October 30, 2009
Richard Stevens:
Rebecca Kosten and I birded a couple of local reservoirs today. It was nice to get back out after a couple of snowy days (over 2 feet of snow fell).
Barr Lake (Adams County) had few birds moving around. The Visitor's Center feeders were visited by 9 White-crowned Sparrows, 1 Song Sparrow and 1 American Tree Sparrow. It has been two winters since a Harris's Sparrow has been reported (after 12 of 13 winters with at least one).
Highlights at the feeders included a Hairy Woodpecker and adult Northern Shrike. Several volunteers saw a Gray Catbird last Tuesday.
A Ross's Goose was with Canada Geese off the boat ramp. Later the flock flew to the fields south of the State Park (only counted one Ross's Goose for the day). A Peregrine Falcon zoomed by from west to east.
The Hawk count along the DIA Owl Loop was 2 Red-tailed Hawks, 1 Rough-legged Hawk, 1 Ferruginous Hawk, and 2 American Kestrels (and no owls).
After lunch, we drove through Cherry Creek Reservoir (Arapahoe). At least 3 or possibly 4 Common Loons were out on the lake. There may have been another smaller loon, which was not possible for us to ID without a scope.
Because I did not have my scope, we did not look over the hundred plus Western Grebes in the center of the lake. Quite a few Pelicans and a dozen Double-crested Cormorants remain in the park.
A Great Horned Owl was at the southeast corner of the Campgrounds. Another Northern Shrike was seen in the field south of the main road, west of where it goes over Cherry Creek.
A drive at dusk around the DIA Owl Loop did not add any birds to our day list.
Richard Stevens:
Rebecca Kosten and I birded a couple of local reservoirs today. It was nice to get back out after a couple of snowy days (over 2 feet of snow fell).
Barr Lake (Adams County) had few birds moving around. The Visitor's Center feeders were visited by 9 White-crowned Sparrows, 1 Song Sparrow and 1 American Tree Sparrow. It has been two winters since a Harris's Sparrow has been reported (after 12 of 13 winters with at least one).
Highlights at the feeders included a Hairy Woodpecker and adult Northern Shrike. Several volunteers saw a Gray Catbird last Tuesday.
A Ross's Goose was with Canada Geese off the boat ramp. Later the flock flew to the fields south of the State Park (only counted one Ross's Goose for the day). A Peregrine Falcon zoomed by from west to east.
The Hawk count along the DIA Owl Loop was 2 Red-tailed Hawks, 1 Rough-legged Hawk, 1 Ferruginous Hawk, and 2 American Kestrels (and no owls).
After lunch, we drove through Cherry Creek Reservoir (Arapahoe). At least 3 or possibly 4 Common Loons were out on the lake. There may have been another smaller loon, which was not possible for us to ID without a scope.
Because I did not have my scope, we did not look over the hundred plus Western Grebes in the center of the lake. Quite a few Pelicans and a dozen Double-crested Cormorants remain in the park.
A Great Horned Owl was at the southeast corner of the Campgrounds. Another Northern Shrike was seen in the field south of the main road, west of where it goes over Cherry Creek.
A drive at dusk around the DIA Owl Loop did not add any birds to our day list.
2 comments:
Can you tell me which side of Cherry Creek the Loons like to go to? I've been there a few times now and can't find them.
Joel/Lakewood
The Loons move around much on the large lake. We last saw the Common Loon in the center of the lake between the north end of the Lake Loop and the Dam Tower. A scope may help in seeing the loons. When feeding they can stay under water for up to a minute and only surface for 10 seconds. Best location to scope from is the north end of Lake Loop because the sun will be at your back. They can be anywhere including the very eastern corner. Rebecca Kosten
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