Thursday, April 21, 2011

Birding Around Denver Again

April 21, 2011

Richard Stevens:

After a meeting in Westminster, I was only a few miles from Plaster Reservoir (Broomfield County). I searched for the previously reported Eastern Towhee; without success. Many ducks were on the lake. Three teal (Cinnamon, Blue-winged & Green-winged), Redheads, and Lesser Scaup to name a few swam around the lake.

Many Yellow-headed Blackbirds, Red-winged Blackbirds and Common Grackle surrounded the reservoir. Unfortunately, no towhees were found.

At least two Great-tailed Grackles remain at the Picadilly Tree Nursery Feedlot at Picadilly Road & 152nd Avenue.

After hearing about the uncommon warblers in Boulder County, I decided to visit Barr Lake State Park to see what was there. I hiked from the Visitor's Center to the boat ramp. The only warbler observed was a lone male Audubon's Warbler in breeding plumage. He was quite a striking bird!

Other birds found included a Hermit Thrush, Lincoln's Sparrow, Savannah Sparrow, many White-crowned Sparrows, and many Red-winged Blackbirds.

Later I returned to Cherry Creek Reservoir (Arapahoe) to search for the Red-throated Loon, Red-necked Grebe and Dunlin previously reported. None of them was found either. I bushwhacked through the cattails at the southeast end only to find a few Killdeer.

Off the bird platform at the Prairie Loop, I counted eight American Avocets, six Greater Yellowlegs and four Lesser Yellowlegs. The Yellowlegs provided a nice comparison between the two species. Two Great Blue Herons were also in the area.

A Sora called from the cattails along the main road (just west of where Cherry Creek goes under the road).

No Black-chinned or Broad-tailed Hummingbirds appeared yet around the Ranger's Office.

At least ten Bonaparte's Gulls flew around with many Franklin's Gulls. The Neotropic Cormorant was among seven Double-crested Cormorants on the southwest marina. Many American White Pelicans stood on the western sand spit. Several hundred Western Grebes were also on the lake.

1 comment:

Anonymous said...

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