Another Hike along the S. Platte River at 88th Avenue

March 1, 2010

Richard Stevens:

Jacob Washburn and I returned to the South Platte River at 88th and Colorado Blvd. We hiked south to I270 and back with a side trip along Clear Creek (west to York Street).

Two Long-tailed Ducks were on the northern West Gravel Lake. A pair of Barrow's Goldeneyes was on the South Platte River (about 10 yards south of the green and white tower).

We did not find the Northern Shrike that I had found a few days earlier. Three American Tree Sparrows were along Clear Creek in the willows about 20 yards west of the Platte River. A pair of Song Sparrows was along the Platte River about 30 yards south of the parking area.

Many waterfowl were on East Gravel Lake (Canvasbacks, Redheads, Northern Shovelers, Mallards, Coots, and Common Mergansers). We did not see any additional Long-tailed Ducks or Barrow's Goldeneyes.

In the late afternoon, I decided to drive over to Cherry Creek Reservoir and check it out. As I drove down I225, a small strange Hawk was seen perched on one of the highway light poles. I exited at the next ramp and turned back along the service road.

The Hawk flew to the small woods north of the college, north of Sixth Avenue. On closer inspection, the Hawk turned out to be a Broad-winged Hawk! I called Bryan and Sue Ehlmann and they were able to see the Hawk before it was too dark!

Cherry Creek Reservoir was still snow covered and frozen. A few Ring-billed Gulls and 2 Herring Gulls were on the ice near the southwest marina. Not much else was around.