Rich Stevens' Bird Trips
February 2001
Cherry Creek Reservoir 2/27
Not one give up; I returned to Cherry Creek Reservoir to search for
the Golden-crowned Sparrow. It snowed continually; temperature was
around thirteen degrees with calm winds. The bird again did not appear
during my two hour stay. Five American Tree Sparrows and three
Song Sparrows were in the area. The Northern Shrike flew through also.
A Prairie Falcon was hunting across the road north from the northeast marina
parking area. One Great Horned Owl was searching for food near the swim beach.
He stood patiently in a cottonwood barely visible in the fog and falling snow.
Arapahoe County Reservoirs 2/26
I checked out several Reservoirs in Aurora today. It was windy, cold, and cloudy.
At Aurora Reservoir, I spent three hours circling the reservoir. There were
few birds on the water surface (only a little bit of open water). Two Bald Eagles
hunted below the dam at the north side of the City Park. Most of the gulls
observed were Ring-billed Gulls; there were two adult Herring Gulls also.
At Quincy Reservoir, I scoped the reservoir from outside the fence. There were
few birds in the place at all. One Bald Eagle was in the southwest corner.
At Cherry Creek Reservoir, I searched for the Golden-crowned Sparrow for an hour.
The bird did not make an appearance during my short stay. Only two American
Tree Sparrows and one Song Sparrow came out of the cattails to feed.
Boulder County 2/25
Paul Langendorfer and I traveled to Boulder County. Temperatures reached
50 degrees and winds were quite calm.
At Teller Lakes, we briefly observed the male Rusty Blackbird in a tree
near the feedlots south of the parking area. Two male and a female
Great-tailed Grackles were in the taller cottonwoods around the parking area.
There were also several Brewer's Blackbirds and a dark-morph Red-tailed Hawk.
During a brief stop at Walden Ponds, we observed a Brown Creeper and
Yellow-rumped Warbler. The previous reported Winter Wren was not observed.
Unfortunately, the Harris's Hawk did not make an appearance either.
At the South Boulder Neighborhood (South Boulder Road and Spring Drive), we
observed a flock of 24 Bohemian Waxwings. The birds visited feeders along
Spring Drive and eventually flew to the western end of the road.
At Red Rocks Park, we did not locate the Northern Pygmy-Owl during our hour stay.
The Harris's Sparrow and Brown Thrasher were not found at Wheat Ridge Greenbelt.
Lastly, we did not find the Golden-crowned Sparrow at Cherry Creek Reservoir.
We watched the cattail marsh for about an hour. Only one American Tree Sparrow
and one Song Sparrow were around today. Two American Bald Eagles stood on
the ice. Several times they flew around harassing the gulls.
Southern Colorado 2/22-24
Bryan Ehlmann and I headed south to bird for several days. The weather
changed much during our trip. Temperatures went from lower 50s to upper 20s.
Winds varied from calm to quite breezy.
Pueblo & Fremont Counties 2/22
We started our day at Pueblo Reservoir. The adult Great Black-backed Gull was
located at the North Marina at first light. We found one Common Loon off in
the distance to the east. The Long-tailed Duck and Barrow's Goldeneyes were
not found during our two-hour stay. There were few gulls at the south marina.
We stopped briefly at the Watts' Penrose home. No Pinyon Jays were visiting
the feeders there. Bird activity was limited and we continued westward.
At the Valco Ponds area of Canon City, we found a Greater White-fronted Goose with
many Canada Geese. Only one bird was picked out of the crowd. We searched for
the Harris's Sparrows at the eastern end of the Arkansas Riverwalk; without success.
A quick search for the Eurasian Collared-Doves in Canon City (Phelps Avenue and
Circle Drive) was also unsuccessful. One Rufous-crowned Sparrow was located
west of the parking area at the end of Tunnel Drive (western end of Canon City).
We used the last of daylight to bird at Brush Hollow Wildlife Area. A flock of
six Pinyon Jays were below the dam. Two Juniper Titmice were in the Juniper Trees
just south of the parking area at the western end of the dam. A flock of 8 Bushtits
was fluttering around below the dam also. A male Ladder-backed Woodpecker was
feeding on the large cottonwoods below the dam.
As we headed for Cottonwood Canyon, we stopped at a private ranch in Las Animas
County. The ranch manager had called about a Northern Saw-whet Owl calling last
week. He was able to take us directly to the spot. The owl cooperated nicely
and called for about 10 minutes during our stay.
We pulled into Cottonwood Canyon at 11:00 PM. While setting up camp,
we heard two Western Screech-Owls on the north side of Carrizo Creek.
A Great Horned Owl called off in the distance to the west.
Baca & Prowers Counties 2/23
We woke up to partly cloudy skies and frost. We checked the canyons
to the south and west for the male Northern Cardinal that has been in
the area for four years now. No Cardinal and few birds were found.
We then hiked the 1.2 miles to the cattle guard to the east of the camping area.
There were two Rufous-crowned Sparrows in the rocks just north of the cattle guard.
On the trip back to our car, we observed a male and female Rusty Blackbird along
the creek below the road. There were many Canyon Towhees, Spotted Towhees, and
two Western Bluebirds also along this road.
Our trek took us to the Lesser Prairie-Chicken Lek south of Campo. No birds
were found in the area. We did see two Scaled Quail at CR 36 & CR J.
We found a Barn Owl on private land while driving back to Campo. Few birds
were flying around at Campo. We did not see the Eurasian Collared-Doves
and Great-tailed Grackles found in previous years in Springfield.
Two Buttes Reservoir added few birds to our trip list. We looked unsuccessfully
for the White-throated Sparrows usually found below the dam (at first parking
area.) No Greater Roadrunners and Wild Turkeys made an appearance today either.
No uncommon birds were found at Lamar Community College. A few Blue Jays
flew around. A male Red-bellied Woodpecker was in Willow Creek Park to the north.
No birds were added to our list at Lamar's Cemetery.
Nothing was happening at Lake Sheridan and we continued to Bonny Reservoir.
At Hale Ponds east of Bonny Reservoir, we encountered a flock of seven Eastern Bluebirds
(west of CR LL.5 & CR 4). A male Red-bellied Woodpecker was in the area too.
After dark, an Eastern Screech-Owl responded to Bryan's tapes.
We were just north of the most eastern Hale Pond.
We continued to Wray, looking forward to warm beds.
Yuma and Washington Counties 2/24
The weather was poor today. It rained last night and we woke up to much fog.
Winds were strong most of the morning.
Our search of several locations where previous Greater Prairie-Chicken sightings
occurred was unsuccessful. There were no birds at Last Chance Rest Stop.
In hopes of seeing a few birds today, we back tracked to Flagler Reservoir.
Again, few birds were encountered. We ended our search and headed for Denver.
Along the South Platte River 2/20
I hiked a bit of the South Platte River on Tuesday in search of the male
Greater Scaup reported 2/17-18. I started at Colfax and the Platte River and
hiked 5.0 miles to West Evans (Denver County). The temperatures dropped from
middle 40s to 28 degrees during my hike. Winds were calm; it snowed at 4:00 PM.
I did not locate the male Barrow's Goldeneye that was previously reported many
times between Colfax Avenue and Alameda Blvd. My Waterfowl count was down.
Continuing south (upstream), I did not locate the male Greater Scaup reported
just south of Florida Avenue and the Platte. Eight Hooded Mergansers were
in the general area. Two Red-breasted Mergansers joined them.
From West Evans, I journeyed to Fort Logan Cemetery (Arapahoe County).
The female Greater Scaup was at the west end of Memorial Lake.
On 2/15 I observed and videotaped the bird for two hours. After viewing the tape,
I could not decide whether the bird was a Lesser or Greater Scaup. On 2/20, I
again observed the bird for two hours. This time a closer approach was allowed.
The bird appears to be a Greater Scaup.
The head, neck, and bill of the bird appeared quite large. The nail on the tip
of the bill also appeared larger than the Lesser Scaups observed later in the day
(not that conclusive). The bill is quite curved (not straight-sided as the
Sibley "Guide to Birds" states should appear on Lesser). Most important,
the white wing stripe extends well into the primaries (not mainly in the speculum
as would be expected on a Lesser Scaup). See Recent Photo Link!
After visiting the Cemetery, I birded Clear Creek from Washington Blvd over to the
South Platte (2.0 miles) and north (2.0 miles) to Colorado Blvd and 88th avenue.
I did not locate any Long-tailed Ducks today. There were Barrow's Goldeneyes:
Two males and a female in the river just below the green and white water tower.
Two additional male Barrow's Goldeneyes were 100 yards north of the water tower.
When it started to snow; I abandoned my trek.
North of Morrison 2/19
Temperatures were around 50 degrees and winds were calm today.
At least six people observed the Northern Pygmy-Owl 0.8 miles north of Morrison.
Several of us watched the bird fly in and out of a hole in a cottonwood by the
creek that runs along highway 26. Thanks to Bob Brandle for finding the bird
today and Chris Blakeslee for reporting the bird to cobirds on 2/16.
While hiking up and down highway 26 from Morrison to Red Rocks' Entrance,
I observed male & female Downy Woodpeckers, Western Scrub-Jays,
Mountain and Black-capped Chickadees, a flock of Cassin's Finches,
one Brown Creeper, two White-breasted Nuthatches, and an adult Red-tailed Hawk.
Along Clear Creek and the South Platte 2/15
I ventured out to Clear Creek (Jefferson County) and the South Platte River
(Adams) on Thursday. Temperatures were in the middle 30's; winds were calm.
I started the birding trip at Fort Logan Cemetery. The reported Greater Scaup
flew between Veteran's Lake and Memorial Lake. After watching the 10 minutes
of video taken, I could not decide if the bird was a Greater or Lesser Scaup.
The immature Harris's Sparrow made a short appearance at the northwest corner
of Wheat Ridge Greenbelt's Kipling parking area again today. The usual
assortment of White-breasted Nuthatches, Dark-eyed Juncos, Blue Jays, and
Song Sparrows were also there. I found no Screech-Owls again today.
Along the South Platte River south of Colorado Blvd & 88th avenue,
I observed five males and a female Barrow's Goldeneyes. Three males and
the female were in the river just below the green and white water tower.
While watching them, I could see two additional males in the small open
water area at the northern East Gravel Lake. This area was only open for
a 40-yard diameter circle. After watching for 15 minutes, I had decided
that the Long-tailed Ducks were not there today. All of a sudden, one of
the female Long-tailed Ducks appeared. I believe that sometimes they are
against the pump house tower and cannot be observed from outside the fence.
Many Ring-necked Ducks, Mallards, Northern Shovelers, Common Goldeneyes and
Gadwall were in the South Platte along my 2-mile hike. Six Common Mergansers
were joined by four Hooded Mergansers in the pond just north of Highway 224.
Cherry Creek Reservoir 2/13
On this warm, windless day, I returned to Cherry Creek in search of the
Golden-crowned Sparrow. The bird did not show during my 3-hour wait.
Strangely, few birds made an appearance. Two Great Horned Owls were
near the swim beach area. The Red-tailed Hawk with the leather strap
on its left leg was again near the northwest entrance to the state park.
Clear Creek County 2/11
I enjoyed a great day of birding Sunday and had the pleasure of
joining the Fort Collins Audubon Trip to Clear Creek County.
My day started with an appearance of the immature Harris's Sparrow at
the northwest corner of Wheat Ridge Greenbelt's Kipling parking area.
At first light, the parking area was quite noisy with the bird songs
and calls of Blue Jays, White-breasted Nuthatches, Song Sparrows,
Dark-eyed Juncos, Northern Flickers and the Harris's Sparrow.
On the trip to Guanella Pass we stopped at Silver Plume.
One Brown-capped Rosy Finch and one Black Rosy Finch
joined a dozen or so Gray-crowned Rosy-Finches.
At the junction of Rosalie and 603 trails at Guanella Pass' summit,
nine White-tailed Ptarmigan were observed. Winds were rather high;
it was cold, however the birds' appearance made the trek well worthwhile.
Snowshoes were helpful.
We missed the Three-toed Woodpeckers at Guanella Pass Campground below
the summit. There was much traffic around the area on this Sunday afternoon.
My day ended back at Wheat Ridge Greenbelt. While searching for
Eastern Screech-Owls, I stopped to again watch the Harris's Sparrow
for 20 minutes. The elusive Brown Thrasher made two appearances
during my stay. I had missed him on my five previous visits.
A Drive North of Denver International Airport 2/10
Donna Fortney and I made a 20-mile drive along my favorite Owl Loop, north of DIA.
It was a sunny day; however temperatures were in the middle 30s.
Along the drive, we observed many hawks. Our list included 5 Red-tailed Hawks,
3 Rough-legged Hawks, 3 Northern Harriers (2m, 1f), 3 Ferruginous Hawks,
2 American Kestrels, and a Prairie Falcon (along 114th avenue).
We found Lapland Longspurs at two locations. Tens of thousands of Horned Lark
roamed the fields. Six Lapland Longspurs were with many Horned Lark 3.4 miles
east of 96th avenue and Tower Road (across from one of last summers Burrowing Owl
colonies). At least four more Lapland Longspurs were 1.7 miles east of
120th avenue and Picadilly Road.
We could not find any Great-tailed Grackles in the cottonwoods north and west
of Barr Lake. Sable Avenue, 132nd Avenue, and 144th avenues were checked.
Cherry Creek Reservoir 2/7
I hiked around Cherry Creek Reservoir on Wednesday.
It snowed most of the time; temperatures were in the low 20s.
The only hawk observed was the Red-tailed that has been keeping
residence near the northern entrance to the State Park.
I decided to give the Golden-crowned Sparrow two hours to turn up
at its usual location along the south side of the reservoir.
The bird did not appear on my three previous trips.
All would not be lost; I enjoyed watching the 43 American Tree Sparrows
and 9 Song Sparrows that "hang out" in the flooded cattail area of the park.
Just as I had decided to leave, the Golden-crowned Sparrow made an appearance.
Once the bird showed up, he stayed around for 10 minutes.
Continuing around the reservoir, a Prairie Falcon was standing on the guardrail
that surrounds the dam's tower at the northwest corner of the reservoir.
A Northern Shrike popped out, while I was checking the evergreen trees
in the extreme northwest corner of the park for owls.
It was a pretty good birding day, regardless of the weather.
Birding Colorado Springs 2/6
Bryan Ehlmann and I traveled to C.S. (El Paso County) on Tuesday. While skies
were clear in Denver (temperatures cold), there was much fog in Colorado Springs.
Visibility was poor for most of the day.
On the trip south, we stopped at Castlewood Canyon Road (south of the state park
in Douglas County). While watching a pair of Mountain Bluebirds, a beautiful
adult Peregrine Falcon flew overhead. We were not able to locate any of the
Lewis's Woodpeckers observed in the past two years on the Winkler Ranch.
In Colorado Springs, we walked two hours in the Ivywood area in search of
Bohemian Waxwings; without success. The area covered by us was bordered by
Tejon to 8th street and W. Brookside to Lake Avenue. Waxwings are always
difficult to chase and locate in my experience; we gave it a shot.
I have never observed so many American Crows in an urban area before!
They seemed to be in every yard.
After stopping at my favorite restaurant in downtown C.S.,
we headed to Bar X Road, north of Colorado Springs (El Paso County).
Fortunately, Walker Road and Bar X Roads were approximately 0.75 miles
outside of the fog surrounding C.S. today.
After sitting for about 15 minutes, two Short-eared Owls appeared off
in the distance. The birds flew down to the ground several times and
caught something. We watched them eat, however were a little too
far away to ascertain what their prey was.
Another exciting current bird sighting in Colorado is in Breckenridge.
For the past two days, visiting Texas birder Laura Ford has observed
two Common Loons in the Swan River at the Tiger Run RV Resort north of town.
These birds are at 9,600 feet. Andrews and Righter "Colorado Birds" indicates
only one Colorado sighting above 9,000 feet. I would have to check the
CoBus database; if memory serves me correct, there are no other records
above 9,000. (It is 2:00 AM, I have to wake up or sleep first to explore further).
Her description of the two birds indicates one adult nonbreeding plumage bird and
one juvenile bird. Thanks to Laura Ford for reporting the birds on the CoBus
report form! I then corresponded with her several times about the birds.
South Platte River 2/5
I birded several sections of the South Platte River on this 50-degree day.
Winds were mild most of the day.
I did not locate the Barrow's Goldeneye "hanging out" at the Alameda Blvd area
(Denver County). My hike took me 1000 yards upstream and back 2.5 miles
downstream (south) to Colfax Blvd. Mostly I wanted to prove to myself that
if my camera was along, I would not get 10 feet from a Red-breasted Merganser
(as happened last Friday). Of course, I did not see a Red-breasted Merganser
today. Waterfowl count was down 79 percent from Friday.
My trek then took me downstream (east) along Clear Creek from Washington Blvd
and highway 224 (Adams) to the South Platte River and then north to 88th avenue
and Colorado Blvd. At the southern East Gravel Lake, there was a female
Long-tailed Duck (last reported Saturday). I stayed around for 30 minutes hoping
for another Long-tailed Duck to show. Quite a bit of the open water was not
viewable from my vantage point and the waterfowl would come and go from my view.
As I waited (50 yards south of the white and green water tower), a male
Barrow's Goldeneye flew in from downstream (the north). Minutes later,
another male accompanied by a female flew onto the river,
(just below the water tower).
At the northern East Gravel Lake, a second Long-tailed Duck was feeding vigorously.
She stayed close to the eastern shoreline and may not have been visible from
Dahlia Street (which runs along eastern edge of the East Gravel Lakes).
Last Friday, three female/immature Long-tailed Ducks stayed within 10 feet of
each other for the 30 minutes we watched them. Initially, they stayed close to
the base of the pump tower on the western edge of the lake and would not have
been found, if the raft of ducks had not decided to swim further away from us.
The Northern Shrike which has been around for several weeks, was not seen today.
It was a beautiful day to bird in Colorado!
Morgan & Weld Counties 2/3
Phillip and Judy Fleet and I traveled to Jackson Reservoir and on to PNG, the
Pawnee National Grasslands today. Winds were mild, temperatures in low 40s.
We were able to locate two Long-eared Owls at the western campgrounds of
Jackson Reservoir. Few other birds moved around. There was a flock
of five Yellow-rumped Warblers. A male Merlin was on the south side of
Jackson Reservoir; we could not locate any Great-tailed Grackles.
Two miles north of the reservoir, we ran into a flock of Horned Lark.
At least three Lapland Longspurs accompanied them (this is Morgan CR 4
which eventually turns into Weld CR 105).
Many Hawks were observed along our trip to Crow Valley Campground on the PNG.
Our hawk list included 3 Northern Harriers, 5 Rough-legged Hawks, 1 Merlin,
8 American Kestrels, 11 Red-tailed Hawks, one Golden Eagle and a Prairie Falcon.
A Great Horned Owl was at the Briggsdale Cemetery (east of Crow Valley).
The Long-eared Owl is still at the southwest corner of the campground.
No owls were found in the wind break at the Work Center (0.5 miles north of CG).
We ended the day unsuccessfully searching for one of the Peregrine Falcons
that hunt south of Latham Reservoir. There were two Short-eared Owls
south of the oil company turnoff at CR 48 (south of Latham Reservoir).
Birding Around Denver 2/2
I took Phillip and Judy Fleet birding around Denver. The day was virtually
windless and temperatures in the high 40s. A beautiful Colorado winter day!
We did not observe the Swamp Sparrow east of Picadilly Road and Bromley Lane
(Adams). There were four Marsh Wrens in the area.
At the South Platte River and 88th avenue (Adams), we were excited to see
three Long-tailed Ducks at East Gravel Lakes. There was one male Barrow's
Goldeneye here also. A second male Barrow's Goldeneye was accompanied
by a female in the South Platte, 50 yards south of the green and white water
tower. Many American Tree and Song Sparrows were observed during our
two-mile hike. One Northern Shrike flew about north of the railroad tracks.
At Alameda and the South Platte (Denver County), we hiked 1000 yards both up
and downstream of Alameda Blvd. The male Barrow's Goldeneye "hanging out"
here was not observed today. At the green metal overlook 600 yards downstream,
we found a dozen Common Mergansers, a pair of Hooded Mergansers,
and one male Red-breasted Merganser.
On to Wheat Ridge Greenbelt (Jefferson County), the Harris's Sparrow made an
appearance at the northwest corner of the eastern parking area off Kipling.
We only had to wait 10 minutes (I waited two hours last Saturday).
At Lair O' Bear Park (Jefferson), we found four American Dippers the half
mile hike to the eastern bridge.
We ended our day back at Barr Lake hoping to see a Short-eared Owl. No
SEOWs were found. We could not locate the Field Sparrow and Swan reported
on February 1. Two Great Horned Owls called from the tall cottonwoods.
The sunset was spectacular as it usually is this time of year!
Cherry Creek Reservoir 2/1
Under cloudy skies and 21 degree temperatures, I spent three hours at CCK reservoir.
I sat up the hill to the south of the Golden-crowned Sparrow location of January 4.
At one time, I could see 17 Song Sparrows and 43 American Tree Sparrows.
The Northern Shrike made an appearance at 7:30AM. Not much else moved around.
More Bird Trips
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