Birds have a successful summer near the Boulder Reservoir

Boulder Parks and Recreation Department (BPR) is proud to provide and protect these spaces for baby Ospreys, American Bitterns, and Northern Harriers.

Volunteer wildlife monitors provided this update on what happened with these birds over the summer:

BPR, Colorado Parks and Wildlife and Xcel Energy built a new nesting platform for ospreys at the Reservoir this past summer. The pair of ospreys who built their nest on the platform have fed and raised their tiny hatchling. Volunteer wildlife monitor, Bob Larsen, noted the birds' behavior, "The resident pair was on the nest when I arrived. After some vocalizations from the female, the male left the nest and circled the territory several times before flying off to the west. Shortly after, I saw the small head of a nestling rise up."

Two American Bitterns were spotted this summer standing in a grassy area within the Coot Lake wetlands. In addition, three American Bittern pairs each gave birth in cattail marshes just west of the Reservoir. These are the first fledged American bitterns documented in this area since 2004.

Lastly, four Northern Harriers were seen flying over the Dry Creek wetlands west of the Reservoir. This is the fifth consecutive year that Northern Harriers have given birth to young near the Reservoir. Volunteer wildlife monitor, Barbara Brandt, took photos of the Northern Harriers in action.

Thanks to all of the volunteer wildlife monitors who have showed that there is hope for our most vulnerable wildlife species.