August 16, 2011
Richard Stevens:
After spending most of the morning in the library conducting research, I went on a 34 mile bike ride in the afternoon, which included Barr Lake (Adams). No uncommon birds were detected. Fortunately, I escaped the rain and mosquitoes. A few Bullocks' Orioles are still there. Western Kingbirds, an Eastern Kingbird, House Wrens and a Wilson's Warbler were also around.
One unusual matter, not one swallow was observed. Have they departed for southern lands already? Did the rainstorm induce them to hide out somewhere?
At sunset, Rebecca and I drove through Cherry Creek Reservoir (Arapahoe). The sunset was spectacular (rain clouds overhead and clear skies to the west). Again, not one swallow was observed. Just a few days ago, swallows flew everywhere around the pond, lake and grassy hills.
No Snowy Egrets either, I counted hundreds of swallows (Barn Swallows, Cliff Swallows, Tree Swallows) last Saturday. Two Black-crowned Night-Herons hunted at the Cottonwood Creek Wetlands (east of the Prairie Loop).
A lone male Wilson's Warbler entertained us as he "hawked" insects over the Wetlands Pond. He would snatch an insect and return 8-10 feet back to the top of the willows along the south side of the pond. I do not know how many mosquitoes (or other insects) it takes to fill him up; he made dozens of trips while we watched the sunset.
Only Ring-billed Gulls and a dozen of so California Gulls stood on the telephone poles surrounding the southwest marina. No Double-crested Cormorants or egrets (it is too early for both to disappear for the year)? A few American White Pelicans swam around the marina (most were probably out on the lake somewhere).
White-cheeked Geese numbers are increasing daily now. All appeared to be Canada Geese, but I could not discount a Cackling Goose in the mix as daylight evaporated rapidly.
Richard Stevens:
After spending most of the morning in the library conducting research, I went on a 34 mile bike ride in the afternoon, which included Barr Lake (Adams). No uncommon birds were detected. Fortunately, I escaped the rain and mosquitoes. A few Bullocks' Orioles are still there. Western Kingbirds, an Eastern Kingbird, House Wrens and a Wilson's Warbler were also around.
One unusual matter, not one swallow was observed. Have they departed for southern lands already? Did the rainstorm induce them to hide out somewhere?
At sunset, Rebecca and I drove through Cherry Creek Reservoir (Arapahoe). The sunset was spectacular (rain clouds overhead and clear skies to the west). Again, not one swallow was observed. Just a few days ago, swallows flew everywhere around the pond, lake and grassy hills.
No Snowy Egrets either, I counted hundreds of swallows (Barn Swallows, Cliff Swallows, Tree Swallows) last Saturday. Two Black-crowned Night-Herons hunted at the Cottonwood Creek Wetlands (east of the Prairie Loop).
A lone male Wilson's Warbler entertained us as he "hawked" insects over the Wetlands Pond. He would snatch an insect and return 8-10 feet back to the top of the willows along the south side of the pond. I do not know how many mosquitoes (or other insects) it takes to fill him up; he made dozens of trips while we watched the sunset.
Only Ring-billed Gulls and a dozen of so California Gulls stood on the telephone poles surrounding the southwest marina. No Double-crested Cormorants or egrets (it is too early for both to disappear for the year)? A few American White Pelicans swam around the marina (most were probably out on the lake somewhere).
White-cheeked Geese numbers are increasing daily now. All appeared to be Canada Geese, but I could not discount a Cackling Goose in the mix as daylight evaporated rapidly.
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