Birding Around Adams County

February 6, 2020

Richard Stevens:

The high temperature was 37 degrees; it felt warm after the last few days.  Winds were 9-10 mph with gusts to 14 mph.  Another snowstorm is forecasted for the next few days.

A stop at Rocky Mountain Arsenal (Adams) found both Lake Ladora and Lower Derby Lake completely ice covered and without one Gull or waterfowl.

Then, I walked the South Platte Birding Area from 88th avenue to hwy 224 (Adams).  No Barrow's Goldeneyes found today.  A Say's Phoebe, Northern Shrike and half a dozen American Tree Sparrows were seen.  

In order of visit:

Many lakes were scoped for the Long-tailed Duck.  Its recent venue East Gravel Lakes had almost no waterfowl and was mostly ice covered.

West Gravel Lakes had two pair of Red-breasted Mergansers, a pair of Common Mergansers and many Hooded Mergansers, no Long-tailed Duck.

East Gravel Lakes was mostly ice covered and had no waterfowl.  Three dozen Ring-billed Gulls and one Herring Gull was the bird count there.  No parking signs have been posted on the northern side; I had to walk from the 88th avenue parking area to see the Lake.

South Dahlia Pond had the most open water.  The Long-tailed Duck was swimming around just south of the halfway point.  Many American Coots, a dozen Common Goldeneye and a few Gadwalls were also there.

I checked North Dahlia Pond because of some birders have reported a second Long-tailed Duck.   This pond was the most ice free and had dozens of Buffleheads, Common Goldeneyes, American Coots, Northern Shovelers and Gadwalls however no Long-tailed Ducks.

A pair of Great-tailed Grackles was at the south end of the Town of Barr.  A Bald Eagle was on a nest just east of Town, north side of Barr Lake.  Barr Lake itself was almost completely ice covered.

My birding day ended by parking along W. Cargo Road, 0.2 miles south of Third Creek.  No Short-eared Owls appeared this evening.

Mountain Birding

February 1-3, 2020

Richard Stevens:

February 1

High temperature today was 34 degrees in Gould.  Winds were 7-8 mph with gusts to 14 mph.

Rebecca and I headed up to Gould to enjoy Colorado's fantastic winter.  On the trip up we made a detour to Warren Lake (Larimer).  It appeared to be the "Gull hotspot" this month.

Without giving our final decision, we did see the reported Slaty-backed Gull, Glaucous-winged Gull and two Iceland Gulls among a horde of more common gulls.

We stopped at Joe Wright Reservoir, the Summit of Cameron Pass and then walked highway 14 for about a half mile west of the Pass.  Only one Boreal Owl was heard this night; it was 0.2 miles west of the Summit.

February 2

The high of 32 degrees was similar to yesterday.  Winds grew at 9-10 mph with gusts to 21 mph.

On the way to breakfast in Walden, we drove around the small town.  A flock of 40 Rosy Finches was over the School!  We picked out two Brown-capped Rosy Finches among the Gray-crowned Rosy Finches.  No Black Rosy Finches were observed.

Another 400 Rosy Finches (3 species) were observed at a friend's ranch.  Most of the day was spent playing bridge.  After dark, we listened for owls along highway 14 toward Gould.  None was heard this night.

February 3

Another day of high 30 temperatures, winds were 13-14 mph with gusts to 23 mph.

Before sunrise, we drove Jackson CR 26 in search of Greater Sage-Grouse.  None was encountered this morning.  A few hardy Horned Larks were just about all found. 

No Rosy Finches were around Walden this morning.  Nothing uncommon was found from Walden Reservoir to Rand to Gould.

We enjoyed cross-country skiing into the Colorado State Forest.  No uncommon birds to report; however, the American Three-toed Woodpecker was again drumming north of the Visitor's Center.

We were met by Terry Michaels and Sue Ehlmann and drove highway 14 after dark unsuccessfully searching for owls.

February 4-5, 2020

Richard Stevens:

High temperatures reached 13 degrees in Steamboat Springs.  Lows at Summit Lake (Buffalo Pass Road) dipped into -20s.

Terry Michaels and I enjoyed quite an adventure.  We took snowmobiles up Buffalo Pass and camped overnight.  Low temperature at Summit Lake February 4 into 5 was close to -20 degrees.  It tested our sleeping bags, which are rated to -40 degrees.  We stayed comfortable; however getting up in the morning was brutal. 

During the trip, we found three American Three-toed Woodpeckers and a Northern Pygmy-Owl.

On the afternoon of the 5th, we moved to Forest Road 550 near the town of Columbine.  No additional American Three-toed Woodpeckers or owls were encountered; however, we did pick up a Dusky Grouse sighting for the trip!

We would have enjoyed staying in the mountains; however, forecast calls for 2-3 feet of additional snow in the area.

Another Birding Day Around Denver

January 30, 2020

Richard Stevens:

Temperatures only reached 39 degrees today.  Winds were 12-13 mph with gusts at 4:00 of 29 mph along the DIA Owl loop.  It started snowing around 2:00 pm

I started my birding day scoping Aurora Reservoir (Arapahoe County).  Several thousand gulls stood around the shore, mostly at mile 2.5 and 4.0.  Two Lesser Black-backed Gulls were the only uncommon gulls picked out.

I was headed toward Richmil Ranch Open Space when a text message stated that the Northern Mockingbird was again spotted at Inspiration Point.  I missed it yesterday; however, it would have been a first Denver County Northern Mockingbird for me.  Plans changed and I headed west.

Yesterday, I wondered what the Mockingbird was eating that attracted it to this small park in the middle of Denver.  There are not many bugs flying about in January; there had to be a source of berries.  That was my focus today.

The north side of the point is rather bare.  Continuing to the south, I found the house with the white metal fence topped with white lanterns had a row of bushes full of berries along the fence.

The wait was less than 10 minutes before the Northern Mockingbird popped up onto the fence.  It disappeared into the large area of low firs before my camera was ready.  It took another 20-minute wait before the Northern Mockingbird jumped back up to the berry bushes; I have no idea what species the bushes were.

Photos of the Northern Mockingbird were posted on the Colorado Birding Society's photo library (recent favorite photos link).

coloradobirdingsociety.net 

I passed by Rocky Mountain Arsenal (Adams) on my drive home.  The Lesser Black-backed Gull was searching for food along the northeastern shore of the almost ice free Lake Ladora.

It started to snow as I drove the DIA Owl Loop several times.  In the past, Short-eared Owls have been observed hunting along 114th and West Cargo Road during a snowstorm.  None was seen today.

Birding Across Western Denver Area

January 29, 2020

Richard Stevens:

It was not much warmer today with a high of 41 degrees.  Winds were calmer at 5-6 mph with gusts to 9 mph.

I birded around Denver today.  My first stop was Inspiration Park at I70 and Sheridan Blvd (Jefferson).  Yesterday's Northern Mockingbird was not found while I circled the Park twice.  

The north side has plenty of bushes for the Mockingbird to hide.  I remember the Northern Mockingbird that spent a month along Dry Creek stayed quite hidden most of the time.

A Snow Goose was with a flock of 50+ White-cheeked Geese.

The next stop was more successful.  The Brant was on the grass along the north side of Lake Arbor (Jefferson), captured some nice photos.

I continued north to Lac Amora Open Space (Broomfield).  Many Eurasian Collared-Doves and the White-winged Dove were in the backyards along the south side of the Park.

The White-winged Dove would not allow close approaching.  Captured photos of several of the Eurasian Collared-Dove; however, I did not get the White-winged Dove.  Saw it a second time along Rock Creek Drive and a final time at the first yard west of Rock Creek Road and Poplar Way.

Ran into Frank Farrell who saw a Harlan's Hawk at the Miramonte Blvd entrance to Lac Amora Park.  I later saw the Hawk in a cottonwood along the north side of Josh's Pond (western entrance to park off Rock Creek Drive).

My next stop was the South Platte Birding Area at 88th avenue (Adams).  One of the Long-tailed Ducks continues to swim with Buffleheads and Common Goldeneyes on East Gravel Lake.

The penultimate stop was Rocky Mountain Arsenal (Adams).  The Lesser Black-backed Gull was again on the ice at Lake Ladora.

I parked briefly at the 88th Avenue Bridge over the toll road (east of Tower Road).  No Short-eared Owls appeared this evening.

Photos of the geese will be put on the Colorado Birding Society's photo library later tonight.

coloradobirdingsociety.net 

Owling at Jackson Reservoir

January 28, 2020

Richard Stevens:

Temperatures only reached 40 degrees today.  Winds were 10-11 mph with gusts to 13 mph.

I took two friends to Jackson Reservoir (Morgan) hoping to repeat an early four owl trip.  

Regrettably, we only found one Long-eared Owl and one Great Horned Owl.  The Eastern Screech-Owl did not make an appearance today.  No Short-eared Owls flew around the northern Campgrounds at dusk.

Searching for Some Mountain Birds

January 27, 2020

Richard Stevens:

Today was pretty much a bust.  Terry Michaels and I drove to Saint Mary's and searched unsuccessfully for the Bohemian Waxwings reported yesterday.

Then we continued to Idaho Springs and missed on the White-winged Crossbill reported yesterday.

Inclement weather forced us to return shortly after Noon!

A Trip for Bison With Friends

January 26, 2020

Richard Stevens:

Temperatures reached a pleasant 52 degrees.  Winds were 9-10 mph with gusts to 13 mph.

Rebecca and I took friends out to see the Bison at Rocky Mountain Arsenal (Adams).  Two adult Bald Eagles thrilled our guests.  Somewhat strange was that one of the Eagles stood on the side of the road near mile 5.0.

After driving the wildlife loop, we stopped by Lake Ladora.  The Lesser Black-backed Gull was standing on the eastern ice.  

Few waterfowl swam in the water at Lower Derby Lake; two days ago, the Lake was completely ice covered.

We passed through Cherry Creek Reservoir (Arapahoe) after dinner.  Nothing uncommon was encountered.  We waited until dusk and civil twilight.  No owls appeared this evening.

Aurora Reservoir to Park Meadows

January 25, 2020

Richard Stevens:

High temperature was 53 degrees.  Winds were 6-7 mph with gusts to 13 mph.

Rebecca and I passed by Aurora Reservoir (Arapahoe) on our way to Park Meadows Shopping Center, Centennial.

Two adult Lesser Black-backed Gulls were observed standing on the eastern ice shelf.  A Common Loon swam at the mouth of Lonetree Cove.  It did not have a fishing line wrapped around its bill.  Perhaps the second Common Loon is no longer around.

We made another detour and stopped at the Monaco Shopping Center at Yale and Monaco.  A previously reported flock of Cedar Waxwings was flying between the crabapple trees enjoying the fruit.

Photos on the Colorado Birding Society's website; recent favorite photos link

coloradobirdingsociety.net

The rest of the day was spent on not one of my favorite times, shopping at Park Meadows.

A Trek Across Denver

January 24, 2020

Richard Stevens:

It reached 56 degrees and stayed quite warm until sunset.  Winds were 8-9 mph with gusts to 14 mph.

Temperatures reached a pleasant 56 degrees today.  Winds were 6-7 mph with gusts to 15 mph. Hello cobirders;

Rebecca and I headed west across Denver today.  The Lesser Black-backed Gull was still on the ice at Lake Ladora, Rocky Mountain Arsenal (Adams County).

The female Long-tailed Duck was still on East Gravel Lakes (Adams).  A male Barrow's Goldeneye swam in the South Platte River upstream of the green/white tower.

After a late lunch, we made it to Lake Arbor (Jefferson).  Most of the geese were taking off at 4:00 pm.  Unfortunately, the Brant was not around.

We decided to check Indian Hills Golf Course (Jefferson) a short distance southwest of Lake Arbor.  No geese were seen from the main parking area.  However, we observed many geese flying over the golf course (coming from the direction of Lake Arbor).

We drove south to 72nd Avenue, then west to the first turn north which was Carr Street.  Just north of the intersection is 72nd Place.  We parked west of Carr and followed the paved bike path east along the Golf Course.

Thousands of White-cheeked Geese walked along the southern side of the Golf Course.  The Brant was among them, perhaps 400 yards east of Carr.

I put photos of the Brant and a Sharp-shinned Hawk found at southern Dahlia Ponds today on the Colorado Birding Society's photo library.  It was getting dark at 4:20 pm and photos are not the best.

Fremont & Pueblo Counties

January 22-23, 2020

Richard Stevens:

January 22

High temperature was 53 degrees.  Winds were strong all day.  Anomometer readings were 14-15 mph with gusts to 22 mph.

I headed to Fremont County by way of Chatfield State Park (Jefferson/Douglas Counties).

Interesting birds on Chatfield Reservoir included the previously reported loons: Common Loon, Pacific Loon & Yellow-billed Loon.  The White-winged Scoter was also swimming around off the north boat ramp.

Winds were quite strong today; I decided to skip Pueblo Reservoir until my return tomorrow.

Instead, I searched past locations of sapsuckers in Canon City (Fremont).  Unfortunately, none was found at Holy Cross Abbey, Lakeside Cemetery, Rouse Park or Centennial Park.

At dusk, I drove up Phantom Canyon Road in search of owls.  Regrettably, not one owl was found this evening.  Winds were roaring down the canyon.

January 23

It was colder today with a high of only 47 degrees.  Winds were 4-5 mph with gusts to 10 mph.

Two hours before sunrise I again drove Phantom Canyon Road; target birds were Spotted Owls and Northern Saw-whet Owl.  None was found.  No Northern Pygmy-Owls appeared at Beaver Creek Wildlife Area.

Winds were quieter than yesterday at Pueblo Reservoir (Pueblo).  However first I searched and found the Palm Warbler at Valco Ponds Wildlife Area.  The previously reported Golden-crowned Sparrow along the Arkansas River below City Park was not found.

The rest of my birding day was spent walking Pueblo Reservoir at many locations along this long Lake.

Most of the "goodies" previously reported were relocated.  Loons included the Red-throated Loon and two Common Loons.  One of the two Dunlins was off the south marina.

Gulls included the wintering Great Black-backed Gull, one Bonaparte's Gull, a Lesser Black-backed Gull and Iceland Gull.  The Red-necked Grebe was at the western end.

Misses included the Franklin's Gull, the Long-tailed Ducks, Yellow Warbler and Black Phoebe also previously reported.

After an early dinner, I headed back to Denver, deciding to skip the detour to Teller County in search of owls this trip.

Search for Short-eared Owls in Weld County

January 21, 2020

Richard Stevens:

The high was 44 degrees.  Winds were calm to 2 mph.  A few gusts reached 7 mph.

I headed up north toward Lower Latham Reservoir (Weld) today.  The plan was to look for Short-eared Owl near dusk.

A stop at Ken Mitchell Park (Weld) found no uncommon birds.

I found nothing uncommon on Luna Reservoir (Weld).  The previously reported Long-tailed Duck was not found.

The Long-tailed Duck was still swimming around Windsor Lake (Weld).

No Short-eared Owls appeared this evening at Latham Reservoir (Weld).  I did entice a Marsh Wren to pop out of the cattails.

Return to Adams & Arapahoe Counties

January 20, 2020

Richard Stevens:

High temperature was 49 degrees today.  Winds were 8-9 mph with gusts to 14 mph.

I headed back to Adams County this morning.  The Long-tailed Duck was back on Gravel Lakes.  The pair of Barrow's Goldeneyes was still on the South Platte River (upstream of the green/white tower).

The adult Lesser Black-backed Gull was back on Lake Ladora, Rocky Mountain Arsenal.

By the time I reached Aurora Reservoir (Arapahoe) it was 3:00 pm.  Hundreds of White-cheeked Geese stood on the ice or swam on the Lake.  It was close to impossible to pick out any waterfowl among the geese.

Aurora Reservoir is increasingly becoming ice covered.  The open water areas were more north and west than a couple of days ago.  

Gulls were closer.  I found two Lesser Black-backed Gulls and one Iceland Gull on the ice.

No Short-eared Owls could be found along the DIA Owl Loop this evening.

A Third Snowy Owl Search Is Unsuccessful

January 19, 2020

Richard Stevens:

High today was 45 degrees.  Winds were 4-5 mph with afternoon gusts to 12 mph.

Terry Michaels and I heard a Long-eared Owl and Eastern Screech-Owl while we camped at Jackson Reservoir (Morgan) this morning.

Again, most of the day was spent searching for the reported Snowy Owl.  Our search today extended north to hwy 14 and then west to Kersey.  That was in addition to driving most of the gravel roads north of Riverside and Jackson Reservoirs east to Weldona and west to Kersey.

Five Lapland Longspurs were found along the trek.  A Merlin was found near Weld CR 93 and CR 80.  Raptors included Red-tailed Hawks, one Ferruginous Hawk, two Rough-legged Hawks, half a dozen American Kestrels and a Great Horned Owl.

Another Search for a Morgan County Snowy Owl

January 18, 2020

Richard Stevens:

High temperature today was 43 degrees.  Winds were 8-9 mph with gusts to 18 mph.

Terry Michaels and I spent the day again searching unsuccessfully for the Snowy Owl reported near Riverside Reservoir.  The rancher who reported the owl is adamant that it is a Snowy Owl.

We did not relocate it.  A couple of Lapland Longspurs were found along Morgan CR 4.

We found a Swamp Sparrow along the western side of Andrick Wildlife Area.

A hike to the northwest corner of Jackson Reservoir 30 minutes before sunset found a Short-eared Owl flying back and forth across the field to the northwest.

Birding Around Denver

January 17, 2020

Richard Stevens:

Rebecca and I birded around metro Denver area today.  High temperature was 54 degrees.  Winds were quite strong at 16-17 mph with gusts to 31 mph.

We returned to Centennial (Arapahoe) for my fourth stakeout of the Carolina Wren.  Already missed 10 hours over three days I was going to give it three hours today.  

After we sat for two hours, the Carolina Wren flew to below the feeders in the backyard.  By the time I retrieved my camera, the wren had walked into a small depression in the yard.  As we waiting for the wren to pop back out, the forever present squirrel scared the bird away.  It did not return in the next hour and we left.

Our next stop was Rocky Mountain Arsenal (Adams).  The Lesser Black-backed Gull (photos on Colorado Birding Society's website) flew in from the direction of Havana Ponds.  When not on Lake Ladora, I would look at Havana Ponds if interested in seeing the Gull.

We continued east to the Town of Barr.  Only four of the resident flock of fifty Great-tailed Grackles were found today.  Winds of 20+ mph did not help the search.

At Barr Lake, we scoped the Lake from the boat ramp and found a Common Loon swimming in one of the few open water areas.  Less than a dozen gulls were seen.  Only seven Bald Eagles were counted.

No Short-eared Owls appeared this evening along the DIA Owl Loop (Adams/Denver).

Search for Snowy Owl in Morgan County

January 16, 2020

Richard Stevens:

It was a cold day with a high of only 36 degrees.  Winds were 5-6 mph with gusts to 18 mph late in the afternoon.

I received a report of a Snowy Owl north and east of Riverside Reservoir (Morgan County); Terry Michaels and I headed up that way.  We spent over four hours searching unsuccessfully for the Owl.  Riverside Reservoir is private; perhaps it is staying on that property?

We ran into several flocks of Horned Larks that were accompanied by Lapland Longspurs.  One Northern Shrike was found along Morgan CR 89.

On the trip home we swung by Jackson Reservoir (Morgan).  The Lake was mostly ice covered.  Only a few gulls hung around.

One Long-eared Owl was found in the western Campgrounds.  The resident Eastern Screech-Owl did not call this evening.

A White-throated Sparrow was between Pelican Campgrounds and the Lake.  Not much else was moving about.

Adams County

January 15, 2020

Richard Stevens:

Rebecca and I birded in Adams County today.  The high temperature was 46 degrees.  Winds were 16-17 mph with gusts to 28 mph.

The Lesser Black-backed Gull was back on the ice at Lake Ladora, Rocky Mountain Arsenal.

The Long-tailed Duck was swimming in the open water on East Gravel Lake.  Susan Rosine reported it yesterday on Dahlia Pond; however, the sign on the dam tower states East Gravel Lake.

I first saw it on East Gravel Lake on 12/18.  I believed it to be the Long-tailed Duck reported by Scott Somershoe 12/16/2019 on the pond near the Dog Hearing Training Center, just north of Dahlia Pond & 88th avenue.

We then walked the South Platte Birding Area from 88th avenue to Steele Street.  The pair of Barrow's Goldeneyes continues on the South Platte River, just upstream of the green/white tower.

After dropping Rebecca at home, I drove to Aurora Reservoir (Arapahoe).   I walked down from the south side to the bench near mile 2.5.  Eventually I found the Yellow-billed Loon, two Common Loons and the Pacific Loon.

Later entering from the north side, I found one of the Lesser Black-backed Gulls below the lower parking area pavilion.

No Short-eared Owls appeared this evening along the DIA Owl Loop.  I was parked at 88th avenue just east of the toll road bridge.

I put photos of both Lesser Black-backed Gulls on the Colorado Birding Society's photo library:

coloradobirdingsociety.net

Photos of the Long-tailed Duck and Barrow's Goldeneyes are posted on the "recent witness photos" link

Jackson County

January 11-14, 2020

Richard Stevens:

Rebecca and I spent four leisure days cross country skiing and snowshoeing around Gould (Jackson County).  Weather was quite good with moderate winds for this area in winter.  Several nights were calm

Highlights:

American Three-toed Woodpecker: one was found during a snowshoe trip up Zimmerman Lake Loop trail 1/11

American Three-toed Woodpecker across from Colorado State Forest Visitor's Center on 1/12

American Three-toed Woodpecker at Ranger Lakes on 1/14

Several stops at the Colorado State Forest Visitor's Center only saw one Gray-crowned Rosy Finch 

Boreal Owls were heard on a windless night (1/11-early 1/12) at the upper Joe Wright parking area (Larimer)

Boreal Owls (one each) were heard just west of Cameron Pass and in the Colorado State Forest

Boreal Owl was heard at Ranger Lakes on 1/14

Rosy Finches (160 at one private ranch and 110 at another),  none found in Walden

Misses: two attempts to find Greater Sage-Grouse west of Coalmont (CR 26) were not successful

No Dusky Grouse ran across this trip

Best time: playing bridge with friends whose ranch is west of Walden.  Usually their driveway is snow bound but not yet this year.  Their resident Northern Saw-whet Owl has not been heard in a month or so

On the drive back to Denver shortly after midnight 1/15, we stopped at five of the Campgrounds/picnic areas along hwy 14 between Cameron Pass and Fort Collins.  No owls were heard

Search for Uncommon Geese in Adams County

January 10, 2020

Richard Stevens:

Temperatures only reached 30 degrees.  High were 12-13 mph with gusts to 17 mph.

We tried to stay away from traffic today.  It is a difficult goal in today's crowded metro area.

Rebecca and I spent the late morning and early afternoon searching for uncommon geese in Adams County.  While hundreds of geese were observed only one Greater White-fronted Goose was found (no Brants).

The Greater White-fronted Goose was on the ice at the Montbello Recreation Center.

Places searched included Gateway Recreation Pond (many geese), Gateway Pond, Star K Ranch, and Barr Lake State Park.

Again, no Short-eared Owls appeared at the DIA Owl Loop.  Today we parked at 88th avenue and Toll Road location.

Windy Day at Aurora Reservoir

January 9, 2020

Richard Stevens:

High temperature was 43 degrees.  Winds were strong tody at 15-16 mph with gusts measured at 28 mph.

Once again, I returned to Aurora Reservoir (Arapahoe County) hoping for better loon photos.  High winds made for high waves and terrible visibility of the waterfowl bobbing up and down difficult.

Eventually, the Yellow-billed, one Common and Pacific Loon were found again.  My better photos were put in January 2020 "Colorado Field Notes"

coloradobirdingsociety.net/coloradofieldnotes.htm

The adult Lesser Black-backed Gull was not observed today but I did capture the sub-adult Lesser Black-backed Gull.  Its photo will be posted in a day or two on the Colorado Birding Society's photo library:

coloradobirdingsociety.net 

No Short-eared Owls appeared along the DIA Owl Loop this evening.  I was parked along West Cargo Road approximately 0.2 miles south (uphill) of Third Creek.