Question about South Platte Park American Dipper

[Ben Sampson]

Today I went to South Platte Park and birded the nature center and the adjacent river. I saw Mallards, Gadwalls, Common Goldeneyes, Song Sparrows, White-crowned Sparrows. All the common stuff. I looked very hard under and near mineral bridge to see if I could find the American Dipper reported on the 23rd. They have been reported in this exact area on ebird in recent winters. Has anyone seen this bird? I really want it on my Arapahoe County list badly. Thanks in advance to any info or tips.

[Deborah Carstensen]

I saw the dipper under the bridge a couple of years ago but haven't seen it there since. I don't see any reason for him to not to go to other areas of the river but I haven't heard of one being reported on our waterfall counts.
Good luck!

Deb Carstensen, Arapahoe County

Sent from my iPhone

> On Dec 27, 2016, at 11:11 AM, Ben Sampson <ben...@gmail.com> wrote:
>
> Today I went to South Platte Park and birded the nature center and the adjacent river. I saw Mallards, Gadwalls, Common Goldeneyes, Song Sparrows, White-crowned Sparrows. All the common stuff. I looked very hard under and near mineral bridge to see if I could find the American Dipper reported on the 23rd. They have been reported in this exact area on ebird in recent winters. Has anyone seen this bird? I really want it on my Arapahoe County list badly. Thanks in advance to any info or tips.
>

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[Thomas Holub]

Hey Ben, I saw the Dipper in that location last week at about 7:30-7:45 or so. I parked at the Nature Center and walked to the East trail that starts before the walking bridge that is parallel to Mineral. The bird was seen right before you go under Mineral Bridge, somewhat near the middle of the river on that trail. On my way back, the bird was gone. I'm not sure what time you were out there, but I would try searching for the Dipper at that time. The waterfall area on the other side of the Mineral bridge might be good as well. Good luck!

Thomas Holub, Littleton, CO.

[Ben Sampson]

Thank you for the info, Deb Carstensen and Thomas Holub. I think I will try looking for it earlier in the mourning, as Thomas suggested. Also, perhaps the dipper only moves into South Platte Park after bad storms in the mountains/foothills. It's funny how birding gets you doing things like staking out a specific species just for your county list. Also, I have not ever seen a Swamp Sparrow. I have tried and failed to see them at South Platte Park at least half a dozen times this fall/winter. Yesterday, I believe I may have seen one, but it may have just been a Song Sparrow, and it ducked quickly back into cover. Does anyone have tips on seeing Swamp Sparrows in South Platte Park?

[Deborah Carstensen]

  I don't remember seeing any reports of swamp sparrows at South platte park. Skot Latona would be the best person to ask and he reads this list. I'll send your question to him, anyway to make sure he gets it. I'd be interested to hear what he had to say. There sure are a fair share of song sparrows there.

      What say you, David Suddjian?
Deb Carstensen, Arapahoe county
Sent from my iPhone

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[David Suddjian]

Yes, Swamp Sparrows occur in South Platte Park. The best time is late October through November. The prime habitat is marsh vegetation and weedy areas near water, esp. with willows. I have personally found them at Bufflehead Lake and vicinity, but may occur at a number of places in the park, as likely habitat pockets are found throughout. They might be found in winter, too, I think, but the most likely time is late fall.

David Suddjian

Ken Caryl Valley

Littleton, CO

On Wed, Dec 28, 2016 at 10:06 PM, 'Deborah Carstensen' via Colorado Birds <cob...@googlegroups.com> wrote:

  I don't remember seeing any reports of swamp sparrows at South platte park. Skot Latona would be the best person to ask and he reads this list. I'll send your question to him, anyway to make sure he gets it. I'd be interested to hear what he had to say. There sure are a fair share of song sparrows there.

      What say you, David Suddjian?
Deb Carstensen, Arapahoe county
Sent from my iPhone

On Dec 28, 2016, at 8:32 AM, Ben Sampson <ben...@gmail.com> wrote:

Thank you for the info, Deb Carstensen and Thomas Holub. I think I will try looking for it earlier in the mourning, as Thomas suggested. Also, perhaps the dipper only moves into South Platte Park after bad storms in the mountains/foothills. It's funny how birding gets you doing things like staking out a specific species just for your county list. Also, I have not ever seen a Swamp Sparrow. I have tried and failed to see them at South Platte Park at least half a dozen times this fall/winter. Yesterday, I believe I may have seen one, but it may have just been a Song Sparrow, and it ducked quickly back into cover. Does anyone have tips on seeing Swamp Sparrows in South Platte Park?

On Tuesday, December 27, 2016 at 11:11:10 AM UTC-7, Ben Sampson wrote:

Today I went to South Platte Park and birded the nature center and the adjacent river. I saw Mallards, Gadwalls, Common Goldeneyes, Song Sparrows, White-crowned Sparrows. All the common stuff. I looked very hard under and near mineral bridge to see if I could find the American Dipper reported on the 23rd. They have been reported in this exact area on ebird in recent winters. Has anyone seen this bird? I really want it on my Arapahoe County list badly. Thanks in advance to any info or tips.

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