Warm weather for the last days of February and the first days of March set our Saturday Beginner Birders trip up for a classic Colorado March bait-and switch: cold, wet, and at times windy weather. However, the effects of the prior week’s warming of the lakes along the Wheat Ridge Greenbelt (WRG), continued, with West Lake and Tabor Lake being mostly or completely ice free and hosting a great variety of waterfowl whose details could be clearly observed with binoculars. With Clear Creek, which runs through the length of the WRGB, flowing freely we then set out to see what the cool weather and open water might provide in the way of birds.

We began our walk heading upstream from the WRG Youngfield parking lot. Despite the noise of I-70 traffic and a huge construction project on the south side of the creek, good numbers of waterfowl were present in the creek and in a small impoundment on the south side of the trail, Green-Winged Teal, Gadwall, Hooded Mergansers, and Lesser Scaup were readily observed, along with Bushtits, Black-capped Chickadees, and several lustily singing Song Sparrows amongst the trees and shrubs that line both sides of the creek.  

Turning downstream, we were able to spot two pair of Common Goldeneye on West Lake, their behavior suggesting that courtship is beginning. Green-Winged Teal and Hooded Mergansers also were present, as were Mallards and Canada Geese.

The weather turned windy and wetter as we worked our way to Tabor Lake.  Despite the less-than-ideal viewing conditions we were able to spot a lone male Canvasback, whose distinct bright white body, long sloping forehead and dark beak were readily visible with binoculars and scope. Several pairs of male and female Lesser Scaup were observed diving under the edge of the remaining ice. Fifteen Double-crested Cormorants were huddled on their nests perched in the lone tree on the small island in the lake that has been a breeding colony for these birds for several years.

As we returned to our starting point at the parking lot we observed a pair of Spotted Towhees in the scrub and rabbitbrush along the shore of West Lake, busily scratching and pecking amongst the leaves.

Twenty-five species were observed, a good morning’s work, and we were able to successfully test our identification skills under challenging field conditions. And we had a good time doing so!

March 5, 2022.
Wheat Ridge Greenbelt (Youngfield Entrance)
Number of species observed: 25

Species # Observed
Canada Goose 11
Northern Shoveler 37
Gadwall 23
Mallard 20
Green-winged Teal 17
Canvasback 1
Lesser Scaup 9
Common Goldeneye 12
Hooded Merganser 11
Mourning Dove 1
American Coot 30
Ring-billed Gull 53
Double-crested Cormorant 16
Red-tailed Hawk 1
Belted Kingfisher 1
Downy Woodpecker 2
Northern Flicker (Red-shafted) 11
Black-capped Chickadee. 4
Bushtit 18
European Starling 12
American Robin 4
House Finch 1
Song Sparrow 7
Spotted Towhee 2
Red-winged Blackbird 40