Rich Stevens' Bird Trips
April 2003
Adams County 4/27
Paul Langendorfer and I birded in Adams County.
The weather was superb with little wind and temperatures in the 60s.
We did not find the Worm-eating Warbler reported earlier in the week.
We did find a Lincoln's Sparrow and Green-tailed Towhee in the
willows near the banding station. A flock of 10+ Chipping Sparrows,
4 Spotted Towhees and a Western Kingbird were added to our day list.
A male Ring-necked Pheasant called in the field east of the banding
station and canal. A nesting Great Horned Owl has at least one young.
Several Swainson's Hawks flew overhead. Two Tree Swallows were along
the Pioneer Trail. Many Brown-headed Cowbirds were observed.
We ended the morning by driving the DIA Owl Loop.
Burrowing Owls were few, but scattered:
4 @ 0.5 miles of South Picadilly Road & 128th avenue
4 @ 0.7 miles East of Picadilly Road & 120th avenue
2 @ Powhaton Road & 128th avenue
6@ 3.4 miles East of Tower Road & 96th avenue
3 @ RMA, Buckley avenue, north of 56th avenue
Twelve+ Cliff Swallows flew about a ditch along 96th Avenue.
Search for Carolina Wren 4/26
I searched for 2 hours for the Carolina Wren reported yesterday
at two blocks West of Mineral Avenue & Colorado Blvd.
The bird was never relocated.
I hiked around the neighborhood and along the creek that runs from
Colorado Blvd to Arapahoe Park. Few birds were encountered.
Search for Galliforms 4/20-4/25
Bob Fleming, Jay Oakley and I headed out for a seven day trip to search
for Chicken-like (Galliform) birds. We encountered quite a mix of
weather from sunshine, rain and snow; calm and strong windy conditions.
Sunday 4/20
Our first stop was the summit of Loveland Pass (highway 6, Clear Creek).
We located one of the three White-tailed Ptarmigan observed yesterday.
A flock of 60 Rosy Finches included 2 Blacks, 20 Gray-crowned, and
40+ Brown-capped. The White-throated Sparrow and a pair of
Pine Grosbeaks also made an appearance.
The Barrow's Goldeneyes that wintered at the Blue River Water Treatment
Plant (Summit County) seemed to have moved. A pair of Ospreys is
nesting on a telephone pole across highway 9 from the plant.
All three species of Rosy Finches visited feeders at 409 South 5th Street,
Kremmling. The Common Redpoll did not appear this afternoon.
Over forty male and three female Greater Sage-Grouse came to the
Coalmont Lek (Jackson County). A herd of Pronghorns walked nearby.
We ended our birding day at Cameron Pass (Jackson) where we heard
and observed briefly a Boreal Owl near the summit.
Monday 4/21
We started our birding day by watching 12+ Sharp-tailed Grouse at
the Lek along 20-Road south of Hayden (Routt County). We then drove
to the 80-Route Road where a pair of Blue Grouse, 10+ Greater Sage-Grouse,
and a Sharp-tailed Grouse were observed.
We did a mini-owl prowl and found a Great Horned, Burrowing, Barn,
and Western Screech Owls in Mesa County and a Northern Saw-whet Owl
in Garfield County. I finally found a Chukar for the year along
the book cliffs North of Fruita.
A male Scott's Oriole was observed while driving over Baxter Pass
(Garfield). I have to check, however this sighting is quite early.
Tuesday 4/22
Our trip through the Colorado National Monument added Pinyon Jays
(campground), Gray Flycatcher (campground), Juniper Titmouse
(road to Glade. Gambel's Quail were located at the south (eastern)
entrance to the park. An unidentified hummingbird flew by quickly.
A pair of Great-tailed Grackles continues on the island in Fruita State
Park (Mesa). Two Lewis's Woodpeckers were in Palisade along CR G.4
(no longer Pope's Orchard which seems to have gone out of business).
A pair of Black Phoebes can still be seen from the only bridge over
the San Miguel River at Uravan (Montrose). We found our second
Northern Saw-whet Owl on the Uncompahgre Plateau.
Mountain Bluebirds and a pair of Western Bluebirds were here also.
Our birding day ended at Black Canyon National Park (Gunnison).
We were more fortunate than last week and found a male and female
Blue Grouse 100 yards east of the western end of the self guided
tour (on South rim). Two Spotted Towhees and a flock of 4 male
Evening Grosbeaks were also found.
Wednesday 4/23
Half a dozen Gunnison Sage-Grouse were at the Waunita Hot Springs Lek
(Gunnison). Several Swainson's Hawks were observed along highway 50.
A quick check of Buena Vista Overlook (Chaffee) did not find any
Pinyon Jays. Ten Bushtits and 2 Juniper Titmice were here.
Six Pinyon Jays were at the KOA campground below the overlook.
Mountain Bluebirds were in high numbers as we drove south to
Salida along 301 Road. Twenty-two males and 14 females were counted.
Six Evening Grosbeaks and two Black-headed Grosbeaks were observed
at the Coaldale campgrounds (Fremont).
We again missed Gray Flycatchers and Gray Vireos at Temple
Canyon State Park (Fremont). Four Pinyon Jays were observed
outside the western entrance.
A quick stop at Swallows Road (West side of Pueblo Reservoir added
a Curve-billed Thrasher, 2 Scaled Quail, and Loggerhead Shrikes to
our trip list. A Red-tailed Hawk soared overhead also.
Thursday 4/24
Eight male and three female Lesser Prairie-Chickens were observed
at the Campo Lek (Baca). Two Cassin's Sparrows flew up as we
drove out of the Lek area. A pair of Scaled Quail were again
observed on the woodpile at CR 36 & CR J.
Cottonwood Canyon still does not have any Mississippi Kites.
We did see Rufous-crowned Sparrows, Canyon Towhees,
Say's Phoebes, Eastern Phoebes, Ash-throated Flycatchers,
a Gray Vireo!, Rock Wrens, Canyon Wrens, Chihuahuan Ravens,
Lewis's Woodpeckers, and a Ladder-backed Woodpecker.
Pasture 14G added many Burrowing Owls and a Mountain Plover to our trip list.
I finally observed the male Northern Cardinal at Lamar Community
College (Prowers) after missing him on my last four trips.
The Red-bellied Woodpeckers were missed however.
Nine Great-tailed Grackles were near the gas station in Idalia.
We watched four Greater Prairie-Chickens at a private ranch (Yuma County).
Friday 4/25
We found Mountain Plovers at three locations on the Pawnee National
Grasslands this morning. One location is the intersection of
highway 14 & CR 51. Half a dozen Burrowing Owls were here also.
McCown's Longspur and a pair of Chestnut-collared Longspur were
found on CR 96 (self guiding tour of Pawnee National Grasslands).
Crow Valley Campground was quiet.
Lower Latham Reservoir and Beebe Draw Ponds were quiet also.
Birding In a Snowstorm 4/19
Joe Halpin, Stan Arnold, and I birded in a snowstorm all day.
While birding was difficult, we enjoyed a great day!
We hiked the Songbird Trail at Reynolds Park (Jefferson County)
at first light. We heard and caught glimpses of a Blue Grouse
in the trees near the restrooms at the junction of Songbird and
Elkhorn Trails. Snowfall was heavy and we retreated to our car.
A juvenile Northern Goshawk stood at the top of a tree on the
South side of Pine Lake in Pine Valley Ranch Park (Jefferson).
The bird eventually flew directly over our heads.
A male and two female Three-toed Woodpeckers foraged either side
of Buck Gulch Trail (approximately 120 yards) South of Pine Lake.
The male stopped to work a Ponderosa Pine 15 feet from us.
He gave us great looks for 10 minutes or so.
We searched for the Blue Grouse at Loveland Ski Basin;
without success. It had been reported the day before;
I have missed it on my last 3 searches.
A large flock of 70+ Rosy Finches came to the feeder next to
lift #1. The flock included all three species (4 adult Black!).
The White-throated Sparrow continues to visit also (first 12/29).
Our next stop was the summit of Loveland Pass (4 miles south of
the ski area, along highway 6). We searched for White-tailed
Ptarmigan below the rock wall, 30 yards west of the parking
area for 30 minutes. As we hiked back to our car, I noticed
a bird on the rocks on the hill directly above us (to the south).
Two additional birds followed the first over the hill.
They started to walk down towards us and we thought they might
run into us. However several snowboarders came by and scared
the birds. The birds flew over us and "crash landed" 30 yards
downhill of us in the snow bank 20 yards from highway 6.
Our next quest was Evening Grosbeaks, which were never found.
We drove highway 72 through Wondervu, Nederland, Ward, to
Allenspark. Few birds were found in the continuing snowstorm.
At Fawnbrook Inn in Allenspark (Boulder), we did see a male
Downy Woodpecker, Red-breasted Nuthatch and many Pine Siskins.
The field on the north side of Union Reservoir at Weld CR 28
was quite active. Seven male Yellow-headed Blackbirds joined
many Franklin's Gulls and five White-faced Ibis.
Walden Ponds (Boulder) was quiet. Water levels in the three
ponds we checked we low. Three species of teal (Cinnamon,
Green-winged, and Blue-winged) were observed in the fading light.
Northeastern Plains of Colorado 4/17-4/18
(To be completed later)
Search for Three-toed Woodpeckers and Greater Prairie-Chickens 4/16
Today I took two birders up to Pine Valley Ranch Park and Pike National Forest.
A Three-toed Woodpecker was found south of Pine Lake. We then circled to
south side of forest where two additional Three-toed Woodpeckers were
located along the Skipper Trail. The birds were east of the trail
100 yards and southeast of Buck Creek.
We also ran across a Williamson's Sapsucker and 5 Western Bluebirds.
Band-tailed Pigeons were found in the Conifer area (Jefferson).
I was talked into driving to Yuma to search for Greater Prairie-Chickens.
Four birds were found on a private ranch.
Trip to Pueblo for Lucy's Warbler 4/15
I went down to Pueblo Reservoir and Valco Ponds in search of the
reported Lucy's Warbler. While several small birds were observed,
I never managed a long enough view to identify any bird but a
Bewick's Wren. An Osprey flew over the Arkansas River.
A Common Nighthawk hunted overhead at Valco Ponds
Two Curved-billed Thrashers, 3 Loggerhead Shrike, and
2 Scaled Quail were observed along Swallows Road
west end of Pueblo Reservoir).
Seven day Grouse Trip Around Colorado 4/8-4/14
It was difficult to believe that we drove 2917 miles.
Great fun was enjoyed by all.
Trip reported in reverse order for those trying to relocate birds.
Five birders made most of the trip; one dropped out after five days.
April 14
Four birders started their day at the Campo Lesser Prairie-Chicken Lek (Baca).
Six males and 1 or 2 female birds were counted. While at the
parking area, we watched a Cassin's Sparrow do its flight ritual.
Back on CR G, we came across a pair of Swainson's Hawks.
Two Scaled Quail crossed the road. A lone Northern Bobwhite
also crossed the road (to our amazement). Many Vesper Sparrows
were also located along CR G.
One of my favorite intersections (Baca CR 36 & J) produced
sightings of a Loggerhead Shrike and 2 Scaled Quail.
At Cottonwood Canyon, we enjoyed many bird sightings.
Two Rufous-crowned Sparrows were found at my favorite location.
This is 1.4 miles northeast of the camping area at CR 5 and Carrizo Creek.
At the Draw across from the camping area, we watched 4 Eastern Phoebes,
2 Ash-throated Flycatchers, a female Hairy Woodpecker and
a Lewis's Woodpecker. A Greater Roadrunner was found where CR 5
turns back into CR M (southwest of camping area).
Pasture 14G (across from the Washington Work Center; highway 385 & CR W)
was quite active. Nine plus Burrowing Owls and a Long-billed Curlew
were watched with delight. No Mountain Plovers could be found.
The birds reported last week might have been migrating further north
(perhaps to Pawnee National Grasslands). The birds that nest in
this field may come in later in the season.
Note: Mountain Plovers were found at two locations on the Comanche National
Grasslands. Because RMORC is doing a study on them and have competition
from the Bird Observatory, we do not plan to reveal these locations.
We will provide several more visited locations. There are two
Mountain Plovers on the Pawnee National Grasslands at Highway 14
and Weld CR 51 (Zeeto).
Lamar Community College, Willow Creek Park, and Memorial Cemetery
in Lamar (Prowers) were all quiet. We did encounter our first flock
of Chipping Sparrows behind the college.
The previously reported Red-throated Loon at Upper Queens Reservoir
(Kiowa) was not there. No Egrets were found yet.
We observed two Long-billed Curlews at Highway 287 & Highway 96 (Kiowa).
Sheridan Lake (Kiowa) has no water.
Two Great-tailed Grackles were at my favorite Kit Carson County
location (1.0 miles south of Highway 385 & I70).
A lone Lark Sparrow stood on the fence line here.
We made a quick search through Bonny Reservoir and observed
an Osprey and Great Horned Owl.
Our birding day ended with looks at four Greater Prairie-Chickens
on a private ranch in Yuma County. The best place to search for
Greater Prairie-Chickens is north of Wray on CR 45. They have
been reported there 3 times this season.
April 13
We drove to the Southeast part of Colorado hoping for a Mississippi Kite
sighting. None were observed during our whole trip.
A dozen Eurasian Collared-Doves were at their usual location on FF.5 Road,
West of highway 19 (Otero). No Inca Doves were observed at their location.
Lake Cheraw (Crowley) had many American Coots, Redheads, Eared Grebe
in alternate plumage, and a Pied-billed Grebe.
April 12
This day the five of us went on the Grand Junction Audubon Society's Owl Prowl.
Thanks much to Richard Levad for leading this wonderful trip. Seven species
of owls were located. These included a Northern Saw-whet, Great Horned,
Barn, Western Screech, Burrowing, possible Northern Pygmy (heard), and
Boreal Owl (heard).
We found a male and female Western Bluebird while hiking to the NSWO
location on the Uncompahgre Plateau.
Saturday morning three of us went over to the Lucy Ferril Bird Sanctuary
at Connected Lakes State Park (Mesa). We found a surprising Western
Scrub Jay and 14+ Gambel's Quail. Sparrows included White-crowned and Song.
We searched the Cameo area (Mesa) for the third time for Chukars;
without success. A Lewis's Woodpecker was found on Mesa County
Road G.4 in Palisade. This road is pretty consistent for LEWOs.
April 11
Our birding day started at the Colorado National Monument (Mesa).
Eight+ Pinyon Jays were in the campground next to the Visitor's Center.
A Juniper Titmouse was found on the road to Glade.
Many White-throated Swifts flew overhead.
Two Golden Eagles were performing their mating flight.
We searched unsuccessfully for Band-tailed Pigeons on the
Uncompahgre Plateau, Naturita, and Nucla (Montrose).
We did watch two Black Phoebes from the only bridge
over the San Miguel River at Uravan.
An interesting flycatcher turned out to be a Western Wood-Pewee!
The bird was in the few trees North of the Uravan bridge.
April 10
We watched Gunnison Sage Grouse (9 males and 7 females) at
the Waunita Hot Springs Lek (Gunnison).
At a wildlife area west of Gunnison (name unknown) we observed
14 Sandhill Crane fly overhead and land. Our first swallows
of the trip (two Tree Swallows) were also observed here.
Blue Mesa Reservoir's water level is 58 feet below normal.
Few birds were on it.
Confluence Park in Delta (Delta County) was quiet.
Sweitzer Lake State Park (Delta) added additional Western Kingbirds,
Western Grebes, a male Hooded Merganser, and a Great Blue Heron
to our trip list. Peach Valley Road added a Gambel's Quail and
possible Chukar (only observed briefly) to our day list.
A drive over the Grand Mesa (65 mile trip) was uneventful.
We did catch our first looks at Clark's Nutcrackers and
a Red-breasted Nuthatch.
Cameo was quiet; no Chukars were found.
April 9
Our birding day started at the 20-mile road Sharp-tailed Grouse leks.
We watched 8 or 9 males and several females.
We made a mistake and took CR 13 outside of Meeker (Rio Blanco).
This 20 mile road between Meeker and Rio Blanco is listed in
the Holt book (Bird Finding Guide to Colorado) as a good location
for Blue Grouse. The road was impassable because of mud on this day.
We did see our first Western Kingbirds (3), several Say's Phoebe's,
and a Golden Eagle on the first 7 miles of the road. An unidentified
Empidonax species were observed. It was thought to be a Western Flycatcher
but was left as "unknown empidonax species". Then we had to turn around.
The Bookcliff area at Cameo (Mesa) (known for Chukars) was quiet.
We heard a Rock Wren but could not find it with our binoculars.
We searched unsuccessfully for Blue Grouse and Northern Pygmy Owls
at the Black Canyon National Monument at dusk.
April 8
I picked up my four birding champions and headed west.
Brown-capped and Gray-crowned Rosy Finches were found at
Loveland Ski Basin. The White-throated Sparrow made
several appearances during our one-hour stay.
A pair of Pine Grosbeaks did too.
All three species of Rosy Finches were observed at
409 S. Fifth Street in Kremmling (Grand).
A Common Redpoll was observed 4/7 and 4/8.
One American Tree Sparrow visited the feeders also.
We ended our birding day at the Coalmont Greater Sage
Grouse Lek (Jackson). Twenty-three males and 2 females
came to the Lek. Another eleven males were scattered in the sage.
Search for Prairie-Chickens 4/6-4/7
Sunday 4/6
Margaret Williams & I started out at 3:00am Sunday to search for
Greater Prairie-Chickens on the Eastern Plains. Interstate 70 was
closed and we were turned back. We made a second attempt at noon.
Half a dozen Eurasian Collared-Doves were found in Flagler.
The birds roost at 4th and Ouray. Three Turkey Vultures
were in the same area.
At Bonny Reservoir, we hiked the south side of the reservoir.
Two Red-bellied Woodpeckers and a male Eastern Bluebird were spotted.
Six Hundred Sandhill Cranes fed at the west end of the reservoir.
At the entrance to Bonny, we found another 400 Sandhill Cranes feeding.
Twenty-five Snow Geese and at least 2 Ross's Geese were here also.
A lone Greater White-fronted Goose was among them.
At Idalia, CO, we observed 14+ Great-tailed Grackles while buying gasoline.
Two Greater Prairie-Chickens were found at dusk on a private ranch.
Monday 4/7
We were at the Campo Lesser Prairie-Chicken Lek at first light.
Nine males displayed for 2 females. No Cassin's Sparrows could be
found on our trip out of the Lek. No Vesper Sparrows were around either.
We came upon a Harris's Sparrow with a flock of 5 White-crowned Sparrows
on CR J. Few other birds moved about in the wet weather.
At Campo we hit a heavy snowstorm and for the next 20 miles could barely
see the road. Fortunately the storm did not reach as far north as Lamar.
Birds were hard to find throughout the day. Lamar Community College and
Willow Creek Park were quiet. No Red-bellied Woodpeckers or Northern
Cardinals showed up today.
Fort Lyons Wildlife Area was dead. A lone Great Horned Owl was
the only bird found in an hour search.
We finally ran into birds at the Swallows (West end of Pueblo Reservoir).
Five Scaled Quail ran across the road as we drove to the southern end.
Three Say's Phoebes hawked insects, as did five Loggerhead Shrikes.
On the trip back to highway 50, Margaret spotted two Curved-billed
Thrashers getting ready to nest (copulating).
At the southern campgrounds, we found two Canyon Towhees.
No gulls stood on the tires at the south marina.
At Valco Ponds we found Violet-green, Barn, Cliff, Tree, and
Northern Rough-winged Swallows. An Osprey stood in a tree eating a fish.
Foothills 4/5
Margaret Williams and I birded in the foothills today. We spent most
of the day on the edge of the predicted three day snowstorm.
Eleven Brown-capped Rosy Finches and several Gray-crowned Rosy Finches
visited the feeder beside lift #1 at Loveland Ski Basin (Clear Creek).
The White-throated Sparrow made several appearances also along with
a pair of Pine Grosbeak.
Silver Plume feeders were quiet today.
We ended our birding day at Pine Valley Ranch Park (Jefferson County).
One or two Three-toed Woodpeckers were heard, but not seen (Buck Gulch Trail).
The woods were quiet as few birds moved about in the snow.
Eastern Plains 4/4
While searching for Greater Prairie-Chickens on the Eastern Plains,
Jim Lobian and I found several other nice birds.
A one hour hike at Sandsage Wildlife area produced an adult
Harris's Sparrow (50 yards west of parking area, along Republican River).
We found 1 or 2 Long-eared Owls in the Windbreak southeast of the
Store at Hale. Many Cedar Waxwings continue here also.
Along the Republican River at Hale Ponds, we found a flock of
nine Eastern Bluebirds. Two Red-bellied Woodpeckers were in
the larger cottonwoods along CR 4.
More Bird Trips
HOME
Please feel free to contact CoBus and
Rich Stevens at the following address:
E-mail: