Rich Stevens' Bird Trips
November 2003
Cherry Creek Reservoir 11/30
We enjoyed the beautiful winter day with a picnic at Cherry Creek.
I only scoped the lake for 20 minutes. The male Barrow's Goldeneye
was northwest of the Lake Loop (1:00pm). The 1st winter Thayer's
Gull was near the southwest marina.
Waterfowl is down much from Saturday and especially Friday.
Few gulls were on the reservoir.
Arapahoe County Reservoirs 11/29
I managed to slip away from my house guests for 2 hours and checked
on some Arapahoe County reservoirs.
I did not find the Greater White-fronted Goose reported at Quincy
Reservoir earlier in the day. Parts of reservoir cannot be scoped
from the road and the reservoir is closed for the winter.
At Cherry Creek Reservoir:
The male Barrow's Goldeneye was northwest of the Lake Loop.
The Lesser Black-backed Gull reported earlier in the day was
to the northeast. A Jet Skier moved the birds around much.
The 1st winter Thayer's Gull, which I first observed Friday, was
still around. It spent much of the time near the southwest marina.
No loons or Bonaparte's Gulls were found. I did not go over to the
swim beach area, which did have many gulls standing around.
Common Merganser and Eared Grebe numbers were down quite a bit
from Friday. Gull numbers seemed lower also.
There was no time to check Aurora Reservoir for the White-winged
Scoters and Swans. Parts of this reservoir can only be observed by
hiking the 8 mile bike path circling it.
Northern Colorado 11/27-11/28
Possible snowstorms in the mountains and toward Grand Junction
convinced Rebecca Kosten and I to head toward Fort Morgan.
Thursday 11/27
At 5:00am we looked for owls at Jackson Reservoir (Morgan County).
We did not find (hear) any Eastern Screech-Owls, however one or
two Long-eared Owls did call at the western campgrounds.
At first light we made the 2.8-mile loop from Riverside Park to
Fort Morgan Ponds. The previous reported American Woodcock
could not be found in a 3-hour search. Five Eastern Bluebirds
were on the North side of the middle Fort Morgan Pond (dried up
pond). A White-throated Sparrow accompanied a flock of
White-crowned Sparrows between the Eastern & Middle Ponds.
During our drive from Fort Morgan by way of Riverside Reservoir
and then North to Briggsdale and Crow Valley we observed
2 Rough-legged Hawks, 1 Prairie Falcon, 9 American Kestrels,
3 flocks of Lapland Longspur (mostly in cultivated fields
South of CR 85 & CR 84), and 1 Golden Eagle.
We had hoped for a Snowy Owl sighting but found none. This was
the reason for the drive North from Highway 34 to Highway 14
along Weld County Road 87/89 (previous year's sightings).
We stopped at Crow Valley Campground (Weld), Briggsdale Cemetery,
and Murphy Pasture. Few birds were about; we did see our second
Long-eared Owl of the day. No Northern Saw-whet Owls could be found.
An hour Sit at the corn fields at Weld CR 122 & 75 did not produce
a sighting of the previously reported Snowy Bunting. We did observe
several hundred Horned Larks and a flock of 9 Lapland Longspurs.
A lone American White Pelican and Ross's Goose were among
hundreds of Canada Geese and Mallards at the CR 124 Ponds.
I believe Gary Lefko reported these earlier in the month.
We headed to Fort Collins.
Dozens of Ross’s Geese and 2 Greater White-fronted Goose were
picked out of tens of thousands of Canada Geese at Wood Lake (Weld).
We gave ourselves an hour to find a Brant (but did not and do not
say one was there).
The many lakes and reservoirs of Larimer County were checked for
the Kelp Gull. We could not find it. The ONLY uncommon bird found
was a 1st year Thayer's Gull at the southeastern end of Horseshoe Lake.
(Checked were: Boyd Lake State Park, Duck Lake, Warren Lake,
Robert Benson, Donath Lake, and Lake Loveland). The Larimer
Landfill was closed.
Friday 11/28
We decided to stay overnight in Fort Collins and try again this
morning. The Kelp Gull was not found again.
Our luck was a little better today. Horseshoe Lake had a 3rd year
Lesser Black-backed Gull and 1st winter Thayer's Gull. Boyd Lake
had a 1st year Lesser Black-backed Gull and at least 6 Bonaparte's
Gulls. We circled the list of lakes above except for Horsetooth
and gave up on the Kelp Gull.
In the afternoon, I went out for some food for dinner and made
a quick two-hour stop at Cherry Creek Reservoir (Arapahoe).
The Long-tailed Duck was not found while I scoped the lake from
the north end of the Lake Loop. The male Barrow's Goldeneye was
with a dozen Common between the Lake Loop and southwest marina.
A Pacific Loon swam in the middle of the large raft of Common Mergansers,
which stayed in the middle of the reservoir. A lone Ross's Goose was
on the shore at the Gull-winged Picnic Area. A couple of CFO birders
relocated the Pacific Loon and Ross's Goose later in the day.
What a beautiful afternoon it was. Lack of wind and 50 degree
temperatures made the day quite enjoyable!
Note: (added 11/29) I filled out my list by memory and forgot to
mention the 1st winter Thayer's Gull that swam off shore of the
gull-winged picnic area. Bird was still there on 11/29.
Cherry Creek Reservoir 11/25
I circled Cherry Creek Reservoir (Arapahoe) Tuesday afternoon.
From the southwest marina at 11:30am, I could see the male
Barrow's Goldeneye (to the east). Further out to the northwest,
the Long-tailed Duck was at the west end of the huge raft of
Common Mergansers, Eared Grebes, and Common Goldeneyes.
Three or four Bonaparte's Gulls were in the water just off shore
from the picnic area (tables have gull winged shaped roofs).
My trek continued to the east around the lake. At 2:15pm, the adult
female winter plumaged Long-tailed Duck was 20 yards north of the
Lake Loop. She was with 18 Common Goldeneyes. A 147 Eared Grebes
were north of here. There were several other groups of Eared Grebes.
The total being over 280 birds and by far the most I have observed here.
Common Mergansers numbered over 700+.
A Golden-crowned Kinglet was observed along the creek that passes
under the main trail between the Wetland Preserve and Shop Creek
parking area.
A Swamp Sparrow and 2 Song Sparrows were observed in the cattails
about 500 yards north of the Shop Creek parking area.
The group of 300 gulls at the swim beach included 1 adult
Herring Gull, 9 California Gulls, and mostly Ring-billed Gulls.
Northeastern Colorado 11/23-11/24
Richard Danka called to say he saw two Snow Buntings at Sterling Reservoir
(Logan County) on Sunday morning. Rebecca Kosten and I headed up that way.
We stopped at Canfield Park in Fort Morgan to look for the American Woodcock
reported back on 11/9. The bird was not found; one White-throated Sparrow was.
We arrived near dusk at Sterling Reservoir. No Snow Buntings were around.
After breakfast Monday, we headed back to Sterling Reservoir. The two
Snow Buntings were flying around the north shore of the lake. Mostly they
flew west onto private property. However they returned several times and
gave us nice looks. Not much else was observed.
After lunch we headed back to Julesburg to take Richard Danka home.
Jumbo Reservoir was quiet. Two Eurasian Collared-Doves were in the large
cottonwoods near 2nd & Morgan at the Ovid Woods (Sedgwick County).
A male Red-bellied Woodpecker was in the cottonwoods near the ball field.
Julesburg Wayside Rest Stop and DePoorter Lake were pretty slow.
No American Woodcocks along the South Platte River at DePoorter.
Snowy Day Birding Around Denver 11/22
Bryan Ehlmann, Rebecca Kosten, Sue Dorsey and I searched for Murrelets
and Murres today. None were found; there is always a chance?
Weather deteriorated throughout the day as the snow continued to fall.
Roads became worse for driving later in the afternoon.
We started our day at Aurora Reservoir (Arapahoe County).
The lake was scoped from the northwest corner. Two Common Loons
were the only uncommon birds that could be picked out with the
limited visibility. We did not take the time to hike around the lake.
Cherry Creek Reservoir (Arapahoe) was quiet. No loons or uncommon gulls.
Most ducks were again in the center of the lake and not identified.
Our next stop was Chatfield Reservoir (Jefferson/Douglas Counties).
We entered from Santa Fe Drive by hiking up the east side of the dam.
Visibility was poor and few birds were identified. Two Common Loons
were counted on the west end of the dam.
McClellan Reservoir (Arapahoe) did not have any birds.
Marston Reservoir (Denver County) was quiet. One Common Loon was
picked out, unfortunately not much else. Most ducks were too far away to
identify. The ponds along Quincy Avenue (near the county jail) were empty.
Belmar Historic Park's Kountze Lake had the usual common birds.
We picked out one loon at Standley Lake (Jefferson); it appeared to be
the Pacific Loon observed yesterday. Leyden, Arvada, and Hyatt lakes
did not add any new species to our day list.
After dinner at my favorite Morrison Restaurant, we looked for
Northern Pygmy-Owls at Red Rocks and Lair o' Bear Parks (Jefferson);
without success. Maybe next time?
Metro Area Reservoirs 11/21
Gary Weston and I checked out several reservoirs around Denver.
Winds were mild, but it still felt quite cold today.
We started our birding day with the 8-mile hike around Aurora Reservoir
(Arapahoe County). Quite a few waterfowl were on the lake, no scoters
however. We found 3 Common Loons and a Pacific Loon.
Many Redheads, Ruddy Ducks, 120 Snow Geese, at least 9 Ross's Geese,
21 Western Grebes, 8 Red-breasted Mergansers, 50+ Common Mergansers,
and many American Coots were observed.
No usual gulls were among the 2100+ birds counted.
The Harris's Sparrow was not found either.
Cherry Creek Reservoir (Arapahoe) was slow. A few California Gulls,
4 Herring Gulls and many Ring-billed Gulls stood on the southeast sandbar.
Over 140 Common Mergansers swam in the middle of the lake. We could
not find any loons or Barrow's Goldeneyes.
Our next stop was Standley Lake (Jefferson). A Pacific Loon was the lone
loon found. The bird swam in the northwest corner of the lake. No unusual
gulls were found. Sixty plus Western Grebes and 2 Clark's Grebes were counted.
Our last stop was Barr Lake (Adams). We hiked south to Fox Meadows.
Several dozen Ross's Geese were among a couple of hundred Snow Geese.
We did not find the Greater White-fronted Geese among the 4000+ Canada Geese.
Clear Creek County 11/20
A friend dropped me off at Loveland Pass this morning.
I hiked about 1.5 miles up the trail going west from the summit.
Weather was fantastic. Skies were sunny and the only wind encountered
was at the pass' summit and at the bottom at Loveland Ski Basin.
Two White-tailed Ptarmigan were observed about 1.3 miles up the trail.
Four Mountain Bluebirds were observed from the parking area.
After returning to the parking area I hiked the four miles downhill
to Loveland Ski Basin. A Northern Goshawk flew across highway 6 at
approximately the halfway mark. A male Pine Grosbeak was also in
the area.
No birds came to the feeder at the west end of the parking area
during a 2.5-hour watch. The feeder is filled with birdseed now.
Two of us donated 20 pounds of seed. Once birds start visiting
the feeder, this will not last long. We urge birders who enjoy
the Rosy Finches to bring some seed with them. The seed can
be left at the office near the feeder.
Lakes & Ponds Along Western Denver 11/6
Roger Linfield, Eric Zorawowicz, and I showed up at Chatfield Reservoir
(Jefferson/Douglas Counties) in the fog Thursday morning.
Roger picked out the light phase adult Pomarine Jaeger flying around
the north shore between the dam tower and the cement overflow ramp
(as we stood near the handicap fisherperson's access area).
Later Roger and I drove around to the north side and were able to
get great looks at the bird. The Pomarine was quite active, chasing
the many gulls around. The bird was close enough at times, that
we could see the two toned bill quite well. Two thirds of the bill
is flesh colored with a black tip. "The blackish color from cap to
malar contrasted with the paler bill" (as stated in Sibley's
"Guide to Birds".
The three of us hiked from the handicapped access area west and
south to the Heron Overlook. We could not locate the Red Phalarope.
It was foggy most of our trek; visibility was limited.
Later searches from the overlook, fox run picnic area, and
Plum Creek Delta as were not successful. (The bird was
found later in the afternoon by others).
We did see 2 American Pipits and a Barn Swallow. No Loons were found.
I stopped at Marston Reservoir (Denver County) later. A Common Loon
was observed when the lake was scoped from the southwest corner.
My next stop was Belmar Historic Park (Jefferson). The Surf Scoter
appears to be gone (Koonze Lake is not that big and easily examined
with binoculars).
My birding day ended at Barr Lake (Adams). I scoped the lake from
the boat ramp at mile marker 7.5. A Common Loon swam in the
distance to the north. I could not see a scoter or any uncommon gulls.
Daylight ran out before I could hike to the location of reported
Greater White-fronted, Ross's, and Snowy Geese.
Aurora Reservoir 11/5
Bryan Ehlmann and I had a three scoter day at Aurora Reservoir (Arapahoe
County) Wednesday. Temperature ranged from 29 to a "warm" 34 degrees.
Winds were 5-10 mph. We started at the west end of the dam and circled
the 8-mile route in opposite directions. Bryan's trip lasted about
4 hours, while I returned to try and get photos and stayed 6 hours.
With the help of scopes and radios, we both observed all the birds below.
When we first reached our starting point, the western end of the dam
(mile marker 7.0) we observed 1400 gulls in the northwest corner of
the lake. The group contained 59 California, 1 adult & 1 1st winter
Herring, and the remaining Ring-billed Gulls.
We were surprised by three Surf Scoters (female/immatures) 10 yards
off the shore. These birds flew East after about 15 minutes.
We lost sight of them before they changed direction.
Highlights!!!
Two Common Loons were in the cove at mile marker 5.0.
A Pacific Loon was in the cove at mm 3.0.
A 1st year White-winged Scoter was at the southern end of the cove
at mm 1.9. I first observed the bird and had to watch it for 30+
minutes before it stretched and revealed the white wing patch.
Bryan had caught up with me by then. At the southern most point
of the bike path at mm 1.9 (where drainage enters the state park and
flows toward the reservoir), we found a 1st year Harris's Sparrow.
The bird preferred to sit in the small green bush over the running
water from the small drain. It fed several times below the thistles
at the top of the rock wall. PHOTOS of the Harris's Sparrow are
now on the CoBus photo library.
A female/immature Black Scoter was in the cove at mm 1.6.
Bryan relocated the bird after he had left me to continue clockwise
around the reservoir. I was surprised by this my second scoter
species of the day, because I had scoped over 180 Ruddy Ducks
between mm 7.0-8.0-1.0. Then this lone Black Scoter appeared.
He also relocated the 9 Ross's Geese at mm 1.0. Eleven Snow Geese
were at mm 0.8. Later in the day a flock of 261 Snow Geese (with
at least 10 Ross's Geese) flew in and landed near mm 4.0.
There were many ducks on the reservoir today. Bufflehead count was
well over 400. Redhead count 140+. Western Grebe count 247 (and
not one Clark's Grebe). Northern Shoveler count 160+. Mallard
count 300+. Lesser Scaup count 210+. Common Goldeneye count 49.
Bryan first identified a female Greater Scaup in a group of 29
Lesser Scaup at mm 4.5. When I got around to the area the birds
were 15 yards offshore. I could see the yellow eye of the adult
Greater Scaup and the brown eyes of female Lesser Scaups.
It is possible that there were two adult female Greater Scaups?
Two additional groups of gulls contained 800+ and 290+.
Another 110 California Gulls and the remaining Ring-billed Gulls.
We did not find any uncommon gulls today.
Horned Lark count was over 900; American Pipit count 95+.
American Tree Sparrows 200+. Song Sparrows 2.
Loveland Ski Basin 11/4
I spent 4 hours Tuesday watching the feeder at Loveland Ski Basin
(Clear Creek County). Not one bird came to the feeder during my sit-in.
Temperature was around 28 degrees; winds were 20 mph plus.
I took 45 minutes out to hike to Loveland Valley (0.5 miles east)
and back. Two Gray Jays were at the eastern entrance to the parking
area for Loveland Basin. A flock of 14 Red Crossbills were halfway
between the two ski areas. And 42 Mountain Chickadees were along
the creek between the ski areas. No crows, ravens, etc. were observed.
At 3:20pm, a Prairie Falcon flew up the valley (from east to west).
That's about it.
Birding Metro Lakes 11/3
I tried to hit as many Metro area lakes as possible today.
Unfortunately, days are getting shorter and I did not get to Barr Lake.
Weather did not cooperate as I birded in rain, snow, and fog.
At first light, I tried to find birds in the haze at Cherry Creek
Reservoir (Arapahoe County). The Surf Scoter was picked out among
dozens of Western Grebes. The White-winged Scoters reported Sunday
could not be found. One Bonaparte's Gull was among several 100 gulls
off the swim beach. Not much different from my Saturday trip was
added to my day list. Over 200 American Tree Sparrows were in the
thickets north of the campgrounds.
Aurora Reservoir (Arapahoe) was similar to my Friday trip.
A lone Common Loon swam in the bay at mile marker 3.0.
No uncommon gulls were around.
Quincy Reservoir (Arapahoe) was slow.
My next stop was Belmar Historic Park (Jefferson).
I watched the female/immature Surf Scoter for about an hour.
One Snowy Egret was also here.
I stopped at Fort Logan National Cemetery (Arapahoe) to see
if any Greater Scaup have shown up at Memorial Lake yet.
At least one female has wintered there for the past three
years; none yet.
Marston Reservoir (Denver County) was surprisingly slow.
I only scoped the lake from the southwest corner. Most birds
were too far away to identify. McClellan Reservoir (Arapahoe)
had no birds on it.
My last stop of the day was Chatfield Reservoir (Jefferson/Douglas
Counties). I arrived with little daylight left and only could
scope the lake from the western end of the dam.
At least two Common Loons and one Bonaparte's Gull were observed.
I could not see as far as Plum Creek Delta where the Greater
White-fronted Goose and Ross's Geese were reported yesterday.
Birding In the Foothills 11/2
Sue Dorsey, Bryan Ehlmann, Rebecca Kosten, Virginia birders
Chris & Amy Ronning, and I went birding in the foothills today.
The original plan called for a search of White-tailed Ptarmigan,
but "iffy" weather changed our minds.
In the morning, we searched Reynolds Park (Jefferson County) for
Blue Grouse; without success.
We then headed over to Pine Valley Ranch Park (Jefferson). Few birds
moved around; however we did locate an American Three-toed Woodpecker.
The bird (undetermined sex) flew across Buck Gulch Trail approximately
140 yards south (uphill) from its trailhead at Pine Lake.
We hiked to the western end of the park hoping for a Northern Pygmy-Owl
sighting; without success. An American Dipper was near the western
bridge over the North fork of the South Platte River.
After a late lunch, we returned to Reynolds Park. We came across
a Blue Grouse just before reaching the clearing at the intersection of
the Songbird and Elkhorn Trails. We stayed until dusk hoping for a
Northern Pygmy-Owl sighting/hearing. If the bird observed back in
July (near the western parking area) is still around, it did not respond
to our tapes tonight. We did however, get one or two birds to answer
further west down the road (South Elk Creek Road/83 Road).
Cherry Creek Reservoir 11/1
I picked up Bryan Ehlmann at DIA and we headed to Chatfield Reservoir
(Jefferson/Douglas Counties). Birding was quite slow. No uncommon
gulls or loons were about. Sparrows were scarce with only a couple
of Song Sparrows being found.
Bryan Ehlmann was dropped off at a shopping mall and I decided to
checkout Cherry Creek Reservoir (Arapahoe). Temperatures were again
around 29 degrees, just right for a brisk hike around the perimeter of
the lake. Fog rolled in around 3:00pm and visibility became a problem.
I do wish they would continue a road around the western side so that I
did not have to traverse the 0.5 miles of loose rocks below the dam.
Nothing uncommon was found during my trek, however I did have a couple
of surprises. Winds were calm and the hike was quite pleasant.
My first Hooded Merganser of the season (Nov 1 being the first day of
the winter birding season) was observed below the dam at the southwest
corner. I watched a Northern Shrike catch some type of cricket between
the dam and the boat storage area (southwest corner). He/she caught 5
crickets in about 20 minutes. The bird did not seem to be bothered by
me (sitting and watching from 20 yards away).
I continued counterclockwise around the reservoir and was startled by
a Long-eared Owl between the Mountain & Lake Loops. The bird was 30
yards into the woods (sparse group of trees) just south of the large log
along the shoreline, halfway between the two parking areas for the loops.
The state park has changed the names of some of the loops (Prairie Loop
is now Cottonwood Creek Loop). Since I do not drive (but walk) around
the area, I have not looked at the signs at the entrances of the loops
to see if Mountain Loop has a new name. Lake Loop is still the Lake Loop.
Continuing around, I came across one Cliff Swallow picking something off
the water surface north of the Lake Loop parking area. I watched him for
about 10 minutes before realizing that I was running out of daylight.
Two Wilson's Snipes walked the bank along Cherry Creek at the Cottonwood
Creek Loop. A unidentified wren crossed the clearing in the cattails
west of the Bird Observatory Platform. It looked like a Marsh Wren
and not a Winter Wren, but I did not get a great look.
Sparrows were numerous in the bushes around the Cottonwood Creek Wetlands
Pond. Flocks of American Tree Sparrows numbered 28, 19, and 31. Up to
here, I had only found 2 Song Sparrows in the willows around the Boat
storage area.
Cutting through the woods between Cottonwood Creek Wetlands and Shop Creek
Pond parking area, I came across an adult and immature Red-tailed Hawk.
A Great Horned Owl hunted in the woods also.
A flock of 68 Cedar Waxwings at the Shop Pond parking area did not
include any Bohemian Waxwings.
The 200+ gulls on the southeast sandbar included 14 California Gulls and
one adult Herring Gull. Pelican numbers were up from Monday (now 78)
as were Double-crested Cormorant numbers (now 96).
No uncommon gulls were among the 860 gulls on the swim beach.
Western Grebe numbers were similar to Monday (85) and Eared Grebe
numbers were up slightly (39). Quite a few Ruddy Ducks and Redheads
were in the center of the lake.
A second Northern Shrike was observed North of the campgrounds.
This is the fifth year that a Northern Shrike has been observed in
this area (east of the bike path coming south from Parker Road and
North of the campgrounds).
Near dusk, I picked Rebecca Kosten up at the airport. I drove along
the east side of Rocky Mountain Arsenal on the trip over and observed
a Rough-legged Hawk and Ferruginous Hawk along Buckley Road
(north of 56th avenue).
More Bird Trips
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