Barr Lake State Park Eagles, Eagls everywhere, plues a Rusty Black bird, Adams County

[Brian Johnson]

I have been continuing the ebird  challenge of a complete checklist a day challenge. Today I hit 1500 days.

So with such a milestone I headed out to Barr Lake today. It was a cold day at around 10 with a windchill bellow that, but I was bundled up and carrying around 20 ponds of gear (scope, tripod, big camera plus the backpack with water and food) so I didn't notice that much except when I as the gazebo scopeing the lake, then I did.

Highlights of course were the Bald Eagles, I got 50 in total, braking ebird's filter. That could be an over count, it could be a under cont. They were flying around enough to make it hard. One of the best parts of so many eagles was they were vocalizing a lot, it was fun to listen to that awesome call.

Along with the eagles there was two hug rafts of Redheads and Ring-billed ducks with some Scaups, both Lesser and Greater, along with some Canvasbacks. Then there was that hug raft of Mallards near the gazebo along with more Northern Pintails, around 120, then I have seen together. There was also three American White Pelicans that over wintered.

After leaving the gazebo I walked further past the 2.5 mile marker and crossed over the inflow canal where I found a hug flock of Red-winged Blackirds. After picking over that mob, about 120, I found a young Rusty Blackbird in the flock.

Another highlight was a dark morph Rough-legged Hawk.

Good birding,

Brian Johnson,

Englewood CO

[Jen Toews]

I was also at Barr Lake on Monday and had a similar experience. We counted 32 eagles at the gazebo alone and saw a ton more on the way there. My low estimate on eBird was 40 but we were thinking we probably saw between 50 and 55. 

The sun was hitting the mallards' and redheads' heads just right and the effect was dramatic: hundreds of metallic green and red heads bobbing in the rough waters. The sheer numbers of Northern Pintails and Ring-necked Ducks was also a pleasant surprise for me. Despite the windchill and feeling uncomfortable much of the time, it ended up being one of my favorite days at Barr Lake. 

Would you be able to share a photo of the Rough-legged Hawk? I think that might be the unidentified raptor that had us completely stumped despite the fact that it gave us really good looks. Gotta work on my raptor ID...

Congrats on hitting your 1500 mile marker!

[KATHY HOLLAND]

Jen,

 

I just found out about a cool APP last night for ID'ing raptors.  It's called Raptor ID by HawkWatch International and it's free!  Gobs of photos and in all color morphs.

 

Kathy Holland

Centennial, CO

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Katherine Holland

 

[Gary Brower]

Thanks for the pointer to the app!

Gary Brower

Unincorporated Arapahoe County

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[Jen Toews]

Kathy -- thanks for sending a link to the app. It sounds like that could be very helpful in IDing raptors and I will check it out. 

[Brian Johnson]

I don't have a photo of the Rough Legged Hawk. It would have made a great photo but my camera battery deiced to randomly die eve thought it was fresh. Not sure what happened.

Good Birding

Brian Johnson, Englewood