January 2, 2013
Richard Stevens:
Bryan Ehlmann, George Maas and I waited for civil twilight at the northern Campgrounds at Jackson Reservoir (Morgan County). One Short-eared Owl worked the fields just before sunrise. An Eastern Screech-Owl called from the southern Campgrounds.
Later we found seven Long-eared Owls at the western Campgrounds. One Harris's Sparrow was also located. We had planned to wander over to Brush Wildlife Area and Fort Morgan Ponds; however, we received a text message!
After receiving the text message about a Snowy Owl near Cherry Creek Reservoir (Arapahoe County), Bryan Ehlmann, George Maas and I headed back to Denver (Aurora, Arapahoe County). We searched unsuccessfully for about two hours. Our search area included Green Village Park, below the Cherry Creek Reservoir dam, Kennedy Soccer Fields & Golf Course. No Snowy Owl was found.
Then we drove up to the South Platte Birding Area (Adams County). We parked near Washington and Highway 224, and walked down Clear Creek to the confluence with the South Platte River.
Two Rusty Blackbirds were found along Clear Creek about 0.1 miles west of the confluence. Another Rusty Blackbird was found along the South Platte River about 40 yards south of the I76 Highway Bridge. An American Dipper in the same area was a surprise. It was not too long ago (3-4 years when Dippers were not reported in Adams County). A PEREGRINE FALCON stood on the tall metal electric poles between Barrington Reservoir # 5 and the South Platte River (directly west of the Rusty Blackbirds and Dipper).
Eventually we would find several birds that were not reported, as far as I know, on the Denver Urban Christmas Count yesterday. Our target bird was a Long-tailed Duck, of which at least one has wintered in each of the last seven years and nine of the last ten in this section of the South Platte River.
Tani Reservoir had hundreds of ducks including at least 38+ Ruddy Ducks. East Gravel Lake also had many ducks. These included a pair of BARROW'S GOLDENEYES and another dozen Ruddy Ducks! An adult THAYER'S GULL was among 300+ Ring-billed Gulls and stood nicely next to two Herring Gulls (good comparison).
West Gravel Lakes (northern and southern) had less ducks. Construction created much noise and did not aid in the waterfowl count there.
After returning to our car (by way of RTD), we drove up to the S. Platte River at 104th avenue. An American Dipper has been reported here several times in the past month. We did not find the American Dipper. However, a better find was a SPOTTED SANDPIPER. It was easy to identify, flying with bowed wings and dipping up and down when feeding along the shore.
No Long-tailed Ducks were found. The South Platte Reservoir is hosting a Long-tailed Duck, closest to the South Platte River this winter?
Richard Stevens:
Bryan Ehlmann, George Maas and I waited for civil twilight at the northern Campgrounds at Jackson Reservoir (Morgan County). One Short-eared Owl worked the fields just before sunrise. An Eastern Screech-Owl called from the southern Campgrounds.
Later we found seven Long-eared Owls at the western Campgrounds. One Harris's Sparrow was also located. We had planned to wander over to Brush Wildlife Area and Fort Morgan Ponds; however, we received a text message!
After receiving the text message about a Snowy Owl near Cherry Creek Reservoir (Arapahoe County), Bryan Ehlmann, George Maas and I headed back to Denver (Aurora, Arapahoe County). We searched unsuccessfully for about two hours. Our search area included Green Village Park, below the Cherry Creek Reservoir dam, Kennedy Soccer Fields & Golf Course. No Snowy Owl was found.
Then we drove up to the South Platte Birding Area (Adams County). We parked near Washington and Highway 224, and walked down Clear Creek to the confluence with the South Platte River.
Two Rusty Blackbirds were found along Clear Creek about 0.1 miles west of the confluence. Another Rusty Blackbird was found along the South Platte River about 40 yards south of the I76 Highway Bridge. An American Dipper in the same area was a surprise. It was not too long ago (3-4 years when Dippers were not reported in Adams County). A PEREGRINE FALCON stood on the tall metal electric poles between Barrington Reservoir # 5 and the South Platte River (directly west of the Rusty Blackbirds and Dipper).
Eventually we would find several birds that were not reported, as far as I know, on the Denver Urban Christmas Count yesterday. Our target bird was a Long-tailed Duck, of which at least one has wintered in each of the last seven years and nine of the last ten in this section of the South Platte River.
Tani Reservoir had hundreds of ducks including at least 38+ Ruddy Ducks. East Gravel Lake also had many ducks. These included a pair of BARROW'S GOLDENEYES and another dozen Ruddy Ducks! An adult THAYER'S GULL was among 300+ Ring-billed Gulls and stood nicely next to two Herring Gulls (good comparison).
West Gravel Lakes (northern and southern) had less ducks. Construction created much noise and did not aid in the waterfowl count there.
After returning to our car (by way of RTD), we drove up to the S. Platte River at 104th avenue. An American Dipper has been reported here several times in the past month. We did not find the American Dipper. However, a better find was a SPOTTED SANDPIPER. It was easy to identify, flying with bowed wings and dipping up and down when feeding along the shore.
No Long-tailed Ducks were found. The South Platte Reservoir is hosting a Long-tailed Duck, closest to the South Platte River this winter?
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