Littleton - Ken Caryl area - birds from the last few days

[David Suddjian]

On Jan 19 two WESTERN-SCRUB-JAYS along Lee Gulch near Windermere in Littleton were in an urban setting away from scrub or oak habitat, and so seemed out of place to me. They were the first I'd seen in the Littleton urban area since arriving here Dec 1, and they seem scarce in the urban zone based on eBird reports, but perhaps not? Some small blackish berries on shurbs in the riparian zone there were attracting a flock of 32 CEDAR WAXWINGS, I think just my 2nd encounter with that species at Littleton this winter. A few Solitaires were there, too.

On Jan 21 I had a heard only NORTHERN PYGMY-OWL at South Valley County Park; it was being mobbed by jays and chickadees, and was not too far away, but it remained hidden from my vantage. A RUBY-CROWNED KINGLET there was just my second in the Littleton - Ken Caryl region this winter.

On Jan 22 Cooley Lake at South Platte Park had an adult GREATER WHITE-FRONTED GOOSE (maybe the same as I've seen a few times in the area from Dec into Jan), 1 adult CALIFORNIA GULL, and 1 1st cycle LESSER BLACK-BACKED GULL. 14 CEDAR WAXWINGS were at St. Mary Church on South Prince in Littleton.

On Jan 23 a GOLDEN-CROWNED KINGLET was at Littleton Cemetery. This was my first in the "lowlands" this winter. 

David Suddjian

Littleton