Monday, November 10, 2014

Birding Before the Storm

November 10, 2014

Richard Stevens:

We managed to squeeze in a day of birding before the cold/snow hit the foothills.

Five of us drove up to Guanella Pass (Clear Creek County).  It took about 10 minutes to find a pair of White-tailed Ptarmigan hiding from the high winds.  They were below the largest rock southeast of the parking area.  This is the fifth time in many trips that I have found them seeking shelter on the north side of this boulder.

After returning to Denver, I went by Cherry Creek Reservoir (Arapahoe).  Visibility was declining rapidly.  I did find one Common Loon and a dozen Bonaparte's Gulls. 

A Swamp Sparrow recording was played at the bird observation platform without getting a response.  Then I walked west and a Swamp Sparrow popped out of the cattails (about 20 yards west of the bird platform, Prairie Loop).

Visibility was poor along the DIA Owl Loop.  Roads were icy and a crept home.

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