Rich Stevens' Bird Trips
November 2000
Adams County 11/30
Bryan Ehlmann and I traveled north of Denver today. While it was sunny;
the winds were quite strong and we felt cold all day.
A female and two male Barrow's Goldeneyes were observed near
the green and white water tower (South Platte River & West Gravel Lakes).
The Western Red-tailed Hawk was along the Platte where the bike
path crosses underneath the tall metal power lines.
Two Double-crested Cormorants were again found at the lake with the gazebo
(south of highway 224). Most of the Eastern Gravel Lakes were frozen.
We hiked the northern side of Barr Lake. There is much ice and few
uncommon birds. Most of the waterfowl were too far away to identify.
There were few birds at Lochbuie Ponds (exit 25, Interstate 76)
Cherry Creek Reservoir 11/27
I returned to Cherry Creek Reservoir (Arapahoe County) at 2:00 PM.
The Great Black-backed Gull was on the ice just east of the
southwest boat ramp. While watching the bird, Bob Montgomery
came by and confirmed my identification.
The bird made the nearby Herring and California Gulls look small.
Its legs were definitely pale pink, the nape was not streaked,
there was a little streaking on top of its head, its bill was huge.
Bob came over to point out a Greater White-fronted Goose.
The bird was on the ice at the extreme corner from the
southwest boat ramp. While we watched it, the bird took off
with five Canadas and flew to the small park outside of the
southwest entrance to cherry creek reservoir.
An hour later, I located the Greater White-fronted Goose
feeding on the short grasses of the small park. Accompanied by
1000s of Canadas, it was even with the entrance of the small park
and 200 yards west across the ball fields.
Cherry Creek Reservoir 11/26
While shuttling people back and forth to the airport Sunday,
I stopped briefly at Cherry Creek Reservoir (Arapahoe County).
The Great Black-backed Gull was standing on the ice,
just off the open water at the northeast marina.
The bird was first reported on September 11. Cherry Creek
is about 80 percent frozen and I expect to hear any day now
that the GBBG has moved on to Pueblo Reservoir.
The bird is observed most days that I pass through the Reservoir.
There are several cubby holes in the southeastern corner that
can only be observed from the Lake Loop and with a scope.
No scope was needed today, the bird stood there at
1:53 PM for the hour I watched it.
Aurora City Reservoirs 11/25
Terry Fortney, Bryan Ehlmann, and I scoped several reservoirs today.
The skies were partly sunny, temperatures high 40's, winds calm.
We did not observe any uncommon birds at Aurora or Quincy Reservoirs.
Aurora was 60 percent frozen, Quincy 80 percent frozen.
South Platte River 11/24
Terry Fortney, Bryan Ehlmann, and I conducted some point counts along
Clear Creek and the South Platte River (Adams County) Friday.
Temperatures were warm, winds calm. We covered 9.5 miles in 7 hours.
One question we had, if there were 700 gulls at the East Gravel Ponds
at sunset on Monday, where do they go the rest of the day? We found
310 along the South Platte, just south of I76. Another 160 just
south of I270 and another 140 further south at the sewage plant.
With approximately 60 flying overhead, that left 30 unaccounted for :-)
Most gulls were Ring-billed, only 11 California Gulls, and 2 Herring.
The East Gravel Lakes (#1 and #2) were 95 percent frozen. While
the West Gravel Lakes (#1 and #2) were 5 percent frozen. At the
southern end of West Gravel Lake #2, the female Barrow's Goldeneye
was staying close to a male Common Goldeneye and two or three
female Common Goldeneyes. At the northern end of #2, a male
Barrow's Goldeneye kept circling a female Common Goldeneye.
Further north at West Gravel Lake #1, there was a second
male Barrow's Goldeneye. This one a little bigger than the
southern bird. Last year I watched three males and a female
most of the winter in this area. As time passed, I could
tell them apart. Maybe these birds will stay this winter
so I can get to know them too!
We did not locate the Lesser Black-backed Gull observed on
Monday. Other notable birds were two Double-crested Cormorants
(just south of Highway 224 along the Platte at the Picnic Pond).
Late birds? In 1996, a Double-crested Cormorant stayed in
this area the whole winter. In 1994, two birds wintered
along this section of the South Platte.
A dark morph Red-tailed Hawk was chased off by an adult
Western Red-tailed Hawk at the power poles where I observed
the Peregrine Falcon on Monday. This is south of the
railroad tracks at bike path and the huge metal power poles.
There were many American Tree, White-crowned, and Song Sparrows.
Few uncommon birds, it was a great hike!
Birding Around Denver 11/23
Bryan Ehlmann, Terry Fortney, and I birded several water bodies in
the Denver area today. It was quite warm for winter; winds were calm.
At Cherry Creek Reservoir, we observed two Rough-legged Hawks and
four Red-tailed Hawks. While there were many Western Grebes on the
reservoir, we could not locate any uncommon gulls or waterfowl.
Along the South Platte River at 88th and Colorado Blvd, we observed
the female Barrow's Goldeneye about 40 yards south of the green and
white water tower. We could not locate the Lesser Black-backed Gull
observed last Monday. The Peregrine Falcon was not around either.
At Barr Lake, we observed no uncommon waterfowl. We scoped the reservoir
for two hours and did not find the Long-tailed Duck observed yesterday.
An adult dark morph Ferruginous Hawk was on the telephone poles near the entrance.
Castlewood Canyon State Park 11/21
Probably too late, I drove down to Castlewood Canyon to search for
the Winter Wren reported seven days ago. The bird was not found.
At the Winkler Ranch south of the park, there were several
Mountain Bluebirds and one Northern Shrike. I did not see
the Lewis's Woodpeckers that spent the last year at the ranch.
I returned to the park after dark and listened for Northern Saw-whet Owls.
In the past, they have been heard and seen near the waterfall area.
None called this evening.
South Platte River 11/20
On Monday I hiked 11 miles of the 29 miles of the South Platte River
as it runs through Denver. Starting at 6:30 AM at Waterton Canyon,
there was no wind; air was a crisp 9 degrees.
Not much was heard or observed through the Kingfisher Bridge area;
one Great Horned Owl was in a cottonwood tree. While hiking along the
western shore of Chatfield Reservoir, two Pacific Loons (together) and
two Common Loons (one south end, one northeast corner) were observed.
At the picnic area just west of the visitor’s center, I found a Cackling Goose.
I saw the smaller than mallard size goose and was checking for a Richardson’s Goose
when I noticed the darker coloration. The area below the black hood was almost the
color of the wings. The geese eventually flew directly overhead and I could see
the dark breast and belly quite well. The birds in the end flew to the north marina
and fed on the short grasses there. This area is only about a 1 mile from the
Chatfield Arboretum where a Cackling Goose has been observed in the past year.
At the north marina of Chatfield, there was an adult Thayer’s Gull,
immature Black-crowned Heron, and many American Tree Sparrows.
I dropped down below the dam and hiked the South Platte to Mineral & Santa Fe.
Along the Platte between the bridges of C470 and the Chatfield Bike Path,
there was an immature Pectoral Sandpiper. The bird held up my hike for
45 minutes as I watched it feed on the mud flats.
This area can be reached by driving west on C470, past Santa Fe; just past
the highway sign for Platte Canyon Road, there is turnoff for the Gravel Company
and road to parking area for this section of the river. Traveling east,
get off at Santa Fe, drive south to Shamrock Gas Station, turn right and
right again at fork to Cement/Gravel company; parking area is at end of road.
Just north of C470 there are five lakes. Three pairs of Hooded Mergansers and
an assortment of ducks were in lake number one. A lone white goose was with
hundreds of Canadas on lake # 2. The juvenile bird appeared to be a Ross’s Goose.
Lake #3 held a couple of Redheads, a Hooded Merganser pair, and one Canvasback.
Not much was happening at the South Platte Nature Center at Mineral and Santa Fe,
so I decided to hop the new light rail train. In thirty minutes I was 19 miles north,
a short 20-minute bus ride later, I was at 88th avenue and the South Platte.
I hiked along the western side of the South Platte from 88th avenue and Colorado Blvd
down to 74th avenue. Then crossed the Platte at 74th and returned along the east side
of the Platte. There was an adult Lesser Black-backed Gull at the northwest shoreline of
East Gravel Lake number 2. The bird eventually flew and joined 600 other assorted sized
gulls at the southeast end of East Gravel Lake #1. (east of Green & White Water Tower).
East Gravel Lake #1 had 500+ Common Mergansers and at least two pairs of
Red-breasted Mergansers. There many Common Goldeneyes, Buffleheads, at least
five Pied-billed Grebes, and a lone Western Grebe. In the South Platte River
at the same Water Tower, there was a female Barrow’s Goldeneye with a male and
three female Common Goldeneyes. One Western Grebe was also on the river.
About 0.5 miles north of 74th avenue, a Red-tailed Hawk chased a Peregrine Falcon
off its perch on one of the tall steel towers. The Peregrine Falcon then circled the
Red-tailed Hawk twice and flew up river southeast toward downtown Denver.
There are 8-10 lakes in this 2-mile area of the South Platte. Three can only be
observed from Dahlia (first road east of 88th and the Platte). Three can only
be observed while hiking the east side and two only while hiking the west side
of the Platte. This makes locating the birds here a bit tricky.
I ran out of light before I could get to the east side of Gravel Lake #1 for
a better look at all the gulls standing on the ice in the southeast corner.
Driving south from 88th avenue and Dahlia, this location is at the
extreme bend in Dahlia (to the east and south again).
A gorgeous colorful sunset made for a fine ending to my birding day!
Eastern Plains 11/14-11-17
I purchased some new camping equipment and tested it on the eastern plains.
Temperatures were single digit lows and highs around 30 degrees; it snowed
(Friday). My hopes were for a Snowy Owl sighting, no success however.
November 14
I returned to Jackson Reservoir (Morgan County) to camp and listen for owls.
At 10:00 PM, an Eastern Screech-Owl called from somewhere near
Pelican Campground. I fell asleep to the calls of several Long-eared Owls.
November 15
I located three Long-eared Owls in the campgrounds along the western edge
of the reservoir. There were two Great Horned Owls to the north. One flock
of small birds included five Yellow-rumped Warblers, Mountain and
Black-capped Chickadees, and Dark-eyed Juncos (including White-winged Junco).
There were three Great-tailed Grackles observed from the parking area below the dam.
At Prewitt Reservoir (Washington/Phillips Counties), I located a male
Red-bellied Woodpecker below the dam. Two Common Loons were up
on the reservoir proper. Not much else was moving around.
At Flagler Reservoir (Kit Carson), there was a Common Yellowthroat below the dam.
Two Red-bellied Woodpeckers were in the cottonwoods along the eastern side.
I stayed until dark with futile hopes of a Short-eared Owl sighting.
November 16
At Hale Ponds below Bonny Reservoir (Yuma), six Eastern Bluebirds and a male
Red-bellied Woodpecker were found during a 3-mile hike. Two Northern Shrikes
were between the ponds and the reservoir. There were many Canada Geese and
several Ross’s Geese among many Snow Geese. A Short-eared Owl was south of
Wagon Wheel Campground. I could not find any Long-eared Owls in the usual
location (picnic area). Two Wild Turkeys were along CR 2, 0.5 miles east of hwy 385.
I ended my day at Karval WLA (Lincoln County). Two Great Horned Owls appeared,
no Short-eared Owls were seen. The water was 100 percent frozen. The only
sparrows observed were American Tree Sparrows.
November 17
At Big Johnson Reservoir (El Paso), a Red-necked Grebe with four American Coots
were just offshore below the dam. There were many common waterfowl that flew
around quite a bit. There may have been a second Red-necked Grebe?
The Greater White-fronted Goose and Barrow's Goldeneye reported last week
were not relocated. The reservoir was 40 percent frozen.
I stopped at the pond next to the Doubletree Hotel (exit 138 of Interstate 25).
It was 80 percent frozen. The Greater Scaup reported last week could not be found.
When the snow started around 4:00 PM, I headed back to Denver.
Cherry Creek Reservoir 11/13
Terry Fortney, Donna Fortney, and I stopped by Cherry Creek Reservoir
to search for the recent Rosy Finch sightings. No Rosy Finches were
located during our visit during the last two hours of light.
From the western end of the northeast boat dock, we observed a first
winter Red-necked Grebe. No commons or uncommon gulls were found.
Back to Clear Creek County 11/12
Robin Schwartz, George Alapas, and I returned to Clear Creek County.
Temperatures were a "crisp" 6 degrees at 9:00 AM.
The flock of Rosy Finches at Silver Plume had increased to 350 plus
(from Friday's 210). There were at least 8 Black Rosy Finches,
12 Brown-capped, and 350 Gray-crowned. The surprise of the trip
was an immature Harris's Sparrow that gave us a three-minute look.
The HASP was below the feeder at the most northern house in
Silver Plume (40 yards east of the Fire Station).
Unfortunately, Guanella Pass was closed and we could not search
for White-tailed Ptarmigan. Instead we drove around Georgetown.
Four male and two female Red Crossbills were south of Georgetown City Park.
At Lair O' the Bear Park, we observed five American Dippers along
the main trail (between parking area and first bridge to the east).
We had another surprise sighting of a Swamp Sparrow. The bird
was along the main trail and east of the above bridge. The trail
runs along the south side of clear creek after the bridge. The SWSP
was in the area where the trail is closest to the creek
(about 75 yards east of footbridge).
Nothing uncommon was observed at Red Rocks Park (Jefferson County).
There were many Black-capped Chickadees and Western Scrub Jays.
A search for the Greater Scaup at Prospect Ponds did not produce a sighting.
Morgan County 11/11
With the weather rather poor Saturday, George Alapas, Robin Schwartz, and
I traveled northeast to Jackson Reservoir. Northeast seemed to have the
best weather; however it did snow all day.
We observed 4 Long-eared Owls at the campgrounds on the western side.
There were both Black-capped and Mountain Chickadees, a flock of seven
Yellow-rumped Warblers, and one American Goldfinch.
One White-winged Junco was on the wooden fence at south end of Pelican Campground.
Six American White Pelicans stood on the ice on the Eastern edge of the reservoir.
On the trip up to Jackson we observed three Rough-legged Hawks.
A Prairie Falcon stood on a fence post 7 yards from us for about 10 minutes.
On the way out of the state park, the first house we came to
(house with baby cow pens) had five Great-tailed Grackles.
At Riverside Park in Fort Morgan we observed one Townsend’s Solitaire.
Clear Creek County 11/10
George Alapas and I traveled to Clear Creek County on Friday.
Unlike the foggy weather in Denver, we were greeted with
sunny skies and mild winds.
At first light, we observed several flocks of Rosy Finches
in Silver Plume. We parked at the parking area at the end
of the western exit ramp of Interstate 70. Then we hiked
the three blocks to the north end of town.
The Rosy Finches were in the northern most trees,
rocky cliffs, and visiting the feeders at the western
end of the most northern house in Silver Plume.
The flock numbered about 210 birds and included at least
one adult and 3 immature Black Rosy Finches, 2 adult and
4 immature Brown-capped Rosy Finches, and a mix of
200+ Gray-crowned Rosy Finches.
We passed the feeders at Rose and 2nd Streets in Georgetown twice.
Few birds and no Rosy Finches were visiting them.
A four-hour search at the summit of Guanella Pass did not
produce a White-tailed Ptarmigan sighting. We traversed the
603 trail for about a mile and the Rosalie Trail for 500 yards.
Just west of the Rosalie Trail we observed many WTPT tracks and
evidence that 10 birds had "rested" in several areas among the willows.
The birds eluded us however.
A group of us had planned another attempt Saturday morning,
however as of 2:00AM, the roads are virtually closed due to ice and snow.
Birding Southeast Colorado 11/7-11/9
Bryan Ehlmann and I birded southeastern Colorado this week. Little wind
and cool temperatures were encountered during most of our trip.
November 7
We observed three species of loons at Pueblo Reservoir (1 Red-throated Loon,
2 Pacific Loons, and 2 Common Loons). Three Bonaparte's Gulls were flying
overhead at Fisherman's point. We found one juvenile Thayer's Gull, but missed
the Lesser Black-backed Gull and Pomarine Jaeger. We could not locate the
Red-necked Grebe either. There were many Western and a few Clark Grebes.
Two Northern Saw-whet Owls were heard on private property around 10:00 PM.
November 8
During a four-hour search on private property, we found two Ladder-backed Woodpeckers,
five Downy Woodpeckers, and two Hairy Woodpeckers. We had marked the trees where
the Northern Saw-whet Owls were heard the night before, however they could not be found.
We ran into a flock of Lapland Longspurs on the drive to Cottonwood Canyon.
The Lapland Longspurs were along CR 10, just north of CR M.
In Cottonwood Canyon, we found another Ladder-backed Woodpecker. A flock of
240 Cedar Waxwings were in the south-southwest canyon. A Short-eared Owl stood
on top of the canyon walls 0.5 miles south (4:00 PM). A flock of 10 Bushtits were
observed at the end of the canyon. At 9:00 PM, we heard a Northern Saw-whet Owl
near the Carrizo Mountain (approximately 4 miles south-southwest of Cottonwood Canyon).
November 9
Two Rufous-crowned Sparrows were located at first light 1.4 miles east-northeast from
the camping area. Two Townsend's Solitaires were 1.2 miles from the camping area.
No other birds were observed in the canyon. Two Mountain Bluebirds were on
telephone wires after we left Cottonwood Canyon.
Four Eurasian Collared-Doves were in the trees around the defunct Allstates Motel in
Springfield. While a brief visit to Campo did not add to our day list.
Two Buttes Reservoir held several birds. The Greater Roadrunner was at the northern end
of the dam. Another flock of Cedar Waxwings was below the dam. There were also
several Wild Turkeys, House Finches, and Pine Siskins. Two Red-breasted Nuthatches
fluttered about the fir trees at the eastern edge below the dam.
No uncommon birds were observed at Lamar Community College. There were many
Blue Jays and two Downy Woodpeckers. One Great Horned Owl was also around.
While no uncommon birds were located below the dam at John Martin Reservoir,
we did find a Common Loon along the southern edge of the reservoir proper.
We could not locate any Eurasian Collared-Doves in Rocky Ford.
Two Common Loons were along the southern shoreline of Lake Meredith. The many
blackbirds at the Lake Meredith feedlots included four Great-tailed Grackles.
We ended the day at Lake Henry. One Common Loon was observed from the eastern end.
Birding Denver In the Snow 11/5
Bryan Ehlmann and I braved the snow covered roads and birded
several Denver locations. Winds were light; it snowed most of the day.
We did not find any uncommon birds at Standley Lake. We did not find
the "white" Red-tailed Hawk reported at 104 avenue and Sheridan Blvd.
Reported as an albino Red-tailed Hawk, we were looking for the albino
or a Krider's Red-tailed Hawk. It was reported several times Saturday.
At Cherry Creek Reservoir, we found the Great Black-backed Gull again.
One Northern Shrike was east of the Prairie Loop. The Common Loon
reported the last few days was not relocated. Visibility was poor.
Cherry Creek Reservoir 11/4
Bryan Ehlmann and I made a quick one-hour stop at Cherry Creek Reservoir.
The Great Black-backed Gull was flying overhead at the southwest marina
at 4:30PM. The Common Loon was along the dam (approximately 300 yards
north of the southwest marina).
The two Northern Shrikes that have been "hanging out" east of the
Prairie Loop were not observed today. One Northern Shrike was
located just east of the parking area for the northeast boat ramp.
The number of gulls at the reservoir today was five times more than yesterday.
Clear Creek and Denver 11/3
Barb Gaer (of Pennsylvania) and I traveled up to Clear Creek County.
The day was cold and windy; temperatures were in the 30's and 40's.
We found a flock of five Brown-capped Rosy Finches at the end of 10th street
in Georgetown. No Rosy Finches visited the feeders at 2nd and Rose Streets
during our visit. Guanella Pass Road was not open; we had to abandon the
search for White-tailed Ptarmigan.
A stop at Standley Lake did not produce a sighting of the Parasitic Jaeger
observed there recently. Most of the birds were quite far away.
No uncommon birds were observed at Wheat Ridge Greenbelt either.
The Great Black-backed Gull was on the sandbar located just north of the
southwest marina. This seems to be the "rest spot" of the gulls lately.
Two Northern Shrikes were found in the fields just east of the Prairie Loop.
There were no gulls at the swim beach, however a Common Loon was
swimming in the bay west of the swim beach (2nd day in a row).
We ended our day at Utah Park. While there were several hundred Geese
at the park, the Greater White-fronted Goose was not among them.
Denver Area State Parks 11/2
Paul Langendorfer and I visited several State Parks today. Temperatures
were in the middle 40's, winds were moderate, and it snowed late afternoon.
A Common Loon was feeding in the bay west of the swim beach at Cherry Creek
Reservoir. Surprisingly, there were no gulls at the swim beach or the
southwest marina (1:00PM). Many Western Grebes swam far offshore.
Two Northern Shrikes hunted from the tops of weeds and Russian Olive Trees
in the open fields east of the Prairie Loop. Twelve American White Pelicans
flew in while we scoped the reservoir from the bird blind at the Prairie Loop.
Quite a few Double-crested Cormorants (42+) were in the southeast corner.
One juvenile intermediate Red-tailed Hawk has been observed around the group
picnic area since last Saturday. Two Pied-billed Grebes were also around.
Two additional Northern Shrikes were found at the Winkler Ranch (south of
Castlewood Canyon State Park). No Lewis's Woodpeckers were found, however
there were two male and a female Mountain Bluebirds along Castlewood Canyon Road.
We headed back to Denver as the snow increased in intensity.
More Bird Trips
HOME
Please feel free to contact CoBus and
Rich Stevens at the following address:
E-mail: