Arapahoe/Cherry Creek Black Scoter

[David Gillilan]

Viewed from Prairie Loop platform, to the east, amongst mixed flock of Ruddy Ducks and Eared Grebes. Female. Clearly larger than the Ruddies, clean white cheeks, steep forehead, shorter tail than the Ruddies. Randy Lentz first found the bird, Susan Pellegrini and I helped confirm it. Glenn Walbek just arrived for closer view after spotting it from farther out.

David Gillilan
Littleton

[Chris Rurik]

Hi Birders --

I biked down to Cherry Creek SP this morning to try my luck with the scoter. No dice. But I had no scope and saw plenty of ducks too distant to ID.

Two interesting birds:

Shrike spuh, presumably Northern, scared up a flock of House Finches and flew over my head.

Late juvenile Common Yellowthroat foraging in the cattails at the Prairie Loop overlook.

Chris Rurik

Denver CO