Sunday, October 27, 2013

Birding Around Denver Reservoirs & Lakes

October 26, 2013

Richard Stevens:

Rebecca Kosten and I enjoyed the tremendous Colorado fall day with some marvelous birding.  Winds were calm at Cherry Creek Reservoir and Aurora Reservoir and mild (less than 6 mph) at Chatfield Reservoir.

First we relocated the Black Scoter at Cherry Creek Reservoir (Arapahoe County), however missed the Thayer's Gull (most gulls were out flying around or swimming in the middle of the lake).

Then we road our bikes around the 8.7 mile bike path around Aurora Reservoir (Arapahoe).  The two Surf Scoters and Common Loon were in the most southeastern cove (sorry I forget the name of it).

Then we heard about a Pacific Loon at Cherry Creek Reservoir and returned.  However, we scoped the lake twice and never found the Pacific Loon.  There were many boats on the lake; this disturbed the birds, which were constantly moving around.

On our way to Chatfield Reservoir (Jefferson/Douglas), we stopped to scope Marston Reservoir (Denver County).  Among the hundreds of Western Grebes, we found a Red-necked Grebe.  Three Surf Scoters swan from the southwestern corner to behind the homes at West Layton Way (the circle north of the private Wildlife Area).

From the marshy open area off South Upham Court, we were able to find one Common Loon.

Finally arriving at Chatfield Reservoir, we scoped the lake from the Handicapped Fisherperson Dock.  The Pomarine Jaeger chased gulls around to the east and north of the dock.  One Red-necked Grebe was toward the dam tower.

From the swimming beach area, we found three Surf Scoters.  We never did find any of the previously reported loons or the second Red-necked Grebe.

Having seen the Red Phalarope along Tower Road yesterday, we did not stop as we passed by (several birders were there looking for it).

Our birding day ended at Barr Lake (Adams County).  We relocated the Pomarine Jaeger that Rebecca had found yesterday (she was not sure of the identification, which was confirmed by Doug Kibbe earlier Saturday).

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