Some Good Birds in Adams County

October 24, 2013

Richard Stevens:

This morning, Rebecca Kosten and I drove the DIA Owl Loop (Adams County).  It appears that Burrowing Owls have migrated.

The Red Phalarope found yesterday by John Breitsch was still at the flooded field north of Tower Road & 96th avenue.  A couple of Long-billed Dowitchers and many Killdeer were also there.

On the way home, we stopped at Barr Lake (Adams).  Neither the Red Phalarope nor Pacific Loon found there yesterday by Doug Kibbe could not be found at the boat ramp or the northern end of the dam.

After seeing the Red Phalarope at Tower Road, north of 96th avenue this morning, doing some chores, I returned at around 4:00 pm.  This time the Red Phalarope was mostly in the small pond on the west side of Tower Road (photos from 10 yards or so).  It did fly to the east side ponds several times.  When on the east side, I got photos of 19 Long-billed Dowitchers, 1 Pectoral Sandpiper, 1 Least Sandpiper, 2 Western Sandpipers and 1 White-faced Ibis.  Dozens of Killdeer were also around.

It was too nice a day to head home, so I returned to Barr Lake.  I could not find the previously reported Red Phalarope and Pacific Loon at the boat ramp.  One Cattle Egret walked along the parking area!  There were even fewer birds when I scoped from the north end of the dam (near mile 6.0).  Two Bonaparte's Gulls flew around with many Ring-billed and California Gulls.  Western Grebes were many.  American Coots slightly less in number.  A surprise blue phase Snow Goose was also along the dam.

No owls were found along the DIA Owl Loop when I drove it about 30 minutes before sunset (which is coming earlier every day :-(