While there are no plans to "fill-in" the wetlands of Lowry's Westerly Creek,
Denver City Council has approved zoning to significantly develop the land
immediately adjacent and upstream to the marshes (a former reclaimed landfill).
The commercial encroachment (multi-story retail, light industrial,
residential) will eliminate the habitat "space buffer" and will destroy this
urban riparian haven. Some say that "destroy" is a strong word (preferring
terms like "significant impact") -- but I find little solace in euphemisms. I
enjoy seeing the coyote, deer, raccoon, muskrat, fox and prairie dog that
currently dwell in the area. There is nothing else like it in this part of
east Denver County.
Over the past 10 months, I have viewed a number of bird
species at the Westerly Creek Wetlands! These include:
Swainson's Hawk, Red-tailed Hawk,
American Kestrel, American Crow, American Coot, American Goldfinch,
American Wigeon, American White Pelican (including nesting pairs),
American Robin, Red-winged Blackbird, House Sparrow, House Finch, Say's
Phoebe, Willow Flycatcher, Western Meadowlark, Western Grebe, Western
Kingbird, Eastern Kingbird, Cinnamon Teal, Redhead, Canada Goose,
Cackling Goose, Mallard, Great Blue Heron, Black-crown Night-Heron,
White-faced Ibis, Snowy Egret, Northern Shoveler, Gadwall, Green-winged
Teal, Redhead, Double-crested Cormorant, Killdeer, Northern Harrier,
Common Crackle, Rock Pigeon, Mourning Dove, Brown-headed Cowbird,
Brewer's Blackbird, Black-billed Magpie, Yellow-headed Blackbird,
Bullock's Oriole, Dark-eyed Junco, Wilson's Phalarope, Ring-billed Gull,
Black-capped Chickadee, Tree Swallow, Barn Swallow, Blue Jay, Northern
Flicker and Prairie Falcon. I know there are more -- I'm new to birding
- but these are common species I feel confident in identifying.
The easiest Westerly Creek Wetlands access is via a prepared gravel trail near
the corner of Fairmount
Boulevard and Bayaud Avenue (Sport Boulevard) just north of the Lowry AMLI
apartments (about 4 blocks of north of Alameda on Fairmount Boulevard).
The trailhead is near the northwest corner of Lowry Sports Park (you'll
see the sign). This trail access will take you to the top of Westerly
Creek Dam (less than 1/2 mile) and the trail follows the dam top. There
is another access on the northeast side (just past the soccer fields)
-- but this remains a work in progress as other phases of Lowry redevelopment
continue. The area has limited access (but
well-marked) because it is actually created by a 2 mile-long flood-control dam
(Westerly Creek Dam). Access is limited because the
lake/marsh changes size significantly after rain or snow, part of the area is
reclaimed landfill -- and because dam
erosion has to be considered as well. The overhead visual advantage (on the
dam top) is great for viewing by scope or binoculars.
Take
care -- and come visit the Westerly Creek Wetlands in east Denver this spring!
Regrettably, it looks impossible to save the area in the long term -- but our
memories
are valuable too -- if only because we will be more vigilant in the years
ahead to save other special habitat open-space areas.
Ben Kemena
Denver, Colorado
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