Recent birds Jefferson, Douglas, Arapahoe

[David Suddjian]

This morning (11/3) I was hoping for nice numbers of waterbirds at Chatfield, but they were down considerably from one week ago. Nonetheless, a Red-throated Loon was near the shoreline between Deer Creek inlet and Massey Draw parking area, with a Common Loon nearby (JeffCo). Two more Common Loons were near the dam, as viewed from the Marina sandspit. My first Common Goldeneye of the season was off the marina, and a Merlin flew by the sandspit (Douglas). The view from the original hernonry overlook at the best waterbird variety, but nothing unusual that I saw. Of interest was a vocalizing Horned Grebe, pestered to protest by an aggressive Pied-billed Grebe. I don't think I've ever heard a Horned Grebe calling before. When I first heard it the call reminded me of a churring Red-bellied Woodpecker.

On Oct 31 a tardy Townsend's Warbler was at St. Mary Church at South Prince St in Littleton (Arapahoe).

On Oct 30 a female Surf Scoter, 1 Common Loon and 1 Clark's Grebe were at Cooley Lake in South Platte Park (Arapahoe).

David Suddjian

Littleton, CO