Misses In Elbert & Douglas Counties

September 5, 2019

Richard Stevens:

It was a hot one today; highs reached 98 degrees.  Winds were 5-6 mph.

I returned to Kiowa (Elbert) to search for Dickcissels.  While there appears to be much adequate habitat, Dickcissels have been uncommon in Elbert County this year.  None was found today at the previously reported fields.

A report of a Little Blue Heron changed my route back to Denver to the Walker Gravel Pond (Douglas).

Three egrets were on the far side (northern) side of the pond.  I scoped them for almost an hour until they walked the shore and showed their yellow feet.  All three were Snowy Egrets; probably the same three observed on Monday, September 2.

The Common Loon, which has been reported since June 22, was still around.  His flight feathers are looking much better than they appeared several weeks ago.

Then I drove over to nearby McClain Gravel Pond and walked up and down Castlewood Canyon Road.  In order to see the pond from the road it required peeking over the hillside between the road and pond.

Only one egret was observed.  It took a good twenty minutes before the Snowy Egret flew and revealed its yellow feet.

Afterwards I visited a friend who lives west of Castlewood Canyon State Park.  We set up my two "owl listening stations" and sat watching the sunset and listening to sounds of the night.

No Northern Saw-whet Owls were heard of seen this night.