Tuesday, April 24, 2018

DIA Owl Loop

Richard Stevens:

An email sent to the "cobirders" listserve:

Hello cobirders;

We stayed home most of the day during neglected chores.  A drive around the DIA Owl Loop in the late afternoon was a nice break.

Highlight for sure, I pointed out what I thought was a sickly Western Meadowlark walking along W. Cargo Road (0.2 miles south of 96th avenue/Cargo Road intersection).

We turned around and went back for a closer look.  Instead of a Western Meadowlark, it was an Upland Sandpiper.  The bird walked along the shoulder of W. Cargo Road and then flew to the top of the grassy hill a hundred yards to the north!

I always regret when my camera is not along; did not think we would encounter any birds not observed on previous drives.  First bird reported to the uncommon bird report in 2018 that I did not capture a photo.

One Burrowing Owl was at W. Cargo Road and Third Creek; another was along Gun Club Road, 1.7 miles south of 112th Avenue.

Other birds found included two Ferruginous Hawks, three Red-tailed Hawks, a lingering Rough-legged Hawk, an American Kestrel pair and one Prairie Falcon.  

Still no Swainson's Hawks have arrived.  Some years it is possible to see both Rough-legged Hawks and Swainson's Hawks on the same day along the drive.

Regrettably, no Short-eared Owls appeared tonight.

Continued Good Birding!

Directions to birding spots on CoBus website:
http://coloradobirdingsociety.net

Richard Stevens; Director, Colorado Birding Society
Denver, Colorado
Contact CoBus/Report Interesting Birds: 303-324-7994
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