Chatfield SP and Ken Caryl Valley (Douglas / Jefferson)

[David Suddjian]

I checked Chatfield Reservoir from a handful of vantage points. No loon or scoters in evidence, but waterfowl numbers and variety had increased a good bit from my visit one week ago. There were now Redhead, Canvasback, Lesser Scaup and others, and numerous flocks of Northern Pintails were migrating south. Two Franklin's Gulls were off the original Heronry Overlook. 

A trek through the uplands south of Kingfisher Bridge on the Douglas Co side of the South Platte had 1 Harris's Sparrow, a straggling Lincoln's Sparrow, and 3 Am. Tree Sparrows (my 1st this season). Three more Am. Tree Sparrows were at Trailmark Lake (JeffCo), along with a decent cross-section of waterfowl.

A tardy Barn Swallow was an early morning surprise at Mann Reservoir in South Valley Park (JeffCo). It was hunting low over the water, but I can't imagine there was much for it to catch. A pair of Prairie Falcons perched atop the big rock there, looking on.

A HY White-throated Sparrow joined the mixed juncos in my Ken Caryl Valley yard late today. 

And the day closed very nicely with a flock of about 170 Sandhill Cranes migrating high over my home area, heading from the mountains to the southeast. It was a thrill to hear their uvular calls drifting down from on high.

David Suddjian

Littleton, CO