[Douglbirds] Franktown Hot Spot

[Glenn Walbek]

Folks,

2 days ago I visited McClain gravel pit for the first time.  This is the lake recently created, 1/2 mile south of Hwy 86, on the east side of the road into Castlewood Canyon.  Most of the lake is not visible from the road, however if you park at the gate on the north side, you can see over 90% of the lake, and better yet the shorebird habitat on the east side.  There were 8 Greater Yellowlegs and 3 Franklin's Gulls along with some of the usual dabblers on Friday.  Today, there is a Lesser Yellowlegs, a Baird's Sandpiper and a breeding plumage Common Loon.  This looks like a good migrant stop for shore and water birds.  Based on what I have seen there during the past couple of days, this may be a good place to look for birds, especially in the coming month or 2.  Walker pond continues to have a good number of divers, including Lesser Scaup, Common Goldeneye, Ring-necked Ducks, Ruddy Ducks and Common Mergansers.

I am still seeing good numbers of migrating raptors from our house near Hwy 86 and Founders.

Glenn Walbek
Castle Rock, CO
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