[cobirds] Great Boulder Caper 2021

Friday, November 26, a small group of birders set out to continue the Great Boulder Caper started by Ted Floyd about 15 years ago.  Undeterred by COVID or turkey hangovers, Hannah Floyd, Alejo Williams, Megan Jones Patterson, and Elena Klaver met at Walden Ponds and began birding Walden and Sawhill Ponds.  We spent about two hours there, as the temperature rose to almost summer levels, with no bird surprises, but some spanking hooded mergansers, good numbers of waterfowl, and possibly a record number of muskrats (8-10).  We then drove through Boulder County's Raptor Alley, Lookout Road between 75th and 95th, where we had two ferruginous hawks and two immature bald eagles, as well as a couple of red tailed hawks, but not the northern harriers who have sometimes graced that area.  After dropping off Alejo, the three of us went to Greenlee Preserve/Waneka Lake, where the geese did not disappoint.  There were large numbers of cackling geese, Canada geese, a probable snow/cackling goose, a probable Ross's/cackling goose, and a hatch year snow goose, who was grayish white with a dark bill (ID thanks to Ted Floyd texting from the Qatar airport with Hannah's photos). Finally, with Hannah having to leave for academic pursuits, Megan and Elena continued to Hecla Lake, where another snow/cackling hybrid was lounging with numerous other cackling and Canada geese, and other waterfowl.  A wonderful day was had by all, with the caper ending around 1:45.  The weather was wonderfully mild, compared to some years where it has been bitterly cold, and we had a wonderful time upholding the tradition of birding instead of shopping.  

Elena Holly Klaver

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I acknowledge that I live in the territory of Hinóno'éí  (Arapaho) and Cheyenne nations, according to the 1851 Treaty of Fort Laramie, and that Colorado's Front Range is home to the Ute and many other Native peoples.  Reconozco que vivo en el territorio de las naciones Hinóno'éí (Arapaho) y Cheyenne, según el 1851 Tratado de Fort Laramie, y que el estado de Colorado al este de las Montañas Rocosas es territorio de los Utes y muchos otros pueblos indígenas.