A Couple of Denver Reservoirs

December 10, 2010

Richard Stevens:

Jacob Washburn and I visited several local reservoirs today. Temperatures were in the 50s, winds mild at first but gained speed as the day continued.

At Barr Lake (Adams County) we first scoped the lake from east of the boat ramp. The only uncommon Gull was the possible Iceland Gull reported yesterday by Bryan and Sue Ehlmann. It stood next to Herring, California and Ring-billed Gulls, which allowed a good size comparison.

There were several hundred geese, but not the numbers of last week. We could see at least two Ross's Geese and half a dozen Snow Geese. No Greater White-fronted Geese were picked out.

Then we drove around to the northwest side (mile marker 4.5) and walked to the southwest end where hundreds of gulls were on the shore. Unfortunately, no uncommon gulls were among them.

Our next stop was Aurora Reservoir (Arapahoe) where we decided to hike the 8.7 miles around the lake. Halfway around the wind picked up to 14+ mph with gusts to 22 mph. This created large waves, which made seeing, and identifying the hundreds of ducks close to impossible.

We did see dozens of Ruddy Ducks, American Coots, Ring-necked Ducks and Western Grebes. No scoters or other uncommon ducks were found.

Geese numbers were in the thousands. They kept coming in flight after flight during out 4 hour trek. At least a dozen Ross's Geese and several dozen Snow Geese could be picked out only because of their white color. If a Brant was among the horde, it went unnoticed.

Finally, at mile marker 7.5, we found two Greater White-fronted Geese! Could have been much more, however the geese were so close together that identification was quite difficult.

As for songbirds, we counted 19 American Tree Sparrows, 7 Song Sparrows and 4 White-crowned Sparrows. Not much else.

As for gulls, we passed hundreds. An adult Lesser Black-backed Gull was the only uncommon Gull found.

We ended our Gull searching day at Cherry Creek Reservoir (Arapahoe). The Iceland Gull reported yesterday by Glenn Walbek was with hundreds of gulls flying over a school of fish off the southwest marina.

We also picked out at least one Mew Gull, a Thayer's Gull and Lesser Black-backed Gull! With common gulls Herring, Ring-billed and California, it was a seven Gull afternoon!

Eastern Plains

December 5-9, 2010

Richard Stevens:

Sunday, 12/5

We headed east toward Bonny Reservoir (Yuma County). Our first stop was Flagler Reservoir (Kit Carson).

Two Common Redpolls were among a large flock of sparrows at the northeast corner of the reservoir. The Redpolls eventually flew south along the tree line. However, later we saw them back at the windbreak northeast of the dam.

A male Red-bellied Woodpecker worked the trees along the south end of the reservoir. Two Bald Eagles perched in the southeast corner.

At Bonny Reservoir (Yuma), we checked Wagon Wheel Campgrounds and found few birds.

From the Bonny Reservoir dam, we could see a Trumpeter Swan at the northeast corner. A group of gulls here included a Mew Gull and adult and first cycle Thayer's Gulls.

A Northern Cardinal was found when we walked around Foster's Grove Campgrounds. Five Wild Turkeys walked the open field just west of the Campgrounds.

A flock of 20+ Cedar Waxwings flew around the yard next to the Hale Store. At least 2 Long-eared Owls were found in their usual location in the Hale Windbreak. The windbreak looks like it had a bad year; it has been thinned out much.

A pair of Red-bellied Woodpeckers was just west of the most eastern Hale Ponds. No Winter Wrens were lurking around the ponds this trip. A flock of 11 Eastern Bluebirds was just east across the border in Kansas. They never entered Colorado while we watched them.

After sunset, I was able to get an Eastern Screech-Owl to respond to my recordings (played north of Hale Ponds)!

As we rolled into Wray, we made a quick detour to the Wray Fishing Unit and Sandsage Wildlife Area (Yuma). No Barn Owls at the Fishing Unit, however we did hear an Eastern Screech-Owl at Sandsage.

Monday, 12/6

An hour before sunrise, I decided to drive Yuma County Road 45. Nothing unusual was seen when I drove 3 miles east of Highway 385. However, on the return trip, a Greater Prairie-Chicken was seen crossing the road about 1.4 miles east of hwy 385!

We visited two friend's homes in Wray. At the first home, two male and a female Northern Cardinal feeders her feeders. At the second, we got to see an eastern race Fox Sparrow and 2 Harris's Sparrows that have visited my friend's yard for the past 3 days! The highlight was finding a Varied Thrush, which perhaps only showed up today!

Enjoyed a great barbeque and decided to stay around town for the night!

Tuesday, 12/7

We wandered around the Colorado/Kansas border hoping to find a stray Eastern Meadowlark; without success. Stopped at five "Colorado walk-in" properties just to explore what they looked like. No uncommon birds were found. I "got into" these properties two years ago. It offers about 100 new birding opportunities if one is willing to fulfill their entrance requirements (write me if you are interested in knowing them).

After sitting in a car most of the day, we took a long walk around the Sand Draw Wildlife Area (Logan). Two Sharp-shinned Hawks were in the windbreak along Sedgwick County Road 49. Two Field Sparrows were along the eastern fence.

The most surprising find was 4 Red Crossbills. However, not too surprising as I have found Red Crossbills here on at least three other occasions. A flock of 9 Cedar Waxwings was also at the southwest corner of the Wildlife Area.

We leisurely wandered again around the Colorado border searching for Eastern Meadowlarks; without success. According to Nebraska bird books, Eastern Meadowlarks do wander south along the border in November and December. I have yet to find one; perhaps next time.

We rolled into my friend's ranch near Julesburg just about sunset. Again, we enjoyed a fattening but tasty barbecue.

Wednesday, 12/8

Roger Danka and I went out owling two hours before sunrise. Eventually Eastern Screech-Owls were found near Sedgwick Draw and the north side of Jumbo Reservoir (Sedgwick County).

Hundreds of geese and ducks were on Jumbo Reservoir. There included many Ross's Geese and at least 3 Greater White-fronted Geese.

Gulls included a Lesser Black-backed Gull and a Bonaparte's Gull. The highlight was a Yellow-billed Loon that Roger had been seeing since 12/6. A Common Loon was also on the lake.

In the afternoon, we visited three area ranches and friends of Roger. Long-eared Owls as expected were found at two of the ranches.

An hour before sunset, we hiked the northern section of Tamarack Ranch Wildlife Area (Logan). No Greater Prairie-Chickens or Short-eared Owls appeared this evening.

Thursday, 12/9

We left our friends early in the morning. I wanted to stop and see if I could get a better photo of the Yellow-billed Loon at Jumbo Reservoir. Unfortunately, we could not find the loon. Neither was the Common Loon found?

As we drove along Interstate 76, we made several detours. At Brush Wildlife Area (Morgan), we found one Red-bellied Woodpecker but could not get the resident Eastern Screech-Owl to come out of his tree.

Riverside Park and Fort Morgan Ponds were slow. The only sparrows found were White-crowned Sparrows. The only geese, White-cheeked Geese.

When we got home, I had a message about the Iceland Gull at Cherry Creek Reservoir (Arapahoe) and had to head over that way.

There were hundreds of gulls flying around just off the southwest marina. I sat on one of the benches and scope the horde until sunset.

The Iceland Gull was easy to pick out because of its light color. A Mew Gull stood on the telephone poles floating around the marina. Two Lesser Black-backed Gulls stood on the sandbar north of the marina. It was not a bad way to end my birding day!

Drive to Tomichi Gulch

December 4, 2010

Richard Stevens:

Bryan Ehlmann and I found ourselves at Cherry Creek Reservoir (Arapahoe County) before sunrise. No Short-eared Owls flew over the large cattail fields west of where the main road crosses Cherry Creek.

No uncommon gulls were found in the southeast corner of the reservoir. While we did not walk around to the southeast corner, we do not believe the Dunlin are still there (could not find them in our scopes from north of the eastern water inlet.

The Mew Gull was again on the swim beach with many Ring-billed Gulls, California Gulls and a few Herring Gulls.

We stopped only briefly at Lakecrest (Denver County). Two Greater White-fronted Geese and several Ross's Geese were easily spotted. We did not see the Brant at that time. I heard Bryan and Sue relocated the Brant later in the day.

I took Bryan back to Barr Lake (Adams) where the Harris's Sparrow was again found in the tall bushes 25 yards west of the Visitor's Center.

Rebecca Kosten and I drove down to Tomichi Gulch for my third attempt at finding the Eastern Towhee. We missed the any Spotted Towhees within 500 yards of the parking area during our first hour of searching.

I then walked 0.7 miles east to where the trail opens into rolling prairie (northeast corner of the "working ranch"). On the return trip, I found 3 Spotted Towhees south of the creek where the path goes under telephone wires.

Continuing west, I found 5 or 6 Spotted Towhees less than 200 yards from the parking area. Then, finally, the Eastern Towhee popped out of the brush and stood on top of a willow for 20 seconds.

I radioed Rebecca and she rapidly ran down the trail. The Eastern Towhee again popped up for 15 seconds and gave us good looks. Eventually, all the towhees flew north of the creek and buried themselves in the willows.

By the way, while I had an Eastern Towhee recording with me, I did not play it. I did play a Spotted Towhee alarm call, which attracted the Spotted Towhees from 20 yards south of the trail. The Eastern Towhee followed the Spotted Towhees to the creek. The Spotted Towhees called back while the Eastern Towhee never made a sound.

Windy Day at Cherry Creek Reservoir

December 3, 2010

Richard Stevens:

Again, I avoided counting the thousands of geese at Lakecrest and went over to Cherry Creek Reservoir (Arapahoe County). Temperatures reached 70 degrees today. Unfortunately, the high temperatures were due to 23 mph winds with gusts to 47 mph.

The adult Mew Gull was again at the swim beach with several hundred Ring-billed Gulls and 51 California Gulls. The variations in size and mantle color of both species are quite a bit. Several California Gulls almost looked dark enough to be a Lesser Black-backed Gull (however, not quite so).

An adult Lesser Black-backed Gull was standing with hundreds of gulls on the southeastern sand spit. The Dunlin of 11/28 were not found. I have not heard a report since then.

A friend in Deer Creek Canyon (Jefferson) called to say they had an owl just outside of the living room window. I hurried over to find a Northern Pygmy-Owl watching my friend's bird feeders.

On the way home, a drive through Chatfield Reservoir (Jefferson/Douglas) did not find any uncommon birds.

I swung by Castlewood Canyon Road and State Park as a way to avoid the traffic of metro Denver. Not one bluebird was out exposing itself to the high winds.

No Short-eared Owls were found along the DIA Owl Loop as I passed through to get home.

Nice Afternoon at Barr Lake

December 2, 2010

Richard Stevens:

Tired of counting geese at Lakecrest and Emerald Strand Park, Rebecca and I skipped the area today. It was another fine winter day with temperatures in the high 50s and mild winds. Instead, we enjoyed the afternoon with a hike around Barr Lake (Adams County).

The Harris's Sparrow stayed in the bushes 25 yards west of the Visitor's Center. We wondered for 30 minutes why no birds were visiting the feeders west of the building. When a couple of House Sparrows flew over, the reason became apparent.

First, a Merlin flew by and landed in the tall tree at the northwest corner of the building. Then a juvenile Sharp-shinned Hawk buzzed both the close bushes and then circled the taller bushes 25 yards west (twice). When we left, an adult Red-tailed Hawk was observed on the roof of the building. It was not a good day for songbirds to be flying around the park.

We hiked down to the banding station area and back. Again, few birds were found. The previously reported Swamp Sparrow was among the missing. Two Red-tailed Hawks and a Rough-legged Hawk watched us from their perches in the taller cottonwoods.

I scoped the lake from the boat ramp. Hundreds of ducks and geese were north of the closed ramp. A pair of Barrow's Goldeneyes remains as well as one Common Loon. A few Ross's Geese were quite a distance from us.

Only four Great-tailed Grackles were observed around the Picadilly Tree Nursery feedlot today.

Our birding day ended with a drive around the DIA Owl Loop. No Short-eared Owls were found. No Snow Buntings or Lapland Longspurs came across our path.

Washington Park and Return to Red Rocks Park

December 1, 2010

Richard Stevens:

I was out doing chores when the call came that a White-winged Scoter was photographed yesterday at Smith Lake in Washington Park (Denver County). I hurried over, exited my car and then realized that I did not bring my binoculars. Fortunately, I eventually remembered that I had an old pair of 10 X 50s buried in the trunk. After some heavy duty cleaning, the binoculars were made usable.

However, there was no White-winged Scoter at Smith Lake or the northern lake in the park (currently spacing the name of that lake). I stayed long enough to make sure the scoter was not diving and avoiding detection.

Some of the waterfowl on Smith Lake included; Common Goldeneyes, Ring-necked Ducks, Bufflehead, Cackling Geese and Canada Geese.

Since I was halfway to Red Rocks Park (Jefferson County), my car headed that way :-) Arrived at 3:40 pm as two birders were leaving without seeing the White-throated Sparrow or Curve-billed Thrasher. I mentioned that the birds tended to come out after 4:00 pm.

As if on cue, the Golden-crowned Sparrow and White-throated Sparrow came out at 4:10 pm. The Harris's Sparrow showed up at 4:14 pm. The Curve-billed Thrasher at 4:21 pm. My longest wait was for a White-crowned Sparrow which should have been the most common. Finally, at 4:32 pm, a juvenile White-crowned Sparrow visited below the platform feeder at the northwest corner of the Red Rocks Park Trading Post.

This is only the 3rd time since 1992 that I have observed the four "Zonotrichia" sparrows in Colorado while standing at one spot!

Many other birds visited during my wait. Western Scrub-Jays, Spotted Towhees, many Dark-eyed Juncos, Black-capped Chickadees, Mountain Chickadee, House Finches, Northern Flickers and even a Canyon Wren called briefly from the western rock cliff.

One thought I had during a late visit earlier in the month. After 4:00 pm is first good because the Trading Post shuts down and most visitors leave. However, the many House Sparrows also seem to disappear around 4:00 pm. Why I do not know; however, this has been consistent in four or five of my late afternoon visits. They may require more daylight to hunt for food. The other birds come until it is almost too dark to see them. Dozens more Dark-eyed Juncos appear after the commotion of the "jumpy" House Sparrows ends for the day. Other bird numbers increase also.

Denver and Adams County Birding, Another look at the Brant!

November 30, 2010

Richard Stevens:

Temperatures only reached 43 degrees today; winds were 10+ mph. Still I was looking for a place to get in a walk and chose Lakecrest. I circled the whole lake and found some interesting birds among the 6000+ White-cheeked Geese.

Most of the White-cheeked Geese were as small as or smaller than the resident Mallards. Lakecrest was definitely a place to study Cackling Geese today!

Other geese included at least 9 Snow Geese, 3 Ross’s Geese and 4 Greater White-fronted Goose. Three additional white geese were not identified and could have been Snow Goose X Ross’s Goose hybrids. Several Canada Geese had white heads. Beware, there is also a resident domestic duck.

After the walk, I still wanted to get in a few miles and headed to the South Platte River at 88th Avenue. My walk today was only down to the white and green tower and back (starting from Colorado Blvd).

The male Barrow’s Goldeneye was still in the river and south of the tower. I did not relocate the Long-tailed Duck last reported on 11/15. Most of the lakes are open and there are way too many locations for the duck to “hang out”. Finding uncommon ducks and the Barrow’s Goldeneyes is much easier once the lakes freeze over and the ducks are forced to the S. Platte or small open areas in the lakes.

This location is a good place to study or photograph ducks. Many species swim on the river and they appear to not be bothered by the many people that walk and bike down the path.

My final stop was Barr Lake (Adams). The Harris’s Sparrow again visited below the feeders west of the Visitor’s Center. The Swamp Sparrow reported 11/28 by John Breitsch was not relocated.

Note: In the four or five times I have observed the Harris’s Sparrow, it has only come to the west side of the bushes west of the Visitor’s Center. I have not seen it approach the building. Perhaps throwing down some birdseed will entice the Sparrow closer to the building (for better views of it). When not at the bushes, it usually is in the taller bushes 20 yards or so west of the building.

Great-tailed Grackles and Eurasian Collared-Dove continue at the Picadilly Tree Nursery feedlot (152nd and Picadilly Road).