Thursday, January 31, 2013

Hike Along the South Platte River, Adams County

January 30, 2013

Richard Stevens:

Bryan Ehlmann and I walked the South Platte River (Adams County) from the parking area south of York (near the sewage treatment plant) all the way north to 88th Avenue & Colorado Blvd.  We hiked east of the Platte River on the trip north and returned along the west side.

Highlights were 8+ Rusty Blackbirds between the I76 Highway Bridge and the footbridge across the river.  A male and three female Barrow’s Goldeneyes were on the Platte River just south of the green and white tower.  Another male Barrow’s Goldeneye was on East Gravel Lake.

West Gravel Lakes had no uncommon birds.  Most wintering waterfowl species can be observed on the South Platte River (without making the whole hike).

No uncommon sparrows were found (only a 2-3 Song Sparrows and one flock of 8-9 American Tree Sparrows).  One Northern Shrike was north of Engineer Lake.

Raptors included three Red-tailed Hawks, one Prairie Falcon and one adult Bald Eagle.

This evening Bryan and I planned on searching for Northern Pygmy-Owls at Golden Gate Canyon State Park and White Ranch Park.  None was found.  Winds measuring 16 mph with gusts to 24 mph did not aid in our search.  We gave up shortly after 10:00 PM.  The 60 percent waning moon did provide much light during our journey.

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