Another Drive Around Eastern Arapahoe & Western Denver/Adams Counties

February 25, 2018

Richard Stevens:

It was another mild Colorado winter day with partly sunny skies.  Temperatures reached 37 degrees.  Winds were 8-9 mph with gusts to 17 mph.

Rebecca and I drove around Parker looking unsuccessfully for the Brant.  Then we detoured to eastern Arapahoe County by way of County Line Road.  None of Common Redpolls found in recent days were relocated.

Nothing uncommon was encountered as we continued to eastern Denver & western Adams Counties.  We did find at least one Red-tailed Hawk, Rough-legged Hawk, Ferruginous Hawk, Prairie Falcon, Northern Harrier and American Kestrel.  Two Lapland Longspurs were along Hudson Road, north of 74th avenue.

The ride on least traveled county roads away from traffic was enjoyable itself.  No Short-eared Owls appeared this evening when we parked 0.2 miles north of West Cargo Road & Third Creek.

Birding Adams County

February 24, 2018

Richard Stevens:

Skies were sunny today with a high temperature of 36 degrees; although it was 32 degrees most of the afternoon.  Winds were 10-11 mph with gusts to 38 mph.  The wind chill made it quite cold.

To be different, I spent the day in Adams County.  My first stop was the South Platte River at I270 (north frontage road to the river).  The continuous clank of my crutches on the cement trail broke the roar of the many cars on the highway.

I was happy to see the bobbing tail of a phoebe south of the Sand Creek footbridge.  Unfortunately, after approaching the bird, it turned out to be a Say's Phoebe and not the Black Phoebe reported several days earlier.

My walk continued south another 200 yards to the water treatment plant bridge over the Platte River.  The island surrounding the bridge support was where I had seen the Black Phoebe back on January 1 (first found by Bob Canter on December 29).

Neither the Black Phoebe nor Long-billed Dowitcher reported many days ago was found.

Next, I drove to the lakes at McKay Street and 100th Avenue.  Hundreds of Northern Shovelers circled in the open water at the west end of the lake.  No Long-tailed Ducks, a few Common Goldeneyes and Hooded Mergansers were also there.

Another hole of open water was at the northeast end of the same lake.  A scope was needed to see the far off ducks.  Two Long-tailed Ducks swam with Common Goldeneyes and other common ducks.  The Adams County Fairgrounds parking area is just north of 100th avenue.

Then, I drove through the Rocky Mountain Arsenal.  Lake Ladora was completely ice covered while Lower Derby Lake had a small open water area at its northwest corner.  Four Common Goldeneyes swam with assorted common ducks; no Barrow's Goldeneye was among them.

My birding day ended by parking along 88th avenue about a mile east of Tower Road.  The location is probably the second best spot to find a Short-eared Owl at dusk.  Unfortunately, none appeared this evening.

Another Search for Common Redpolls, Arapahoe, Denver & Adams County

February 23, 2018

Richard Stevens:

Another typical winter day.  Skies were sunny today with temperatures reaching 34 degrees.  Winds were 5-6 mph with gusts to 17 mph.

I drove eastern Arapahoe County roads again today.  A brief drive through Aurora Reservoir Park found the lake almost completely snow covered.  Fog reduced visibility to less than 30 yards.  The few birds around were too far away to identify.

The eighteen Common Redpolls reported two days ago along CR 42 were not found.  Northern Harriers numbered 7, Red-tailed Hawks 7, Rough-legged Hawks 2 and 2 American Kestrels.

While driving through the Galamb's mobile home park 1.8 miles east of Watkins Road and Colfax Blvd I found one Common Redpoll visiting feeders with many House Finches, House Sparrows and Dark-eyed Juncos.  A pair of Eurasian Collared-Doves picked up seed that fell on the ground underneath.

I continued up Hudson Road to the east side of DIA Airport searching for the two Common Redpolls reported north of 72nd Avenue.  About a mile north of that intersection a Common Redpoll was observed with a flock of six American Goldfinches and eight American Tree Sparrows.

The lack of longspurs and especially Horned Larks was surprising.  I zigzagged the gravel roads for several hours without spotting one.

Search for Common Redpolls in Eastern Arapahoe County

February 22, 2018

Richard Stevens:

Partly sunny skies kept the high temperature down to 26 degrees today.  Winds were 4 mph with a few gusts to 9 mph.

I drove the eastern Arapahoe County roads in search of Common Redpolls and longspurs.  The eighteen Common Redpolls reported yesterday along CR 42 were not found.

Anywhere Eurasian Collared-Doves were observed I kept an eye out for feeders thinking any Common Redpolls would visit them.

A couple of Eurasian Collared-Doves flew north to south across County Line Road and Patrick Trail; I followed.  Eventually a Common Redpoll was spotted with a small flock of House Finches along the half moon drive along Patrick Trail.

No additional Common Redpolls and no longspurs were encountered.

As the afternoon went on several snow flurries were come across.  One flurry lasted thirty minutes and convinced me to return home through visibility of less than 20 yards.

Birds At Home

February 21, 2018

Richard Stevens:

The Woodhouse's Scrub Jay visited our feeders for the third time in seven days.  Not much happening as we did not leave the house.  About two dozen Dark-eyed Juncos, two Black-capped Chickadees and one Mountain Chickadee visit everyday also.

Temperatures reached 15 degrees today.  Winds clocked at 7-8 mph with gusts to 9 mph.

Parker & Cherry Creek Reservoir

February 20, 2018

Richard Stevens:

Temperatures only reached 12 degrees today.  Winds at 7-8 mph with gusts to 9 mph added to a frigid afternoon.

I had some business in Parker and afterwards drove around in search of "last month's" Brant.  The Brant was not found.  Few White-cheeked Geese were around the snow covered fields at Salisbury Equestrian Park and Bar CCC Park.

I skipped Aurora Reservoir but did drive by Cherry Creek Reservoir (Arapahoe).  No uncommon sparrows, redpolls or Snow Buntings were found.  The two Long-eared Owls continue along the Shooting Range road.

Rocky Mountain Arsenal & Cherry Creek Reservoir

February 19, 2018

Richard Stevens:

Temperatures only reached 19 degrees with winds 8-12 mph.

Rebecca and I drove through the Rocky Mountain Arsenal (Adams).  Both Lake Ladora and Lower Derby Lake were ice covered.  Nothing uncommon was encountered.

Nothing uncommon was found at Cherry Creek Reservoir (Arapahoe).  The few gulls around were Ring-billed.   The two Long-eared Owls continue in their favorite Russian Olive trees.