Sunday, November 8, 2009

Return to Barr Lake and Cherry Creek Reservoir

November 6, 2009

Richard Stevens:

After only 1 (and myself) of 4 birders showed up for this morning's trip to Guanella Pass. We decided to call it off until next week. In the absentee's defense, one stayed up all night with the flu, the other twisted his ankle while hiking on the Grand Mesa this week.

Instead, Rebecca Kosten and I visited a couple of local reservoirs today. Temperatures reached the high 60s; winds around 6 mph.

Three Common Loons were seen from the boat ramp at Barr Lake (Adams). We did not see the Bonaparte's Gull nor did we walk down to where the Ross's Goose has been hanging out.

After lunch, we ended our birding day at Cherry Creek Reservoir (Arapahoe). Here we enjoyed much fortune. We scoped the lake from the bird platform. Two Common Loons were seen to the northwest (off the Lake Loop). Another Common Loon was below the handicapped fisherperson dock way on the other side of the lake.

While scoping a raft (?) of Buffleheads between the bird platform area and the fisherperson's dock, we found a beautiful Red-necked Grebe. We continued scoping to the east and found a Red-throated Loon in the eastern section of the lake.

Perhaps these birds can be relocated if one gets out early tomorrow morning before a large number of boats are put on the lake?

At the southwest marina, there was a large darkish Gull with whitish head and partial blackish bill. We also observed this Gull on 10/30. Jerry Petrosky told me he said a similar Gull on 11/1 but not 10/31 or 11/2. It could possibly be a 1st or 2nd cycle Great Black-backed Gull?

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