Site Details

descriptions and directions

Cottonwood Marsh photo by Peter Burke

Aurora Reservoir - Arapahoe County
Aliases:
Ownership: None Listed
Description: (submitted by Glenn Walbek) Aurora Reservoir in Arapahoe County is one of a few Front Range reservoirs surrounded by prairie grassland. It sits about 9 miles east of Cherry Creek Reservoir, well away from the urban sights and sounds of Denver. This slight distance makes Aurora Reservoir a reliable site for Snow and Ross's Geese, birds that can be difficult to encounter closer to town. Aurora Reservoir can host a good variety of water birds in the fall and winter, including the usual divers, swans, loons and even scoters. Shoreline is not expansive but can attract migrant shorebirds, with the south shore being best. Gulls and terns are varied and reliable, with many birds sharing time with nearby Quincy and Cherry Creek reservoirs. The park does not hold many trees so passerines are not abundant, but grassland sparrows and raptors add to the good numbers of water birds, making Aurora Reservoir worth a visit.

Aurora Reservoir is not part of the State Park System, so your annual Parks Pass will do you no good here. The city of Aurora charges $10 for a day pass and $55 for an annual pass.

Habitat: Reservoir, Lowland Riparian, Grassland/Prairie
Elevation:
Directions: Take E-470 to the Quincy Ave exit (or, alternatively for those who don't want to pay tolls on E-470, take I-225 to Parker Rd, and then Parker Rd south to Quincy Ave). Head east on Quincy Ave for 2 miles to Powhaton Rd, and the entrance to Aurora Reservoir, on the right.
Restrictions/Hazards:
Other Wildlife:
Other Attractions:
Website:






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Latest Aurora Reservoir Sightings from eBird

 


CBRC Records from Aurora Reservoir

SpeciesAccession No.Date(s)
Brant (Black)2017-004 01/15/2017
Barnacle Goose2018-029 01/09/2018
Iceland Gull2011-183 12/31/2011
Iceland Gull2014-006 01/11/2014
Iceland Gull2014-042 01/19/2014
Slaty-backed Gull2014-008 01/03/2014
Glaucous-winged Gull2011-182 12/31/2011
Glaucous-winged Gull2013-268 11/24/2013
Glaucous-winged Gull2014-010 01/03/2014
Glaucous-winged Gull2016-004 01/13/2015
Glaucous-winged Gull2017-005 01/15/2017
Glaucous-winged Gull2017-078 01/15/2017
Glaucous-winged Gull2017-079 01/28/2017
Glaucous-winged Gull2019-014 02/20/2019
Snowy Owl2011-181 12/28/2011