[cobirds] Aurora Res. (Arapahoe) and Barr Lake (Adams), Feb 4 and 5

I stopped by Aurora Reservoir late afternoon yesterday (Feb 4), hoping to find less ice and more gulls than last time.  Instead, I found the opposite:  lake still >95% ice covered, and only a few dozen gulls (and they departed while I was there).  About 500 gulls seen in the distance at the landfill didn't even seem interested in visiting the reservoir.

I darted over to Barr Lake to assess the situation there yesterday evening, finding a "snow globe" of gulls feeding with the mergansers and goldeneyes.  An adult ICELAND GULL could be seen among Ring-billed Gulls on the ice west of the boat ramp.  I spotted an immature GLAUCOUS GULL far away.  Otherwise, I was only able to identify common species in the fading light.

Returning to Barr Lake early this morning (Feb 5) to see what else was there, I did not find the Iceland Gull but did find a few other goodies:

first-year GLAUCOUS-WINGED GULL (pale primaries), seen from near Visitor's Center

first-year HERRING X GLAUCOUS-WINGED GULL (darker brown primaries)

first-year GLAUCOUS GULL (same one seen yesterday evening)

4 Thayer's Gulls (1 adult, 3 juveniles)

6 Lesser Black-backed Gulls (various ages)

200+ Herring Gulls

2000+ Ring-billed Gulls

lots of Mergansers (Common and Red-breasted)

lots of Common Goldeneyes

As others have reported recently, Barr Lake has been a hot spot for gulls and ducks, with a nice combination of marsh, open water, and ice.  Seeing all the birds isn't easy because they are spread out so much across the whole lake.  For whatever reason, some of the more interesting gulls have finally been attracted to this location, presumably from elsewhere in Denver.  Duck variety seemed low today, at least on the end of the lake where I was.  While I was there, gulls were retreating to the remote and hard to see west part of the lake.  So, right after sunrise and just before sunset are probably the best times to find the gulls closer in.

David Dowell

Longmont, CO

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