creek and the 44th avenue bridge (location
of yesterday's Bohemian Waxwing sightings).
Once at Prospect Park, I walked the Tree Bridge trail where
Winter Wrens were observed in previous years; none seen today.
A Marsh Wren was in the cattails on the east side of the trail.
At the halfway point of the Tree Bridge trail where it turns south
and goes uphill there is a trail heading west.
A White-throated Sparrow was 45 yards west of this intersection
(10 yards behind the dead trees on the west side of the marsh and
cattails). Breeding of White-throated Sparrows in this area was
confirmed last summer. High count was 7 birds (4 adults,
3 juveniles).
I continued to Bass Lake. A Spotted Towhee was along the southern
edge. Not much else in the way of uncommon birds was found.
No Eastern Screech-Owls were out sunning today.
My next stops were Fort Logan National Cemetery (still no Greater
Scaups this year) and Marston Reservoir. Marston Reservoir was
rather disappointing in that any birds were quite far off.
A walk around the Bowmar neighborhood finally produced a
Bushtit sighting. Ten birds were about along Sombrero Street
about halfway between Bowmar Drive & Sunset Drive.
My birding day ended at Belmar Historic Park (Jefferson).
I thought with all the geese there an uncommon goose had to be
around. Sure enough, one Greater White-fronted Goose stood on
the frozen main lake. It loomed over the Cackling Geese around it.
Photos of it are on the CoBus photo library.
The highlight of the walk around the lake was a Swamp Sparrow.
The bird was first observed walking around the small stream at
the western end of the main lake. It eventually walked over
the path and into the cattails northeast of the footbridge.
I believe this is only my second Jefferson County Swamp Sparrow.
Canada and Cackling Geese count had to be over 5000 birds as
more and more flew in at sunset.
Birding around Denver 12/29
Another beautiful Colorado winter day, temperatures were around
55 degrees and winds were calm.
Before sunrise, Rebecca Kosten and I were at Reynolds Park
(Jefferson County). Shortly after sunrise, a Northern Pygmy-Owl
answered my poor imitation. We finally managed to see the bird
that was north up the draw from Oxen Draw and Elkhorn Trails.
We looked briefly for Three-toed Woodpeckers at Pine Valley Ranch
(down the road), however only hiked 300 yards south of Pine Lake.
Donna Fortney and I went to Cherry Creek Reservoir (Arapahoe)
around 11:00am. A 1st year (east of picnic area and marina) and
adult Thayer's Gull (north of southwest marina) were found.
No Tundra Swan (more on that on another email). Hundreds of
Common Mergansers, Canada Geese and Ring-billed Gulls were about.
Three or four California Gulls continue to be observed.
It was such a fantastic day, that I decided to make a quick circle
around Aurora Reservoir (Arapahoe). An adult Glaucous Gull stood
at mile marker 4.0. A 1st year Thayer's Gull at mm 4.5. Glaucous
Gull is probably the Cherry Creek Reservoir bird from last weekend.
Many Ring-billed Gulls, many Herring Gulls, and at least two
California Gulls were also counted. A pair of Northern Harriers
hunted along the eastern shore.
Quincy Reservoir did not have any uncommon gulls or geese.
Mountain Birding 12/27-12/28
Chris Fagyal & I birded in the mountains that last two days
searching for higher elevation birds. The plan was to spend
a day or two locating Boreal Owls at Cameron Pass
(Jackson/Larimer Counties) to photograph. Exhaustion and
the pending prediction of snow put that goal off until next week.
Cameron Pass and North Park may get a foot or so of snow
Wednesday into Thursday. The Varied Thrush in No Name
(Garfield County) sounds interesting; however the snow
should hit there before Silverthorne and Cameron Pass.
Monday 12/27
Our first stop was Guanella Pass (Clear Creek County).
Well, we checked Loveland Ski Basin, Silver Plume, and
Georgetown for Rosy Finches on the way; none were found.
Unfortunately, we could not drive to the top of Guanella Pass and
had to hike the final 1.0-mile to the top. Fortunately, it only
took about 20 minutes to locate 5 White-tailed Ptarmigan after
arriving at the top. The Ptarmigan were on the east side of the
snow-covered lake below the parking area.
On the way down we checked Guanella Pass campground for some
Three-toed Woodpeckers; without finding any. Construction on a new
bridge caused their favorite two trees and several others to be torn down.
I would recommend a 4-wheel drive vehicle to anyone wanting to
drive to the Summit. A couple of snow-covered areas that never get
direct sunlight were quite slippery (we slid backwards several
times before giving up). Several other 2-wheel vehicles also did
not make it. At the summit, we even helped dig a 4-wheel drive SUV
out of the snow.
We stopped again at Georgetown, Silver Plume, and Loveland Ski
Area; again finding no Rosy Finches. At the white house at
Rose and 2nd streets in Georgetown (formerly great Rosy Finch
house, most feeders now gone for several years) we observed
a flock of 20+ Evening Grosbeaks.
Four male and three female Barrow's Goldeneyes were at the
Blue River Water Treatment Plant. A black form of Red Fox
walked across highway 9 while we watched the Goldeneyes!
Our birding day ended with a drive around Silverthorne in search
of Rosy Finches.
Tuesday 12/28
We started our day with a drive around Silverthorne in search of
Rosy Finches. Clark's Nutcrackers, Gray Jays, Red Crossbills,
White-breasted Nuthatches, and Pygmy Nuthatches were some
of the interesting birds observed. The highlight however was
watching 100+ Rosy Finches (all three species plus some Hepburn's).
Five male and three female Barrow's Goldeneyes were at the small
pond at the Blue River Water Treatment Plant (along highway 9,
3 miles south of I70).
We drove up Loveland pass (after seeing no Rosy Finches at
the Loveland Ski area). The view was fantastic, however no
White-tailed Ptarmigan were seen. Many people (on Christmas
break?) filled the hills and parking area.
Our final stop was Johnson Park (Jefferson). Up to 120 Cedar
Waxwings and 4+ Bohemian Waxwings were 400 yards west
of the parking area. The birds stayed at the tops of the trees (at
2:00pm), unlike Saturday when they swarmed 10 feet above our heads.
We did stop at Prospect Park (the other end of Wheat Ridge
Greenbelt from Johnson Park) to look for Eastern Screech-Owls.
Again, we did not have success. What a beautiful winter
day with temps up to 59 degrees and little wind.
Northern Plains & Arapahoe County 12/26
Bryan Ehlmann, Sue Dorsey, Rebecca Kosten & I travel up to
Weld County this morning in search of Gyrfalcons or whatever.
It was such a beautiful winter day (temps: 50s; winds calm) that
driving Pawnee National Grasslands looking for hawks was a treat.
We did not find any Gyrfalcons, but did see Ferruginous Hawks,
Red-tailed Hawk, Rough-legged Hawks, Prairie Falcons, American
Kestrels, and Northern Harriers. Several small flocks of Lapland
Longspurs were seen between Weld CR 124 & Highway 14.
Crow Valley Campground was quiet.
In the late afternoon (2:30pm), Rebecca and I scoped Cherry
Creek Reservoir (Arapahoe County). The trip was well worth it.
An adult Tundra Swan stood in the middle of the reservoir near
the pool with several thousand Common Mergansers. Herring Gulls
numbered over 100.
The highlight was an adult Glaucous Gull! This bird stood on the
ice off the southern picnic area (picnic tables with covers that
look like gull wings). The bird eventually flew over our heads
and landed in the water to the east of the Tundra Swan.
A Bald Eagle flew over the Common Mergansers and Swan.
When the swan raised his head, we could see the roundish
head and yellow on the bill.
The Glaucous Gull showed a light gray mantle, large size (larger
than nearby Herring Gull), translucent tips on white primaries,
light eye, yellow bill with red spot, and pink legs.
A blue form of Snow Goose was on the ice at the southwest marina.
A 1st year and adult Thayer's Gull stood on the ice to the east.
Over 11 Bald Eagle stood on the almost totally frozen reservoir.
We passed Quincy Reservoir (Arapahoe) on our way to dinner.
Two large gulls stood on the ice at the east end of the reservoir.
We scoped the birds and discovered a 1st year Glaucous Gull and
a bird that we have been calling a "possible Glaucous-winged Gull".
Both birds have been at Cherry Creek Reservoir in the past week
(about 3 miles west of Quincy).
The colorful sunset with the rising full moon to the east was
awesome also!
Metro Denver 12/25
We returned from Southeastern Colorado around 2:00pm and received
a text message about the waxwings at Johnson Park. Rebecca & I
reached Johnson Park (Jefferson County) around 3:00pm. A flock of
200+ Cedar Waxwings, which included at least 3 Bohemian Waxwings,
was found along the bike trail about 100 yards west of the parking
area. The birds flew around our heads, sometimes only 15 feet
from us!
Next, we sat at 4700 Holly Street, Denver (location of previous
Ovenbird report) from 3:30pm to 4:00pm. The Ovenbird did not
show (and has not during my last two trips over there).
A flock of 40+ Great-tailed Grackles were observed at 5:00pm at
1.3 miles east of Bromley Lane & Picadilly Road (Adams).
Days are starting to get longer! Hurray, spring is coming :-)
(But not soon enough)!
Arapahoe County Christmas Bird Count 12/21
Lisa Novin and I were part of the CoBus sponsored Arapahoe
County Christmas count. It felt cold all day as temperatures
were in the high 30s and winds 12+ mph.
We counted birds in Cherry Creek Reservoir. Best gulls were
3 Lesser Black-backed Gulls, 2 California Gulls, and 39 Herring
Gulls. Hundreds of Common Mergansers swam in the middle of
the lake. Canada Geese & Cackling Geese were all over the park.
Hawk count included a surprise Ferruginous Hawk, 17 Red-tailed
Hawks, and 2 Bald Eagle (adult & 1st year).
Most interesting bird of the day was a Green-tailed Towhee.
It fluttered about the rabbit brush south of the southwest marina.
Two Virginia Rails were called up near the beaver pond at the
12-mile group picnic area. A Common Yellowthroat was found
in the cattails along the southern end of same pond.
Other birds included 2 White-breasted Nuthatches, Downy
Woodpecker, and Black-capped Chickadees. We did not find
the Northern Shrike that has been around for a month now.
Afterwards we made it over to Quincy Reservoir to see another
pair of Lesser Black-backed Gulls. Quincy Reservoir is closed.
However by driving around the neighborhoods at the east and
west ends, one can find public places to scope the lake.
We also got to see a Western Scrub-Jay visiting a feeder at
a private yard within our count circle.
Birding Around Denver 12/20
We finally got our power back as something knocked it out
yesterday. Could have been wind, but most electric wires are
underground? So probably someone digging in the area.
I have to say that the wind wore me down yesterday. It was windy
all day. I arrived at the Denver West Office Complex about
7:20am. Winds were about 10mph at the time. Steve Spencer showed
about 8:00am and we searched for the Cape May Warbler reported in
the trees on the south side of building #15 by Dennis Wiesenborn.
The bird was never found. At 8:50am winds picked up and were
measured at 65 mph. They stayed at least that and we left about
9:30am. Before the winds picked up, I did find a Red-breasted
Nuthatch and 2 Black-capped Chickadees along the east side of
Applewood Park (located northeast of building 16).
Winds were only 30 mph in Westminster when we stopped to search
for Bohemian Waxwings at Lowell Blvd and 81st street. A flock of
18 birds flew from the east (King Street) while we walked up
Lowell from 80th to 81st streets. This flock was later relocated
at Newton Street & 81st streets. They flew back east and we did
not relocate them. I walked the neighborhood while Steve checked
south of 80th street. Two birds were in the back yard of the
house along Meade between 80th & 81st when I left. Steve found
several Bohemian Waxwings along Lowell several blocks south of
80th street. Another two birds flew over Bishop Square Park at
81st & N. Hooker St.
We headed east in hopes of getting away from the wind, which
turned out not possible. We split up and I hiked the South Platte
River from 88th avenue to hwy 224 while Steve covered the Platte
from hwy 224 to I270 and then north of 88th avenue to 100th
avenue. Later we met up and scoped Dahlia Ponds and East Gravel Lakes.
Highlights were few. I did see a Wilson's Snipe along the Platte
across from the green/white water tower. We both saw a male
Barrow's Goldeneye on the south end of the northern East Gravel
Lakes. Many Ring-necked Ducks were on the northern West Gravel
Lakes. The southern West Gravel Lakes had all three merganser
species (Common, Red-breasted, & Hooded).
As I walked back to 88th avenue what I thought looked like a large
Snow Goose came flying toward me just above the river. It turned
out to be an American White Pelican. The pelican circled East
Gravel Lake several times and returned down river.
Dahlia Pond (L shaped pond southeast of Dahlia & 88th avenue had
14 male and 4 female Common Goldeneye and 2 Buffleheads. That's
about it. No hawks or falcons, winds were 40+ mph the whole time.
Biggest highlight was a Savannah Sparrow that flew up from the taller
grasses in the field just north of 88th avenue and east of the Platte.
Birding the Northern Plains 12/19
Rob Kalic and I searched for birds on the Pawnee National
Grasslands today. Temperatures were in the high 50s; winds
unfortunately were in the high 20s mph.
On the trip up, we stopped around Lowell Blvd & 81st avenue
where Terry Flageolle reported 60+ Bohemian Waxwings on Saturday.
It took less than 10 minutes to locate a flock of 30+ birds about
a block west at 81st avenue and Meade Street. This is Adams County
for the county listers!
We found many Lapland Longspurs by parking our car at the south
end of Murphy's Pasture (1.0 miles West of CR 77 & CR 98).
We then hiked north for 0.5 miles, then southwest to windmill
0.7 miles, and back to our car. Many Horned Lark and dozens
of Lapland Longspurs were encountered along the trek.
Several locations were searched for Northern Saw-whet Owl
(previous reports); without success. We then locate a
Long-eared Owl in Crow Valley Campground (Southwest corner to
trees west of boundary). Not much else moved about the campground area.
We then drove north to CR 128 in search of Snow Buntings and/or
Common Redpolls; none were found. Again we found no small owls
at the Central Plains Experimental Range (CR 37 & equivalent of
GR 118). A Great Horned Owl was in the area.
Then we hiked west from CR 37 & equivalent of CR 846 to old barn
and continued west to Cow Creek. Common Redpolls and Snow Bunting
have been reported here in previous winters (none today).
A Short-eared Owl was found about 0.5 miles south of Cow Creek
and equivalent GR 846. (846 is about a mile north of Range Office;
therefore Short-eared Owl was 0.5 miles north and 0.5 miles west
of said office). Short-eared Owls have been reported in this
area 3 or 4 times in the last 10 years.
Other birds found along our drive in Pawnee National Grasslands
included 2 Ferruginous Hawks, 2 Prairie Falcons, 5 Rough-legged
Hawks, 1 Golden Eagle, 1 Merlin, and 11 American Kestrels.
A visit to a friend's ranch that borders Wyoming did not find
any Rosy Finches (which they have reported in past winters).
Our birding day ended at Wellington Wildlife Area (Larimer).
No additional owls were observed.
After dinner, Rob and I traveled to Reynolds Park (Jefferson).
We hiked up the Elkhorn trail for search for the Northern Pygmy Owl
reported yesterday by Wiesenborn. One finally answered our tape
just West of Oxen Draw Trail. We watched it for 10 minutes.
A check of previously locations in Red Rocks and Lair O' Bear Park
did not find any additional owls. (We hoped for a Northern Saw-whet
Owl. Rob did find an American Dipper in the moonlight at LOBP!
Denver Christmas Count 12/18
Karl Strecher, Ira Sanders, and I did the Bear Creek/Marston
Reservoir part of the Denver Christmas Count. The day was quite
pleasant with temperatures in the high 50s and winds less than 10 mph.
However birding was slow during our 9-hour trek. No uncommon
birds were found while walking along the South Platte River north
of West Bellvue Avenue. The count included 2 Song Sparrows,
2 Black-capped Chickadees, 1200 Ring-billed Gulls, 1 California
Gull, and a Red-tailed Hawk.
Centennial Park was slow also. A couple of White-crowned
Sparrows, the only Ring-necked Duck of the day, and a Wilson's
Snipe (rare on the Denver Christmas count) were observed.
Marston Reservoir was disappointing also as the water level is
low while construction to expand is happening. Ira spotted a
1st basic Thayer's Gull (the only uncommon one). There were
several California Gulls. I spotted a Say's Phoebe (also rare
for the Denver CBC) on the west side of the reservoir.
No Greater Scaup, Barrow's Goldeneyes, etc observed today.
Fourteen Canvasbacks were the odd duck of the reservoir.
One Great Blue Heron stood at the south side of the lake.
After striking out at several other locations we returned to
Marston (not much was added to our day list). A dark morph
Rough-legged Hawk (uncommon in the metro area) was observed
flying over the neighborhood between Marston Reservoir and
Bowles Reservoir #1. We were surprised by 120+ Hooded Mergansers
at Bowles Reservoir. This was the most I had observed at
one time anywhere.
Thule Lake was quite slow with only Cackling Geese and Canada
Geese. Country Day School supplied the most birds (non ducks)
with 7 Black-capped Chickadees, 3 Downy Woodpeckers, and
2 White-breasted Nuthatches.
As stated it was slow. Our birding day ended at Fort Logan
Cemetery and the Hospital to the east. We desperately wanted
to add a Great Horned Owl to our count; however was unsuccessful
in finding one.
Jumbo Christmas Bird Count 12/17
Gary Weston led the Jumbo Reservoir Christmas Bird count sponsored
by the Colorado Birding Society. Temperatures reached the middle
50s; winds were quite strong most of the day.
We started out a couple of hours before sunrise and located
3 Eastern Screech-Owls and a pair of Great Horned Owls.
A Short-eared Owl was found hovering over Sedgwick Draw at 7:00am.
Steve Spencer & Lisa Novin found another Short-eared Owl flying
below the hill and dam of Little Jumbo Reservoir (this would be
Red Lion Wildlife Area). We had changed partners so that no one
had the same as the two previous days.
Gary Weston and I hiked the western part of Tamarack Ranch WLA.
We had heard an Eastern Screech-Owl at 5W section. Our best
birds were 7 Eastern Bluebirds (east of Tamarack Pond) and
a male Northern Cardinal (around Tamarack Pond area).
Two Common Yellowthroats were the only warblers found.
A Ring-necked Pheasant had us going for a while (hoped it
would be a Sharp-tailed Grouse; it wasn't). One House Wren was
found also (we had hoped it would be a Winter Wren; it wasn't).
Later in the day, we covered the campground area where a
Red-bellied Woodpecker was observed. Gary spotted a 1st basic
Great Black-backed Gull just west of the campground. It turned
out to be the only uncommon gull found all day.
Later still after getting a call from Stan Roth, we drove
to the east side of Jumbo Reservoir and relocated the
Greater White-fronted Geese and Ross's Geese.
I headed back to Denver and Gary and all finished the count.
I will let Gary report the results to "cobirders".
Birding Eastern Arapahoe County 12/13
Bryan Ehlmann and I decided to bird in Arapahoe County today.
Winds were around 10mph. It felt cold all day; high temperature
was around 39 degrees.
First we hiked the 7.8 miles around Aurora Reservoir. It was too
cold to ride our bikes and add the wind chill factor. Only one
adult Lesser Black-backed Gull was found today.
The gull was on the shore and ice at mile marker 4.5. No other
uncommon birds were found. There were many Redheads, several
Canvasbacks, many Canada Geese, some Cackling Geese, Gadwalls,
Northern Shovelers, Gadwall, Mallards, and American Coots.
The 2000+ gulls included 36+ Herring and at least 14 California
Gulls. Not one sparrow was found. The pair of Northern Harriers
hunted along the east shore.
Next we decided to try and drive as many of the Arapahoe county
roads as possible in the five hours of daylight left. We followed
the Colorado Delorme Atlas & Gazetteer and tried to scope as many
of the areas listed as state public lands (shown in purple on the map).
Our several highlights included a Barn Owl near the Arapahoe and
Elbert County line in southeast Arapahoe County and three Common
Redpolls in the area called Cottonwood Valley. We hoped to find
a predictable Short-eared Owl location; however we did not have
success with that. No Snowy Owls found either; but none expected.
Hawks were plentiful. Our count included 2 Golden Eagles,
17 Red-tailed Hawks, 39 Rough-legged Hawks, 3 Ferruginous Hawks,
19 American Kestrels, and 1 Prairie Falcon.
While not the most successful birding day, we enjoyed
exploring and getting to know Eastern Arapahoe County.
Jefferson & Denver Counties 12/11
What a beautiful winter day in Colorado. Temperatures reached
into the lower 60s. Winds on the east side of Denver were calm.
It was a different story in the foothills.
We looked for Northern Pygmy-Owls and Three-toed Woodpeckers at
Pine Valley Ranch Park (Jefferson County) Saturday morning.
No Pygmy owls were around. It took two hours to find a Three-toed
Woodpecker in the cold temperatures. Finally, a male woodpecker
flew from the east side of Buck Gulch Trail (300 yards south of
Pine Lake) to the hill on the west side. It took so long to find
a woodpecker that we did not have time to check Reynolds Park
(which is just down the road).
Sloan's Lake (Denver County) and Denver City Park had hundreds
of gulls. Most were Ring-billed with a couple of California and
Herring. No uncommon gulls or waterfowl were discovered.
In the late afternoon (3:30pm) we watched the Ovenbird for about
45 minutes at 4700 Holly Street (Denver).
Morgan & Adams Counties 12/10
This morning I checked Jackson Reservoir (Morgan County) for owls.
No Long-eared or Eastern Screech-Owls could be found.
Two Great Horned Owls were west of the northern campgrounds.
Two Yellow-rumped Warblers, many Robins, many Northern Flickers
and a couple of Black-capped Chickadees were the only birds
around the southern campgrounds.
On the way home, I drove the DIA owl loop (north of DIA runways,
Adams County). Horned Larks were numerous at Trussville and 120th
avenue. At least 2 Lapland Longspurs were among the huge flocks.
Unfortunately, no Snow Buntings were in the mix.
Sixty+ Great-tailed Grackles were on the wooden shed (somewhat
by a corral) at 1.3 miles East of Picadilly Road and Bromley Lane.
(Their usual location is the corral at 1.1 miles East of the above
intersection).
I only stayed by the feeders next to the Barr Lake Visitor's
Center for about 15 minutes. If the Harris's Sparrow is still
around, I did not find it. It has been several weeks since last
I checked or observed it.
I scoped the lake from the north boat ramp. Thousands of Canada
Geese stood on the ice (not one white goose). At and below the
northeast corner of the dam, a Long-tailed Duck swam.
Winds were 25+ mph and the waves were quite high. The duck
drove often and it took a while to get good looks at the bird.
The bird eventually swam along the dam and northwest.
Yuma County 12/9
I joined Bryan Ehlmann & Gary Weston at Bonny Reservoir in
(Yuma County). Winds were strong all day (30+ mph). It felt cold.
We found at least 2 Long-eared Owls in the Russian Olive Windbreak
to the east of the Hale Store. A pair of Red-bellied Woodpeckers
worked the cottonwoods east of the Hale Ponds. A flock of 7
Eastern Bluebirds were north of the eastern pond. A lone Common
Yellowthroat was along the Republican River (about 0.3 miles west
of the Kansas border).
Out of the lake, we encountered 2000+ Snow Geese and at least
a dozen Ross's Geese. We saw Turkey Tracks but never any birds.
Not much else was around.
After dark we got an Eastern Screech-Owl to answer our tapes
(played north of the eastern Hale Pond).
Aurora Reservoir 12/8
Inserted by Gary Zeeto:
Rich Stevens and I biked the 7.8 mile path around Aurora Reservoir
this morning. We were surprised by the lack of sparrows.
A pair of Greater Scaup was with 8 Common Goldeneyes at the cove
at mm 1.5. They are skittish, flew east, and were later seen at
the cove at mm 3.0. The male Greater Scaup was the only male
scaup found. We did see 3 female Lesser Scaup near the swim
beach. Four Red-breasted Mergansers were around the swim beach.
At cove mm 4.0 we found the adult Lesser Black-backed Gull
that I found on Sunday. As we biked north to get a better view,
Richard found a 2nd adult Lesser Black-backed Gull in cove mm 4.5.
We could see both gulls at the same time. Both stood on the ice
along the shore, but also flew. Their tails were completely
white. Heads were slightly streaked. Both were adults in basic
plumage.
Other birds seen: Pied-billed Grebe (3) Horned Grebe (1, cove mm
1.5) Eared Grebe (2, cove mm 5.0) Canada Geese (2000+) Cackling
Geese (24+) Green-winged Teal (4) Mallard (49+) Northern Pintail
Duck (2) Northern Shoveler (36+) Gadwall (9) American Wigeon (10)
Redhead (24+) Ring-necked Duck (21) Bufflehead (22+) Common
Goldeneye (81) Northern Harrier (m, f) Red-tailed Hawk (1)
American Kestrel (m, f) Ring-billed Gull (3100+) California Gull (9)
Herring Gull (41+) Mourning Dove (2) Downy Woodpecker (m)
Northern Flicker (2) Black-capped Chickadee (1) Northern Shrike
(1, mm 3.0) Red-winged Blackbird (29)
Good birding!
Gary Zeeto Denver, CO
Wednesday night I hiked below the dam at Prewitt Reservoir
(Logan/Washington Counties). Approximately halfway between the
eastern parking area below the dam to the resident manager's home,
an Eastern Screech-Owl answered my tapes. I could hear many geese
out on the lake, but could see little more than unidentified shapes.
Birding Metro Denver 12/7
Birded many metro locations today. Temperatures were in the
middle 50s; winds were calm. Birding was slow until the last stop.
Fort Logan National Cemetery (Denver County) No Greater Scaup
yet this year. Memorial Lake is 20 percent open; Veterans Lake
was 100 percent ice covered. A male Hooded Merganser and
Common Goldeneye were only odd ducks at Memorial Lake.
Belmar Historic Park (Denver) was also quiet.
Wheat Ridge Greenbelt (Jefferson) did not have any uncommon birds.
No much at all.
Hiked the South Platte from 88th avenue to 74th avenue (Adams).
Did not find any uncommon birds (including Barrow's Goldeneye) today.
My last stop was LL Johnson Distributing Company at 4700 Holly
Street. Unlike Sunday, the Ovenbird was quiet cooperative.
It hunted for food at the eastern edge of the short evergreens
just west of tall trees at southwest corner of building and the
short evergreens just west of the door.
By sitting in a car or on a chair just outside of the "keep of
the grass" ropes, one can with a little patience get good looks
at the bird. It is not as shy as most Ovenbirds I have observed.
The bird has wandered to the evergreens to the southwest (across
Holly Street). It seems to come back (first observed 11/23)!
I put photos of the Ovenbird on the CoBus photo library.
Cherry Creek Reservoir 12/6
I stopped by Cherry Creek Reservoir between doing chores.
Temperatures were in the mid 40s; winds were mild.
It felt awful cold while scoping the lake.
Unfortunately, I did not find the Black-legged Kittiwake
or the Barrow's Goldeneye reported on Sunday.
Gulls numbered over 1400 at 3:30pm. They included at
least 36 Herring Gulls (one 1st year), 9 California Gulls,
and many Ring-billed Gulls. Common Merganser count was
over 800; a pair of Hooded Mergansers swam around the marina.
I counted over 3000 Canada Geese before they took off for
a late afternoon feeding. Several Cackling Geese were
among them. Unfortunately, no white geese or white-fronted
geese could be found.
A small flock of American Tree Sparrows was at the northern
end of the new campground area. There does not seem to be
as many as previous years.
Three Waxwings in the Russian Olive trees in the field west
of where Cherry Creek crosses the main road turned out to
all be Cedar Waxwings.
Sunday Birding 12/5
Illinois birder Jan Baker and I drove Foxton Road before sunrise.
After driving this road over 200 times, I finally found a Northern
Pygmy-Owl on a telephone wire! Thanks Harold Holt! It is written
in his book that this is possible, but it never happened for me.
The owl was in the clearing about a mile west of the parking area
for Reynolds Park. Unfortunately it was too dark for a photo and
the bird flew before sunrise.
At Reynolds Park, we walked around the parking area and 0.5 miles
along the Elkhorn Trail. No Blue Grouse or additional Northern
Pygmy-Owls were found. There was too much snow and it was too
cold and windy to hike up to where Three-toed Woodpeckers and
Blue Grouse were observed last month (junction of Oxen Draw,
Raven's Roost, & Eagles View trails).
We stopped at the parking area for Mt Falcon Park (Jefferson).
Wild Turkeys and Blue Grouse have been reported here;
none were around today. Jan had to get to the airport so
we did not have time to hike around this foothills park.
After lunch, I picked up Sue Ehlmann and we headed to
Cherry Creek Reservoir (Arapahoe). We could not locate
the Black-legged Kittiwake reported earlier in the day
by Glenn Walbek. There were many gulls below the dam;
the bird could still be there.
We did see a Barrow's Goldeneye (from the north side).
The Bohemian Waxwings were no longer around the Park's office.
Several Ring-necked Pheasant walked around the old horse stables
(building now gone). A pair of Northern Harriers hunted the fields
to the south of there.
Next, we then headed to 4700 Holly Street where an Ovenbird
was reported on 12/2. While it was reported again today,
we did not find it. The bushes near the picnic table are
quite thick. The bird unfortunately did not come out for us.
We passed Sheridan Blvd and 104th on our way to dinner.
The partial albino Red-tailed Hawk was in the trees west of
Margaret's Pond (along 104th avenue). There are photos
of this bird on the CoBus Photo Library.
Mountain Birding 12/4
I took Texas birders Martin Reid and Sheridan Coffey around
Clear Creek County on Saturday. The weather was fantastic.
We were treated to sunny skies and calm winds.
My last trip included winds of 50 mph, gusts to 70 mph.
Several birders found White-tailed Ptarmigan on Guanella Pass.
I found nine birds from the sign in box for the Rosalie & 603
trails; 600 yards south and 120 yards west. Another bird was
found 500 yards directly below this group. Nathan Pieplow and
the DFO found another 36+ birds in willows surrounding the frozen
and snow covered lake 500 yards below the parking area.
No Three-toed Woodpeckers were found at Guanella Pass Campground
today. I noticed that their 3 favorite trees for drumming have
been knocked down during road construction around the campgrounds.
I had called the Georgetown City Hall about road conditions.
It snows almost every night up there. A four-wheel drive came in
handy though a few cars were getting through. We passed one truck
that had run off the road and was stuck. City Hall thought that
it was not possible to get to Guanella Pass from the Grant side
(Highway 285).
At Loveland Ski Basin, we saw 5+ Brown-capped Rosy Finches and
1+ Gray-crowned Rosy Finches. There is no feeder there presently;
however a few birds show up now and then (since 10/23). Two Gray
Jays, many Common Ravens, many Mountain Chickadees, and a pair
of American Crows also stopped by.
We had no luck at Coors Pond (Jefferson County). The previously
reported Trumpeter Swan was not there. One Canada Goose was
the only bird on the lake.
Under the infamous bridge at Idledale (Jefferson), we watched
an American Dipper. We struck out on Northern Pygmy-Owls
at Lair 'O Bear Park. A few more American Dippers flew up
and down the creek.
Just was not enough daylight for proper birding today!
Denver Birding 12/3
Gary Weston and I hiked along Clear Creek from Washington Avenue
to the South Platte River. We continued north along the S. Platte
to 88th avenue, then checked the ponds east and west of Dahlia.
The best bird of the day was a Barrow's Goldeneye about 100 yards
south of the infamous water tower. Much construction on and
around the river probably does not aid in high bird counts.
After dark, we walked around the Denver City Streets between
Montview and MLK Blvd. We heard one Eastern Screech-Owl on
Grape Street. No Eastern Screech-Owls were found at Denver City Park.
Hundreds of Canada Geese made much noise on Ferril Lake in City Park.
Calm winds and almost full moon made the hike quite enjoyable.
Denver Metro Reservoirs 12/2
After getting Loch Kilpatrick’s phone call this morning about
the Bohemian Waxwings, I headed down to Chatfield Reservoir
(Douglas/Jefferson Counties).
We missed the Bohemian Waxwings at the campgrounds on our
first pass. A search of the lake from the handicap fisherperson’s dock
and the sand spit to the east did not turn up yesterday’s reported
adult Black-legged Kittiwake or the 2 Long-tailed Ducks reported
earlier in the week. We passed the campgrounds on the way out and
found 20+ Bohemian Waxwings south of the campground dump
(This was in Douglas County).
We decided to check Cherry Creek Reservoir (Arapahoe) even though
several birders had reported that the two Tundra Swans were not there.
We did not find them either. Gull numbers were up and over 4000.
There seemed to be gulls everywhere. The most exciting gull was
an adult Lesser Black-backed Gull that stood on the ice just west
of the northern picnic area that runs along the lake.
Two Ring-necked Pheasant flew across the main road just west
of Cherry Creek. A Great Blue Heron stood on the ice on the
Cottonwood Creek Wetlands Pond. Quite a few Red-tailed Hawks
could be seen hunting around the property. No Bald Eagles were
found; although it was rather late in the day for them to still hunt.
We decided to check the trees around the Ranger’s Office; this
proved to be a lucky move. Fourteen Bohemian Waxwings were
in one of the taller trees to the east of the building! . I put photos
of Loch Kilpatrick’s Chatfield Reservoir Bohemian Waxwings and
my Cherry Creek Reservoir Bohemian Waxwing on the CoBus photo
library. I have now observed Bohemian Waxwings in five counties
so far this season (Douglas, Arapahoe, Boulder, Sedgwick, and Logan).
Cherry Creek Reservoir 12/1
I stopped by Cherry Creek Reservoir (Arapahoe County) on my
way home. Temperatures were around 34 degrees at 2:00pm.
Anyway, there are two Tundra Swans on CCK. If one looks close,
there is yellow on the right side of the bigger swan and less
yellow on left side of smaller swan. The yellow does not seem
to be consistent to both sides. Also notice the look of the
head "tennis ball with a cone stuck on it". Joe Roller showed
up as I was leaving and confirmed my ID.
Did not find any loons, Lesser Black-backed Gull, or
Barrow's Goldeneyes.
More Bird Trips
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