Sunday, April 14, 2019

Rocky Mountain Arsenal to Cherry Creek Reservoir

April 13, 2019

Richard Stevens:

High temperature was 46 degrees today.  Winds were 8-9 mph with 20 mph gusts at Rocky Mountain Arsenal.

I drove the Rocky Mountain Arsenal Wildlife Drive attempting to relocate the four Long-billed Curlews reported yesterday.  Other target birds along the way included Eastern Phoebes, Red-headed Woodpeckers, Burrowing Owls and a possible Eastern Meadowlark reported a few days ago.  None of the secondary target birds was found.

When I arrived just west of 88th Avenue (north end of drive) and Peoria Street an adult Bald Eagle was flying low over the field north of 88th avenue.  All of a sudden, the focus of its flight was discovered.

A flock of 38 Long-billed Curlew rose and flew south over my car!  Once 50 yards south of 88th avenue, they turned around and returned northeast of their original location.  This occurred approximately 12:45 pm.

I mention the time because 21-22 birds were found at 2:00pm a mile or so east of this location.  Others reported seeing a similar number later yet in the day farther east at Potomac Street and 88th avenue and still later at Potomac Street and 64th.

Other sightings included Ferruginous Hawk, Red-tailed Hawks and a Rough-legged Hawk.  Most interesting was a Meadowlark near mile 5 that sounded just like an Eastern Meadowlark.  Photos were taken and when examined last night showed the bird to be a Western Meadowlark.

A House Wren popped out of the log pile at the entrance to Rattlesnake Hill Drive.

A stop at Bluff Lake Nature Area (Denver) did not find any uncommon birds.  The Harris's Sparrow the wintered has not been reported since January 21.

In the afternoon, I birded at Cherry Creek Reservoir (Arapahoe).  I made my usual loop between Dixon Grove and Augie's Pond.  I have not encountered the Rusty Blackbirds on three trips in a row (not since April 10).

A Bonaparte's Gull flew off Pelican Point.  No shorebirds were on the sand spit or southern mudflats.

An adult Bald Eagle perched along the shore at West Shades picnic area.  While another Bald Eagle flew over the lake.

Gulls were few and no uncommon ones were found.  A Clark's Grebe swam below the dam at Pelican Bay.  Numerous American Coots were also in this area.

No owls appeared this evening along the Shooting Range entrance road or Lakeview Drive (main Cherry Creek road).

A Sharp-shinned Hawk was not prompted to move from his perch at the Shop Creek trailhead.

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