Restful Afternoon at Cherry Creek Reservoir

December 16, 2014

Richard Stevens:

Today I sat at the Lake Loop at Cherry Creek Reservoir (Arapahoe County) for about 4.5 hours.  Afternoon light lit up the thousands of ducks in the center of the lake.  I tried to look at each bird, of course not totally possible.  The first two times I scanned the entire huge raft of ducks.  The third pass focused on just the front edge.

While scoping the raft, an adult Bald Eagle flew over and mixed the birds up when they flew around.  Low numbers of Western and Eared Grebes were a surprise as their numbers dominated in the past few trips.

Uncommon birds found included one Long-tailed Duck, two Greater Scaup, a Barrow's Goldeneye and five Red-breasted Mergansers.

Misses included the White-winged Scoter, additional Long-tailed Ducks, additional scoters and Red-necked Grebe(s).

Gulls numbered in the thousands.  No Bonaparte's Gulls were picked out.  Three Thayer's Gulls and two Lesser Black-backed Gulls were identified among the many gulls most of which were quite far from the shore.  The identified gulls were standing on ice between the Lake Loop and the southwest marina.

On the way home, I drove the DIA Owl Loop.  A sighting of Dave King and a Short-eared Owl was my reward for the detour.

Successful Birding at Chatfield Reservoir

December 15, 2014

Richard Stevens:

I drove down to Chatfield State Park (Jefferson/Douglas) to get a look at the Yellow-billed Loon that had been reported for several days. 

Scoping from the swim beach and Massey Draw did not find the bird and I headed over to the fishing dock west of the southern marina.  From there I took the paved path west to below the Campgrounds.

The Yellow-billed Loon was just 10 yards off the shore (photos on the Colorado Birding Society's website: http://coloradobirdingsociety.net16.net)

Scoping the lake to the west, I could see the Red-necked Grebe that has been at the lake for over a month!  He was loosely associated with a raft of Western Grebes. 

Several Common Loons were below the dam's tower to the north!  A Barrow's Goldeneye was also in the area.

Later I drove north of C470 to South Platte Park.  Fourteen Greater Scaup and four Lesser Scaup swam around Eaglewatch Lake.

No owls appeared on the DIA Owl Loop (Adams) this evening.

Return from Jackson County to Arapahoe County

December 14, 2014

Richard Stevens:

Rebecca Kosten and I returned from Jackson County.  Thanks to the eight birders who helped with the Colorado State Forest and Rabbit Ears Pass Christmas Counts.  Weather Friday and Saturday was excellent.  We enjoyed some good bird sightings including multiple Boreal Owls, Northern Pygmy-Owl, Long-eared Owl and Great Horned Owl.  Greater Sage-Grouse were found at five locations, American Three-toed Woodpeckers at six.  Four of us saw White-winged Crossbills (one pair) on Rabbit Ears Pass yesterday.  Others were not able to relocate them later in the afternoon.  Without a long snowshoe trip, they are probably not going to be found again.  Final results will be posted in January's "Colorado Field Notes".

We left Jackson County shortly after sunrise to avoid the coming snowstorms.  A dozen Rosy Finches and a pair of Pine Grosbeak were at the Colorado State Forest Visitor's Center feeders.

Back in Denver, while doing chores I stopped at Arapahoe County Reservoirs.  I was waiting to hear about a Yellow-billed Loon sighting at Chatfield Reservoir.  However, visibility today was poor.  If the Yellow-billed Loon was relocated, I did not hear about it in time to travel the extra 20 miles.

Visibility was better at Aurora Reservoir but still not great.  I was able to find the Glaucous Gull and several Lesser Black-backed Gulls.  The majority of birds were too far into the fog for an ID. 

Then I hustled over to Cherry Creek Reservoir to see if I could find another Glaucous Gull (confirm two in the county?).  Visibility was poor.  I managed to see two Lesser Black-backed Gulls and one Bonaparte's Gull.  Duck-wise I saw one Long-tailed Duck but none of the other uncommon ducks.

I drove the DIA Owl Loop (Adams County) on the way home and was rewarded with a Short-eared Owl sighting.  Many times during a snow storm, the Short-eared Owls will hunt before sunrise.  Today one perched on one of those plastic green road markers along 114th avenue, just east of the west end of the DIA runways.

Ten Days in North Park

December 4 to 14, 2014


Richard Stevens:

Rebecca Kosten and I headed to Jackson County to scout and count Christmas Counts over the next week.

December 4, 2014

We stopped at several birding locations in Larimer County on the trip up to Cameron Pass.

A quick stop at 88th avenue and Colorado Blvd (South Platte Birding Area) found a pair of Barrow's Goldeneyes south of 88th avenue.

Lake Loveland was a great stop.  We relocated the Red-necked Grebe and Bonaparte's Gulls.

One of the Greater White-fronted Geese continued at Prospect Ponds Natural Area.

The seven Tundra Swans were still on Rawhide Reservoir.

After dark, we found Boreal Owls west of Cameron Pass restroom pullover (Jackson) and south of the Crags Campgrounds.

December 5

Snowed again today, we drove over to the Colorado State Forest Visitor's Center at sunrise and before the snowstorm.  Eighteen+ Rosy Finches (no Blacks) came to the feeder.  Other birds included Pine Siskins, Mountain Chickadees, Pine Grosbeaks and Steller's Jays.

The male American Three-toed Woodpecker was relocated north of highway 14 (north of Visitor's Center).

The rest of the day, we watched the falling snow from our warm cabin.

December 6

Snow and high winds continued.  Again early in the morning, we watched Rosy Finches and the usual birds at the Colorado State Forest Visitor's Center feeders.  I cross-country skied up County Road 21 without finding much of interest.

When the snows lessen in the afternoon, we visited a friend's ranch.  She had 600+ Rosy Finches coming to her feeders.  All three species were represented (480 Gray-crowned, 110 Brown-capped, and 10 Black).

It was too windy for any successful owling attempts.

December 7, 2014

Rebecca and I snow shoed the Zimmerman Lake Loop Trail (Larimer) today.  Temperatures were in the lows 30s, winds were calm.  We found a pair of White-winged Crossbills just before reaching the junction in the trail.

Back at the Colorado State Forest Visitor's Center, we relocated an American Three-toed Woodpecker north of highway 14.  Only a few Rosy Finches visited the feeders in the afternoon.

December 8

Snowed most of the day, stopped briefly at Colorado State Forest Visitor's Center and found 20+ Rosy Finches (no Blacks).

December 9

The weather finally cleared today.  Rebecca and I drove through the Arapaho National Wildlife Refuge (Jackson) searching for Gyrfalcons; without success.

A Greater Sage-Grouse was encountered on the Refuge (along the first road west of the Visitor's Center).

Nine Rough-legged Hawks were the raptor of the day.  Two Golden Eagles were nice sightings.

December 10

After the roads cleared late in the morning, Rebecca and I drove to Steamboat Springs (mainly to replenish supplies).

A female American Three-toed Woodpecker responded to a recording played along the road to the maintenance shed.  She allowed us five minute views before disappearing back into the woods.

Several dozen Red Crossbills flew back and forth.  Unfortunately, none was White-winged Crossbills.

On the way back to Gould, we heard Boreal Owls at two stops along Rabbit Ears Pass (Jackson & Grand).

December 11

Another snowy day with high winds.  We stopped by the Colorado State Forest Visitor's Center and watched the usual suspects including 12 Rosy Finches (no Black).

Most of the day was spent in our warm cabin.  Winds were too strong to go owling.

December 12

Colorado State Forest Christmas Count:

Winds died down around 1:00 am and I went out for a walk at Cameron Pass (Jackson).  Joined by the Ehlmanns, Washburn & Simmons we heard a Boreal Owl west of Cameron Pass.  It was not persuaded to come into view.

Several additional stops along highway 14 were also unsuccessful.

After sunrise, we relocated an American Three-toed Woodpecker north of the Colorado State Forest Visitor's Center and highway 14.

About thirty Rosy Finches (no Black) came to the Visitor's Center feeders.

American Three-toed Woodpeckers were found at three locations.  Twelve Greater Sage-Grouse were found at five locations (all previously staked out). The highlight was a Long-eared Owl found near the Colorado State Forest boundary!

Later...........

Sharp-tailed Grouse were later found in Steamboat Springs (Routt).  On the way back to Gould, a Boreal Owl was relocated on Rabbit Ears Pass (Jackson).

December 13

Rabbit Ears Pass Christmas Count:

Six of us watched before sunrise, 12+ Rosy Finches at the Colorado State Forest Visitor's Center.

Rabbit Ears Pass (Jackson/Grand) provided the highlights today.  We encountered three American Three-toed Woodpeckers, a pair of White-winged Crossbills (with 60+ Red Crossbills) and a Northern Pygmy-Owl (up maintenance shed road).

Two Boreal Owls were heard on Rabbit Ears Pass (one in Jackson County, one in Grand County).

Later we found a Boreal Owl up Ruby Jewell Road.  All were able to see that one!  Another Boreal Owl was heard 0.2 miles west of Cameron Pass.

Fantastic Day in Arapahoe County

December 2, 2014

Richard Stevens:

I enjoyed this marvelous day with the 8.7 mile, five hour hike around Aurora Reservoir (Arapahoe County).  Winds were calm; temperatures reached into the 60s.

Tens of thousands of White-cheeked Geese with half a dozen Snow Geese and two Ross's Geese swan back and forth across the lake.  At least one Greater White-fronted Goose defended that species count.

 Gulls numbered over 20,000.  They were in groups at the swim beach, the cove at mile 3.0, at the scuba beach and the northwest corner of the lake. 

Hundreds more were scattered all over the lake.  Throughout the day, they would fly over to the nearby DADS (Denver Arapahoe Disposal Site) and return.  Exact numbers were difficult to pin down.

Ducks were represented by Mallards, Gadwalls, Ruddy Ducks, American Wigeons, a few Northern Pintails, Green-winged Teal, Canvasbacks, Redheads, Ring-necked Ducks and Common Goldeneyes. 

All three mergansers were recorded.  Most interesting were a Long-tailed Duck, Surf Scoter (perhaps more than one) and Barrow's Goldeneye.

Uncommon gulls included three Thayer's Gulls, two Lesser Black-backed Gulls and an adult Mew Gull.  It is quite possible that these gulls move back and forth to nearby Cherry Creek Reservoir (about 8 miles to the west).

Misses: The previously reported Great Black-backed Gull was not found.

Afterwards, I ended by birding day back at Cherry Creek Reservoir (Arapahoe).  Winds picked up there (8 mph anemometer reading).  The temperature dropped rapidly at sunset.

Uncommon ducks included the two Long-tailed Ducks and a female Barrow's Goldeneye.  They were quite difficult to pick out in the large raft of ducks in the western middle of the lake. 

Numbers change day to day, Eared Grebe numbers have dropped much in the past week.  Hooded Merganser numbers have increased ten fold.  Only a few Western Grebes, no Clark's were found today.

Uncommon gulls included a Lesser Black-backed Gull and Thayer's Gull.

Misses: the White-winged Scoter which I last saw yesterday; the Glaucous Gull which has not been reported for seven days now (it was not at Aurora Reservoir either).

Overall, it was quite an enjoyable and pleasant day of birding!

Back In Denver

December 1, 2014

Richard Stevens:

On the return from Julesburg today by way of I76, we chose to search for the Winter Wren at Brush Wildlife Area (Morgan County) instead of Prewitt Reservoir.  Unfortunately, it was not found.  A Red-bellied Woodpecker and the resident Eastern Screech-Owl were consolation sightings.

After a quick stop at Jackson Reservoir (Morgan), I dropped Bryan off in Brighton and headed to Denver West Office Complex (Jefferson County).   The Pine Warbler (Chavez, 11/30) was first observed in the fir tree on the east side of Cole Blvd where the irrigation ditch runs under it.

The Pine Warbler then flew to the southeast corner of building # 6.  It fluttered about the pines and was loosely associated with four Mountain Chickadees, two Black-capped Chickadees, two Red-breasted Nuthatches and a White-breasted Nuthatch.

Afterwards, I drove to Red Rocks Park hoping for better photos of the uncommon birds there.  Unfortunately, only the Harris's Sparrow appeared during my one hour stay.

The birding day ended at Cherry Creek Reservoir (Arapahoe).  I arrived about 30 minutes before sunset.  My favorite spot to scope the lake is along the Cherry Creek dam trail about halfway between the southwest marina and the dam tower.

White-winged Scoter was found in the large raft of waterfowl about 100 yards to the east.  Gulls on the poles lining the marina included an adult Lesser Black-backed Gull and a Thayer's Gull.

I parked along the Lakeview Drive at 100 yards west of where Cherry Creek goes under the road.  No Short-eared Owls appeared over the cattail fields today. 

November 27 to 30, 2014

Richard Stevens:

Bryan and I returned to northeastern Colorado.  Temperatures remained cold, low 30s; winds were 10+ mph most of our trip.

November 27

We enjoyed the day at Tamarack Ranch Wildlife Area (Logan County).  Highlights included:
Northern Cardinal, five Red-bellied Woodpeckers, Eastern Screech-Owl, Field Sparrow and Eastern Bluebirds.

November 28

Today Bryan and I visited Jumbo Reservoir.  Highlights included: two Rusty Blackbirds below Logan County Road 93; Red-bellied Woodpecker, two Long-eared Owls (between Jumbo Reservoir and Red Lion Wildlife Area); an Eastern Screech-Owl.

A Greater White-fronted Goose was at Red Lion Wildlife Area.  No Short-eared Owl showed up this evening.

November 29

Bryan Ehlmann, Roger Danka and I visited five private ranches in Sedgwick & Logan Counties today.

Highlights included: seven Long-eared Owls (over two locations), Harris's Sparrow, Fox Sparrow and two Eastern Screech-Owls (over two locations).

A Northern Cardinal and Red-bellied Woodpecker were in Ovid Woods (Sedgwick).  A Purple Finch was found at a friend's feeder in Ovid.

A Greater Prairie-Chicken was seen around sunset in the Tamarack Ranch Wildlife Area southern section, west of Logan County Road 93 (north of CR 46).

November 30

Bryan, Roger and I birded mostly in the Julesburg area today (Sedgwick County).

Two Rusty Blackbirds were found walking along the S. Platte River at the Julesburg Wayside Rest Stop.  It was not a bad sighting; we would have preferred an American Woodcock.

Farther west of the bridge at the Julesburg Wayside Rest Stop, we found a Winter Wren at Julesburg Wayside Rest Stop.  We waited a good 20 minutes to obtain good looks and more important hear the Stub-tailed Wren.  It was quick certainly a Winter Wren (Pacific Wren for Sedgwick County would have been a superb find).

At DePoorter Lake (Sedgwick) two Harris's Sparrows were in the willows along the South Platte River.  Again no American Woodcocks.

At Pony Express Wildlife Area, we saw a male Red-bellied Woodpecker in the cottonwoods along the S. Platte River.

Sedgwick Bar Wildlife Area added only a few White-crowned Sparrows to our trip list.