Eastern Phoebe - Marjorie Perry Preserve - Arapahoe

[Jared Del Rosso]

For the past three days, an Eastern Phoebe has been flycatching over the easternmost lake at Marjorie Perry Nature Preserve in Greenwood Village (Arapahoe County). There is a trail that cuts across the preserve that passes close to this lake; it connects the southern portion of the High Line Canal trail at the preserve to the northern portion. I've viewed the phoebe from this trail. There have also been early, but expected warblers at the preserve over the past two days (one Wilson's, one Orange-crowned). Yesterday, two Lincoln's Sparrows were around. Now and then, Wilson's Snipes appear and Virginia Rails call. And you're guaranteed to see two or three dozen Common Grackle. 

There is no parking lot in the immediate vicinity of Marj Perry. I tend to park in the lot off E. Orchard Ave and walk in (see this map for the approximate location of the lot and walking routes to the preserve). It is about a three-quarter mile walk to the edge of the preserve and a mile to the phoebe if you walk up the trail along S. Colorado Blvd. It is about a 1.4 mile walk to the edge of the preserve if you instead take the High Line Canal Trail, which you can also access from the lot. This portion of the trail passes by enormous (private) properties, so there's some decent birding along it.  

None of these trails are paved. Right now, they're made of either water or mud. Nor are there any facilities at Marj Perry, though the lot on E. Orchard has a porta-potty. Plan accordingly!

- Jared Del Rosso

Centennial, CO