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Difference between revisions of "Barr Lake" - BirdForum Opus

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'''[[United States]], [[Colorado]]'''
 
'''[[United States]], [[Colorado]]'''
 
==Overview==
 
==Overview==
According to the [[Colorado]] State Parks website, Barr Lake State Park, a short drive northeast of the Denver area, has something for every type of outdoor person.  .
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Barr Lake is a large lake within a Colorado State Park, by the same name, in Adams County, Colorado near Brighton. 
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It has a reputation of being a top birding spot in the area with trails and good viewing spots around the lake. 
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According to the Colorado State Parks<sup>[[#References|[1]]]</sup>, over 350 species of birds have been spotted here, with at least one pair of [[Bald Eagle]] nesting and raising their young there.
  
 
==Birds==
 
==Birds==
 
   
 
   
 
===Notable Species===
 
===Notable Species===
It has been said Barr Lake State Park has witnessed more than 350 species of birds, both resident and those migrating.  Also said is it has been the wintering location of numerous [[Bald Eagle]] and it seems one pair stays to nest and raise its hatchlings each year.
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Notable about Barr Lake, among other things, is the large numbers of birds that have been sighted here, with a large group of [[Bald Eagle]].  As well, it's the chosen location for the headquarters of The Bird Conservancy of the Rockies, where they conduct certain operations. 
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Another is its status as a stop-over spot for migrating birds.
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End result is this is a significant opportunity for some great birding.
  
 
===Rarities===
 
===Rarities===
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With Barr Lake being the significant location for migratory birds that it is, there are a significant number of rare sightings.  Here are a few designated as such on the Colorado State Parks<sup>[[#References|[1]]]</sup>  checklist for Barr Lake State Park.
 
   
 
   
"to do"
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[[Northern Waterthrush]], [[Black-and-white Warbler]], [[Prothonotary Warbler]], [[Rose-breasted Grosbeak]], [[Black-headed Grosbeak]], [[Lesser Goldfinch]], [[Snow Goose]], [[Clark's Grebe]], [[Common Loon]], [[Great Egret]], [[Peregrine Falcon]], [[Black-bellied Plover]], [[Black-necked Stilt]], [[Short-billed Dowitcher]], [[Bonaparte's Gull]], [[Short-eared Owl]], [[Common Nighthawk]], [[Calliope Hummingbird]], [[Red-naped Sapsucker]], [[Gray Flycatcher]], [[Red-eyed Vireo]], [[Red-breasted Nuthatch]], [[Blue-gray Gnatcatcher]].
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===Check-list===
 
===Check-list===
{{BirdsSee|"to do"}}
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{{BirdsSee|[[American Robin]], [[European Starling]], [[Song Sparrow]], [[Red-winged Blackbird]], [[Western Meadowlark]], [[Brewer's Blackbird]], [[House Finch]], [[American Goldfinch]], [[House Sparrow]], [[Canada Goose]], [[Gadwall]], [[American Wigeon]], [[Mallard]], [[Northern Shoveler]], [[Northern Pintail]], [[Green-winged Teal]], [[Redhead]], [[Ring-necked Pheasant]], [[Bald Eagle]], [[Northern Harrier]], [[Red-tailed Hawk]], [[American Kestrel]], [[American Coot]], [[Killdeer]], [[Rock Pigeon]], [[Eurasian Collared-Dove]], [[Downy Woodpecker]], [[Northern Flicker]], [[Black-billed Magpie]], [[Horned Lark]], [[Black-capped Chickadee]]}}
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==Other Wildlife==
 
==Other Wildlife==
"to do"
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In addition to the large number of bird species possible at Barr Lake, there is also a chance you might see examples of a coyote, deer, fox, rabbits, and other small mammals.
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==Site Information==
 
==Site Information==
 
   
 
   
 
===History and Use===
 
===History and Use===
"to do"
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Since at least the mid 1800s, Barr Lake and the surrounding area have figured prominently into the settlement of, and the traffic in, this area.  It has been a Bison wallow, seen Spanish cattle and cowboys, people stopping by on their way to other areas, expansion of the railroad, and more.  The water access and availability of grasses for livestock was an attraction to people in their movement.
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===Areas of Interest===
 
===Areas of Interest===
"to do"
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A number of trails, some with viewing points, are to be found here.  One, 8.8 miles long, follows the perimeter of the lake. 
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In addition, this is the location of the Headquarters of the '''Bird Conservancy of the Rockies'''.
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The prime point of interest here is going to be the birding potential, but there are many other things to see and do, in the off-time.  Consult the Colorado State Parks - Barr Lake State Park<sup>[[#References|[1]]]</sup>  site for specifics.
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===Access and Facilities===
 
===Access and Facilities===
"to do"
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East 152nd Avenue off Interstate 76 northeast of Denver. 
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Consult an up-to-date map, auto club, or GPS for detailed directions.
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===Contact Details===
 
===Contact Details===
 
Park office and Mailing  Address:
 
Park office and Mailing  Address:
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==External Links==
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===References===
#[https://cpw.state.co.us/placestogo/parks/barrlake/ Barr Lake State Park]           
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#Colorado State Parks - Barr Lake State Park - Online - https://cpw.state.co.us
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#Friends of Barr Lake - Online - https://friendsofbarrlake.org
  
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{{ref}}
{{GSearch|Barr_Lake}}
 
<br />
 
  
         
 
 
   
 
   
[[Category:Colorado]] [[Category:Locations]] [[Category:Incomplete Locations]] [[Category:Missing Location Images]]
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[[Category:Colorado]] [[Category:Locations]] [[Category:Missing Location Images]]

Latest revision as of 20:20, 9 August 2020

United States, Colorado

Overview

Barr Lake is a large lake within a Colorado State Park, by the same name, in Adams County, Colorado near Brighton.

It has a reputation of being a top birding spot in the area with trails and good viewing spots around the lake.

According to the Colorado State Parks[1], over 350 species of birds have been spotted here, with at least one pair of Bald Eagle nesting and raising their young there.

Birds

Notable Species

Notable about Barr Lake, among other things, is the large numbers of birds that have been sighted here, with a large group of Bald Eagle. As well, it's the chosen location for the headquarters of The Bird Conservancy of the Rockies, where they conduct certain operations.

Another is its status as a stop-over spot for migrating birds.

End result is this is a significant opportunity for some great birding.

Rarities

With Barr Lake being the significant location for migratory birds that it is, there are a significant number of rare sightings. Here are a few designated as such on the Colorado State Parks[1] checklist for Barr Lake State Park.

Northern Waterthrush, Black-and-white Warbler, Prothonotary Warbler, Rose-breasted Grosbeak, Black-headed Grosbeak, Lesser Goldfinch, Snow Goose, Clark's Grebe, Common Loon, Great Egret, Peregrine Falcon, Black-bellied Plover, Black-necked Stilt, Short-billed Dowitcher, Bonaparte's Gull, Short-eared Owl, Common Nighthawk, Calliope Hummingbird, Red-naped Sapsucker, Gray Flycatcher, Red-eyed Vireo, Red-breasted Nuthatch, Blue-gray Gnatcatcher.

Check-list

Birds you can see here include:

American Robin, European Starling, Song Sparrow, Red-winged Blackbird, Western Meadowlark, Brewer's Blackbird, House Finch, American Goldfinch, House Sparrow, Canada Goose, Gadwall, American Wigeon, Mallard, Northern Shoveler, Northern Pintail, Green-winged Teal, Redhead, Ring-necked Pheasant, Bald Eagle, Northern Harrier, Red-tailed Hawk, American Kestrel, American Coot, Killdeer, Rock Pigeon, Eurasian Collared-Dove, Downy Woodpecker, Northern Flicker, Black-billed Magpie, Horned Lark, Black-capped Chickadee

Other Wildlife

In addition to the large number of bird species possible at Barr Lake, there is also a chance you might see examples of a coyote, deer, fox, rabbits, and other small mammals.

Site Information

History and Use

Since at least the mid 1800s, Barr Lake and the surrounding area have figured prominently into the settlement of, and the traffic in, this area. It has been a Bison wallow, seen Spanish cattle and cowboys, people stopping by on their way to other areas, expansion of the railroad, and more. The water access and availability of grasses for livestock was an attraction to people in their movement.

Areas of Interest

A number of trails, some with viewing points, are to be found here. One, 8.8 miles long, follows the perimeter of the lake.

In addition, this is the location of the Headquarters of the Bird Conservancy of the Rockies.

The prime point of interest here is going to be the birding potential, but there are many other things to see and do, in the off-time. Consult the Colorado State Parks - Barr Lake State Park[1] site for specifics.

Access and Facilities

East 152nd Avenue off Interstate 76 northeast of Denver.

Consult an up-to-date map, auto club, or GPS for detailed directions.

Contact Details

Park office and Mailing Address:

13401 Picadilly Road Brighton, Colorado 80603

Phone: 720-520-1876

Phone: 303-659-6005

Email: [email protected]

References

  1. Colorado State Parks - Barr Lake State Park - Online - https://cpw.state.co.us
  2. Friends of Barr Lake - Online - https://friendsofbarrlake.org

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