January 11, 2008
Rebecca Kosten and I were enticed to return to the Louisville Bohemian Waxwing flock(s). We had already seen a 12 on last Sunday. However the report of 800+ Bohemian Waxwings was too much of a temptation. We hoped to get a few photos.
After driving (30 minutes) around the neighborhood split in half by Dahlia/Polk Streets (Boulder County) we came across a flock of 70+ Bohemian Waxwings. The flock stopped briefly in trees 15 yards west of West Polk Avenue & Owl Drive. They stayed high in the tree and not long enough for any photos.
We continued to drive around for another hour, but did not run into any additional waxwings. We also checked the neighborhood north of South Boulder Road (Garfield Avenue to West Regal Street); without success. There sure are plenty of crabapple trees for them to choose!
Our next stop was a hike along the South Platte River at 88th avenue. We walked south to the green/white tower (approx. 1.0 miles). The male Barrow's Goldeneye was on the river and about 10 yards south of the tower.
After returning to our car and heading toward Barr Lake, we stopped at the north end of East Gravel Lake. From the mound next to 88th avenue, we scoped the open area of the lake. Again there were a few Common Mergansers and a dozen Common Goldeneyes.
The highlight was a Long-tailed Duck. It was feeding much and would stay under water for over a minute at a time. It only came up for air for about a count of 8-10 and then dive down again. Hopefully it will still be there again tomorrow.
We stopped at Barr Lake (Adams). Only a few White-crowned Sparrows and Dark-eyed Juncos were found. Two female Northern Bobwhites continue to come to the feeders next to the visitor center (behind or west). The male has not been reported for over a week now.
We headed to Aurora for dinner and stopped what I thought would be for only a few minutes at Lakecrest. Several hundred White-cheeked Geese were on the lake. Every time we started to leave, another flock of 50+ geese would fly down.
We could see wave after wave of geese heading toward the small open area. The noise from the calls was deafening and amazing. It entertained us for 30 minutes after sunset. They just kept coming from the east. At 5:09pm the blue phase Snow Goose came in. At 5:19pm the Greater White-fronted Goose came in with a flock of 52 White-cheeked Geese. Both these birds could be the same birds seen off and on for a week or so now.
Geese would come down and get out of the water to make room for another flock. They were still flying in when it was too dark for us to see much. Fascinating to watch! Remember this is private property. We walked from the Wendy's at 40th avenue and Chambers Road east to the lake.
Rebecca Kosten and I were enticed to return to the Louisville Bohemian Waxwing flock(s). We had already seen a 12 on last Sunday. However the report of 800+ Bohemian Waxwings was too much of a temptation. We hoped to get a few photos.
After driving (30 minutes) around the neighborhood split in half by Dahlia/Polk Streets (Boulder County) we came across a flock of 70+ Bohemian Waxwings. The flock stopped briefly in trees 15 yards west of West Polk Avenue & Owl Drive. They stayed high in the tree and not long enough for any photos.
We continued to drive around for another hour, but did not run into any additional waxwings. We also checked the neighborhood north of South Boulder Road (Garfield Avenue to West Regal Street); without success. There sure are plenty of crabapple trees for them to choose!
Our next stop was a hike along the South Platte River at 88th avenue. We walked south to the green/white tower (approx. 1.0 miles). The male Barrow's Goldeneye was on the river and about 10 yards south of the tower.
After returning to our car and heading toward Barr Lake, we stopped at the north end of East Gravel Lake. From the mound next to 88th avenue, we scoped the open area of the lake. Again there were a few Common Mergansers and a dozen Common Goldeneyes.
The highlight was a Long-tailed Duck. It was feeding much and would stay under water for over a minute at a time. It only came up for air for about a count of 8-10 and then dive down again. Hopefully it will still be there again tomorrow.
We stopped at Barr Lake (Adams). Only a few White-crowned Sparrows and Dark-eyed Juncos were found. Two female Northern Bobwhites continue to come to the feeders next to the visitor center (behind or west). The male has not been reported for over a week now.
We headed to Aurora for dinner and stopped what I thought would be for only a few minutes at Lakecrest. Several hundred White-cheeked Geese were on the lake. Every time we started to leave, another flock of 50+ geese would fly down.
We could see wave after wave of geese heading toward the small open area. The noise from the calls was deafening and amazing. It entertained us for 30 minutes after sunset. They just kept coming from the east. At 5:09pm the blue phase Snow Goose came in. At 5:19pm the Greater White-fronted Goose came in with a flock of 52 White-cheeked Geese. Both these birds could be the same birds seen off and on for a week or so now.
Geese would come down and get out of the water to make room for another flock. They were still flying in when it was too dark for us to see much. Fascinating to watch! Remember this is private property. We walked from the Wendy's at 40th avenue and Chambers Road east to the lake.
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