Gyr Tomorrow

[John Facchini]

Hello all,

I am an out of town birder who will have a shot tomorrow to search for the Gyrfalcon. This would be a most desired lifer for me. I have been reviewing the posts (thanks all!) and am curious what the best strategy would be to try and respectfully see this bird tomorrow. Is it just driving Taft and Trilby Roads or does the Recycling plant allow birders access?

Thanks in advance
John Facchini
San Francisco - formerly of Denver

Also - any updates tomorrow would be greatly appreciated
My phone is (201) 805-5151 - I plan on being in the area at first light through early afternoon unless it makes an early appearance and let's me go on a wild goose chase.

[Carl Bendorf]

Hi John,

I hope others will chime in with better advice but my sense (having been there a couple of times and watching all the postings) is that the better bet is to perhaps park on Trilby west of Taft Hill (I don't know, maybe half a mile in?) and waiting.  The falcon seems to really like perching on the tallest (brown metal) power line poles but also on lower perches either north or south of Trilby.  The sightings at the landfill itself seem to have been irregular, unpredictable quick fly-bys whereas the Trilby Road sightings are of the bird perching sometimes for more than an hour.  You probably also have seen the recent postings about the bird also being seen perched EAST of Taft Hill Rd or even a ways south on Taft Hill (but very hard to park along Taft Hill itself.)  I think being there at first light would be good as there do seem to be early morning sightings.

The day I was there, we were able to enter the landfill itself by telling the person at the entry booth that we were "just birders" and she knew all about the rare bird and waved us on in.  Once headed in (follow the big dump trucks) there should be a person in a reflective vest who you should check in with and ask where it would be OK to park.  But again, at that point, you are waiting for a quick fly-by it seems.

You CAN see the landfill (with all the loafing/scavenging gulls) from Trilby but it's a long ways off.  I saw the gulls all get up several times and hoped it meant the falcon was present but those were false alarms so the gulls do seem to just all get up once in a while and then settle back down all on their own.

Hope this helps. 

Carl Bendorf

Longmont CO

https://coloradobirdingadventures.com/

[Wayne Wathen]

The wind should not be a problem tomorrow.  Good luck.

Sent from my iPad

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[Richard]

John,

 There is a great and safe place to hang out south of the landfill, on the west side of Taft at the Trilby/Taft intersection. Trilby, is paved on the east side of Taft, but is a dirt road on the west side, where there is lots of easy and safe parking.

I was there on Sunday and Monday. You have great views of both the landfill and the areas surrounding Trilby/Taft, which is where our friend has been hanging out.

Good luck,

Rich

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[Arthur Bezuidenhout]

I would agree with Carl. I arrived about 11:30, about a 1/4 miles west of Taft Hill Rd and the facon came to the folks waiting there. I have read other reports that appeared to have the same "happy" result.

Bez Bezuidenhout

Lakewood , Co

[Joe Roller]

I'd like to reiterate the idea of having bringing your two way radio to stay 

in touch with fellow "Gyr-seekers".

Joe Roller, Denver

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[Carl Bendorf]

Hi John Facchini,

I think folks might appreciate hearing whether you were able to find the Gyrfalcon or not.

Thanks,

Carl Bendorf

Longmont

[John Facchini]

I was not able to connect with either the Gyr or the PF Goose yesterday - not for lack of trying.  Thanks to everyone for their input and good birding!

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