October 14, 2016
Richard Stevens:
I visited several locations around Denver today. The light was strange with partly sunny skies. Temperatures reached 82 degrees (in October). Winds were 8 mph with gusts at times to 21 mph.
My first stop was Chatfield Reservoir (Jefferson/Douglas). I scoped the lake from top of the dam and near the tower.
The adult Pomarine Jaeger stayed mostly in the middle of the lake and off the dam tower. I did get to see it fly twice providing good views of the barrel chest and underwing pattern. The Jaeger stayed mostly in Douglas County, however did venture briefly into Jefferson County!
A stop at the swim beach found a Sabine's Gull swimming not far offshore (photo in library).
My next stop was South Platte Park Reservoir (Jefferson/Arapahoe). The female or juvenile Surf Scoter was right below the Jefferson side of the dam. It eventually swam into Arapahoe County for both my county lists. Photos on the Colorado Birding Society's photo library:
http://coloradobirdingsociety.net
Two Common Loons swam near the center of Marston Reservoir (Denver). A third loon was near the southeastern end. It was diving during most of my visit. Only occasionally did it come up for air, not allowing good looks for a proper identification.
One hundred thirteen Ruddy Ducks represented the majority duck on the lake. A Pied-billed Grebe and a few Western Grebes were also there.
No uncommon ducks were on the Fort Logan National Cemetery ponds. Only White-cheeked Geese and most of them were probably Canada Geese.
Hundreds of gulls stood on the southwest marina at Cherry Creek Reservoir (Arapahoe). One dark mantled Gull with light eyes appeared to be a Lesser Black-backed Gull. It contrasted with the lighter mantled and dark eyed California Gulls, which surrounded it. Photo on recent witness link on Colorado Birding Society's website.
Richard Stevens:
I visited several locations around Denver today. The light was strange with partly sunny skies. Temperatures reached 82 degrees (in October). Winds were 8 mph with gusts at times to 21 mph.
My first stop was Chatfield Reservoir (Jefferson/Douglas). I scoped the lake from top of the dam and near the tower.
The adult Pomarine Jaeger stayed mostly in the middle of the lake and off the dam tower. I did get to see it fly twice providing good views of the barrel chest and underwing pattern. The Jaeger stayed mostly in Douglas County, however did venture briefly into Jefferson County!
A stop at the swim beach found a Sabine's Gull swimming not far offshore (photo in library).
My next stop was South Platte Park Reservoir (Jefferson/Arapahoe). The female or juvenile Surf Scoter was right below the Jefferson side of the dam. It eventually swam into Arapahoe County for both my county lists. Photos on the Colorado Birding Society's photo library:
http://coloradobirdingsociety.net
Two Common Loons swam near the center of Marston Reservoir (Denver). A third loon was near the southeastern end. It was diving during most of my visit. Only occasionally did it come up for air, not allowing good looks for a proper identification.
One hundred thirteen Ruddy Ducks represented the majority duck on the lake. A Pied-billed Grebe and a few Western Grebes were also there.
No uncommon ducks were on the Fort Logan National Cemetery ponds. Only White-cheeked Geese and most of them were probably Canada Geese.
Hundreds of gulls stood on the southwest marina at Cherry Creek Reservoir (Arapahoe). One dark mantled Gull with light eyes appeared to be a Lesser Black-backed Gull. It contrasted with the lighter mantled and dark eyed California Gulls, which surrounded it. Photo on recent witness link on Colorado Birding Society's website.
No comments:
Post a Comment