Monday, June 24, 2019

Search for Yellow-billed Cuckoo at Cherry Creek Reservoir; Owls at DIA Owl Loop

June 24, 2019

Richard Stevens:

Terry Michaels and I bushwhacked the trails north and south of Lake View Drive, Cherry Creek Reservoir (Arapahoe County).   We hoped to relocate the Yellow-billed Cuckoo that Rebecca and I found on 6/22.

Yellow-billed Cuckoos have nested along Cherry Creek in past years.  Most recently, an active nest was found at Hidden Valley Open Space.  They once nested at McCabe Meadows Park (once called Parker Regional Park).  Perhaps they are nesting in Cherry Creek State Park?

Regrettably, no Yellow-billed Cuckoos were found during our four hour search.  Highlight was a Red-eyed Vireo that was along the trail about 300 yards south of Lake View Drive.

Other sightings included Yellow Warblers, a male Black-headed Grosbeak, Warbling Vireos, many House Wrens and Song Sparrows.  The male Black-chinned Hummingbird is still searching for females behind the ranger's office.  Several Broad-tailed Hummingbirds are along Shop Creek below the ranger's office.

In the afternoon, we walked the rookery area at Barr Lake (mile 3.0 etc).  The Little Blue Heron sighting reported last Friday was not confirmed again.

No Short-eared Owls appeared along the DIA Owl Loop this evening.  Burrowing Owl situation is such that someone or organization bulldozed the prairie dog towns at Trussville Road and 114th avenue; no owls have shown up this year.

Two Burrowing Owls were observed at Third Creek and West Cargo Road on 5/18 and 5/20.  I have not seen them since those dates.

Photos of the Yellow-billed Cuckoo found on Saturday (5/22/2019) were put on the Colorado Birding Society's website (recent witness photos)
coloradobirdingsociety.net

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