Hi all,
Doug Kibbe sent me a note that he saw 3 species of Loons on 10/31 at Marston
Reservoir[Denver cty], adding the third Loon as a question mark. He said he saw
a Red-throated Loon on 10/31. I have not been able to bird Marston since last
week, because of my schedule.
I had time today and went and checked birds out today at Marston. From the west
side I did see 1 Common Loon, 1, Pacific Loon, and what I think is a probable
Arctic Loon. I did not see the Red-throated Loon today. The latter bird I
believe is the one which was at Marston the beginning of July. It was with an
ad. Common Loon which was in alternate plumage back in July. The bird has been
around for several months, although I can't promise it is the same bird. The
Loons, Mergansers, and some of the other birds fly back and forth between
Marston and Bowles Lake. Bowles is almost all private. It adjoins and is next
to Marston. Because of this it is sometimes hard to find birds which have been
sighted one day verse the next day.
Concerning the POSSIBLE Arctic, the bird has obvious white flanks[most of the
time, depending upon the position of the bird]. The white flanks were like a
solid white border against the water,flareing up over the bird's dark feathers
. The bill of the bird was large. The head was held up at an angle alot of the
time. The front of the bird was super white, contrasting against dark mantle,
and upper parts. No, I could not see the vent, and there was no chin strap. The
top of the head was somewhat squarish and not rounded as in a Pacific Loon.
Could some other folks check Marston. I want to thank Doug for sending me a
note about a questionable Loon.
Other birds seen at Marston today: Canvasback, Lesser Scaup, Bufflehead,
Red-breasted, & Common Merganser,& Hooded Merganser, Gadwall, Northern
Shoveler, American Widgeon, Pied-billed, Horned, Eared, Western, & Clark's
Grebes, Herring Gull, California Gull, & Ring-billed Gull, American Coot, &
Double-crested Cormorant.
Viewing in the morning is best from Bow Mar Dr. The lake is private and it is
the Denver Water Board. From about 1:30pm on, the reservoir is best viewed from
the west side, off of S. Wadsworth Blvd. This blvd. is the first light south
and after W. Quincy & S. Wadsworth Blvd. intersection. For either viewing put
your blinker on, non-stop. There is NO TRESPASSING into the bird sanctuary
which adjoins Marston Reservoir. This sanctuary was years in the making to
protect nesting birds. Better yet just pertend the bird does not exist, if you
give up at this point. The bird will involve some looking.
Happy Birding!
Tina Jones
Littleton, Jefferson County, CO
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