A NorthernGoshawk delighted Lynn Willcockson’s Urban Christmas
Count group when itperched on a power pole in suburban Cherry Hills – at Colo.
Blvd. &Mansfield! Doris Cruze mentioned “a Ring-billed Gullstanding in the
middle of the (South Platte) river, and the water came up only tothe bird's
knees! That tells the story of low water levels and lack ofbirds for us on
Sunday.”
Denver Urbancounted 35,492 birds of 82 species, both less than our
23-year average of37,955 birds and 83 species. Low counts included Ducks –
3,870 (59% ofaverage), Ring-billed Gull, 1,142 (73%), Rock Pigeon, 1,660 (76%),
magpie, 288(40%, average 726), starling, 2,486 (50%), New World sparrows 481
(55%), HouseFinch 652 (45%), and House Sparrow 740 (42%).
Robinshighlighted the count: the total of 1,386 almost doubled the
previous high of794 (well – 75% more), and exceeded the average (313) by 443%.
Other new highcounts included Red-tailed Hawk, 92 (average 50) and Downy
Woodpecker 80 (ave.39). And naturally, the 19,749 Canada/Cackling Geese
amounted 55% of the totalcount.
Favoritesincluded a Long-tailed Duck, originally found by Bill
Wuerthele in City Park inearly December. Paul Slingsby’s group walked 7 miles
from Cherry Creek Dam toUniversity Blvd.; he says, “AHooded Merganser pair gave
us a duet of head dipping and splashing withthe beautiful crests of both male
and female spectacularly displayed in a sprayof glowing droplets. They then
paraded past us, still strutting their stuff,with the low angle winter light
causing both the merganser pairand the water to glow.”
Sometimes common species shine. HarrietStratton mentions “a
murmuration of European Starlings - high above University Hills(used to be)
Shopping Center - shifting shapes and altogether dipping andbanking - letting
the sun silver their underwings for a gleaming second beforeturning in
perfectly choreographed precision to form yet another form........reallyquite a
display......for about 60 birds.” MaryKeithler’s favorite, “aBelted Kingfisher
at Bible Park. It was a handsome male, which gave 2parties a great look and we
also enjoyed hearing his rattle.” KevinCorwin mentioned “Cedar Waxwings who
popped up in alarge flock of robins just east of Cranmer (Sundial) Park.”
Coincidentally, two leadersmentioned as favorites species seen only
by their groups. Polly Reetz: “the BrownCreeper we spotted over by the train
tracks, south of the Carousel.” (The countaverages 10 creepers.) Bob Brown’s
group watched a Rough-legged Hawk that satstill for all of us. Over the years
they've become less frequent at CherryCreek State Park.” (One Rough-leg = 15%
of the count average of 7.)
“I guess raptors were the show stoppers for us,” wrote Mike
Serruto, “but among them: bald eagle who flew low andslow off his/her perch,
making several passes over a magpie in effort to knockit off its lunch.” Bob
Santangelo said, “Toss-up between theMerlin and Bald Eagle we found at Denver
Country Club. The Merlin becauseit is an exciting species to find in the city
this time of year - plus, thisbird flew into Cherry Creek and waded in the
water - and the Bald Eagle soaringover the golf course My close ‘2nd’ would be
the flock ofbeautiful Cedar Waxwings gobbling berries at the Botanic Gardens .”
At Rocky Mountain ArsenalNational Wildlife Refuge, our group marveled at
anextraordinary-looking Ferruginous Hawk: solid chestnut from chin to tail
witha necklace of white spots and an enormous yellow gape.
Hugh Kingery
Franktown, CO
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