Rich Stevens' Bird Trips
August, 2006
Birding Around Denver 8/26
Weather was 30 degrees cooler than last Thursday. We ran
into rain most of the afternoon.
We birded the western side of Denver today. We waited to hear
if the Canada Warbler found yesterday at Crow Valley was relocated.
Having never heard of a positive sighting, we skipped the long drive
up there. It would be only the 4th Weld County Canada Warbler record.
We walked from Johnson Park (Wadsworth) four miles to Prospect
Park (Kipling), Wheat Ridge Greenbelt. At Johnson Park we found
a Plumbeous Vireo in the short trees between the bike path and
Clear Creek.
Along the way to Prospect Park, we found 2 Lincoln's Sparrows and
a Clay-colored Sparrow. There were also several Lark Sparrows,
many Chipping Sparrows, a dozen Brewer's Sparrows, and 4 Song Sparrows.
Two Wilson's Warblers and a Yellow Warbler were just about the
warbler count until we reached the area south of the chain link
fence south of the Prospect Bridge. A male Townsend's Warbler
was fluttering about looking for insects here.
Flycatchers included 4 Western Wood-pewees, 1 Cordilleran
Flycatcher, and 2 unidentified "Empidonax species". We did
find one Western Tanager (non adult male).
Our next stop was Belmar Historic Park (Jefferson). A few
Chipping Sparrows and Song Sparrow were just about it for
passerines.
Welchester Tree Park (Jefferson) was also slow. Bryan did find
an Olive-sided Flycatcher in the tall cottonwoods about 0.4 miles
west of the footbridge over the creek.
Red Rocks Park (Jefferson) was slow too. A couple of young Black-
headed Grosbeaks came to the feeder below the trading post.
We drove down to Chatfield Reservoir (Jefferson/Douglas Counties)
took a quick look at the Sabine's Gull, missed the Short-billed
Dowitcher and headed back home.
We hoped to find a White-eyed Vireo either at Wheat Ridge
Greenbelt or Chatfield Reservoir. One has been reported
between 8/24 and 8/28 in five of the last ten years around Denver.
Return to Cherry Creek Reservoir & Barr Lake, 8/25
Just returned from Barr Lake, out looking for owls.
Found a Barn Owl in the Pioneer Trail area and a
Great Horned Owl on a telephone pole along Piccadilly Road.
Another Great Horned Owl was near the north end of the dam.
This morning I stopped at Cherry Creek Reservoir to check
on migration. Other areas around Colorado had quite a day.
Cherry Creek Reservoir was not much different than yesterday.
South of the Smoky Hill Picnic area, I counted 251 Chipping
Sparrows, 2 Brewer's Sparrows, and 2 Townsend's Warblers.
I stopped at the campgrounds and found another 2 Townsend's
Warblers south of the amphitheater.
At the bird platform there were a dozen Snowy Egrets and many
shorebirds. Most sandpipers were Baird's Sandpipers; I did pick
out a few Western Sandpipers and Semipalmated Sandpipers.
At the southeast corner of the Lake Loop, a dozen or so Great
Egrets still continued.
Along the sandbar north of the southwest marina were many
Ring-billed Gulls, a couple of dozen California Gulls, and several
dozen Black Terns. The American Avocets that Don Beltz had
seen earlier in the morning were gone.
P.S. One Don Beltz! One Bill Cryder!
After lunch, I ended my birding day at Barr Lake. Today I hiked
from the boat ramp (mile marker 7.5 to the Niedrach Trail at mm 9.0.
On the way over, I found Burrowing Owls at most of the stops on
the DIA Owl Loop. Fourteen Black Terns were hawking insects at
the runoff pond at Tower Road & 128th avenue.
The woods between the pioneer trail and the main road to the east
had many birds. I counted 2 Townsend's Warblers, 19 Wilson's
Warblers, 7 Yellow Warblers, 3 Western Wood-pewees, 2 Cordilleran
Flycatchers, 3 unidentified "Empidonax species", a pair of Downy
Woodpeckers, and 3 House Wrens.
Another wren which was smaller and had a very short tail looked
suspiciously like a Winter Wren. I just did not get a good enough
look to be sure.
The banding area (middle third of the east side of the hike) had
a few birds (much less than the other two thirds). Here I counted
3 Wilson's Warblers, 2 Yellow Warblers, 2 Cordilleran Flycatchers,
a possible Dusky Flycatcher, 2 unidentified "Empidonax species"
and an Olive-sided Flycatcher.
The final third south of the banding station to the visitor
center's footbridge was full of birds.
I counted 49 Chipping Sparrows, 2 Song Sparrows, 2 Brewer's
Sparrows, a beautiful Clay-colored Sparrow, 31 Wilson's Warblers,
2 Yellow Warblers, an Olive-sided Flycatcher, and 60+ sparrows
that went unidentified (probably Chipping Sparrows).
Next I hiked out to the shoreline and counted shorebirds at the
southwest corner.
Numbers were astounding.
Baird's Sandpipers (600+)
Western Sandpiper (12+)
Semipalmated Sandpiper (4+)
Pectoral Sandpiper (1)
Black-bellied Plover (1)
Killdeer (36+)
Spotted Sandpiper (24+)
Stilt Sandpiper (2+)
Another 1000+ shorebirds could not be identified because of
the far distance.
At the southeast corner I found 2 Willets, 2 Snowy Egrets, 21
Baird's Sandpipers, 2+ Western Sandpipers, and a Snowy Plover.
Many sparrows flew up from the weeds as I hiked back to the boat ramp.
Too many to identify all. I did pick out one or two McCown's Longspurs
from the shorter weeds.
Darkness fell before I could complete my survey.
Two other birds were interesting, but did not get a full ID.
Back at the Pioneer Trail, I could have sworn that I saw a Black-
throated Gray Warbler. Again I did not obtain a satisfying enough
look for a positive ID. It retreated back in the thicker stuff and
I was not able to relocate it.
At the Southwest corner, I was looking at a possible Buff-breasted
Sandpiper. That particular group of shorebirds flew to the south
when thunder struck.
Cherry Creek Reservoir & Barr Lake 8/24
While doing chores in the early afternoon, we drove over to Cherry
Creek Reservoir (Arapahoe County). Hundreds of gulls (mostly
Ring-billed and a far lesser number of California) were on the
sandbar north of the southwest marina. We did not see any terns.
Off the southeast corner of the Lake Loop, we counted 15 Great
Egrets. At the Bird Platform, Cottonwood Creek Loop, we counted
21 Snowy Egrets. The Killdeer count was over 51. Plus many
mosquitoes.
Another 400+ gulls (again mostly Ring-billed and California)
were on the southeast sand spit. Again we found no terns.
Between the big meadow north of the 12 mile picnic area and
the ranger's office we counted 9 Western Kingbirds and a
Loggerhead Shrike.
On the hill below Smoky Hill Group Picnic Area, we counted
119 Chipping Sparrows. I looked them over closely for an
uncommon sparrow; without success.
After our trip to Cherry Creek Reservoir, I had Rebecca drop me
off at I76 and Barr Lake (Adams County). I hiked for 3.5 hours
from mile marker 6.0 (north end of the dam) to the Niedrach Bird
trail. Then walked out and searched for shorebirds as I did not
feel the coming dark would change their numbers. I then called
Rebecca and met her at the main entrance.
Below the dam at mile marker 6.6, an American Redstart was loosely
associated with a small flock of Yellow-rumped Warblers. Several
Common Yellowthroats, 2 Wilson's Warblers, many Chipping Sparrows,
2 Lincoln's Sparrows, and 1 Swainson's Thrush were counted.
Once on the main road along the east side of the reservoir, I
observed 1 Bullock's Oriole (immature or female), 1 Clay-colored
Sparrow, 6 Brewer's Sparrows, many Chipping Sparrows, and several
Swainson's Hawks.
A Nashville Warbler was along the south tree line and east of
the Pioneer Trail. Three or four Townsend's Warblers were observed
on the way to the Nature Center footbridge. Also counted were
3 Western Wood-pewees, 1 Cordilleran Flycatcher, 3 unidentified
?Empidonax? species, and a Northern Harrier.
There were quite a few shorebirds, however nothing uncommon.
A couple of phalaropes were too far away to positively identify
(I carried no scope).
I checked the evergreen windbreak near the entrance for owls;
without success.
Return to the Foothills 8/23
Chris Salameda and I met Gary Zeeto at Reynolds Park (Jefferson
County) at first light. We hoped to relocate the Black-throated
Green Warbler and Northern Pygmy-Owl reported by Merlynn Brown
on Monday. Unfortunately we did not.
We still enjoyed the hike (about a mile) to the end of Eagle's
View. On the way back down we dropped directly downhill (North)
to the junction of Oxen Draw, Raven's Roost, and Eagle's View.
At about 200 yards south (uphill) from the intersection, we ran
into a Dusky Grouse! Continuing downhill we heard and observed
an American Three-toed Woodpecker about 130 yards from the same
intersection.
Other birds seen on the trip back to our car included: 3 species
of Nuthatches, Pine Siskins, a Downy Woodpecker, and a Wilson's
Warbler.
Gary Z left and returned to Denver, while Chris and I decided to
drive up to Mt. Evans. We did not find any Ptarmigan on the top or
way down. The 0.2 mile hike to the northwest corner of Summit
Lake was worthwhile (besides the scenery). Two Brown-capped Rosy
Finches came down and looked for food on the rocks uphill from
that corner.
We stopped briefly at the northwest corner of Echo Lake. Did not
find any additional Three-toed Woodpeckers, however we watched
a male Red-naped Sapsucker drum on one of the telephone poles.
Two Lincoln's Sparrows walked on the boardwalk around the lake.
Owling in Gilpin & Boulder Counties 8/20-22
Sunday 8/20
Bryan Ehlmann, Gary Weston, Gary Zeeto, and I headed to Gilpin
County early early in the morning. We birded mainly up the Peak to
Peak Highway (Hwy 119). We have friends with private ranches both
near Rollinsville (Gilpin County) and just north of Nederland
(Boulder County).
Before sunrise, we hiked and played a tape on the state lands up
Smith Hill Gulch. We managed to see a Northern Pygmy-Owl while
another called not far away.
Our friend in Rollinsville had kindly had a Northern Saw-whet Owl
staked out for us. He quickly took us over to its roosting tree.
"Just look for a bird's nest on so and so branch" he said. It
still took careful observation to see the owl hidden near the
trunk of the tree.
While walking his ranch we found 2 Townsend's Warblers and a
Nashville Warbler. Several flocks of Red Crossbills flew by,
stopped briefly, and continued their journey. Unfortunately we
could not pick out any White-winged Crossbills. Though, Gary Z
thought he heard a couple several times.
After dark we again played tapes (Northern Pygmy-Owl and
Flammulated Owl) near Rollins Pass. One Flammulated Owl did answer
briefly. Overall, we were a little disappointed that more owls
were not found.
Monday 8/21
We rolled into the private subdivision west of Nederland about
1:00am. The Gary's hit the sack, but Bryan and I went out walking
the small lake that has five cabins around it. A Northern Pygmy-
Owl answered our tapes and allowed us a very brief look before it
took off.
After a few hours sleep, we hiked up beyond the 4th of July
Campground (Boulder County). Again we found several flocks of
Red Crossbills, a Red-naped Sapsucker, a pair of Williamson's
Sapsuckers, 3 species of Nuthatches, and one American Three-toed
Woodpecker.
After dark we played a Boreal Owl tape. To our surprise, a Boreal
Owl answered though quite far out in the distance. We worked our
way back to the car, stopping now and then to play owl tapes.
No additional owls could be found.
Just before sunrise we reached the ranger's home at Gross
Reservoir. Several Common Poorwill were hawking insects around
the street light. Yet another Northern Pygmy-Owl answered our
tapes. He was several hundred yards west of the south gate to
Gross Reservoir.
Return to Rocky Mountain National Park & Pennock Pass 8/16
We started the day at Medicine Bow Curve in Rocky Mountain
National Park. It took about an hour to find a White-tailed
Ptarmigan. The bird was 70 yards above the trail near the wet
area about 0.3 miles north of the pullover parking area.
We also found many American Pipits and a dozen Brewer's Sparrows.
Joe pointed out a Prairie Falcon flying by also.
The only birds seen at the Lava Cliffs pullover were a couple of
Mountain Bluebirds and American Pipits. No Rosy Finches.
We hiked up Rockcut Trail in hopes that the Brown-capped Rosy
Finch(es) that Paul and I had heard would still be around. We did
not find any this day. Joe did find 2 White-tailed Ptarmigan over
the ridge to the northwest of the trail's summit (same place that
Paul had success on 8/4).
A hike on Upper Beaver Meadows Trail did not find the previously
reported Northern Pygmy-Owl or additional White-tailed Ptarmigan.
Two Gray Jays were near the parking area. We also counted 4 or 5
Red Crossbills circling overhead.
Clark's Nutcrackers were as usual at Rainbow Curve pullover.
No Pine Grosbeaks were around today.
Our next stop was Endovalley Picnic Area. Here we observed
Red-naped Sapsuckers, a Green-tailed Towhee, an American Dipper!,
Hairy Woodpeckers, and Downy Woodpeckers. The only hummingbirds
identified were Broad-tailed Hummingbirds. Unfortunately, we
could not find an American Three-toed Woodpecker.
No Black Swifts were around the Alluvial Fan area; however our
visit was not at the best time of day for that.
We drove over to Cow Creek, but decided not to hike the 1.2 miles
to the Cow Creek & Balanced Rock trailheads. We did hike about
0.4 miles up the trail leading north from the west side of the
research cabins (I can never remember the name of the trail.
My guess is Northern Boundary Trail). At the small Aspen grove
we found a male Williamson's Sapsucker and another Green-tailed
Towhee.
We headed to Bobcat Natural Area in search of Pinyon Jays. Like
Paul Hudson and I on 8/4, Joe and I did not have any success in
locating these vagabonds.
Our trip to Pennock Pass was timed to drive the final 12 miles
after sunset. We stopped a dozen times but did not find any
Common Poorwills. We did manage to locate Flammulated Owls
(3 birds at 2 locations).
Our search for Boreal Owls on Cameron Pass was unsuccessful.
Colorado State Forest 8/17
Note: Several birders complained that I would not reveal owl
locations on "cobirders" when I found them. Their complaint was
that I was showing off and not helpful. Therefore, I left off
information on my trip report (as I have done several times in
the past). A bonus to those who do read my trip reports here.
Joe Borneman and I spent most of the day looking for Boreal Owls
in the Colorado State Forest. A few Red-naped Sapsuckers,
Swainson's Thrushes, Wilson's Warblers were added to our trip list.
We found 3 Boreal Owls during our search today. One was heard
before civil twilight (we were up one of the side roads that lead
north from the middle of Michigan Reservoir.
The highlight of the day was definitely a Long-eared Owl along the
Michigan Ditch Road. I had mentioned to Joe about one seen back
in 1996 and he said "oh like that one". Sure enough, there was
one peeking out from a fir tree along the ditch road!
It is surprising how many times I have been talking over the years
about a bird and the bird appears. Other birders have told of similar
experiences so it is not as freakish as it first appears to be.
After daylight, we went to the end of Michigan Creek Road and
hiked into the forest. Using our "Peeriscope" as we call it
(Periscope modeled after the one I used when I monitored the
Colorado State Forest's Boreal Owl Nest Box Project) we found
two additional Boreal Owls. One in a nest box and one in an
Aspen tree about 10 yards from a nest box.
Anyone wanting to see any owls, just ask. I always do my best
to point birders in the right direction or show them personally.
In the about cases, the sightings required hikes totalling 12.5 miles.
For a change we ate an early dinner in Walden and headed back
east. Driving CR 25 the last couple of hours of daylight did not
find any Greater Sage-Grouse. We did count dozens of Sage
Thrashers, many Vesper Sparrows and Brewer's Sparrows.
Teller City 8/18
We checked the feeders behind the Colorado State Forest Visitor's
Center at first light. A flock of 4 Evening Grosbeaks fed for
about 10 minutes and never returned. Several pairs of Pine
Grosbeaks visited during our two hour stay. Other birds included
many Pine Siskins, Wilson's Warblers and MacGillivray's Warblers
(in the willows), many Broad-tailed Hummingbirds, a few Rufous
Hummingbirds, and a lingering Calliope Hummingbird.
Another change of pace, we decided to look for owls around the
old ghost town of Teller City. Fortunately we had a 4 wheel drive
vehicle for the shortcut between Gould and Teller City is a rough road.
The flooded meadows on the trip in added Cordillera Flycatchers,
Willow Flycatchers, and Hammond's Flycatchers to our trip list.
An Aspen grove added Red-naped Sapsuckers and a pair of
Williamson's Sapsuckers to our day list.
We walked around the ghost town for about 2 hours. Highlights
included a Northern Pygmy-Owl answering our playback (near the
southeastern end) and an American Three-toed Woodpecker found
at the northwestern end.
We spent the rest of the day looking for owls by driving to the
end of the Teller City Road.
Over the course of the afternoon, we located another Pygmy-Owl
and a Northern Saw-whet Owl. The Saw-whet Owl was within
50 yards of the 1996 sighting.
After dark, we stopped every 0.5 miles and played a Flammulated
Owl tape. We got one response about 1.3 miles south of Teller City.
Our birding day ended with attempting to find Boreal Owls at my
three favorite locations back on Cameron Pass; without success.
Back in Boulder County 8/19
Joe and I slept till sunrise and headed to Boulder County in
search of Pinyon Jays.
We stopped at the many campgrounds along Highway 14 between
Cameron Pass and Fort Collins. No additional owls could be found.
We spent more than two hours driving around Spring Gulch and
Rabbit Mountain Open Space; without success. Again we found half
a dozen Western Scrub-Jays which I was told were uncommon to rare
in the foothills northeast of Boulder/Lyons. Boulder Valley Ranch
Open Space was also not productive.
We had planned to hike around Barr Lake in search of shorebirds;
the rain changed our minds.
Cherry Creek Reservoir 8/14
After an early dinner the rain stopped and Rebecca and I drove
through Cherry Creek Reservoir (Arapahoe County). The heavy rain
resulted in few birds moving about.
At the bird platform (Cottonwood Creek Loop) we found 18 Snowy
Egrets, 1 Green Heron, American White Pelicans, and 60+ Black
Terns. Several were still in alternate plumage with many molting
back to basic plumage. A Spotted Sandpiper and 2 Baird's
Sandpiper were also walking the muddy banks of the creek.
At the Cottonwood Creek Wetlands Pond, we observed a Great Blue
Heron and Great Egret hunt for food in the shrinking pond.
A juvenile Swainson's Hawk watched from the large cottonwood
at the east end of the pond.
Later we drove the DIA Owl Loop and counted 16 Burrowing Owls.
We circled until dark hoping a Short-eared Owl would come out
hunting; without success. We could not find any Lark Buntings
either.
Cameron Pass to Fort Collins 8/19
Joe and I slept till sunrise and headed to Boulder County in
search of Pinyon Jays.
A check of the nesting boxes around the Crags Campground
did not turn up any Boreal Owls.
We stopped at the many campgrounds along Highway 14 between
Cameron Pass and Fort Collins. No additional owls could be found.
We spent more than two hours driving around Spring Gulch and
Rabbit Mountain Open Space; without success. Again we found half
a dozen Western Scrub-Jays which I was told were uncommon to rare
in the foothills northeast of Boulder/Lyons. Boulder Valley Ranch
Open Space was also not productive.
We had planned to hike around Barr Lake in search of shorebirds;
a rainstorm changed our minds.
Eastern Plains 8/13
Bryan Ehlmann and I decided to drive up I76 and bird several
locations not far off the highway.
Our first stop was Prewitt Reservoir which is mostly in Washington
County (a small eastern portion reaches into Logan County).
We took a route that most birders do not by walking around
the eastern and southern sides. It requires a couple of hours hike;
however we observed more birds than most birders take the time
to scope out.
The area below the dam was quiet; most of our interesting birds
were on the lake. A few Eastern and Western Kingbirds were
below the dam.
Two Long-billed Curlews walked the south-center side of the lake.
By the way, the lake is draining quickly. Other shorebirds
included Marbled Godwits, Semipalmated Plovers, a Pectoral
Sandpiper, Baird's Sandpipers, Western Sandpipers, and 2 Least
Sandpipers. Unfortunately the previously reported Ruddy Turnstone
was not to be found. Terns included a Common Tern, Forster's
Terns, and Black Terns.
Our second stop was a private ranch of a friend. He emailed
me that he thought Long-eared Owls has nested on his property.
A short walk confirmed his suspicions as we found 2 adult and
a young Long-eared Owl. We thought a lone Cordillera Flycatcher
might be out of place in Morgan County.
Our third stop was Fort Morgan Ponds. We hiked from the eastern
parking area to Riverside Park to the west. A small flock of
sparrows included an adult White-throated Sparrow.
The final stop was Jackson Reservoir in Morgan County. Again we
hiked quite a distance from the south side parking area to the
eastern end to the northern end. Most birders do not seem to
take the time, however we have always found it well worthwhile.
We managed to pick out a Short-billed Dowitcher next to, but not
with 8 Long-billed Dowitchers. Other shorebirds included Marbled
Godwits, Willets, Baird's Sandpipers, and Western Sandpipers.
Again we found at least one Common Tern, many Forster's Terns, and
Black Terns. Two Great-tailed Grackles were along the southern
side. A Merlin perched in a tall cottonwood at the eastern end.
Lifebirds! 8/11
Want to guess where we were?
Saw Northern Jacana & Wood Stocks!
El Paso County 8/9
Our group was reduced to 4 birders today. We checked Big Johnson
Reservoir and Fountain Creek Regional Park. No uncommon birds
were found at either location.
We hoped to see the Chihuahuan Ravens that Mark Peterson had reported
nesting at Big Johnson Reservoir back on 6/2. Whether they were
successful or not, they appear to have moved on somewhere?
Point Counts at Lake Dorothey Wildlife Area 8/8
We conducted a partial BBS point count survey today at Lake Dorothey
Wildlife Area. The area covered was about 8 miles, not the usual
25 mile section for a complete BBS survey.
This area had Acorn Woodpeckers back in 1994. No reports of them
here have come in since then.
Highlights included:
Wild Turkey (3)
Western Screech-Owl (not far from trailhead)
Common Nighthawk (again, many near dusk)
Ladder-backed Woodpecker (2 males, 1 female)
Western Wood-pewee (many, most common bird counted)
Cordilleran Flycatcher
Hammond's Flycatcher (most common Empidonax species here)
Hepatic Tanager (well up the trail over 3 miles)
The hike was quite strenuous at times and perhaps slowed down our
usual pace. We all enjoyed exploring this seldom birded area!
Point Counts in Baca County 8/7
Point Counts today were different than yesterday in
that today we drove along well maintained gravel roads.
Yesterday, we drove and walked along dirt 2 track roads and trails.
We searched for owls (Pygmy, Saw-whet, Screech) after dark
however experienced little success over the 2 days.
Wood Duck - male & female, same location
Great Blue Heron - 1 bird
Osprey - flyover our stop
Mississippi Kite - 19 birds at 5 locations
Northern Harrier - 2 birds, same location
Long-billed Curlew - 1 bird
Yellow-billed Cuckoo - 1 bird
Greater Roadrunner - 3 birds at separate locations
Barn Owl - 1 bird
Burrowing Owl - 3 birds, 2 locations
Short-eared Owl - 1 hovering bird
Chimney Swift - 2 birds, same location
Black-chinned Hummingbird - 3 birds, separate location
Broad-tailed Hummingbird - 1 positive id
Lewis's Woodpecker - 9 birds, 8 locations
Red-headed Woodpecker - 1 bird
Red-naped Sapsucker - 1 bird
Ladder-backed Woodpecker - 2 males, separate locations
Olive-sided Flycatcher - 1 bird
Eastern Phoebe - 5 birds, 4 locations
Say's Phoebe - 21 birds, 18 locations
Ash-throated Flycatcher - 2 birds, separate locations
Cassin's Kingbird - 11 birds, 8 locations
Western Kingbird - 9 birds, 5 locations
Eastern Kingbird - 4 birds, 2 locations
Loggerhead Shrike - 3 birds, separate locations
Gray Vireo - 1 bird
Steller's Jay - 2 birds at 1 location
Chihuahuan Raven - 29 birds at 7 locations
Juniper Titmouse - 2 birds at 1 location
Red-breasted Nuthatch - 1 bird
Mountain Bluebird - 8 birds at 3 locations
Townsend's Solitaire - 2 birds, 1 location
Northern Mockingbird - 6 birds at 4 locations
Sage Thrasher - 3 birds, 2 locations
Yellow Warbler - 1 bird
Hepatic Tanager - 1 male
Cassin's Sparrow - 13 at 4 locations
Lark Sparrow - again most common bird
McCown's Longspur - 1, only longspur of the day
Northern Cardinal - heard, never seen
Point Counts in Las Animas County 8/6
Eight of us did bird counts in Las Animas County.
Our main target was Hepatic Tanagers, but we wanted to
get a feel for birds on several isolated mesas in the county.
Point Counts on this day were main along trails and dirt tracks.
Point Counts on 8/7 were conducted mainly along gravel roads.
We ran into Hepatic Tanagers on three locations.
Two male Hepatic Tanagers were found separately in
Ponderosa Pines. At a third location, we found a
juvenile bird that was within 60 yards of an adult female.
Cassin's Kingbirds were quite common and found at the most stops.
We counted 57 birds at 124 point counts stops.
Other highlight birds found included:
Northern Bobwhite - 3 at 2 locations
Great Blue Heron - 3 at 3 locations
Great Egret - 1 flyover
Mississippi Kite - 27 birds at 10 locations (some flyover)
Upland Sandpiper - 1 bird
Yellow-billed Cuckoo - 1 bird
Barn Owl - 2 birds separate locations
Flammulated Owl - 2 locations
Western Screech-Owl - 1 bird
Common Nighthawk - 3 locations; early in morning
Black-chinned Hummingbird - 6 locations
Broad-tailed Hummingbird - 4 locations
Lewis's Woodpecker - 9 birds at 5 spots
Red-headed Woodpecker - 2 birds at separate locations
Williamson's Sapsucker - male at one spot
Gray Flycatcher - 2 locations
Cordilleran Flycatcher - 4 spots
Eastern Phoebe - 11 birds at 8 locations
Say's Phoebe - 37 birds at 35 spots
Cassin's Kingbird - 57 birds at 51 locations
Loggerhead Shrike - 3 locations
Red-eyed Vireo - 1 bird
Steller's Jay - 1 bird!
Blue Jay - 5 birds at separate locations
Western Scrub-Jay - 2 birds at one location
Pinyon Jay - flock of 7 birds
Chihuahuan Raven - 9 locations
Juniper Titmouse - 9 birds at 3 spots
Hepatic Tanager - 2 males, 1 female, 1 juvenile
Lark Sparrow - most common bird
Lark Bunting - second most common bird
Lincoln's Sparrow - 2 birds at separate location
McCown's Longspur - 2 locations
Chestnut-collared Longspur - 1 bird
Northern Cardinal - 1 male
Lazuli Bunting - 2 males at separate locations
Indigo Bunting - 1 male
Search for Owls and Pinyon Jays 8/4-8/5
Paul Hudson and I went looking for Owls & Ptarmigan in Larimer
and Jackson Counties. We enjoyed escaping the hotter temperatures
in Denver. However we ran into a rainstorm on Friday night.
Friday 8/4
Our first stop was Meadow Park in Lyons (Boulder County) before
sunrise. We hoped to find a Common Poorwill, however did not
succeed.
After a short search, we headed to Rocky Mountain National Park
for sunrise. No White-tailed Ptarmigan could be found at Medicine
Bow Curve (in a 2 hour search). We did see half a dozen Brewer's
Sparrows (Timberline?), White-crowned Sparrows, and American
Pipit. We decided to try for a change in scenery and headed to
Rockcut Trail (planning on returning to Medicine Bow Curve later
in the morning).
At the summit of Rockcut, I mentioned that the habitat was too
good not to have a Ptarmigan. With some time and luck, Paul
finally picked out an adult female and 2 fledgling White-tailed
Ptarmigan on the northwest ridge. During our search, one or two
Brown-capped Rosy Finches flew over our heads!
Our next stop was the Cow Creek section of Rocky Mountain National
Park (outside the park proper). We hiked about 1.2 miles to the
intersection of Cow Creek and Gem Lake Trails (6 trails intersect
here). A search around the creek to the south did not turn up any
Northern Pygmy-Owls (as in the past) or Flammulated Owls. A storm
looked to be approaching from the west and we made a quick exit
back to our car.
We drove around Bobcat Natural Area (Larimer County) for about
an hour. No Pinyon Jays turned up, however we got our first look at
a new wildlife area that will be opening up in late fall. A dozen
Turkey Vultures roosted on the cliffs above. Several Cordilleran
Flycatchers hawked insects. A female Bullock's Oriole looked for
food in the short willows. Not much else was around.
Pennock Pass was our next destination. We timed it to be there
a little before sunset to explore the area for possible nesting
trees for Flammulated Owls. A thunderstorm blew in just before
dark and did not help our chances of finding any owls. After
trying several locations, we returned to our first location.
Luck was with us this time for we found 3 Flammulated Owls!
We then worked our way westward back to Highway 14 and on to
Cameron Pass. We stopped at five spots to look for Boreal Owls;
without success. Our final stop was Ruby Jewel Road where again
we struck out on Boreal Owls.
Saturday 8/5
After a couple of hours of sleep, we continued our search for
Boreal Owls along Ruby Jewel Road and back at Cameron Pass;
again without success.
A stop at the Colorado Forest Visitor's Center proved interesting.
Many Pine Siskins visited the feeders behind the center. Hundreds
of Broad-tailed Hummingbirds visited the hummingbird feeders.
An adult male and adult female Rufous Hummingbird also came by
(as did one or two juveniles). We managed to identify at least one
immature Calliope Hummingbird also. A few Wilson's Warblers,
Lincoln's Sparrows, and Pine Grosbeaks were also observed.
As we headed back to Denver, we stopped in Lyons to again look
for Pinyon Jays; without success. Few birds moved around Rabbit
Mountain Open Space. We did not find Pinyon Jays at Spring Gulch;
however did find half a dozen Western Scrub-Jays (which we were
told were uncommon to rare in the area).
Note: We found quite a few Common Nighthawks throughout the two
days. They appear to be doing well over the forests in the mountains.
Before sunrise and after sunset were the best times to find them.
Continued Owl Search 8/3
We drove toward Beaver Creek Wildlife Area around 4:00am.
A Northern Saw-whet Owl flew across the road and landed in
a Juniper Tree about 20 yards east of the road near Oro Juno
(that's a gulch and it is signed).
At Beaver Creek WLA, we hiked around for about 3 hours.
One Northern Pygmy-Owl was heard along the creek north of
the main parking area.
Rebecca found a Northern Saw-whet Owl by circling Juniper trees
and looking for white wash! I have only experienced success at
this technique once (at Cottonwood Canyon, Baca County).
Other birds found included Mountain Bluebirds, Townsend's Solitaires
(many), 3 species of nuthatches, and a surprising Bewick's Wren.
Maybe the Bewick's Wren should not have surprised us, however
the habitat seemed wrong (though it was in a juniper tree).
A quick stop at Brush Hollow Wildlife Area added a male Ladder-
backed Woodpecker to our trip list. Not much else was around.
No Pinyon Jays today.
We made a detour to Missouri Gulch in Teller County. Again we
had to wait for an afternoon thunderstorm to pass. No owls
could be found. I rarely have success in finding any owls
after a late afternoon thunderstorm.
Phantom Canyon Road 8/2
We returned to the Shelf Road and had a Northern Saw-whet Owl
respond to our tapes at Garden Park (BLM land).
Today we set out to explore Fly Cave (located on private land).
It had taken several years to get permission to climb down this
cave. It was well worth it. The scenery was fantastic. It took
hours to explore. And yes, there were many flies (too many)!
After dinner we headed up Phantom Canyon Road in search of Spotted
Owls. Again we ran into a dozen Common Nighthawks after sunset.
Unfortunately, we were not able to locate any Spotted Owls.
North of Canon City 8/1
We birded in the morning on the BLM land north of Canon City.
Birds found included Mountain Bluebirds, Townsend's Solitaires,
Spotted Towhees, and Bewick's Wrens. Similar birds were found
during a short hour hike at Red Canyon Park.
In the afternoon we went down an unnamed cave located on land
owned by Kansas University. I had been down this cave several
times back in the early 1990s. No birds or bats, however the
scenery (viewed with camphor lamps) is interesting.
After dinner, we looked for the Dickcissels along MacKenzie Blvd
(Canon City) without success. We did see the Black Phoebe near
the bridge at the east end of the Arkansas Riverwalk. It never
occurred to us to look for the Hooded Warblers and Carolina Wren
near the Bluff section of the trail (clearly an oversight).
Our birding day ended at the Kodak Viewing Overlook at the Royal
Gorge Park. Hundreds of White-throated Swifts flew about catching
insects. Unfortunately, no Peregrine Falcons made an appearance.
Teller County 7/31
We headed down to Fremont County. For a change of pace we had
planned to go down several caves during the day and go owling at night.
Our itinerary was to take us through Teller County and down the
Shelf Road into Fremont County and Canon City.
The first stop of the day was Green Mountain Falls in Teller
County. On stormy days, Black Swifts are forced down from higher
altitudes and can be observed over the falls. Today was a
beautiful morning and no Black Swifts were found. Several Band-
tailed Pigeons were found about 200 yards below the falls.
All three nuthatch species were also seen.
Our next stop was Dome Rock and Mueller State Parks. Birding was
pretty slow. We did find an American Three-toed Woodpecker at
Dome Rock. A male was pretty much where Jeff Jones had reported
one back in April. Look around the old outhouse at Sand Gulch
Trail. We also found at least one Veery. Look around the Beaver
Ponds in the meadow below Dome Rock.
We ended our birding day at the Crags Campground. Several Common
Nighthawks flew around at dusk. After dark, two Northern Pygmy-
Owls answered our playback tapes.
More Bird Trips
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