[cobirds] Loveland Trumpeters, hawks, and eagles

The two Trumpeter Swans (1 adult, one juvenile) were still at Lower Hoffman Lake in Loveland this morning, directly behind McKee Medical Center. Park at the rear of the medical center and use the nature trail to view them safely from the lake overlook. Lower Hoffman Lake was packed with waterfowl besides the swans: Canada Geese (varied sizes), Great Blue Heron, Hooded Mergansers, Red Headed Ducks, Common Mergansers, Mallards, Common Goldeneye, and Coots. There is a little open water on the SW side of the lake, and that's where all of the birds concentrated.

On the way back to Lafayette, did a little raptor-watching near Del Camino. Highlights: Three Red-Tailed Hawks fighting over their share of a pigeon - one hawk downed the pigeon and the other two tried to wrestle the prize away from him/her. This was near the intersection of Weld CR 5 and WCR 16.5. Just down the road from this drama, a female Harrier was on a goose carcass on the pond/ice to the SE of the WCR16.5 and WCR 3.25. Waiting for the Harrier to finish was a juvenile Bald Eagle, a juvenile Red-Tailed Hawk, and an adult RT Hawk. Other raptors noted were at least 12 Kestrels and 6 additional RT Hawks (including a Harlan's near the intersection of HWY 119 and I-25). 

Swan pics:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/63892538@N04/8398891073/in/photostream

Happy birding!

Nancy Rynes

Lafayette, CO

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