Rich Stevens' Bird Trips
August 2004
Wheat Ridge Greenbelt 8/31
Rebecca Kosten & I birded at Wheat Ridge Greenbelt (Jefferson
County). Weather was superb with 70s temperatures and calm winds.
Discounting House Sparrows, House Finches, and Starlings, we did not
see any birds from the Prospect bridge to the old Scout Corral area
(approximately 0.5 miles East of the bridge, south side of Clear Creek).
We ran into a large flock of birds along the stream running east
from the Scout Corral area. The flock included 2 Black-and-White
Warblers, 9 male Wilson's Warblers, 3 female Wilson's Warblers, and
10 Black-capped Chickadees. A check of the thickets east to the
parking area did not add any further birds to our trip list.
A female or immature Western Tanager was along the tree bridge
trail. Many American Goldfinches and House Finches were here also.
We ran into our next large flock of birds at the willows and
cottonwoods along the stream leading from the northeast end of Bass
Lake into Clear Creek. Here we encountered 4 vireos. Six male
Wilson's Warblers and 2 female Wilson's Warblers, 2 Yellow Warblers,
and several Western Wood-pewees were also here.
The first vireo we observed was quite small and had no wingbars,
a yellow throat, yellow undertail coverts and dark lores and white
line over its eye. We examined the bird for 10 minutes before being
sure it was a Philadelphia Vireo. There are only a few records of
Philadelphia Vireo in Colorado during August.
The Warbling Vireo was easy to identify. The third vireo was plain
grayish with white spectacles. The fourth vireo was not observed
clearly enough for a proper id. It did have white spectacles,
greenish back, and wingbars. We never could determine the whether
the back contrasted with the head color.
That's about all we found.
We stopped at Denver City Park (Denver County) on the way home.
Most of the Double-crested Cormorants that nested at the pond
outside the zoo (northwest of Ferril Lake) are gone. An adult
and immature Snowy Egret searched for food along the south side.
Cherry Creek Reservoir 8/30
Rebecca Kosten & I again drove through Cherry Creek Reservoir
(Arapahoe County).
Again the Black-chinned Hummingbirds and Green Heron were not found.
Today however 300+ gulls (mostly Ring-billed and approximately
38+ California) flew around the southwest marina. One hundred and
five Western Grebes and two Clark's Grebes swam below the dam.
Several dozen White Pelicans and 3 dozen Double-crested Cormorant
remain. Swallows flying around included Cliff, Barn, Tree, and
two Northern Rough-winged Swallows.
I hiked down to the southern end of the 12-mile picnic area beaver
pond. No Townsend's Warblers were around today in the tall
cottonwoods at the south end. Two Yellow Warblers did flutter
around the cottonwoods. Two Common Yellowthroats, a Virginia Rail,
and Wilson's Snipe were near the bench at the south end of the pond.
No sparrows were found in the campgrounds.
Cherry Creek Reservoir 8/29
Rebecca Kosten & I drove through Cherry Creek Reservoir (Arapahoe
County) while doing chores. Nothing uncommon was found. There were
few gulls, no sandpipers, 2 dozen Pelicans. We did not find the
Black-chinned Hummingbirds or Green Heron. Both seem to be gone.
Several State Parks 8/28
Rebecca Kosten & I went to Chatfield Reservoir to bird and watch
the Hot air Balloon Festival. First we watched the balloons take off.
Later they landed in the fields to the west of the State Park.
Several landed on the streets in the subdivision of homes west of
the Chatfield Arboretum. We watched 2 land 20 feet from our car
on the narrow streets. It sure looked like they were only 25 feet
over some of the homes….interesting.
A hike along the east side of the South Platte River south of
Kingfisher Bridge was not birdy. We did see a Plumbeous Vireo,
Spotted Towhee, Gray Catbird, 6 female Broad-tailed Hummingbirds,
3 Western Wood-pewees, and 1 House Wren. Have the House Wrens
deserted their nesting grounds already?
The west side of the Platte was a little more interesting. I had to
check the traditional White-eyed Vireo spot (though it is a little
early for their migrating through the area). None there today,
however at least 24 Broad-tailed Hummingbirds included several males
were there. Also in the area were 2 Gray Catbirds, our only Yellow-
breasted Chat of the day, 2 Spotted Towhees, and a Cooper's Hawk.
Returning north a Yellow-billed Cuckoo changed trees when we were
at the south end of the paved path. I would have missed him, if only
it had stayed still. While watching the Cuckoo, a Worm-eating
Warbler crossed the path from the east and eventually went deep into
the foliage to the west. We were given a two-minute view before it
disappeared. Also in the area were 2 Yellow Warblers, many
Lesser Goldfinches, and 1 additional House Wren.
At Plum Creek Delta, I picked out at least one Snowy Plover among
several Baird's Sandpipers. A man walking a dog quickly ended
our birding there.
Earlier a drive through Cherry Creek Reservoir (Arapahoe County) did
not find many birds (many people though). No Green Heron or Black-
chinned Hummingbirds (which have not been reported in about 9 days now).
Later a drive through Castlewood Canyon State Park was uneventful.
We did run into a large flock of sparrows about 1 mile south of
the Winkler Ranch entrance. The flock included 9 Lark Sparrows,
5 Vesper Sparrows, 2 Clay-colored Sparrows, 3 Brewer's Sparrows,
and 2 Field Sparrows. Also a lone female/immature Lark Bunting
accompanied them as their fed in the weeds along the side of the
road. No Bobolinks, which I believe, left about 10 days ago.
Barr Lake 8/27
It had been a week since I have been able to get out and bird.
I spent an enjoyable 4.5 hours birding at Barr Lake, Adams County.
Unfortunately it poured during the whole trip. In spite of the rain,
I found a few interesting birds.
Three Townsend's Warblers were with 9 Wilson's Warblers in the
cottonwoods west of the Niedrach trail sign. There could have
been four, however I never observed all at the same time.
Note: There was a possible Blackburnian Warbler here also.
I observed the pale braces on the upper back, however only
glimpsed breast and head for a few seconds. I felt a longer
look at those two marks was necessary for a final ID.
Note: Just north of the footbridge, I observed a bird that
appeared to be a first year American Redstart. Again, I felt
that my look was not long enough for a final ID.
Wilson's Warbler count was 37 between the Pioneer Trail and the
visitor center's footbridge. Western Wood-pewees numbered over 20.
Several adults fed young. A Ruby-crowned Kinglet, Red-breasted
Nuthatch, and Bullock's Oriole were also found.
Two additional Townsend's Warblers were along the north side of
the Pioneer Trail.
I hiked the shoreline from the Pioneer trail back to the land
jutting west into the lake. Highlights included 19 Spotted
Sandpipers and 5 Black-bellied Plovers. Half a dozen Baird's
Sandpipers and a Least Sandpiper were also found. Dozens of Tree
Swallows, Cliff Swallows, and a couple of Northern Rough-winged
Swallows flew over the lake.
A drive of the DIA Owl Loop added 2 Burrowing Owls (3.4 miles East
of Tower Road & 96th avenue), a Ferruginous Hawk, and a Red-tailed
Hawk. Eighteen Swainson's Hawks stood in the field 0.2 miles East
of Tower Road & 96th avenue.
Cherry Creek Reservoir 8/22
I drove through Cherry Creek State Park, Arapahoe County
this morning while doing chores around town. It was a great
morning with cool temperatures in the high 60s and no wind.
Sparrows were aplenty at the campgrounds. One flock of Lark
Sparrows numbered 80+, another 60+. Three flocks of Chipping
Sparrows numbered 40+, 35+, and 35+. Gulls were few; three dozen
Pelicans were scattered around the reservoir and looking for food.
I did not see the Black-chinned Hummingbirds. It has been six days
since they were last reported; perhaps they have finally departed.
No herons were at the Cottonwood Creek Wetlands Pond.
Barr Lake 8/20
I enjoyed 6 hours of birding at Barr Lake this morning.
Temperatures were cool and winds were calm.
I started my hike at the boat ramp (mile marker 7.7) and went
south toward the visitor’s center (mm 9.0/0.0). There was a
group of birds eating insects off the cottonwoods at mm 7.8
as their leaves received the first sunlight of the day.
Most surprising a Cassin's Vireo was among the group of four
Yellow Warblers, 1 Orange-crowned Warbler, and several
Western Wood-pewees. My Western Wood-pewee count
between mm 7.7 and 9.0 to 0.5 was 41 (including several
juveniles being fed by adults).
Continuing around another flock of warblers at mm 8.1 included
2 Townsend's Warblers, 2 Yellow Warblers, a beautiful Tennessee
Warbler, a Wilson's Warbler, a MacGillivray's Warbler and another
Orange-crowned Warbler. Also a Least Flycatcher hunted in the area.
While watching a pair of Great Horned Owls at mm 8.6 (south edge
of clearing north of the banding station), my binoculars fell upon the
eyes of a Yellow-billed Cuckoo. The YBCU eventually fly deeper
into the cottonwoods.
My next group of interesting birds was found at the woods just
southwest of the Niedrach trail sign at mm 0.0 (the bridge at
the visitor’s center). A group of 9 warblers included another
3 Townsend's Warblers. Most of the Townsend's Warblers
worked their way toward mm 0.2 (boardwalk area).
Other interesting birds included 4 Orchard Orioles (mm 8.2);
Bullock's Orioles (mm 0.5, mm 7.4), Western Tanager (mm 0.5),
Sora (north of Pioneer Trail), Swainson's Hawk, and Red-tailed Hawk.
A walk along the shoreline from mm 0.0 to mm 8.0 added over 24
Spotted Sandpipers, 9 Baird's Sandpipers, 2 Western Sandpipers,
and a lone Solitary Sandpiper to my day list.
Out on the island a first year Herring Gull was standing
with a Foster's & Common Tern and many Double-crested Cormorants.
I turned back and hiked to the northwest end of the dam (mm 6.0).
Another 14 Western Wood-pewees, 1 Common Yellowthroat, and
an unidentified thrush were observed below the dam. The thrush had
a rusty tail which would indicate a Hermit's Thrush. However, I did
not see it's head to rule out other possibilities.
Over a dozen Baird's Sandpipers and a Lesser Yellowlegs
were along the shore below the northwest end of the dam.
Several hundred Franklin's Gulls were here also.
An unidentified warbler was seen at mm 0.4 and an unidentified vireo
at mm 0.5. I only saw the bill and body of the vireo. It appeared
to look like the Cassin's Vireo at mm 7.8, but never saw its head,
just bill and body. However, the vireo appeared to have a bright
yellow throat which would have made it a Philadelphia Vireo?
I will never know.
Nine Western Kingbirds and 7 Eastern Kingbirds were also
observed along my trek.
Three Burrowing Owls were along the west side of Picadilly Road,
0.7 miles north of the Barr Lake entrance. Another 11 birds were
at 3.4 miles East of Tower Road & 96th avenue. To the three
groups asking my about them this week, I ran out of time before
checking the other locations along the DIA owl loop.
Around Denver 8/18
Had to stay around Denver today, however I did check several
locations. Nothing unusual was observed. I could not find the
Black-chinned Hummingbirds at Cherry Creek Reservoir (Arapahoe
County). They have not been seen as regular lately.
Sparrow count was quite high. Locations included southwest marina
parking area, Lake Loop, 12-mile picnic area, around the parking
area for the ranger's office, and best the campgrounds and north.
Lark Sparrows numbered over 36. Chipping Sparrows were 300+.
Vesper Sparrows several dozen, Song Sparrows 6, Lincoln's Sparrow 1,
too many House Sparrows to count.
Guanella Pass & Aurora Reservoir 8/17
Bryan Ehlmann, Bob Herdt, Paul Deese, and I looked for White-tailed
Ptarmigan on Guanella Pass (Clear Creek County). Four sets of eyes
and radios helped much. It only took an hour to find a Ptarmigan.
The bird was found from the top of mountain southeast of the parking
area, about 150 yards southwest. We also observed a dozen
White-crowned Sparrows, 2 Brewer's Sparrows, and at the lake,
MacGillivray's and Wilson's Warblers.
Back at Guanella Pass Campground, we found a Three-toed Woodpecker
in about 30 minutes. A male was 80 yards southeast of the
restrooms. Several flocks of Red Crossbills flew by. A pair of
Pine Grosbeak showed up along the west side of the campgrounds.
A trip up to Summit Lake (Mt Evans Road) did not help in finding any
Brown-capped Rosy Finches. Three species of hummingbirds were seen
at the restaurant/store at Echo Lake. A quick search around Echo
Lake Campground did not find additional Three-toed Woodpeckers.
At Empire, CO, 2 Band-tailed Pigeons came to the feeders at
303 Main. (Also check the cottonwood at Main & Sunny Avenues).
In the afternoon, we received a call from Steve Spencer about the
Sage Sparrow at Aurora Reservoir (Arapahoe County). We hiked
the 2 miles and found the bird up the inlet canal at mile marker 1.9.
Daylight ran out before we could search for much else.
Boulder County 8/15
Bryan Ehlmann & I drove up to Doudy Draw to search for the
Nashville Warbler and Red-eyed Vireo reported this morning.
We found neither bird.
The weather was fantastic. Though a thunderstorm threaten
earlier, skies had cleared and there was no wind. Birds could
be heard for long distances during our 3-hour stay.
Mesa South Trail was not birdy at all. The first hour we did not
find one bird?
We headed over to Doudy Draw, which was quite birdy. Around the
bushes where the Nashville Warbler was reported we found an adult
and juvenile Green-tailed Towhee, juvenile Spotted Towhee, a
Cordilleran Flycatcher, and a Western Wood-pewee. In the 100 yards
south of the parking area there were many birds including 6+ Sage
Thrashers (east of parking area), 12+ Vesper Sparrows, 2 juvenile
Spotted Towhees, an adult and 2 juvenile Lazuli Buntings, 3 juvenile
Bullock's Orioles, and dozens of Lesser Goldfinches.
We returned to Mesa South Trail for another hour. A Western
Tanager, a Western Wood-pewee, an Empidonax species, and a calling
Gray Catbird were all observed. We still missed the Red-eyed Vireo.
Search for Blue Grouse 8/14
Mitchell Hait & I drove to Reynolds Park (Jefferson County) in
search of Blue Grouse. Before first light we drove along Foxton
Road between the park and highway 285 trying to see or hear
Common Poorwills and Northern Pygmy-Owls; none called this morning.
The temperature was 40 degrees; wind was dead calm. One of the
great benefits about living and birding in Colorado is being able
to escape the summer heat with a trip to the mountains.
Once at Reynolds Park, we hiked to the intersection of Oxen Draw,
Raven's Roost, and Eagle's View (a nice 0.6 mile climb from the
parking area). A male Three-toed Woodpecker was fervently
drumming on a Pine tree about 30 yds south of the intersection.
It allowed good views of its yellow crown.
At the intersection, we heard a Blue Grouse give a warning call
about 10 yards north. A female Three-toed Woodpecker worked a
favorite tree near the intersection (along Eagle's View).
A potential nesting tree was also found here. Thanks much to
Merlynn Brown for her many exploratory hikes of the area and
letting us know what to expect!
On the hike back to our car we observed Pygmy Nuthatches, Red-
breasted Nuthatches, Chipping Sparrows, Dark-eyed Juncos, Empidonax
flycatchers, American Crows, and many Common Ravens. The creek
along the south side of the parking area was a bonanza of birds.
At least 5 MacGillivray's Warblers and 2 Virginia's Warblers looked
for insects on the willows. Juvenile and adult Green-tailed Towhees
numbered over a dozen. Adult and juvenile Chipping Sparrows
outnumbered the towhees.
We back tracked to highway 285 and headed south to Guanella Pass
road. No Black Swifts could be found around the old ski area near
Guanella pass' summit. Too many vehicles were parked at the top
and we did not bother to stop. A female Red Crossbill stood atop
a dead limb near Guanella pass campground. Another flock of
female Red Crossbills was found several miles north of the campground.
Also observed Glenwood Springs birders Tom & Kate McConnell!
Our final stop of the day was Lair o' Bear Park (Jefferson County).
It had been several days since the report of the Black-throated
Gray Warbler, however we decided to give it a shot. The bird was
not found; we enjoyed the 1.3-mile hike along Bear Creek.
Several Black-capped Chickadees were the most common bird encountered.
An American Dipper allowed us great views as it jumped into the creek
searching for food.
After leaving Mitchell, Rebecca Kosten and I traveled over to
Cherry Creek Reservoir (Arapahoe). At least one of the Black-chinned
Hummingbirds is still hanging around east of the ranger's office.
Too many people discouraged us from searching for gulls and
waterfowl on the lake.
Aurora Reservoir 8/13
Gary Weston & I decided to follow up on a tip by Florida birder
Mitchell Hait who reported a possible Red-necked Phalarope at
Aurora Reservoir (Arapahoe County) on Wednesday.
Gary & I enjoyed superb weather conditions (little wind &
temperatures in the 70s) while hiking the 8.7 miles around
the reservoir.
We encountered many sparrows, which included 50+ Chipping, 3 Song,
2 Savannah, 5 Vesper, 2 Brewer's, 1 Clay-colored, and 9 Lark Sparrows.
The Savannah Sparrows were in the weeds along the west side. The
Clay-colored Sparrow was south of the bike path at mile marker 2.4.
Shorebirds numbered more than I have ever experienced at Aurora
Reservoir. We observed 2 White-faced Ibis, 9 American Avocets,
1 Snowy Egret, 3 Great Blue Herons, 17 Killdeer, 11 Baird's
Sandpipers, 1 Least Sandpiper, 2 Stilt Sandpipers, 1 Lesser
Yellowlegs, 3 Spotted Sandpipers, 7 Wilson's Phalaropes and
1 Red-necked Phalarope.
The Stilt Sandpipers were in the cove at mile marker 3.0;
the Snowy Egret was at mile marker 1.0; a Red-necked Phalarope
was not with the Wilson's Phalaropes, but alone in the cove
at mile marker 2.5.
A Swainson's Hawk was the lone hawk found today. We could not see
if any Burrowing Owl were back this year (below the northeast corner
of the dam and 500+ yards away. This is private property and one
has to scope the area and hope a Burrowing Owl will fly up into sight.
We also made a quick stop at Prospect Ponds at Wheat Ridge Greenbelt.
No Common Mergansers could be found. Usually I have no problem finding
a Common Merganser. Perhaps they are "hiding" because it is a lifebird
for Florida birder Mitchell Hait? What do you think Mitchell :-)
Search for Common Mergansers 8/12
Rebecca Kosten & I looked for the Green Heron reported at Cherry
Creek Reservoir, Arapahoe County. We did not find it, but did find
2 male Black-chinned Hummingbirds East of the Ranger's Office.
One bird was just East of the parking area. The other bird was
southeast of the fence line. This bird later flew to the 12-mile
picnic area (where we relocated it after driving around to the area).
Over 200 Western Grebes and 2 Clark's Grebes were observed from the
dam area. We could not find any Common Mergansers (the real purpose
of our trip).
A check of Dahlia Ponds, East & West Gravel Lakes, and Adams County
Fairgrounds did not turn up a Common Merganser. A few American
White Pelican were the only waterfowl on all of these lakes.
A Great Egret and Snowy Egret searched for food at the southern
Dahlia Pond.
Fifteen Burrowing Owls were observed during a drive along the DIA
Owl Loop. Lark Buntings, Chipping Sparrows, 2 Swainson's Hawks,
and 1 Grasshopper Sparrow were also encountered along the loop.
In the late afternoon, Mitchell Hait and I continued the search for
Common Mergansers. None were found during a check of Ft Logan
Cemetery's lakes, Marston Reservoir, Bowles Lake, and Harriman Lake.
Marston contained many Double-crested Cormorants, Ring-billed Gulls,
and a couple of Great Blue Herons.
We ended our birding day at Crown Hill Park (Jefferson County).
The previously reported Long-eared Owl was not found.
A Cooper's Hawk was the highlight of our stop. Calm winds
and a colorful sunset added to the nice hike around the lake.
P.S. We both thought we heard a response to my imitation of a
Long-eared Owl; however no Long-eared Owls could be found.
DIA Owl Loop 8/8
Rebecca Kosten & I drove the DIA Owl Loop after an early dinner.
Weather was quite cooperative with partly cloudy skies and cool
temperatures. We watched 11 Burrowing Owls at the 3.4 miles East
of Tower Road & 96th avenue location. Another dozen owls at the
two additional locations. Swainson's Hawks are increasing in numbers;
we counted 11 of them. They will be staging soon for the migration
south; however it does seem a bit early for that. Lark Buntings are
in good numbers, especially south of Trussville and 114th avenues.
There were good numbers of sparrows including Lark, Chipping,
and a few Grasshopper Sparrows.
Barr Lake was quiet except for mosquitoes. Quite a few shorebirds
are now around. We found many Baird's, a few Western, and
2 Least Sandpipers. One Pectoral Sandpiper was along the shore
south of the boat ramp. Two Snowy Egrets were here also.
The small prairie dog village 0.7 miles north of the Barr Lake
entrance along Picadilly Road had 6 Burrowing Owls. This is
a new location for this year.
Sunset was extraordinarily colorful this evening.
Trip to Eastern Plains 8/7
Yesterday afternoon 8 birders took off on the CoBus trip to the
Plains led by me. We stopped briefly to see one of the two Black
chinned Hummingbirds summering at Cherry Creek Reservoir (Arapahoe
County). A male Lark Bunting was near the northwest entrance.
Our next stop was Castlewood Canyon State Park (Douglas County).
We found three nuthatch species with a short walk from the west end
of eastern drive loop. Fourteen Turkey Vultures flew over the cliffs
along the east side of Cherry Creek. Many House Finches and a few
Mountain Chickadees came to the Visitor Center feeders. We circled
around to the west side of the park and saw a pair of Black-headed
Grosbeaks, Spotted Towhees, and a Ruby-crowned Kinglet.
We looked for Bobolinks along Castlewood Canyon road south of the
Winkler ranch about a mile south of the park. Here 2 Western
Bluebirds and a dozen Mountain Bluebirds flew around the bluebird
boxes scattered along Castlewood Canyon road. We found no Bobolinks
at their usual spot, however did observe Vesper Sparrows, a pair
of Wilson's Warblers, a Cordilleran Flycatcher, and one Savannah
Sparrow. Finally a male Bobolink was spotted singing on top of
a weed along the creek. He was about a mile south of the ranch
entrance. A Sage Thrasher was on a fence post nearby.
Our final stop was Elbert county road, which runs south from just
west of Elbert, CO. Eastern Kingbirds were many with 8 being seen
in the first 3 miles south of hwy 86. It took 50 minutes, but we
finally found a Dickcissel in the alfalfa field east side of road
and about 0.05 miles south of the electric sheds 4.3 miles south of
hwy 86. While searching we found several Grasshopper Sparrows, many
Vesper Sparrows, and watched a Northern Harrier work the field.
A juvenile Golden Eagle perched on one of the telephone poles waiting
for some unaware animal to move about. Another Dickcissel was heard
at 4.2 miles south of hwy 86; however it never came up out of the
Alfalfa. Five or six Common Nighthawk flew continually overhead
during our stay.
Eastern Plains Bird Counts 7/30-8/5
Rebecca Kosten & I traveled up to the northeastern plains to visit
our friends Roger & Judy Danka. The weather this week was changing
every few hours. Temperatures ranged from the 70s to middle 90s.
We saw calm, sunny days and thunderstorms with hail. A few tornados
were also in the area.
July 30
We arrived in Northeast Sedgwick County in the early afternoon.
Four of us took a leisure drive around the NE corner of the county.
Dickcissels were found in five different alfalfa fields.
The easiest to find locations were along CR 32, east of CR 15
and along CR 15 just north of highway 138 first discovered by
Tina Jones on 7/23.
The only interesting bird at the Cemetery was a Red-bellied
Woodpecker. A Long-billed Curlew was walking the field at
1.6 miles east of Sedgwick CR 15 & 32.
We timed our trip to end up at Sedgwick Draw around sunset.
Short-eared Owls hunt in the fields to the west and north of
Sedgwick County Roads 30 & 11. Roger had observed one on 7/26.
None were found this evening. We did hear and see an Eastern
Screech-Owl at the NE corner of 32 & 15 (north of Sedgwick Cemetery).
July 31
We started our birding day at Ovid Woods (Sedgwick County).
We sat in chairs for 2 hours at the north end of the woods (east of
the ball field at the Ovid School). A male Northern Cardinal and a
pair of Red-bellied Woodpecker came through the woods during our stay.
Next we drove the Sedgwick County roads south of I76. Few birds
moved about, however we always keep an eye out for Eastern
Meadowlarks, Long-billed Curlews, Dickcissels, and Upland Sandpipers.
Sand Draw Wildlife area added a Lazuli Bunting, Sharp-shinned Hawk,
and Loggerhead Shrikes to our trip list. No uncommon sparrows were
around. In the afternoon, we found 2 Mountain Plovers at Phillips
County 26 & 61. Few birds were found around Haxtun or Holyoke
(sewage ponds and parks).
Swinging back North, Roger found a Greater Prairie-Chicken while we
hiked the field North of Logan County Roads 46 & 89. This has been
a good location for them in the past (especially around the windmill).
A check around the windmill on the east side of Logan CR 93,
six miles south of I76 (South Tamarack Ranch WLA) found another
possible Greater Prairie-Chicken (we suppose the bird could have
been the plains form of the Sharp-tailed Grouse). We did not obtain
good enough looks for a positive id.
Our birding day ended by watching for Short-eared Owl at the
southeast end of Jumbo Reservoir (Logan/Sedgwick Counties).
None appeared this evening.
August 1
We headed back south to count birds in southwest Logan County.
At first light we found a Greater Prairie-Chicken at the same
windmill on the southern Tamarack Ranch WLA as yesterday.
Again, there could have been two birds, however unlikely.
So we counted yesterday's bird as the same Greater Prairie-Chicken.
Our third Greater Prairie-Chicken of the trip was seen along the
south side of 12 Road near Mark's Butte (Sedgwick County).
Several Blue Grosbeaks and surprisingly a Cassin's Kingbird were
observed here while we searched for additional gallinaceous birds.
Our trek took us south to state lands around St Petersburg and east
of New Haven. We then headed East to the Kansas border and north
toward Julesburg. Two Mountain Plover were found along 34 road,
3.6 miles East of Amherst, Phillips County. A Dickcissel was
seen along 26 road at 2.1 miles East of Kansas.
Before Rebecca & I headed south to Bonny Reservoir, we located 4
Eastern Screech-Owls (including one on Roger's land). Roger had
observed 2 Purple Martins flying over his property on 7/21 & 7/23.
Unfortunately, they did not show during our stay.
August 2
Rebecca & I headed toward Bonny. We stopped at a friend's home in
Wray for brunch and watched a male Northern Cardinal come to her
feeders. One or two Eurasian Collared-Doves are still around the
Butte Motel in Wray (Yuma). We did not observe any uncommon birds
at the Wray Fishing Unit. The only uncommon bird at Sandsage
Wildlife Area was a White-throated Sparrow (west of the buildings).
We reached Bonny Reservoir after dark and searched for Eastern
Screech-Owls. One was heard south side of CR 3, 0.2 miles East
of Highway 385. Another bird was heard and seen north of the
most northeastern Hale Pond.
August 3
A Bell's Vireo was found in the thickets along Yuma CR 2 as we
drove into Bonny Reservoir. It was 0.6 miles east of Highway 385.
A Baltimore Oriole, Red-bellied Woodpecker, and Wild Turkey were
seen on the road running west from the Wagon Wheel Picnic Area pond.
At Hale ponds area (CR 4, east of LL.5 road to Kansas border):
A White-throated Sparrow about 0.3 miles East of intersection.
A Dickcissel field west of Eastern Hale Pond. A male Red-bellied
Woodpecker (along CR 4, just southeast of western pond)
Other birds found were Spotted Towhees, Brown Thrashers, swallows
(Barn, Northern Rough-winged, Cliff, Bank, and 2 Tree Swallows.
We searched several locations of previous Barred Owl sightings;
without success.
An hour search of the windbreak near the Hale Store did not
produce a Long-eared Owl sighting.
Quite a few sandpipers were observed at the southwest and
northwest ends of Bonny Reservoir. The most interesting were
a juvenile Piping Plover and 2 Snowy Plovers at the northwest corner.
Others included Baird's, Western, and 2 Least Sandpipers.
Warblers were absent during our search at Foster's Grove and
Wagon Wheel campgrounds.
We spent the afternoon driving the county roads south of the
reservoir to Burlington. The only interesting birds were 2 Great-
tailed Grackles at the east side of Burlington. A Great Horned Owl
called from the Burlington Cemetery. Two Eurasian Collared-Doves
were near the grain elevators.
Our birding day ended at Flagler Reservoir (Kit Carson County).
We found no uncommon birds around the reservoir. Many Chipping
Sparrows and a few Song Sparrows kept our interest. One Bullock's
Oriole flew around the south end. A Stilt Sandpiper also was in the area.
We sat at the southeast corner of the dam at dusk and were rewarded
with a sighting of a Short-eared Owl hunting over hills to the northeast.
August 4
Bird was slow today as we counted birds at Kinney Lake, Karval, and
Hugo Wildlife areas. Karval Reservoir is the biggest and most
interesting of the three; none had uncommon birds. Sandpipers were
non-existent except for 2 Spotted Sandpipers at Karval. After dark,
we heard a couple of Great Horned Owls at the west end of Karval.
Potential is promising in a few weeks!
August 5
We counted birds on state lands west of Karval and Truckton.
The most interesting bird was a Barn Owl at a small pond East of
Lincoln County 11 Road. We continued East until Ellicott and
then turned North. Another Barn Owl was found along Gopher Creek,
northwest of The Woodlands (Elbert County).
Bad weather (tornados and hail) limited our afternoon birding
the last two days. Although, that seemed the pattern all week.
More Bird Trips
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Rich Stevens at the following address:
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