Thursday, May 8, 2014

Visits to Rocky Mountain Arsenal and Bluff Lake Nature Area

May 7, 2014

Richard Stevens:

Rebecca Kosten and I went to the Rocky Mountain Arsenal (Adams) when they opened at 6:00 am.  A Long-eared Owl (possible two) was heard in the Governor's Row area.

Later we search for an hour at the parking area along 64th Avenue for the Black-throated Sparrow reported yesterday.  Unfortunately, the sparrow was not found.  Two Burrowing Owls were between the parking area and Lake Ladora.

The day started out partly sunny, calm winds and temperatures in the 60s.  By noon, a storm blew in and anemometer readings were 26 mph, gusts to 33 mph.

Rebecca and I made the 3.6 mile round trip to the Rod & Gun Club Pond.  The trail was quite birdy after we reached the trailhead (1.1 miles from 64th avenue).

A Cassin's Vireo and Black-and-white Warbler fluttered about above the blind.  Unfortunately, no shorebirds were there.  On the trip back to our car, a male Burrowing Owl in its fresh orange and black plumage flew across the trail.  Many Chipping Sparrows and Lark Sparrows flew up from the rabbit brush.  A Lazuli Bunting added blue to the drab landscape.

We drove down 6th street (64th avenue) from Havana Street to where 64th turns from paved to gravel road.  On the trip back to Havana, a red bird was seen in the grove of trees just west of where First Creek crosses the paved portion of 64th.

After getting better views, the red bird was determined to be a young male Summer Tanager!

We stopped at Bluff Lake Nature Area (Denver) on the trip home.  A Northern Waterthrush walked along the shore at the southwest corner.  A Dusky Flycatcher and unidentified "empidonax" flycatcher were along the south end of the trail.

A Western Wood-pewee was farther east of the southwest corner and a Virginia Rail called from the cattails.

Winds increased and we headed for home before the rain and hail fell.

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