DIA Owl Loop & Cherry Creek Reservoir

October 28, 2019

Richard Stevens:

Once the snow stopped, the sun came out and dried out the busier roads.  High temperature was a nippy 21 degrees.  Winds were 3-4 mph with gusts to 10 mph at Cherry Creek Reservoir.

I spent the morning trying to relocate the Snow Bunting Rebecca and I found yesterday.  It was not found.  One flock of 200+ Horned Larks flew north of 114th avenue.

In the afternoon, I drove over to the Cherry Creek Reservoir area.  While scoping from the east side of the Lake Loop I observed a Loon at 60 yards.  The identification was not a simple one.

Field marks for Yellow-billed Loon: the Loon held its bill in upward slant, bill appeared yellow especially at the point, and its back had pale barring

Field marks for Common Loon: dark culmen on 1/2 bill closer to head, in spite of obvious barring on back, the loon appeared darker than Yellow-billed Loons I have seen previously, and some Common Loons can appear to have yellowish bills especially at sunset

I ran into Cole Sage who had several photos of the Loon.  His photos were darker than actually looking at the Loon.  Being there, the Loon was much lighter in appearance.  I am at a lost to call the Loon either species.  

It took quite awhile; eventually I did detect the previously reported lone Black Scoter.  The larger size, similar to the Redheads and American Wigeons around it and darker flanks separated it from the possible male Ruddy Duck.

Two Bonaparte's Gulls flew toward the southwest marina.  Misses included the Red-necked Grebe, Jaeger and Clark's Grebe.

Fourteen American Pipits walked the road to the ranger's office.  One hundred twenty or so Sandhill Cranes circled over the field east of the Campgrounds.  They started to descend; however, I was not able to find them on the ground.