Rich Stevens' Bird Trips
April 2001
Birding Southern Colorado 4/28-5/1
Bryan Ehlmann and I traveled to southern Colorado the last four days.
Weather was sunny and warm; unfortunately the winds were quite strong at times.
Saturday 28
We started at first light at the Arkansas Riverwalk (Fremont County) where the
Black Phoebe showed up on the north side of the river (near 4-mile creek area).
Several Blue-gray Gnatcatchers and a flock of Bushtits were between where
4-mile creek enters the river and the Mackenzie parking area.
A brief stop at Pueblo Reservoir and the Swallows area (Pueblo) did not produce
any uncommon bird sightings. Four Scaled Quail ran across the Swallows Road;
no Curve-billed Thrashers were located. A Loggerhead Shrike and several
Mountain Bluebirds flew across Swallows Road on the trip back to highway 50.
No uncommon gulls were at the two marinas at Pueblo Reservoir.
Two Great Blue Herons were the few birds observed at Valco Ponds.
We were able to find the Tricolored Heron east of Fort Lyons WLA (Bent).
The bird hid well, north of county road 16. Again, we could not find
any Black Rails. No warblers were observed flying about in the strong winds.
The male Northern Cardinal was at the southern end of Lamar Community College
(Prowers County). Several Chimney Swifts flew over the college woods.
Two Mississippi Kites flew over Willow Creek Park.
Saturday night and Sunday 29
We continued our mapping of owls on several private ranches in Las Animas
and Baca counties. Cassin's Kingbirds, two Gray Flycatchers, and a flock of
six Blue Grosbeaks were among the highlights.
Monday and Tuesday 4/30-5/1
We worked our way around the San Luis Valley (Rio Grande, Alamosa, Saguache).
The goal to locate Bendire's Thrashers was not successful. The Northern Parula
reported earlier at Home Lake (Rio Grande) was not located. We did observe
a Peregrine Falcon, Short-eared Owl, two Great-tailed Grackles and
American Bitterns at Russell Lakes.
Birding around Metro Denver 4/27
Bryan Ehlmann and I birded around Denver on this warm spring day.
The wind was negligible.
The female Greater Scaup was not at Memorial or Veteran Lakes at
Fort Logan Cemetery. The only waterfowl were Gadwalls.
We hiked about 4 miles along Clear Creek from Johnson's Park (Wadsworth Blvd)
to Prospect Park (Youngfield Blvd). Few birds were observed during our trek.
One Black-crowned Night-Heron was a Bass Lake. One Audubon's Warbler
was the only warbler located today. Ten Chipping Sparrows fluttered
about between the two halves of Bass Lake.
At Colorado Blvd & 88th Avenue and the South Platte River, again few birds
were around. The three Long-tailed Ducks observed on previous visits could not
be found today. Gadwalls and Northern Shovelers were the majority of waterfowl
observed during our four-mile hike from Colorado Blvd to highway 224 and back.
One of the slowest birding days I have ever experienced (maybe the slowest).
Migration has not reached Denver yet; however any day now it should improve.
Birding along the Front range 4/26
Rebecca Kosten and I birded along the Front Range. The temperature
was over 80 degrees and winds were mild for most of the day.
We had planned to try Pike National Forest for Three-toed Woodpeckers and
such today, however we could not resist the birds of Larimer County.
At the pond across from 3301 E. Prospect Avenue, Fort Collins (Larimer County)
we counted 11 White-faced Ibis and one adult Glossy Ibis. There were several
additional ibis over a hill to the north that we could not identify.
On to Boyd Lake State Park (Larimer), we found the adult Caspian Tern with
82 gulls on the sand spit just north of Mussel Beach (northern end of lake).
At least three of the gulls were Bonaparte's Gulls.
Seven Marbled Godwits were on the sand spit also!
At Lochbuie Ponds (Weld/Adams), we watched two Great-tailed Grackles on cattails
in the southeast corner. One Burrowing Owl stood atop a mound on the southwest
corner. The many gulls looked to be mostly Ring-billed with a few Franklin's.
On my favorite owl loop north of DIA (Adams) we observed Burrowing Owls:
10 @ 0.5 miles south of Picadilly Road and 128th avenue
4 @ 0.7 miles east of Picadilly Road and 120th avenue
12 @ 3.4 miles east of Tower Road and 96th avenue.
While we came upon three Swainson's Hawks, the Rough-legged Hawk
observed for several weeks (last 4/20) was not located today.
Eastern Plains 4/23-4/25
Rebecca Kosten and I birded Colorado's eastern plains Monday-Wednesday.
Temperatures were in the 70s and high winds were encountered at times.
Monday 23
The highlight of the day was a Piping Plover along with two Semipalmated Plovers
at Bonny Reservoir (Yuma County). Not much was happening on the water surface.
I can never resist going to Hale Ponds area to see the Red-bellied Woodpeckers
and Eastern Bluebirds when in the area (male, female; RBWO & 17 EABL).
No uncommon birds were observed along a mile hike at the Republican River.
We searched for sparrows and warblers at several private ranches both in
Colorado and Kansas without finding any uncommon birds.
We did not locate the Great-tailed Grackles at the Burlington feedlots along highway 385.
Our trip then lead us south toward Lamar. Outside of Cheyenne Wells (Cheyenne),
we searched for Greater Prairie-Chickens reported to us; without success.
Nor did we find Mountain Plover at their traditional location outside of Eads.
Between Upper and Lower Queens (Kiowa), we observed one Long-billed Curlew,
however no Mountain Plovers this trip. Our day ended with a search of sparrows
at Mike Higbee WLA (Kiowa); without finding any uncommon birds.
Several Swainson's Hawks and a dark-morph Red-tailed Hawk were in the area.
Tuesday 24
At Lamar Community College (Prowers), we found a male Hooded Warbler and
a Northern Parula. The Northern Cardinals observed by others eluded us again.
On the trip to Two Buttes Reservoir, two Burrowing Owls were at the
Prairie Dog Village along highway 385 (approx. 8 miles from Lamar).
At Two Buttes Reservoir (Baca), we found a Greater Roadrunner and
a Yellow-throated Vireo (in trees below dam). One male Indigo Bunting
was below the cliffs to the south and below the dam.
A quick trip to Springfield did not produce Eurasian Collared-Dove or
Great-tailed Grackle sightings (as previous years).
We moved on to a private ranch west of Kim. We observed several
Cassin's Kingbirds, Mountain Bluebirds, two Blue-gray Gnatcatchers
and Long-billed Curlew. After dark, we heard the Northern Saw-whet Owl
found earlier in the year. Two Western Screech-Owls and a Great Horned Owl
were also heard during our owling hike after dark.
Wednesday 25
We drove north to be at Fort Lyons WLA (Bent) at first light.
We could not locate any Black Rails. Highlights of the day were
a Nashville Warbler, American Redstart, and Chimney Swifts.
Rebecca observed a Broad-winged Hawk, which I missed.
At Rocky Ford, we searched briefly for the Inca Doves and
Eurasian Collared-Doves without finding either.
The rest of our trip was uneventful.
(Lake Henry, Lake Cheraw, Rocky Ford Sewage Ponds)
Metro Reservoirs 4/21
Donna Fortney, Rebecca Kosten, and I birded several metro reservoirs.
At Cherry Creek Reservoir, the Common Loon in breeding plumage was west of
the dam's tower. There were many Franklin's Gulls around the southwest marina.
One American White Pelican stood on the telephone poles defining the marina.
Half a dozen Double-crested Cormorants joined many Ring-billed Gulls also.
Two adult Bonaparte's Gulls were in the northeast corner. We did not locate
the Marbled Godwit reported on Friday. One Red-tailed Hawk flew overhead.
After stopping at the "donut shop" with the 45-minute line (no name needed,
it did $370,000 business its first week in Denver), I talked them into
continuing down to Chatfield Reservoir.
The Black-legged Kittiwake was again on the swim beach shoreline!
Many swallows flew along the shoreline. Included in the list were
Tree, Northern Rough-winged, Violet-green, and a few Barn Swallows.
By now the temperatures had dropped into the low 50s, visibility was
quite limited. Few birds flew around the southeast marina area.
The only birds identified on the water surface were many Western Grebes
and several Clark's Grebes. A couple of Ring-billed Gulls were out there too.
An Osprey with fish stood on the speed limit sign along the road to
Plum Creek Delta. We left by way of the southeast entrance and
a Peregrine Falcon stood on a sign about 20 yards from the road
(across from Prairie Dog Village).
Hike along the South Platte River 4/20
Rebecca Kosten and I hiked 6.5 miles of the South Platte River from
just south of Interstate 70 (the Park at Arkins Court) to the Park
at 88th avenue and Colorado Blvd. I had spent way too much time
in cars this week and my legs needed a good hike.
Temperatures were in the cool 40s and winds were strong.
We were hoping for some gulls along the river, however 8 Franklin's Gulls
were all we encountered. Not even Ring-billed Gulls braved the winds today.
We found a Snowy Egret at Riverside Cemetery (Denver County). Later the bird
flew north to York and 64th (Adams County). My first Denver County Snowy Egret!
One Swainson's Hawk hunted by the pond at the southern end of the cemetery.
Nineteen American Avocets were found (also my first of Denver County).
Many Ring-necked Ducks, Lesser Scaups, and Common Goldeneyes were on the pond
north of highway 224. Many Gadwall and three Double-crested Cormorants were
on the pond south of highway 224. Two male Hooded Mergansers also swam there.
The surprise of our hike came at the northern East Gravel Lakes (Adams).
The three Long-tailed Ducks were swimming at the northern end of the lake.
I managed to get all three in the same photo.
The birds eventually swam to Dahlia Street shoreline.
A Clark's Grebe swam in the southern East Gravel Lake along with many
Ruddy Ducks, Western, Horned, Eared, and several Pied-billed Grebes.
One Great Blue Heron flew overhead at the green & white water tower.
Our day had started along the South Platte at Littleton Blvd (Arapahoe County).
We had searched unsuccessfully for the male Mandarin Duck reported to me three
times last week. We did see two pairs of Wood Ducks and 27 Blue-winged Teal.
The female Greater Scaup sporting a white ear patch is still at
Fort Logan Cemetery (Memorial Lake, Arapahoe County).
There were two pairs of Lesser Scaups on the lake also.
Two male Audubon Warblers were the only warblers encountered in our six-hour
bird hike. One Ruby-crowned Kinglet was also located near Race Street.
Along my favorite Owl Loop North of Denver International Airport, we observed
Burrowing Owls at three locations. Ten birds were 3.4 miles east of Tower Road
and 96th avenue. Three birds were 0.7 miles east of Picadilly Road &
120th avenue. Three birds were 0.5 miles south of Picadilly Road &
128th avenue. The birds at Picadilly Road locations were quite far from
the road. The owls along 96th avenue birds were much closer.
Eastern Plains 4/17-4/19
Tuesday 17
Four of us headed to southeastern Colorado for three days of birding.
We encountered temperatures into the 80s and quite strong winds at times.
Along highway 71, we stopped several times to look at the sparrows.
One field had at least three Grasshopper Sparrows, White-crowned, and
a couple of Song Sparrows. No American Tree Sparrows were found.
We heard an Inca Dove northwest of the church on Washington Avenue in
Rocky Ford. Two Eurasian Collared-Doves were found near CR GG & CR 19.
The search for the Yellow-bellied Sapsucker reported last month did not
produce a sighting. We did find two Ruby-crowned Kinglets.
At Higbee Cemetery (Otero), we found a male Vermilion Flycatcher in the trees
along the canal behind house to the east. We stayed two hours without further
sightings. Two Northern Mockingbirds and three Say's Phoebes were also observed.
Along Baca CR 10, between CR R & CR T, two Long-billed Curlew walked the fields
east of CR 10. One Prairie Falcon stood atop a telephone pole at CR M & CR N.
A brief stop at Cottonwood Canyon (Baca) added Lewis's Woodpeckers and
Rufous-crowned Sparrows to our trip list. No Mississippi Kites were found.
No owls could be located. Five Wild Turkeys were northeast of the camping area.
We arrived at the Campo Lek too early and hiked the road 1.0 mile east and
1.2 miles south of the lek. Several Vesper Sparrows were observed.
Two Cassin's Sparrows flew up and performed their flight & song.
At the Campo Lek, only five birds made an appearance.
On the drive toward the lek, two Swainson's Hawks and a Ferruginous Hawk
were in the trees along CR J. Many Lark Buntings were in the area.
Wednesday 18
At Lamar Community College (Prowers), we found a male Black-and-White Warbler
at the southern end of the woods behind the college. The Northern Cardinals
observed by several parties in the past weeks, did not appear for us.
East of Holly, we encountered two Burrowing Owls and heard several
Northern Bobwhites. Several Swainson's Hawks were in the trees along highway 50.
At Mike Higbee Wildlife Area, only White-crowned and Song Sparrows were found.
At Thurston (Prowers), Upper Queens, and Neesopah Reservoirs (Kiowa),
water levels are high. We did find two Great Egrets, two Mountain Plovers, and
another Long-billed Curlew. No sandpipers were located on the limited shoreline.
At Sheridan Lake (Kiowa County), we added two Willets and seven sandpipers to
our trip list. Two Great-tailed Grackles were in the town of Brandon (Kiowa).
Thursday 19
We observed several Greater Prairie-Chickens north of Burlington.
We then returned to Bonny Reservoir and Hale Ponds. At Hale Ponds
we found Red-bellied Woodpeckers, Eastern Bluebirds, Western Kingbirds,
two Common Yellowthroats, Spotted Towhees and a Northern Mockingbird.
A Barn Owl was found at Bonny Reservoir along with a Common Loon and
two Wild Turkeys. We did not see the Tundra Swan reported earlier in the week.
At Last Chance Rest Stop (Washington County), few birds flew about.
(Nothing but the dreaded House Sparrows!)
Hunt for Common Black-Hawk in La Plata County 4/16
I left Denver at 11:00PM and drove to Durango (7.5 hours).
I searched several hours for the Common Black-Hawk observed
just west of Durango; without success.
After a quick trip to Wildcat Canyon to see three Acorn Woodpeckers,
I headed back to Denver (another 7.5 hours driving time).
There was not much time to search other areas.
Return to Chatfield Reservoir 4/15
Paul Langendorfer and I birded Chatfield Reservoir late Sunday afternoon.
Temperatures were a warm 60 degrees; winds were mild.
At 3:00PM, two adult Bonaparte's Gulls and the Black-legged Kittiwake
were 500 yards or so east-northeast of the southeast marina.
A pair of Clark's Grebes accompanied several dozen Western Grebes.
We could not locate the Vermilion Flycatcher and Sage Sparrow today.
One Vesper Sparrow walked along the water's edge.
Little bird activity was happening at Plum Creek Delta.
Later we drove to the swim beach where the Black-legged Kittiwake was
on the sand spit just north. Two California Gulls and a Ring-billed Gull
were also there. A male Belted Kingfisher chattered overhead.
Our trip then took us south several miles to the Discovery Pavilion area.
Surprisingly, few birds move around. Twenty-four Tree Swallows flew overhead.
A Cooper's Hawk flew through the trees behind the yellow building at the Platte.
Chatfield Reservoir 4/13
What a beautiful day in Colorado. I found myself at first light at
Chatfield Reservoir (Jefferson/Douglas Counties). Temperature was
42 degrees; there was no wind, leaving the water surface perfectly calm.
The 1st year Black-legged Kittiwake, two Bonaparte's Gulls, and several
Ring-billed Gulls flew over the cove east of the sand spit/southeast marina.
An Osprey stood on a log in the southeast corner of Chatfield.
I did not locate the female Vermilion Flycatcher discovered yesterday by
Rick Olson. There were four Savannah Sparrows at the sand spit.
I remembered that after a snowstorm in April for the last three years,
a Sage Sparrow was found on the sand spit. I noticed rustling in under
the short stumps along the western side of the sand spit. A Sage Sparrow
popped out of the underbrush! I watched the bird for about an hour.
Continuing around the shoreline to the east, one Say's Phoebe hunted in
the trees west of the boathouse. Six Yellow-rumped Warblers were in the
woods between the sand spit and Plum Creek Delta. All adults, five were
Audubon's Warblers and one was a Myrtle Warbler. A Sharp-shinned Hawk
flew from the marina to the woods. A beautiful Harlan's Red-tailed Hawk
flew out of the same woods and to the island at Plum Creek Delta.
I returned at 9:00am to the sand spit. The Sage Sparrow was still hunting
for food along the western edge. A man and dog walked the spit and the
Sage Sparrow was last observed in the taller trees west of the Boat House.
The Say's Phoebe had moved to the sand spit on the western side of the marina.
Few birds moved about at the Kingfisher Bridge area of Chatfield.
Six Black-capped Chickadees and one Ruby-crowned Kinglet were all that
could be found. Two Common Ravens flew overhead of the Scuba Ponds.
Five Red-tailed Hawks, 27 Western Grebes, and two Double-crested Cormorants
were added to my day list as I left the park.
At the South Platte River at the Theo Carson Nature Center (Arapahoe County),
there was a pair each of Blue-winged Teal, Cinnamon Teal, and Green-winged Teal
approximately 800 yards south of the building.
The three Greater Scaup remain at Fort Logan Cemetery (Denver County).
I ended the day along the South Platte River at 88th avenue (Adam County).
Neither Barrow's Goldeneyes nor the Long-tailed Duck were found today.
I have not observed Barrow's Goldeneye since March 30 and the Long-tailed Duck
since April 6. I probably will not return for further checks this spring.
Return to Cherry Creek Reservoir 4/12
I spent 5 hours circling Cherry Creek Reservoir (Arapahoe County) on Thursday.
While I found nothing rare, a few interesting birds were located. Temperature
was 42 degrees; skies were sunny; and winds were strong when I started.
Four hours into the hike, rain started and temperatures dropped.
Six Bonaparte's Gulls swam around near the southwest marina.
Six additional birds flew around the dam's tower to the north.
A Virginia Rail came out of the cattails just north of the Prairie Loop.
A Say's Phoebe sat atop the weeds around the Prairie Loop Pond to
the south-southeast. A pair of Blue-winged Teal swam in the pond.
One Turkey Vulture hunted along the reservoir's shore to the north.
Continuing to the south-southeast, one Savannah Sparrow hopped about the short
grasses near the cattails of the wetlands just west of where Cherry Creek crosses
under the main road. A 2nd Say's Phoebe hunted in the marsh to the north.
As I walked along the northern shore, an Osprey flew overhead.
He had a fish, head first and upside down in his claws.
To the south-southeast, a pair of American Bald Eagles became
more acquainted by doing their "mating flight".
The Common Loon in breeding plumage worked the east-southeast shoreline.
If he was the same bird from last Friday, the bird hid well over the weekend.
At the swim beach, a Great Blue Heron hunted along the shoreline.
A few Song Sparrows and six Black-capped Chickadees were around the pond to
the east of the swim beach. Few birds fluttered about the camping grounds.
More Metro Birding 4/10
I was still not satisfied with my Greater Scaup photos and returned to
Fort Logan Cemetery. Unfortunately, it was snowing at first light (6:30AM).
The female Greater Scaup and an additional pair was still at Memorial Lake.
Few birds moved around in the light snow and strong winds.
At Littleton Historic Park (Ketring Park; Arapahoe County), few birds were
again encountered. A survey team had a raft in the lake, which probably
reduced the number of waterfowl. No Goldeneyes were in the lake.
There was a group of Scaup, numbering about 36 birds. At least one of the
birds was a male Greater Scaup. A thick fog hung over the lake during my stay.
The snow turned to heavy rain and I abandoned my birding attempts.
Birding Metro Denver 4/9
I again checked some local birding spots today. Temperature reached 65 degrees;
at times the winds were quite strong. The day was quite slow birding wise.
At Fort Logan Cemetery (Arapahoe County), the female Greater Scaup (with bent bill)
is still at Memorial Lake. One additional pair of Greater Scaups accompanies her.
It appears that the second pair has left. Three pairs of Lesser Scaups joined them.
At Belmar Historic Park (Denver County), I returned to get better photos of the
American Avocets. Nine American Avocets searched for food around Kauntze Lake.
One adult Black-crowned Night-Heron also stood on the island.
Two Red-breasted Nuthatches worked the pines along the small pond to the east.
I kept an eye out for the Vermilion Flycatcher; however he was not around today.
At Wheat Ridge Greenbelt, I birded for three hours. Few birds were located.
The Eastern Screech-Owls were not at their usual tree. The Harris's Sparrow
did not show either. Few waterfowl swam around Prospect Lake. One female
Hooded Merganser was there today. No hawks or swallows flew over.
It was a slow day as birding goes sometimes.
Utah Park 4/8
Rebecca Kosten and I went on a 60-mile bike ride on this windy, warm, spring day.
At Utah Park there were many American Wigeons and Mallards.
An adult alternate plumage Franklin's Gull was joined by 56 Ring-billed Gulls.
At Cherry Creek Reservoir we found two additional adult Franklin's Gulls.
Again we did not find the Common Loon observed Friday (4/6).
There were plenty boats and jet skis however.
Return to Cherry Creek Reservoir 4/7
Rebecca Kosten and I returned in late afternoon to search for the Common Loon
I located yesterday. We scoped the water for several hours, did not find the bird.
Two Western Grebes, many Horned & Eared Grebes swam in the distance.
There were two Franklin's Gulls in alternate plumage at the swim beach.
A 3rd or 4th year Bald Eagle flew over as we watched the gulls.
The temperatures were in middle the 60s and winds were calm.
Unfortunately, there were many boats and jet skis on the reservoir today.
We ended our day under a colorful spring sunset!
Birding Metro Denver 4/6
Several local Denver locations were checked today. Temperatures were in the
low 50s to high 30s as I encountered partly cloudy skies, rain, and snow flurries.
I started at Cherry Creek Reservoir looking for the Solitary Sandpiper found
yesterday by Donna and Terry Fortney. The bird was not found. The Common Loon
in breeding plumage (found by Walbek on 4/4) was off shore near the swim beach.
As an added bonus, fourteen Turkey Vultures roosted along the Lake Loop.
They were my first Arapahoe County sighting of Turkey Vultures.
At Fort Logan Cemetery, the female Greater Scaup (with the bent bill) was
swimming around Memorial Lake. There were half a dozen Lesser Scaups;
the other two pairs of Greater Scaup could not be located.
At Belmar Historic Park, several groups of birders did not find yesterdays
Vermilion Flycatcher. Three American Avocet continue to walk around the lake.
At the South Platte River and 88th avenue, I hiked the eastern side of the river
south to highway 224 and back. During the two-mile walk south, rained poured
down and winds were strong (it snowed briefly also).
I did find the female Long-tailed Duck in the northern East Gravel Lake.
As I turned back north for the return trip, the rain stopped and the water
surface was like a mirror. Finding the Long-tailed Duck was much easier.
This was the first time in 2001 that I did not find Barrow's Goldeneye.
The trip ended along my favorite owl loop north of Denver International Airport.
There were 3 Burrowing Owls 3.4 miles east of Tower Road and 96th avenue.
The other two prairie dog villages along the loop produced no Owl sightings.
One Rough-legged Hawk is still in the area.
Thursday Afternoon in Denver 4/5
I rushed over to Belmar Historic Park (Jefferson County) after returning
in the afternoon from the eastern plains. The Vermilion Flycatcher was
on the island in Kauntze Lake from 5:30-6:30PM (except for a short trip
over to the trees by the covered bridge at 6:15PM).
I watched my first American Avocets of 2001 as three birds walked
around the island in the middle of Kauntze Lake.
Thanks to Ken Chavez for locating and reporting the colorful bird!
Eastern Plains 4/2-4/5
My plan was to roam Colorado's Eastern Plains for migrating sparrows and
Smith's Longspurs (fat chance). Temperatures were in the 60s and winds were
surprisingly calm for most of my trip. Several short spurts of rain occurred.
Monday 4/2
I checked at Jackson Reservoir (Morgan) at first light for migrating birds.
Nothing uncommon was found. The water level is quite high and covers most of
the areas where sparrows were found in the past. Three Long-eared Owls were
in the trees south of Pelican Campground. Hundreds of Robins meandered around
north of Pelican CG. Two White Pelicans and one Bald Eagle appeared also.
At Tamarack Ranch Wildlife Area (Logan) I hiked one mile east and west of the
camping area. A male Red-bellied Woodpecker was just west of highway 55.
Few other birds flew around the area. One Ring-necked Pheasant flew by.
Jumbo Reservoir (Logan/Sedgwick) had few birds and a high water level.
I stayed around Red Lion Wildlife Area (Logan) until dark; no Short-eared Owls
made an appearance. One Golden Eagle stood on the windmill on the western side.
Tuesday 4/3
My day started at Ovid Woods (Ovid, Sedgwick County). Under foggy conditions,
a female Red-bellied Woodpecker worked the trees along the northern end.
A male RBWO joined her after 30 minutes. Few other birds appeared. However,
a Sharp-shinned Hawk flew through and probably caused many birds to disappear.
I then hike around Ovid and its sewage ponds. Uncommon sparrows were scare.
Three American Tree Sparrows were south of the sewage ponds. There were
many White-crowned Sparrows and one Song Sparrow.
No uncommon birds were found at the feeders around town (mostly House Finches).
A male Northern Cardinal sang along the Platte at the southwest corner of town.
From Ovid, I traveled to Julesburg and DePoorter Lake. This area has been good
for sparrows during past visits. Today however, only White-crowned and American
Tree Sparrows were around. Seventeen Northern Bobwhites flushed out of the taller
grasses. Two Eastern Bluebirds worked the trees along the South Platte River.
As I headed to Bonny Reservoir, I checked Sandsage Wildlife Area (Phillips) and
Frenchman Creek Wildlife Area (Phillips). No uncommon birds were located.
I spent the remaining daylight stopping in fields along the Nebraska border in
a vain search for Smith's Longspur. One field did have 5 Lapland Longspurs.
Wednesday 4/4
While camping near Hale Ponds (Yuma County), I heard the Eastern Screech-Owl
call around 4:30 AM. A hike around Hale Ponds and the Republican River in the
morning produced sightings of a male and female Red-bellied Woodpecker and
17 Eastern Bluebirds. My first Common Yellowthroat sighting was 0.2 miles
east of Kansas along the Republican River. No warblers were found.
The only interesting birds found around Bonny Reservoir were two American
White Pelicans. No warblers, sparrows, and owls could be found. No white
geese, Ospreys and Spotted Sandpipers were observed either.
I again spent a better part of the day checking fields along the Colorado border
(this time w/Kansas) for migrating sparrows and Smith's Longspurs (without success).
South of Burlington at the feedlots, two Great-tailed Grackles were observed.
I have seen them in every month of the year here and suspect they are the
same birds that may remain year round.
My trip continued westward along Interstate 70 to Flagler Reservoir (Kit Carson).
Western Meadowlarks and American Robins were the only birds found.
No Short-eared Owls appeared after sunset. The area was wanting of birds.
Thursday 4/5
I traveled south to Karval Wildlife Area. I wanted to camp at this isolated
wildlife area as it appears to have much potential for Short-eared Owls,
migrating sparrows, and longspurs. A Great Horned Owl called during the night.
My hike around the property in the morning produced few sightings. I still
believe this area has great potential and plan to return during a better time.
Discouraged by the lack of migrating sparrows, I headed back to Denver.
This turned out to be a lucky choice because of the Vermilion Flycatcher!
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