Birding In Arapahoe County

January 28, 2018

Temperatures reached 50 degrees today.  Winds were 8 mph with gusts to 22 mph.  It felt cold all day.

My first stop was the East Crescent Parkway, Greenwood Village (Arapahoe).  After missing the wren yesterday by walking the wrong area, Loch Kilpatrick put me on the correct area today.  Thanks much Loch!

The Long-eared Owl continues to hide in the Russian Olive Trees at Cherry Creek Reservoir (Arapahoe).

I then scoped Aurora Reservoir (Arapahoe) from the upper swim beach parking area (Pavilion #4 offered some protection from the high winds).

Three Long-tailed Ducks swam to the east at about center of the lake.  The two White-winged Scoters were at the mouth of Lonetree Cove.

Hundreds of gulls stood on the swim beach ice shelf.  Only one Iceland Gull and one Lesser Black-backed Gull were picked out of the mix today.

My birding day ended with drives around the Jewell-Yale Loop (Arapahoe) and east of DIA (Denver International Airport, Adams).  My target bird, Snowy Owl was not found.

Birding Around Denver, Adams to Arapahoe County

January 27, 2018

Richard Stevens:

Temperatures reached the middle 40s today.  Winds were 9 mph with gusts to 13 mph.

Dan Bridges and I both had a bird list of two while in Wheel Chairs.  My fractured ankle was given a rest and I rode a wheel chair down the South Platte River Birding Area.  The two Barrow's Goldeneyes raised my list to three species.  

BTW, we happen to own a "family" wheel chair which is sometimes in the car truck.  When I was in college, I kept crutches in the car.   Many times after playing basketball with taller players, they had to assist me to my car.

After receiving a text about the Long-tailed Duck in the Spratt Platte Lake Area (Adams), I headed north.  The female Long-tailed Duck was exactly where Adam Vesely reported.  Thanks much Adam!

My next "adventure" was not quite as good or successful.  I drove to East Crescent, Greenwood Village (Arapahoe), and then walked (with crutches) about 1/4 miles along the cattail field.  (Later, I found out that I turned south instead of north from the parking area).  The Winter Wren was not found by me.

I passed through Cherry Creek Reservoir (Arapahoe) on the trip home.  The Long-eared Owl was out and providing nice views for many birders.

Hundreds of gulls stood on the ice off the northern boat ramp.  An Iceland Gull and Lesser Black-backed Gull was among many Ring-billed Gulls and two Herring Gulls.

Continued Search for Snowy Owls on the Eastern Plains

January 25

Richard Stevens:

Temperatures reached 32 degrees.  Winds were 5-6 mph with gusts to 12 mph.

Terry Michaels and I continued our search for Snowy Owls on the Eastern Plains.  None was found during this trip.

We looked for the Snow Buntings at Sterling Reservoir (Logan).  Unfortunately, none was found today.  One Bohemian Waxwing among a flock of 40+ Cedar Waxwings was a nice surprise.

We continued east and south zig zagging the county roads searching for Snowy Owls.

Eventually we spent the night at Bonny Reservoir (Yuma).

January 26

It was a cold day on the Eastern plains today.  We measured 23 degree temperatures with winds 11-12 mph with gusts to 36 mph.

We woke to an Eastern Screech-Owl calling about 30 minutes before sunrise.  Nothing uncommon held our interest at Hale Ponds, Hale or Bonny Reservoir Wildlife Area and we turned toward Denver.  Again, we tried to stay on back roads hoping of a Snowy Owl sighting.  None was found today.

A stop at Flagler Reservoir (Kit Carson) found one Common Redpoll that was with a flock of House Finches and a couple of American Goldfinches.

Many raptors (Red-tailed, Rough-legged, one Prairie Falcon, one Peregrine Falcon, American Kestrels, Northern Harriers and two Merlins) were observed while we continued on the less traveled county roads.

Unsuccessful Search for Two Snowy Owls

January 24, 2018

Richard Stevens:

Terry Michaels and I continued our search for Snowy Owls.  Temperatures rose to a "warm" 46 degrees.  Winds were 10 mph with gusts to 17 mph.

A stop at Aurora Reservoir (Arapahoe) found the usual birds: two White-winged Scoters, three Long-tailed Ducks, two Iceland Gulls, four Lesser Black-backed Gulls and two Greater Scaup.

The Arapahoe Snowy Owl was not found as we drove around for several hours.  An update text message stated that the Messex Snowy Owl (Washington) was relocated the last two days; we headed up that way.

Another three or four hours search for the Messex Snowy Owl came up empty.  We did hear an Eastern Screech-Owl at Prewitt Reservoir (Logan/Washington).

No Birding Today

January 23, 2018

Richard Stevens:

Stayed home today, let the snow, and ice melt a bit.

Another Unsuccessful Snowy Owl Search

January 22, 2018

Richard Stevens:

Temperatures did not warm up much today.  Highs were 29 degrees.  Winds were a mild 6 mph with gusts to 12 mph.

Terry Michaels and I searched for hours for the Jewell-Yale Loop (Arapahoe) Snowy Owl.  We enjoyed no success in finding the white bird on a landscape of snow.

We stopped by Aurora Reservoir and found the two White-winged Scoters and at least two Long-tailed Ducks made it through the yesterday's storm.

Our drive took us to eastern Arapahoe County on some dicey roads (ice and snow).  No Owls were found.

Unsuccessful Search for the Arapahoe Snowy Owl

January 21, 2018

Richard Stevens:

Major snowstorm today, few birders ventured out into the wild.  Temperatures barely reached 27 degrees.  Winds were 12-13 mph with gusts to 23 mph.  Aurora Reservoir received 3+ inches of snow.

If not for attempting to relocate the Snowy Owl near the Paint Ball range off Jewell Road, I would not have gone outside.

The Snowy Owl was not found during my two hour search before I headed for the safety and warmth of home.