DFO Trip to Rocky Mountain Arsenal May 19, 2007

After spending 7 weeks (15, 631 miles driving) searching for birds for other birders, I decided to go on the DFO Trip to Rocky Mountain Arsenal and let other birders find some birds. I thought it was still the peak migrating season and some interesting birds could be found.

It turned out not to be the case. Birding was quite slow. There were few waterfowl. The “hat trick” of teal was just about it for ducks. The lakes were full of water, therefore no shoreline and no shorebirds (except Killdeer). We ended up with only 43 species.

The highlights included a lone Plumbeous Vireo, a Gray Catbird and a male Black-headed Grosbeak. Of course there were plenty Bullock's Orioles.

Before the tour started, I hiked around Lake Mary (just south of the Visitor’s Center). Here I did find a Green Heron and 5+ Common Yellowthroats.

A Great-tailed Grackle was among many Common Grackles at a southern pond. This pond can be observed from outside of the Arsenal by looking through the fence at 0.2 miles west of Chambers Road and 56th avenue.

After the tour, I decided to hike Bluff Lake Nature Area. Here I found a few additional birds and plenty of mosquitoes. Mosquito repellent is a must here now. Even with repellent, I was pressed hard to stop and search for the few birds found.

A Northern Waterthrush walked along the water’s edge north of the trail at the north end of the lake. Search below the bench facing south on the north side of the trail after entering the forested area.

Other birds seen were several Western Wood-pewees, Bullock's Orioles, 1 Black-headed Grosbeak, 2 Western Tanagers and one “heard only” Virginia Rail.

My last stop of the day was Barr Lake (Adams). We hiked from the Visitor’s Center to the boat ramp. Again birds observed were few. A few Yellow Warblers, Yellow-rumped Warblers, and a Hermit Thrush were the highlights of our hike.

Burrowing Owls were found both at the 3.4 miles east of Tower Road & 96th avenue and the Powhaton & 128th avenue sites.