Scoters -- Cherry Creek State Park -- Arapahoe County

[Chris Rurik]

This morning there were two scoters on Cherry Creek Reservoir. One was a BLACK SCOTER, and the other was a little trickier. I have an idea of what it was but don't have time now to type up all the field marks I observed, plus I am curious to what conclusion others will draw if they go look.

Last I saw them, they were perking up and starting to dive about even with the east shades.

Also at least three Common Loons, five Horned Grebes, over a dozen Eared and Pied-billed Grebes, and half a thousand Western Grebes.

Chris Rurik

Denver CO

[Glenn Walbek, Castle Rock, CO]

2 Black Scoters, 1 Pacific Loon...so far.

Glenn Walbek

Castle Rock, CO

Sent from my Verizon Wireless 4G LTE DROID

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[Glenn Walbek]

 

Folks,

 

Loch Kilpatrick and I observed an adult female and first year male Black Scoter at Cherry Creek.  The male is showing a hint of orange in the upper mandible.  A ‘nearly’ breeding plumage, adult Pacific Loon was also seen with as many as 5 Common Loons.  The Pac Loon has a pale gray head with white lines on the sides of the neck and a dark throat.  White on the rear flanks could be seen only when the bird rolled in the water to preen.  Some distant photos of a Common and Pacific Loon together can be seen here.

 

http://www.pbase.com/gwalbek/image/161803780