Chatfield - Littleton 3/6

[David Suddjian]

DFOs field trip to the SW Metro Area hop-skipped at spots from Chatfield to Littleton this morning, grateful that yesterday's wind had blown through, but shivering in the light breeze blowing across the marina sandspit in "feels like" single digits. The sandspit had our first Cinnamon Teal for the year, on the tires. The Yellow-billed Loon was easy to find from the old heronry overlook, located north of the platform. The Brant lately frequenting Ketring Park was grazing with Cackling Geese at nearby Gallup Park. We were amazed how hard it was to pick out from among the Cacklers at times, even though it was on the near side of the flock.The continuing early Eastern Phoebe was very cooperative at Lee Gulch at Lower Ridgewood Park, foraging right along the graded dirt area at the small parking lot. The trip ended with a visit to S. Platte Park's Northern Wildlife Area, where we found an imm. Golden Eagle (notable for the City of Littleton area), a continuing Yellow-rumped Warbler and others. 

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After the trip I had occasion to check Lee Gulch downstream of Windemere, where I found a Hermit Thrush and Ruby-crowned-Kinglet.

Back home for me at Ken Caryl Valley, the wintering Harris's Sparrow has been visiting my yard for 86 days now. A Chukar made an unexpected visit to my back yard feeding station from Feb 25-28. It was tame, yet wild, but an escape/release, of course. 

David Suddjian

Ken Caryl Valley

Littleton, CO
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