Thursday, January 24, 2008

Long Hike at Cherry Creek Reservoir

January 22, 2008

I had a few hours to spare today and returned to Cherry Creek Reservoir (Arapahoe County).

A hike from the southwest marina to the 12 mile beaver pond and back was sufficient to count most of the birds around. It did not find any uncommon birds.

Three Bald Eagles stood out on the frozen reservoir. Looked like two adults and one 2nd or 3rd year Eagle. Three Great Blue Herons were along the cattails at the southeastern end. No telling what they were looking for on the snow covered ice.

The usual flock of 30-50 bachelor Red-winged Blackbirds was in the tree over the cattails west of where Cherry Creek runs under the main park road.

A Virginia Rail called from the cattails at the south end of the 12 mile beaver pond. Most of the water was frozen and only a few Mallards fit into the small open space.

I crossed over Cherry Creek and returned by way of the road that runs past the Shooting Range. The Northern Shrike was back atop the Russian Olive Trees near the entrance to the parking area.

Only a few Ring-billed Gulls and 2 Herring Gulls were back around the southwest marina.

After my hike, I drove over to the campgrounds and hiked the northern and western campgrounds. Several flocks of sparrows added 19 American Tree, 2 Song, 8 White-crowned Sparrows to my day list.

Again, I did not find any Great Horned Owls. Hawk count for the day was 5 Red-tailed Hawks (2 dark morph), 2 Northern Harriers, 1 male American Kestrel, and one Rough-legged Hawk.

Summary: It was cold today!!!

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