December 25, 2019
Richard Stevens:
The high temperature in Denver was 53 degrees in early afternoon. Winds were 9-10 mph with gusts to 18 mph at the DIA Owl Loop (Adams).
With Aurora Reservoir and the Rocky Mountain Arsenal closed today, birding was limited.
Rebecca and I drove through Cherry Creek State Park (Arapahoe) and found 75 percent of the Lake ice covered. A few Common Goldeneyes, Western Grebes and one pair of Hooded Mergansers were the only ducks found. Gull count was less than 60 with one Herring Gull among the majority of Ring-billed.
Later we walked the South Platte Birding Area from 88th avenue to hwy 224 and back. The Barrow's Goldeneye was still on Tani Reservoir. We did not see any Long-tailed Ducks.
Once the lakes freeze over the ducks will spend more time on the South Platte River. Seeing a Barrow's Goldeneye should become less of a chore.
We watched sunset back at West Cargo Road and 96th Avenue. No Short-eared Owls appeared this evening. Raptors included a Ferruginous Hawk, sub-adult Bald Eagle and two Red-tailed Hawks.
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