Rich Stevens' Bird Trips
November 1999
Return to Aurora Reservoir 11/30
I returned to AR to see how many of Sunday's birds were still around.
This Tuesday it was another beautiful day with temperatures in middle
sixties and just a hint of wind.
Point of Reference was eastern end of dam. RR= Restroom
In the cove just north of RR2, three Pacific Loons were feeding not
far from where they were on Sunday. They were joined by two
Red-breasted Mergansers (not observed Sunday), a dozen Canvasbacks,
a pair of Ring-necked Ducks, and two dozen Redheads.
In the cove just north of RR3, two Common Loons were swimming.
In the four hours spent there today, less than 200 gulls were
observed. Where did the 3000 observed Sunday go?
The White-winged Scoters were not seen. Over 150 Common Goldeneye were.
Cherry Creek Reservoir 11/29
I spent four hours at Cherry Creek Reservoir this afternoon. Highlights follow:
While at the swim beach around 1:00pm, there was a Pacific Loon and
Common Loon in the middle of the reservoir.
Among the many Canada Geese at the swim beach was one Snow Goose.
The Pomarine Jaeger was 20 yards off the southwest boat dock.
By the time I biked around to the boat dock, the Jaeger was
"attacking" gulls in the middle of the reservoir.
Back at the swim beach at 3:40pm, over 4,000 gulls came from nowhere?
For the first three hours, I did not count 300 gulls.
Among the gulls was a 3rd basic Lesser Black-backed Gull
(first observed yesterday at 11:00am by Loch Kilpatrick).
He also observed the adult Mew Gull yesterday.
I was not able to pick out the Mew Gull today. The four thousand gulls
came on the swim beach twice for 10 minutes. Each time dog walkers
needed to walk along the water's edge. Among the gulls were
a dozen Bonaparte's Gulls and a Thayer's Gull.
Jack Reddall found a Gray Catbird in the thickets just west of
the swim beach Monday morning. He also re-found the Pacific and
Common Loons from the Lake Loop around 3:00pm.
Birding In Aurora 11/28
I mountain biked around Aurora Reservoir (5.5 miles) and by Quincy Reservoir this afternoon.
This is an Aurora City Fee Area.
Thanks much to Glenn Walbek for reporting the White-winged Scoters!!!
My point of reference is the eastern end of dam; north end of reservoir.
RR = restrooms; Travel direction was clockwise.
I observed two White-winged Scoters from just south of the second RR south of dam.
One appeared to be an adult female and the other an immature bird.
In addition, from here I could see a Common Loon.
In the cove just south of third RR, there were three Pacific Loons!
In the cattails along inlet canal just north of fourth RR (and to 300 yards to the east),
I observed two Swamp Sparrows, one Marsh Wren,
one female Northern Harrier, and a Belted Kingfisher.
I scoped about 3000 gulls hoping for an uncommon one, however observed none.
This location is about 9 miles from Cherry Creek Res. Swim Beach (site of Mew Gull of 11/21).
As I biked by Quincy Reservoir (which was closed), 60 Canada Geese with one lone
Greater White-fronted Goose flew to the ball field belonging to the school
(just north of QR's entrance). They joined about 200 more Canadas feeding at ball field.
I was hoping the Aurora "Black" Brant would be there (about 14 miles from Utah Park and
Brant's last sighting on 11/22); however it was not.
More Birding on the Colorado Plains 11/25-11/26
November 25
- At first light, I checked the fields north of Wray along CR 45 for
Greater Prairie-Chickens; without success. A quick visit to Wray Fishing Unit and
Stalker Lake produced few bird sightings (two Greater Yellowlegs).
- On to Bonny Reservoir (Yuma)
No Swans or Loons swam on the reservoir. At Hale Ponds, a male
Red-bellied Woodpecker and 5 Eastern Bluebirds added a little color to
the bland landscape. This is the time of year that Varied Thrush show up on
the Eastern Plains; I hiked several hours at Hale Ponds and the store at Hale
(locations of previous sightings); without spotting a one.
The day ended with a hike along the county roads near Cheyenne Wells (Cheyenne County).
I am still searching for the group of Greater Prairie-Chickens reported in the area.
November 26
- Upper Queens Reservoir
A Long-eared Owl blended well with the thickets north of the restroom.
- Checking Lamar Community College and Neenoshe Reservoir
No uncommon birds were observed.
- Two Buttes Reservoir (Baca)
Two White-throated Sparrows worked the thickets near the parking area below the dam.
There were many Redhead Ducks and American Coots on the reservoir,
however no Loons this trip.
- John Martin Reservoir (Bent County), Fort Lyons Wildlife Area, and Lake Henry
Little of interest was discovered. It was quite windy and made identifying
the waterfowl on the reservoirs difficult.
- Lake Meredith
Two Common Loons swam in the distance.
- Pueblo Reservoir
I found one Pacific Loon, two Common Loons and a dozen Bonaparte's Gulls
in the northwest corner (Pueblo State Wildlife Area). I missed the Red-necked Grebes and
Black-legged Kittiwake observed earlier in the week.
The Common Redpolls could not found either in the increasing darkness.
The days are now too short; there was not enough light to bird Big Johnson Reservoir.
I missed the Tundra Swan observed earlier in the day.
Continued Birding on the Colorado Plains 11/24
With over six inches of snow out of the plains and the cold temperatures
at night, I decided to spend a second night in motels. I am in Wray tonight.
- Sedgwick County Road 46 and CR 89
My day began at this intersection. Yesterday, a local friend and Ranger
encountered seven Greater Prairie-Chickens in the corn fields just to the north.
I ambled west on CR 46 for a mile and as I returned to my car
one female Greater Prairie-Chicken flew from the south side of the road
to the corn fields. She proceeded north over the hill and I was not able
to approach close enough for a photo. Maybe next time!
- Tamarack Ranch Wildlife Area
I hiked from the camping area two miles west and one mile east along the river.
Except for several Northern Flickers, no birds were observed.
A check of Tamarack Ponds and the trees around the manager's house
produced no further sightings. The morning was beautiful with the sun shining
on the snow covered trees and ground.
- Jumbo Reservoir
I stopped quickly to see if any new less common gulls had flown in since yesterday.
Nothing new came in during the night.
- Ovid Woods and Ovid
There was a male Red-bellied Woodpecker attacking the trees at the northern end of
the woods. A Sharp-shinned Hawk flew swiftly through the woods and probably reduced
the number of other birds I might have observed.
I did not chance upon any Cardinals as I checked the feeders in town. A resident had
spotted a Purple Finch again just three days earlier. The bird did not appear while
I sat near her feeders for two hours.
While investigating Ovid Sewage Ponds, there were many American Tree Sparrows, two
Song Sparrows, and not much else observed. The Northern Cardinals were missed this trip.
- Sand Draw Wildlife Area
It was quite windy by the time I arrived at this area. I observed my second
Sharp-shinned Hawk of the day, however no other birds made an appearance.
- Sandsage Wildlife Area
This area is becoming one of my favorite sparrow viewing spots. In late afternoon,
I observed many American Tree Sparrows, a dozen Song Sparrows, and
one Harris's Sparrow. The HASP was along river, just north of the parking area.
Two Great Horned Owls were in the tall cottonwoods around the old barn. They patiently
waited for something to move in the field of tall grasses to the south.
I returned after dinner (this area is only 5 miles west of Wray). An Eastern Screech-Owl
called from somewhere in the group of a dozen cottonwoods surrounding the old barn.
Colorado Plains 11/22-11/23
With the cold temperatures and the snow, the weather is much different from last week.
The temperature while camping Monday night went down to 20 degrees.
November 22
- Jackson Reservoir
I searched just about every riparian area within three miles of
the outlet canal at Jackson Reservoir. There was no success in finding
the Common Ground-Dove observed two days earlier. While camping there
last night, I heard one Eastern Screech-Owl and two or three Long-eared Owls.
November 23
- Prewitt Reservoir
There were many Ring-billed and California Gulls, many grebes, and
two lone Common Loons out on the reservoir. Not much else!
- Sterling Reservoir
Except for several Western Meadowlarks, no birds were found.
I still have not recorded a Loon on this rather large reservoir???
- Sterling, CO
Pioneer Park, Overland Park Trail, and the Cemetery were all void of birds.
Continued Good Birding from Sterling on this cold night, but warm motel!
Birding Arapahoe County 11/21
I birded around Aurora today as the weather turned cold after such a warm November.
At 7:00am, several birders shared sightings of the "Black Brant" and
possible female Eurasian Wigeon. At 8:00am, one Greater White-fronted Goose
flew in from the east.
I then biked over to Cherry Creek Reservoir (only 5 miles southeast).
At 9:00am, the Mew Gull was 20 yards off shore from the Swim Beach.
In the distance to the south, the Pomarine Jaeger fed several hours
on a dead fish floating in the middle of the reservoir.
I sat for two hours waiting for the gulls to come in to the beach.
Several hundred gulls finally came to the shore. Included were twelve
Bonaparte's Gulls, many California, and Ring-billed Gulls. Unfortunately,
the Mew Gull flew toward the south boat marina.
As I waited for the Mew Gull to return (I really wanted a photo), several
times people would walk along the beach and scare the gulls away.
At 2:30pm the Mew Gull returned to the water 20 yards off shore. By then
many people walked along the swim beach. At 3:30pm, I abandoned the
attempt to film the Mew Gull.
I returned to Utah Park and again observed the Brant, Greater White-fronted Goose
and possible female Eurasian Wigeon. It started to snow at 4:30pm and I biked home.
Utah Park 11/20
I returned to Utah Park to update the Brant sighting for friends traveling a
long distance tomorrow. The Brant was in the fenced ball field at 3:15pm.
At 4:30pm the bird flew back to the pond.
The Greater White-fronted Goose was not observed by me,
however it was observed earlier in the day by Daniela Garrett and others.
Another birder and I observed a possible female Eurasian Wigeon,
however we were not able to positively identify the bird.
Fortunately, it had been identified earlier in the day.
Metro Birding 11/19
I spent five hours this morning walking around an eight by eight block area of
downtown Denver. The target, a Peregrine Falcon that claims downtown
for its territory. While the bird was never found, seven carcasses of
Rock Doves (mostly headless) indicate its presence. Living in the country on the
Colorado Plains, I found watching the people as fascinating as searching
for the Peregrine Falcon. Failure is a reason to return again!
At 4:25pm, the "Black" Brant was with 327 Canada Geese at the ball field
in Utah Park. A small but sometimes productive park in Aurora (see birding spots).
The Brant fed under one of Colorado's famous fall sunsets;
there are not enough adjectives to describe it. Good Birding to All!
Utah Park in Aurora 11/17
At first light I ventured to Utah Park. The sunrise was spectacular
for a beginning of another beautiful fall day.
The "Black" Brant was feeding with many Canada Geese along
the little pond in this small Aurora City Park.
Later in the afternoon, I returned with three other birders.
The Brant was still there.
Cherry Creek Reservoir 11/16
I rode my mountain bike around Cherry Creek Reservoir for three hours.
I did not relocate the (Pomarine) Jaeger or the Common Loons.
There were four adult and two immature Bonaparte's Gulls flying
around the eastern end of the reservoir.
A Spotted Towhee hopped around the Russian Olive Trees west of the Lake Loop.
Two Red-breasted Nuthatches were in the southeast corner of the campgrounds.
Colorado Mountains 11/14-11/15
I spent the last two days with non-birding friends.
Some birding was squeezed in the trip (as much as they would tolerate).
On Sunday 11/14, we checked both Lake Dillon and
Wolford Mountain Recreational Area without observing any interesting birds
.
On the return trip to Denver 11/15, we searched for White-tailed Ptarmigan on
Loveland Pass and Guanella Pass; without success.
No Rosy Finches visited the feeders in Georgetown.
Birding Denver Reservoirs 11/13
Birding around Denver Reservoirs in today's fantastic weather
(Temperatures in the middle 70's and no wind!)
- Cherry Creek Reservoir (Arapahoe County)
Jaeger species (possible Parasitic)
Common Loon (2, within 50 yards of swim beach)
Bonaparte's Gull (2)
- Barr Lake (Adams)
Herring Gulls (2, basic adult; sandbar north of mm 8.5)
Golden-crowned Sparrow! (immature, mile marker 8.8;
north side of canal, then flew to south side in deep growth)
- North DIA and Rocky Mountain Arsenal (Adams)
I have not observed Burrowing Owls since Oct. 28
Cherry Creek Jaeger 11/13
Donna Fortney and I watched the Cherry Creek Jaeger for three hours Saturday morning.
For 2.5 hours, I had the bird in my 30 power scope.
Unfortunately, most of that time, the bird was 1/2 mile away or more.
The Jaeger did fly directly above us twice (we were at the East End of the swim beach).
Once the Jaeger chased a Ring-billed Gull into the trees around the picnic area of the swim beach.
I recorded 24 seconds of the bird from 30 yards or less. However, I transferred the images to
VCR tape and only have access to a cheap VCR for the next two days.
Once I get home, I can play the tape one frame at a time.
My impressions on watching the tape for about an hour:
The bird's wings appear to be narrow based.
The underwing does not appear to have a second pale patch.
The underwing appears lighter than the bird's body.
It does not seem to have a bulky chest.
The head and bill do not seem to be excessively large.
Its wing beats appear full and quick.
However, it flies in a straight line, not buoying up and down.
The bird was smaller or equal in size to the Ring-billed Gull it was chasing.
The upper-tail coverts form a white contrasting patch.
While watching the bird, it flew directly toward us twice.
While in the water (quite far away), it stretched its wings many times.
It flew after gulls eleven times, circled the reservoir twice.
If I were to guess, it appears to be a Parasitic Jaeger.
I will take a better look at the tape in several days.
Denver Reservoirs 11/12
Dan Getz (from California) and I birded reservoirs around Denver today.
Temperatures were in the middle 70's and there was little wind.
Unfortunately, we found few birds of interest.
One Bonaparte's Gull flew around swim beach at Cherry Creek Reservoir.
One Pacific Loon was observed at Marsten Reservoir.
Reservoirs we checked were:
Cherry Creek, Chatfield, McLellan, Marsten, Barr, and Standley Lake.
Even with few birds observed, we enjoyed the search!
Birding Denver's Front Range 11/8-11/11
I just returned from a pleasurable week of birding along the Front Range of Colorado.
Weather was recurrent, warm, little wind, and magnificent.
It is difficult to believe November is here!
November 8
- Big Johnson Reservoir (El Paso County)
Black Scoter and Surf Scoter were both still at BJ.
I could not pick out female Greater Scaup (if still present).
- Lathrop State Park (Huerfano)
One Common Loon was swimming around Martin Lake.
- Trinidad State Park (Las Animas)
While riding my bike around Trinidad Reservoir,
I observed two Surf Scoters (female/immature) and at least three Common Loons!
A question that will never be answered;
"Were these the two Surf Scoters observed at Pueblo Reservoir 11/6?"
November 9
- Pueblo Reservoir
Red-necked Grebe, Pacific Loon, and two Common Loons were observed,
however, I could not locate Great Black-backed Gull.
- Brush Hollow Wildlife Area (Fremont)
Ladder-backed Woodpecker (male) below the dam
Pinyon Jay (2, 0.5 miles south-southeast below the dam)
- Arkansas Riverwalk (Canon City, Fremont County)
Not much!
November 10
- Phantom Canyon (Fremont)
(Unusual, there was no wind in the canyon 12:00am to 2:00am.)
No owls heard!
- Crags Campground Area and Trail (Teller)
Not much; no owls heard!
A search for Three-toed Woodpeckers ended unsuccessfully
at the Crags area and Mueller State Park.
- Manitou Park and Experimental Forest (Teller)
Not much observed!
- Manchester Creek and Missouri Gulch (Teller)
No owls heard!
November 11
Great weather and best birding day of the trip;
after staying at my brother's home in Colorado Springs,
I was joined in the morning by Donna Fortney and two other birders.
We decided to travel southward.
- Big Johnson Reservoir (El Paso):
Surf Scoter and Black Scoter were still there and were joined by:
Greater Scaup (one male and possibility of the female being there)
Barrow's Goldeneye (female)
- Pueblo Reservoir (Pueblo)
Red-necked Grebe was still at the CDOW boat ramp area.
While watching the RNGR, we found two Common Loons in cove to north
and a Pacific Loon. The Pacific Loon was at the far shoreline
to the south and swam around point heading further south.
Great Black-backed Gull (north marina)
Thayer's Gull (1st basic, south marina)
Bonaparte's Gull (21+ at the Swallows area, West End of Reservoir)
Along the Swallows Road, we observed a Loggerhead Shrike and two Northern Shrikes.
My first Rough-legged Hawk of the season flew north of Highway 50 and Swallows Road.
Two Scaled Quail roamed the yards to the east of the Swallows road.
We could not locate any Sage Thrashers today; my first shutout of that species
along the Swallows Road in the last seven trips.
There was a spectacular sunset at the Swallows!
Birding Around Denver 11/7
Mary and Ron Magriplis (of Minnesota) and I birded Denver reservoirs today.
It was another of the continuing beautiful fall days that we have been experiencing, warm, no wind.
- Standley Lake
One Common Loon was the only interesting bird this morning.
- Harriman Reservoir, Marsten Reservoir,Chatfield Reservoir, and McLellan Reservoirs
Not much!
- Winkler Ranch South of Castlewood Canyon State Park
We managed to find two Lewis's Woodpeckers for their life list.
LEWO were in their usual cottonwoods, north and east of the ranch house.
Four Mountain Bluebirds also flew along Castlewood Canyon road.
Two Wild Turkeys roamed just south of Bluebird boxes numbers 36-40!
- Cherry Creek Reservoir
There was one Common Loon left from the loons of last week.
At least one Bonaparte's Gull was with the many gulls in the middle of the reservoir.
We did not locate the Thayer's Gull observed on 11/4.
Birding Eastern Plains 11/1-11/4
I returned last night from an enjoyable four-day birding trip to the Eastern Plains of Colorado.
The weather so far this fall is fabulous. I encountered little wind along my journey.
November 1
- Douglas Reservoir (Larimer county)
Pacific Loon (it was in the northwest corner and required
hiking all the way to northern end to inspect the cove.
- Hamilton Reservoir (Larimer)
White-winged Scoter (quite far out in middle of reservoir, looking from overlook)
- Pawnee National Grasslands (Weld)
I searched several of my favorite birding spots such as USDA Experimental Center and
creek 1 mile to north; CR 122 to Pawnee Buttes, and Murphy's Pasture.
Not much was observed, one Golden Eagle, one Prairie Falcon,
two Lapland Longspurs (CR 122 & CR 45), and several Red-tailed Hawks.
The view is fantastic and the sunset was superb!
November 2
- Crow Valley Campground (Weld)
Not much, one Cooper's Hawk and several American Tree Sparrows
- Pioneer Park at West End of Sterling (Logan)
Northern Parula (immature male)
Yellow-rumped Warblers (8)
- Sterling Reservoir, Sterling Cemetery and Overland Trail Park (East End of Sterling)
Not much of interest was observed!
November 3
- Sedgwick County Road 30 (Sedgwick)
I checked several locations on county road for Sprague's Pipits and
Sparrows without sighting anything unusual.
- Ovid Woods (Sedgwick)
Rusty Blackbird (2, walking along Lodgepole Creek, south of hwy 138)
Northern Cardinal (female; feeders in southwest corner of Ovid)
Red-bellied Woodpecker (male in cottonwoods along Second Avenue)
- Ovid Sewage Pond
Harris's Sparrow (1, along Platte; permission required to bird this area)
- Jumbo Reservoir (Logan/Sedgwick counties)
Common Loon
Herring Gull (2 immatures)
- Red Lion Wildlife Area (Logan)
Harris's Sparrow (2, pond about 0.5 mile east of parking area)
November 4
- Prewitt Reservoir (Washington/Logan)
Common Loon
White-throated Sparrow (an adult and two tan-striped birds,
just north of the second outlet canal east of manager's residence)
No unusual gulls.
- Cherry Creek Reservoir (Arapahoe)
Common Loon
Pacific Loon
Thayer's Gull (1st year)
Another birder had observed 3 Common Loons and 1 Pacific Loon around noon.
I was there at 2:30pm and five Jet Skiers were chasing the loons and
grebes around the reservoir. That made identification a little more difficult.
The highlight of my bike trip around Cherry Creek Reservoir was a falcon and accipiter.
A Peregrine Falcon flew from a telephone pole along Bellevue Avenue
(This is east of model airplane area). It flew to water's edge and then back to Bellevue.
The Peregrine Falcon has now been observed six times in the last two months.
I wonder if it is the one being observed at the DeLaney Farm at Chambers and Alameda.
(This would be approximately seven miles from Cherry Creek Reservoir).
At the Prairie Loop, a Falconer had a six month old male Northern Goshawk.
It is a beautiful bird to see up close (whether you approve of the hobby or not).
Thus ended another great birding trip.
More Bird Trips
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Please feel free to contact CoBus and
Rich Stevens at the following address:
E-mail:cobus@worldnet.att.net