Banner Lakes Wildlife Area

July 30, 2019

Richard Stevens:

Before the heat of the day, I circled both the northern and southern ponds at Banner Lakes Wildlife Area (Adams County).

Few birds moved around.  Highlights of the northern ponds included a Long-eared Owl in the thick evergreens near pond 7 (around the partly fallen Russian Olive Tree).  A Brown Thrasher ran under the eastern windbreak at the parking area.

The southern ponds have even fewer birds.  However, a great highlight was a Long-billed Curlew walking the hillside at the southwestern corner.  

By noon, the temperatures were rising into the 90s degrees (high of 96 later in the afternoon).  Winds of 9-10 mph with afternoon gusts to 23 mph brought much heat.

At dusk, Rebecca and I attempted to drive the DIA Owl Loop (Adams/Denver).  It started to downpour and we gave up on finding any owls.