At least 40 birders searched Aurora Reservoir expectantly today, but the Snowy Owl, which has been on winter territory there for over a week, according to several rangers, could not be found. Weak consolation prizes were at least two Lesser Black-backed Gulls, (adult and first winter), at least one Thayer's Gull and (just before 4 PM) a Northern Shrike (lifer for some who were there). The chilly wind-driven air was offset by warm comradeship, which would have been warmer if the owl had been one of the comrades.
There are good prospects that this northern vagrant will be seen again during the next few days. If you go, you can drive below the dam to the east parking lot, pay your $10 at a fee station there, or pay at the one on the main road that leads to the SW corner. PLEASE be cautious when walking onto the dam at first light, as the owl has favored the that structure in the morning, and it would be a shame to spook it before other birders arrived. According to the rangers, it has been seen all over the place at various times, but is most often seen on the dam or on buildings along the south side of the reservoir. Each ranger seems to have a close-up photo of the owl on a phone camera, taken of the perched bird from his or her vehicle. One ranger told me that he usually sees it in the afternoon, but his buddy only sees it in the AM. Congratulations again to Glenn Walbek, who took the trouble to go to Aurora Reservoir, learned from a ranger that the owl was still being seen and took the time to seek it out and photograph it. Your disappointed reporter, Joe Roller, Denver -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Colorado Birds" group. To post to this group, send email to [email protected]. To unsubscribe from this group, send email to [email protected]. For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/cobirds?hl=en.
