Friday, March 22, 2019

Castlewood Canyon State Park to Aurora Reservoir On a Windy Day

March 21, 2019

Richard Stevens:

I had business in Parker and proceeded to Castlewood Canyon State Park (Douglas County) afterwards.

It is still early in the season and few birds were expected as turned out the case.  A couple of Mountain Bluebirds were the only Bluebirds around the old Winkler Ranch.  

No Turkey Vultures or Golden Eagles circled overhead in the Park.

The Eastern Phoebes have not yet returned to Cherry Creek and Hwy 86.  A Great Horned Owl was on a nest along the Cherry Creek Trail.

I took back roads home and passed Aurora Reservoir (Arapahoe).  Winds were steady at 22 mph!  A few gusts reached 29 mph.  At least the temperature reached 60 degrees yet it was cold with the wind.

High waves on the Lake made finding waterfowl close to impossible.  Two Lesser Black-backed Gulls stood on the ice off the swim beach.  A Great Black-backed Gull swam nearby.

I abandoned further birding and headed home.  No owls were seen along the DIA Owl Loop (Adams/Denver).

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