February 10, 2015
Richard Stevens:
Returning from visiting friends in Aurora, I stopped by Aurora Reservoir (Arapahoe County). Winds were 8+ mph; temperatures reached the high 50s today.
About 300 gulls stood on the ice off the western fisherman's parking area. Aurora Reservoir is unusual. It is the last reservoir/lake to freeze (Cherry Creek Reservoir & Chatfield Reservoir froze a month earlier); however, it is the only one mostly ice covered (Cherry Creek & Chatfield are mostly open).
I watched the gulls for an hour before most took off north toward DADS (Denver Arapahoe Disposal Site). Quickly I was able to pick out two Lesser Black-backed Gulls. A large dark Gull stood out as being larger than the Herring Gulls standing next to it. The dark breast and flanks and checkered back indicated a 1st winter Great Black-backed Gull.
At least one Thayer's Gull stood among them (pink legs, rounded head).
No Short-eared Owls appeared at sunset around the DIA Owl Loop. Raptors included: 5 Northern Harriers, 2 Red-tailed Hawks, 2 Ferruginous Hawks and a Prairie Falcon.
Richard Stevens:
Returning from visiting friends in Aurora, I stopped by Aurora Reservoir (Arapahoe County). Winds were 8+ mph; temperatures reached the high 50s today.
About 300 gulls stood on the ice off the western fisherman's parking area. Aurora Reservoir is unusual. It is the last reservoir/lake to freeze (Cherry Creek Reservoir & Chatfield Reservoir froze a month earlier); however, it is the only one mostly ice covered (Cherry Creek & Chatfield are mostly open).
I watched the gulls for an hour before most took off north toward DADS (Denver Arapahoe Disposal Site). Quickly I was able to pick out two Lesser Black-backed Gulls. A large dark Gull stood out as being larger than the Herring Gulls standing next to it. The dark breast and flanks and checkered back indicated a 1st winter Great Black-backed Gull.
At least one Thayer's Gull stood among them (pink legs, rounded head).
No Short-eared Owls appeared at sunset around the DIA Owl Loop. Raptors included: 5 Northern Harriers, 2 Red-tailed Hawks, 2 Ferruginous Hawks and a Prairie Falcon.
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