Chatfield SP and vicinity, and Marston April 21 mostly.

[David Suddjian]

Some highlights among the many things noted in today's birding...

A male and female RUSTY BLACKBIRD were along Plum Creek near the picnic area. The Eastern Phoebe was not in evidence in that area, but there was a SWAMP SPARROW. Small flocks of Yellow-rumped Warblers totaling about 30 birds, mostly Audubon's. House Wrens were singing away, with 4 at Plum Creek, and over 10 later at the South Platte.

The Marina Spit had a SOLITARY SANDPIPER and a SPOTTED SANDPIPER. and a SAVANNAH SPARROW was there, too. A COMMON LOON was in the Kingfisher area of the reservoir.

A WILSON'S WARBLER and a HERMIT THRUSH were in the riparian of South Platte south of Kingfisher Birdge, and an EASTER PHOEBE was along the river there, about 10-15 min stroll upstream of the bridge, 

A SAGE THRASHER was near Highline Canal near Roxborough Road. There were 11 BURROWING OWLS where recently reported along Roxborough Road 1.2 miles south of Titan Road, and another 3 were further south along the road. A BROAD-WINGED HAWK flew over the parking area for Sharptail Ridge Open Space.

At Marston Lake (WEST SIDE) there was a FORSTER'S TERN, a BAIRD'S SANDPIPER, some Marbled Godwits, a number of American Avocets, and 1 COMMON LOON.

I was surprised to see a GRAY-HEADED form of the Dark-eyed Junco in my Ken Caryl Valley yard this evening, as none were there since I moved there in later winter and it seems late to have that form in the "lowlands". The winter flock visiting my feeders had four junco forms (sans Gray-headed), but that group has dwindled to just 1-2 Pink-sided.

2 COMMON LOONS were at South Platte Park Reservoir on April 20. A BROAD-WINGED HAWK passed over South Valley Park on Apr 17. A SAGE THRASHER was at Hildebrand Ranch park on Apr 16.

David Suddjian

Littleton