Aurora Reservoir birding question

[Thomas Holub]

Hi, 

My Grandfather and I visited Aurora Res. about a week or two ago. We arrived at about 930 and extensively searched among the large close range groups of geese with good results (Greater White Fronted and Ross's). However, when viewing the gulls, most were too far out to identify, even with a scope, except Ring Billed and Herring Gulls. Do the positions of the gulls vary throughout the day? We plan to visit the area tomorrow around the early afternoon hours to look for the great gulls that have been reported as well as the white winged scoter and recently reported Brant. Does anyone have any advice regarding the time of viewing as well as the best locations for viewing at the reservoir? It would really help, as we felt very lost the first time we made it out there.  

Thanks! -Thomas Holub, Littleton,CO

[Luke Pheneger]

Go early in the morning before the gulls start to leave, so I suggest around 9:00. That's when we saw the Iceland Gull,Glaucous Gulls, White Winged Scoter, and Thayer's Gulls. Around 10:30 most of the gulls started to leave. Best to view them from the west dam. This was today(1/15/17).

[Luke Pheneger]

But some gulls did start to come back at 11:30.

[Luke Pheneger]

And I forgot to mention that the whole swim beach is frozen over, and the ice fisherman scared off the gulls on that side.

[Thomas Holub]

Luke, thanks for the great advice. This makes total sense, I really appreciate the comment, going to give it a shot tomorrow! Great list!

Thomas Holub, Littleton, CO

[cteuton]

Hi Thomas,
A couple of things about Aurora Reservoir that I should have noted in my post, just to let folks know. First, as I know you and your grandfather know, everyone should remember that this is a fee area. Aurora takes this seriously. Secondly, in my post today, I neglected to say that David Blue was the person who pointed the Brant out to us, as it just come in.
Aurora Reservoir is a challenging place to bird, as conditions change from day to day and during the day. A lot of the big gulls were a long way out this afternoon, and many of them left after eagles took to the sky around them. On the other hand, it was around that time that the Brant came in, so go figure.
With the way the ice was today, and probably should be tomorrow, the best viewing will be either from the dam face (south end), or by walking up from the west dam parking lot. AM sounds like the big gulls may be closer.
Good birding!
Cheryl Teuton
Aurora

[cteuton]

Sorry, the dam face is, of course, at the north end!
Cheryl

[Thomas Holub]

Cheryl, this is really helpful, thanks for giving me a better idea of the situation, it will really help me.

Thomas Holub, Littleton, CO