Rocky Flats National Wildlife Refuge, Jefferson County

[bunting...@gmail.com]

Rocky Flats National Wildlife Refuge is not open to the public, but there are guided tours being offered through Rocky Mountain Arsenal NWR. The habitat is Tall Grass grassland. I initially wanted to go in May but that was canceled due to weather, one of our early May snow storms.  The tour started at 9 and lasted to noon. It was hot but there was some bird activity. Many Vesper Sparrows, Red-wing Blackbirds and some song sparrows heard. Our group spoked two Great Horned Owls out of the barn in the Lindsay Ranch. I felt rather bad about this since the red-wings mobbed them. We also stirred up a Common Nighthawk, only the second time I have seen one. It acted like it had a broken wing, but I believe it was distracting use from a nest. In addition to the birds there was about 12 Elk with some calves. Rocky Flats is still a long way away from being open to the public and the ranger said they are waiting for funding. The Greenway linking Two Ponds Rocky Flats and Rocky Mountain Arsenal along with Rocky Mountain National Park could be reaching the Flats at the end of 2017. In the meantime, the Arsenal is offering tours here once a month on Friday. Check with the Rocky Mountain Arsenal if interested. Weather can cancel the event. Here is a check list from ebird I made.

http://ebird.org/ebird/view/checklist/S30272929

Brian Johnson

Englewood CO