Monday, October 16, 2017

Return to Rocky Mountain Arsenal and Arapahoe County

October 16, 2017

Richard Stevens:

Rebecca and I returned to Rocky Mountain Arsenal (Adams) to see if yesterday's birds had hung around.  Winds were only 3-4 mph; temperatures reached 75 degrees.

The Common Loon was still swimming along the eastern side of Lake Ladora.  The Harris's Sparrow was relocated at the southeastern corner of Marys Lake.  Unfortunately, we did not find the Swamp Sparrow or Sage Thrashers.

A drive through the Wildlife Area did not find many birds.  Nine Mountain Bluebirds, females or immature, were near the entrance road to Rattlesnake Hill.

In the afternoon, I drove over to Cherry Creek Reservoir and scoped the lake for several hours.  Few birds swam around today.  A Common Loon stayed in the southeastern quadrant.  No uncommon gulls or the Red-necked Grebe could be relocated.

My next stop was Aurora Reservoir (also Arapahoe County).  Even fewer birds swam around the lake today.  No uncommon birds were recorded.

My birding day ended with a drive around southeastern Arapahoe County.  The Red-headed Woodpeckers were not found at Kiowa Creek and County Line Road.  Perhaps they have moved south.

I parked at a field in southeastern Arapahoe County where Short-eared Owls have been observed on past trips.  None appeared this evening.

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