[cobirds] Chase Trip results -- Denver, Washington, Morgan Counties

Hi all --

Ten DFO birders joined me today for an entertaining chase trip to places that seemed ripe for rarities. Decent birds in great habitat. Our stops:

1. Bluff Lake Nature Center (Denver County) -- my home turf has a black-necked stilt, rare in Denver County, that has been showing the last few days. We were also treated to sora and snipe in the same scope view, five solitary sandpipers, and young Swainson's Hawks perched within 20 yards. Conditions are the best I've seen at Bluff Lake for shorebirds. (If you're thinking of looking for shorebirds at Marston Reservoir, don't bother. It's chock full of water.)

2. Last Chance (Washington County) -- John B. thought he saw a yellow-throated warbler, but it vanished before ID could be confirmed. Otherwise ho-hum with willow flycatcher, black-headed grosbeak, wilson's warblers, and western wood-pewee evidence of migration. Red-breasted Nuthatch was interesting.

3. CO 71 just south of the intersection with Morgan CR G -- three greater prairie-chickens.

4. Brush Prairie Ponds SWA (Morgan Co.) -- lots of water, not much shorebird habitat, plenty of sparrows and blue grosbeak for study. One yellow-headed blackbird, a shrike, and two eared grebes made things interesting.

5. Playa at MCR 23 and HH -- awesome setting, the road goes straight through this extensive playa. Peeps very nearby on HH. Ten shorebird species including very cooperative pectoral sandpipers and a long-billed curlew.

6. Playa on MCR 26 between II and JJ -- another great playa. Ten shorebird species again, including another LB curlew, stilt sandpipers, impressive numbers of phalaropes. Prairie falcon and dickcissels.

7. Playa at MCR JJ and CO 71 -- tough light at our final stop. More large birds with many cormorants, some gulls, some shorebirds, etc.

All in all a great day. Hope this helps in planning trips as migration ramps up.

Chris Rurik

Denver CO

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