Rich Stevens' Bird Trips
January 2002
Search for White-winged Crossbills 1/31
Sue Dorsey and I searched two hours for the White-winged Crossbills
reported in Mt. Olivet Cemetery (Jefferson County); without success.
Temperatures were 14 degrees; winds were mild.
We stopped by Tom Frost Reservoir (Broomfield County) on our trip
back to the office. The 2 adult and 3 immature Trumpeter Swans
were still there at 1:30pm. The lake is almost 100 percent frozen.
Birding Southern Colorado & the Eastern Plains 1/29-1/30
Steve Spencer and I spent two days in Southern Colorado and the Eastern Plains.
Tuesday 29
First light found us at the confluence of Fountain Creek & the Arkansas River
in Pueblo (Pueblo County). The temperature was 10 degrees and winds were
strong. It was quite cold all day.
We found a flock of 42 Eurasian Collared-Doves. One White-winged Dove
was observed in the flock. We looked pretty close, did not know that
two White-winged Doves were observed on Monday.
Pueblo Reservoir was quiet. The few gulls around were all Ring-billed Gulls.
Three Canyon Towhees were observed while we were at the north marina.
We drove around Penrose in search of Pinyon Jays; none were found.
An hour search at Brush Hollow Wildlife Area did not locate any
Pinyon Jays either. A male Ladder-backed Woodpecker was 1200 yards
east of the eastern end of the dam. Many Townsend's Solitaires and
2 Juniper Titmice were found just south of the western end of the dam.
Our next stop was Canon City (Fremont County). The Trumpeter Swan
was in the southeast corner of Valco Ponds off MacKensie Blvd.
The Harris's Sparrow was located during a 45-minute search around
the MacKensie Blvd parking area for the Arkansas Riverwalk.
Four Brown Creepers, 2 White-breasted Nuthatches, and a
Ruby-crowned Kinglet were also observed during the search.
We searched for an hour for the Eurasian Collared-Doves near
Circle Drive; without success. No Greater White-fronted Geese
were found at the Canon City Sewage Pond or Centennial Park.
We looked for the Rufous-crowned Sparrows at Tunnel Drive
for an hour; without success.
Wednesday 30
We spent the night in a motel in Rocky Ford (Otero County).
At first light half a dozen Eurasian Collared-Doves were
found near CR FF.5.
Our plan was to search for Snowy Owls at the many reservoirs on
the Eastern Plains. Kansas has had 9-10 sightings this winter.
We were hoping one would travel our way; though most of their
sightings have been on the eastern side of Kansas.
We did not find any; Neenoshe, Neesopah, Neegronda, Upper Queens,
Lake Sheridan, Bonny, and Flagler Reservoirs were checked.
A flock of 9 Eastern Bluebirds and a male Red-bellied Woodpecker
were found at Hale Ponds (east of Bonny Reservoir, Yuma County).
One Long-eared Owl was also observed at Bonny Reservoir.
Flagler Reservoir (Kit Carson) was quiet; we did not locate
the Common Redpoll or Bohemian Waxwing reported last month.
We rushed home before the snow got too deep.
Birding Metro Denver 1/28
Another cobirder and I birded several Metro Denver locations.
Winds were strong and temperatures barely reached 50 degrees.
It felt cold all day!
The adult winter Long-tailed Duck was still at Lake #2 of the
South Platte Park (Arapahoe County). Most of the other ducks
observed last Friday had moved on to another lake.
Marsten Reservoir (Denver County) was 100 percent frozen.
The female Greater Scaup was still at Memorial Lake of
Fort Logan Cemetery (Arapahoe County). A male and female
Hooded Merganser were the only other birds on the lake.
The 1st basic Glaucous Gull was standing on the ice at Standley Lake
(Jefferson County). Many Canada Geese were observed also.
We next hiked 2 miles up the South Platte River from 88th avenue
& Colorado Blvd (Adams). Two adult male, 1 adult female, and
1 1st year male Barrow's Goldeneyes were in the river near the
green & white water tower. A dog walker eventually scared the
Barrow's Goldeneyes to the northern most East Gravel Lake.
Our birding day ended at Utah Park (Arapahoe). Few birds were
there (except for the many resident American Wigeons and Canada Geese).
Birding Larimer & Boulder Counties 1/27
Paul Langendorfer and I enjoyed the 60-degree weather
as we birded in Larimer & Boulder Counties.
We searched for the Northern Pygmy-Owl at the golf course
along Fish Creek Road in Estes Park (Larimer). Unfortunately,
the bird did not make an appearance during our stay.
Several hundred Steller's Jays and a dozen Black-billed Magpies
were in the willows were the owl was previously observed.
A Ferruginous Hawk stood on a telephone at Interstate 25 &
Highway 66 on our trip up to Estes Park.
Our next stop was Rabbit Mountain (Boulder) east of Lyons.
Birds were scarce here; no Pinyon Jays showed up
this morning. A beautiful Rough-legged Hawk flew
along the road into the open space wildlife area.
At Walden Pond, we did not locate the previously reported
Winter Wren, Eastern Bluebirds, or Harris's Sparrow.
One Great Blue Heron hunted on the pond north of Bass Lake.
Several American Kestrel also hunted in the area.
Our last stop was McKay Lake (Adams County).
The Trumpeter Swans were no longer there.
We did not find the Thayer's Gull either.
One adult Bald Eagle stood on the ice watching the waterfowl.
We enjoyed the beautiful day in spite of the slow birding day.
Another Search for Bohemian Waxwings 1/26
I have nothing important to report. Just wanted to let
the numerous people who asked about Bohemian Waxwings
that Rebecca Kosten and I searched four hours Saturday
in the Gold Hill Area of Boulder; without success!
We also spent an hour in the Spanish Hills Area of Boulder
where we found 40+ Cedar Waxwings on Spring Drive (no Bohemian).
It was a beautiful day to drive and hike around Boulder.
Winds were strong, however temperatures came close to 60 degrees!
Searching for Waxwings 1/25
Rebecca Kosten & I went looking for Bohemian Waxwings today.
At first light, we were at the 18th hole of the golf course
off Fish Creek Road in Estes Park (Larimer County).
The Northern Pygmy-Owl was observed in the willows along
the creek about 100 yards west of the 18th green.
The bird stayed about 8 feet off the ground.
We dropped down into Boulder County and checked the
neighborhoods south of Valmont Reservoir and east of
Sombrero Marsh and also Spanish Hills Area.
Unfortunately none were found. We did come across
a flock of 40+ Cedar Waxwings in the Spanish Hills Area
south of South Boulder Road.
Next we checked Walden Ponds. The previously reported
Eastern Bluebirds, Winter Wren and Harris's Sparrow were
not found. Many Red-winged Blackbirds were around however.
Our next stop was South Platte Park in Jefferson County.
A winter plumaged female Long-tailed Duck was still at lake #2.
The female Greater Scaup continues in the east lake at
Fort Logan Cemetery (Arapahoe County).
Our birding day ended with a 4-mile hike along the South Platte
River at 88th & Colorado Blvd (Adams County). Two adult male
& 1 adult female Barrow's Goldeneyes were in the river just
west of the green & white water tower. A first year male
Barrow's Goldeneye was 40 yards south (upstream) of the trio.
The two Peregrine Falcons first observed on 11/17 returned.
One was on the telephone pole near the water tower and the
second 150 yards south. The birds are easily distinguished;
I am waiting for someone else to observe them and say how?
Northern West Gravel Lake contained 400+ Ring-necked Ducks
(up 350 from last Friday). The river contained about the
same number of Northern Shovelers as my last visit.
Common Goldeneye numbers were up 140 from last Friday.
Few gulls were on the river today.
A third adult male Barrow's Goldeneye was in the Northern
East Gravel Lakes along with many Common Mergansers,
Buffleheads, and a Pied-billed Grebe.
A colorful sunset ended this gorgeous winter day
(temperatures were in the 60s and winds were mild).
Birding South of Denver 1/22
I lead the CoBus bird trip to Waterton Canyon (Jefferson County)
this morning. Four of us hiked 4 miles up the canyon in search of
Winter Wrens and Northern Pygmy-Owls. Neither bird was found.
Winds were calm; temperatures reached 50 degrees!
We did see 9 American Dippers, 14 Townsend's Solitaires,
100+ American Robins, 2 Belted Kingfishers, 4 Song Sparrows,
1 Spotted Towhee, and 1 Great Horned Owl.
Afterwards, I hiked the S. Platte River from Waterton Canyon to
South Platte Park (about 8.5 miles). Birds were few and far between.
Two Red-tailed Hawks flew over the horse stables. Several additional
American Dippers were between the Kingfisher Bridge and Waterton
Canyon Bridge. Ring-billed Gulls were the only gulls observed.
When I finally reached S. Platte Park (Arapahoe County) Lake #1
had a Pied-billed Grebe, Lake #3 had 7 Redheads, and Lake #2
contained the adult winter female Long-tailed Duck!
Five Bald Eagles were on the ice on the lake North of West
Mineral Drive and west of the S. Platte River at the Nature Center!
Boulder County 1/21
I birded Boulder County Monday morning. First light found me
at the Ann U. White Trail in North Boulder. After 7:00am,
I drove down Lee Hill Road in hopes of finding a Northern Pygmy-Owl.
The third trip was not a charm; no owls were observed.
I next drove over to Walden Ponds and walked from the 75th street
parking area to Bass Pond and Pelican Marsh. The Eastern Bluebirds
previously reported did not make an appearance this morning.
Two-dozen Brewer's Blackbirds and a Great Blue Heron were
along Boulder Creek. No sparrows were observed.
My last stop was the alley at King Avenue (between 21st & 22nd streets).
The adult White-throated Sparrow showed up after a 10-minute wait.
The bird was behind the house on the corner of 22nd & King.
The bird made another appearance along the footpath in front of
the same house and later scurried under the tall evergreen tree.
One Spotted Towhee showed up here also!
After picking up Rebecca Kosten at Denver International Airport,
we drove to Crown Hill Cemetery (Jefferson County). We did not
locate the White-winged Crossbill during a 2-hour search!
A drive around Cherry Creek Reservoir (Arapahoe) added 5 Bald Eagles,
2 Red-tailed Hawks, and one Northern Shrike to my day list.
South Platte River & Crown Hill Cemetery 1/20
Bryan Ehlmann & I hiked the South Platte River from W. Evans to
W. Bowles Avenue Sunday (Arapahoe County). The temperature
stayed around 30 degrees; winds were strong! We searched for
the Mew Gull reported earlier in the week; without success.
We were 4 miles into our 6-mile hike before one gull was observed.
Many Ring-billed Gulls, 1 Herring Gull, and 1 adult basic
Thayer's Gull were on the ice at Centennial Park in Littleton
(Santa Fe & Union Blvd). Only 3 additional gulls were observed
during the last 2 miles of our trek.
The hybrid Common Goldeneye X Hooded Merganser was in
the S. Platte just south of the bridge at W. Bowles Avenue.
Bryan departed and I drove North to Belmar Historic Park (Jefferson).
Ring-billed Gulls were the only gulls on the lake there.
I spent the last two hours of daylight at Crown Hill Cemetery
(Jefferson) in search of the White-winged Crossbill reported
the day before. Again I experienced no success. Twenty-nine
House Finches, two Townsend's Solitaires, two Great Horned Owls,
and 100+ Black-billed Magpies were found.
Denver State Parks 1/19
I took three friends to Cherry Creek Reservoir (Arapahoe County) this morning.
Few birds were about. Many Common Mergansers swam in the small open areas
of the reservoir. Many Canada Geese flew in and out during the day.
The highlight was watching the "ice ships" soar across the reservoir.
We next drove to Castlewood Canyon State Park in Douglas County.
Birds were few and far between here also.
Many Mountain & Black-capped Chickadees came to the feeders
outside of the office accessed from the eastern entrance (highway 83).
We could find no Bluebirds along Castlewood Canyon Road, which runs
along the western edge of the state park.
Northern Colorado 1/18
Bryan Ehlmann and I birded northern Colorado Friday.
Temperatures never reached 30 degrees; winds were strong most of the day.
At first light we drove the county roads south of Lower Latham Reservoir
(Weld County). At 7:05am, Bryan found two Short-eared Owls while
we were parked at the oil company pullover at CR 48. The birds
flew along the fence line about 800 yards south (between roofed
covering and three oil tanks).
Next we drove to Crow Valley Campground north of Briggsdale (Weld).
Three Common Redpolls were observed with dozens of American Goldfinch.
The birds were feeding on the thistles along the hiking path between
the northwest corner of the campground and the work center 1/2 mile
to the northeast. One Northern Shrike stood atop a Russian Olive Tree.
Many American Tree Sparrows fluttered about also.
While Bryan continued on to the work center, I returned to the car and
drove north to the work center. I stopped briefly to check the trees
at the Briggsdale Cemetery. I accidentally came across a Short-eared Owl
that was just east of the cemetery and got to observe the bird from about
20 yards. The owl eventually took off and flew to the work center.
The bird narrowly missed running into Bryan, as he stood under an
evergreen tree in the front yard of the work center. The owl landed
just north of the northern line of evergreen trees. We abandoned the
idea of a search for Northern Saw-whet Owls in the evergreen trees
as to not disturb the Short-eared Owl and headed north.
Our next goal was to search for Snow Buntings. We drove the county roads
north of Crow Valley, stopping at areas where cows seem to congregate.
In the past, Snow Buntings seemed to be attracted to the piles left by
herds of cows. We found 14 such locations, however did not see any
Snow Buntings. Two Lapland Longspurs were with 600+ Horned Lark that
stood on the ice of a small pond just north of CR 77 and CR 116.
We hiked one mile west to an abandoned barn along the two-track road
that is along CR 37, 1 mile south of CR 122. Snow Buntings have been
recorded here twice in the past 5 years; however none were found today.
This area is part of the Central Plains Experimental Research Center
and one needs to obtain permission to enter at the USDA Office
(about 1 mile south of above gravel track).
We also hiked to the first windmill southeast of highway 85 & CR 114.
Five or six Lapland Longspurs were mixed in with many Horned Larks.
Three Rough-legged Hawks, one Golden Eagle, one Ferruginous Hawk,
two Prairie Falcons, and four American Kestrels were observed
during the 30-mile drive through Pawnee National Grasslands.
Our next stop was Grandview Cemetery in Fort Collins (Larimer County).
I dropped Bryan off at the golf course at Grandview Avenue and
Mountain Avenue. I walked around the cemetery and did not find any
White-winged Crossbills, however did see one Red Crossbill.
Bryan called on our two-way radios to say he had found three
White-winged Crossbills in the fir trees at the eastern end of
the first alley south of LaPorte Avenue. The alley runs west
to east from Grandview Avenue to Frey Avenue. I rushed over
to see the three female/immature birds among several hundred
Pine Siskins and several House Finches.
We checked out McKay Lake (Adams) on the trip back to Denver.
The water in the southeast corner of the lake where I observed
the Trumpeter Swans last week was now frozen. The 3 adult and
2 immature Trumpeter Swans were in a new area of open water in
the northwest corner of the lake. The birds are best observed
from North Zuni Street just south of 144th avenue.
Bryan pointed out an adult Thayer's Gull on the ice near the swans.
Our birding day ended at the South Platte River at 88th avenue &
Colorado Blvd (Adams County). Gary Weston had lead the CoBus trip
to the Platte earlier in the day. Separately, we found the male
Greater Scaup and male Barrow's Goldeneye on the Platte River near
the green and white water tower. We also found a second male and
female Barrow's Goldeneye just south of the water tower.
A third adult male Barrow's Goldeneye was swimming around the
northern most West Gravel Lake.
An adult American Bald Eagle stood on one of the tall metal
telephone structures eating what appeared to be a Northern Shoveler.
One immature Red-tailed Hawk also flew along the river.
Colorado's Eastern Plains 1/16-1/17
Bryan Ehlmann and I just returned from two days on the Eastern Plains.
Winds were strong at times; temperatures reached the high 30s.
Wednesday 16
The Common Redpolls reported at Crow Valley Campground and the Work Center
north of the campground (Weld County) did not make an appearance during
our search. The campground was pretty quiet during our hunt.
Pioneer Park and Overland Park in Sterling (Logan) were also quiet.
We hiked around Sterling Reservoir hoping for a Snow Bunting or
Bohemian Waxwing sighting. Nothing uncommon was added to our trip list.
We managed to see a Short-eared Owl south of Little Jumbo Reservoir
(Logan) after sunset. The owl flew along the line of trees between
Little Jumbo and Red Lion Wildlife Area.
Thursday 17
We arrived at a private ranch in Sedgwick County after dark. Our friend
had spotted a White-winged Crossbill in his windbreak early Wednesday.
He first spotted the crossbill Tuesday afternoon. The bird came back to
the trees several times during our hike around this morning.
We hiked along Lodgepole Creek in Ovid Woods (Sedgwick County).
A male Red-bellied Woodpecker stood on a telephone at the eastern
end of the ball field next to the northern woods. No uncommon birds
were found in the woods or feeders around town. It has been quite
a few trips now since I have found a Northern Cardinal in Ovid.
Sedgwick Cemetery had Song, American Tree, and White-crowned Sparrows.
No uncommon birds were around.
At Prewitt Reservoir (Washington County), we found two Spotted Towhees
along the southeastern edge. One White-throated Sparrow (immature)
was below the dam in the Russian Olive Trees along the outlet canal.
A Sharp-shinned Hawk also flew through during our visit.
We hiked around unsuccessfully searching for Snow Buntings again.
No uncommon geese were at Riverside Park in Fort Morgan (Morgan County).
Our last stop was Jackson Reservoir (Morgan County). Again we
did not find any Snow Buntings. A male Merlin was in the trees
along the south side of the lake. Several Long-eared Owls are
still in the trees surrounding the western campgrounds.
No Snow Buntings could be found as we circled the reservoir.
Northern Foothills 1/15
Gary Weston, DiAnne Weston, and I traveled to the northern foothills Tuesday.
First light found us in Estes Park (Larimer County) at the 18th hole of the
golf course along Fish Creek Road. Winds were calm; temperature at a
local bank sign was 15 degrees. The Northern Pygmy-Owl was standing
in a willow east of the 18th green at 8:00am. The owl was 5 feet off the
ground. I took two photos from 25-28 yards in poor light.
They have been added to the CoBus photo library:
Thanks much to Scott Rashid for the continuing updates on the tiny little bird!
We drove south on highway 7 to Allenspark and the Fawnbrook Inn (Boulder County).
Birding was slow. A Steller's Jay, Black-billed Magpie, 6 Mountain Chickadees,
and 300 Pine Siskins were the only birds to visit the Inn's feeders during
our 1-hour stay. Skies were cloudy and winds strong at 9:30am.
As we dropped out of the mountains, an adult American Bald Eagle was standing
on a favorite perch along highway 7 at the south end of Lyons (Boulder County).
I took several photos that have been added to the photo library.
A drive up Old St. Vrain Road produced sightings of one Western Scrub Jay
and two Lewis's Woodpeckers! Many Dark-eyed Juncos flew along the road.
We did not locate the Yellow-bellied Sapsucker of Bohn Park in Lyons during
a brief 30-minute search. One Hairy Woodpecker was in the area.
Our next drive was in North Boulder along Lee Hill Drive. We checked
Ann U. White Trail, Lee Hill Drive, and Wagonwheel Gap, however did not
locate the Northern Pygmy-Owl that has been reported there several times
in the past few weeks. Many American Crows were along Lee Hill Drive.
We stopped again at Walden Ponds (the parking area along 75th avenue and
Boulder Creek). The previously reported Winter Wren did not make an
appearance in our 30-minute search. One Great Blue Heron stood in the
cottonwoods on the north side of the creek. A female Yellow-rumped Warbler
added a little color to the drab brown landscape.
We searched for the Varied Thrush (reported several weeks ago now) at
the CU Campus property southwest of Rick's Tennis Camp in Boulder.
The Trumpeter Swan is still on the small pond several blocks northwest
of here in the Tantra Condominium Complex.
The partial albino Red-tailed Hawk is still in the area east of
Westminster Park (Jefferson County). The hawk was just east
of Margaret's Pond (east of Sheridan at Legacy Ridge).
See photo in CoBus Photo Library.
No White-winged or Red Crossbills were observed at Crown Hill Cemetery
(Jefferson County) during a 45-minute stop.
Our final stop of the day was Ft. Logan Cemetery (Arapahoe County).
The female Greater Scaup persists with at least one female Lesser Scaup
(see photo library). Many Canada Geese stood on the 75% frozen lake.
South Platte River 1/13
I needed to get out of the house Sunday afternoon and drove over to
the South Platte River at 88th avenue and Colorado Blvd (Adams County).
An adult male Merlin stood on telephone wires near the intersection of
Interstate 70 & Interstate 225. It seemed like a strange location
for the bird and is my first Arapahoe County Merlin!
I quick hike along the river produced the following sightings:
----Northern most West Gravel Lakes
Greater Scaup (2 males)
Barrow's Goldeneye (male)
----S. Platte River
Barrow's Goldeneye (adult female at green & white water tower)
Barrow's Goldeneye (adult male 100 yards south of g&w water tower)
Barrow's Goldeneye (1st year male at g&w water tower)
----Northern most East Gravel Lakes
Barrow's Goldeneye (adult male)
Common Merganser (many)
Red-breasted Merganser (2)
An adult Western Red-tailed Hawk keeping a sharp eye on the ducks
in the river stood on a telephone pole at the water tower.
Driving my favorite owl loop north of DIA runways did not produce
a Short-eared Owl sighting. Three Rough-legged Hawks were observed
during the drive. Temperatures were in the high 30s; winds were strong.
Note (added the next day):
I took photos of an interesting gull. Upon review of the photos,
the bird was a 1st winter Thayer's Gull that was on the ice of the
northern East Gravel Lakes. One of the advantages of carrying a camera!
Pueblo West and Gunnison 1/12
Doug MacNeil from New Jersey and I traveled to Pueblo county Saturday.
While we did not see any rare birds, we enjoyed a good day of birding
as the temperatures rose into the 50s and winds were mild.
Our target bird was Scaled Quail and while I thought it would take
15 minutes to find one, our leisurely search took three hours.
We drove and hiked along the Swallows Road (east of Pueblo West).
Dozens of Mountain Bluebirds were fluttering about the evergreen
trees while a Sharp-shinned Hawk watched from a telephone wire.
Four Curve-billed Thrashers stood in the cactuses in various yards.
A Cooper's Hawk stood on a telephone pole where the Swallows road
turns west from its southward direction.
As expected, when we finally located a Scaled Quail, we found 60+ birds.
No wonder we could not find them, they were all in one yard.
A beautiful Ferruginous Hawk stood on top of a swamp cooler watching
the Quail scamper about the woodpiles at Covered Wagon Drive and Hawk Drive.
Many American Robins were flying about the neighborhood.
Birds usually found but missed when I drive Swallows Road were
Sage Thrashers and Northern Shrike. One Great Blue Heron "hid"
under a Juniper bush near the Swallows Cemetery (near the heron rookery).
We noticed two Red-tailed Hawks standing on the nests at the rookery,
maybe waiting for the Blue Heron to return?
Another surprise sighting in Pueblo West was the four Camels!
We next decided to drive to Gunnison at search for the Gunnison Sage-Grouse.
Though I gave the odds at 3/100 for success. The drive along the
Arkansas River was beautiful with the many rock formations dusted with snow.
Two Golden Eagles were observed flying overhead and not far from highway 50.
Doug remarked that Harlequin Ducks like rushing water, so I kept my eyes out.
Once near Gunnison, we checked the Waunita Springs lek and 6.0 miles north;
without success. We also explored CR 38 for 9 miles south of the
Gunnison airport. No Gunnison Sage-Grouse were found, however we
enjoyed the drive through the sage covered hills of the valley.
Several Common Ravens and many American Crows were found.
Three Rough-legged Hawks stood on fence posts along highway 50.
McKay Lake 1/11
Donna Fortney and I made a brief visit to McKay Lake in Adams County.
Temperatures were in the high 40s; winds were calm.
Two adult and three immature Trumpeter Swans were feeding and swimming
around the small open water area along the eastern edge of the lake.
A male Northern Harrier hunted overhead during our visit.
At Cherry Creek Reservoir, five Red-tailed Hawks and four Bald Eagles
were hunting in the state park. Few other birds made an appearance.
Continuing on the Eastern Plains 1/9-1/10
Wednesday 1/9
Excerpt from Steve Spencer email:
Bryan Ehlmann, Mike Williams, Richard Stevens and I did the first
annual unofficial Baca County Christmas count on Wednesday.
The count centers just east of the Carrizo Creek Picnic Area and
unfortunately does not reach over to Picture Canyon.
The highlights were found mostly in Cottonwood Canyon and included
2 Rufous-crowned Sparrows, 1 Western Screech-Owl, 1 Short-eared Owl,
1 Steller's Jay!, 2 Say's Phoebes, a male and female Ladder-backed
Woodpecker, and one Greater Roadrunner.
In a nearby private canyon within the count area, we saw a young
male Vermilion Flycatcher. With one in Pueblo County, we wondered
how many are in Colorado in the winter season? Bryan and Richard
had stopped at Higbee Cemetery in Otero County on the trip down.
No flycatchers were seen there.
We stopped at Picture Canyon on our way back to Denver and saw
2 Greater Roadrunners, 9 Scaled Quail, a Northern Mockingbird
North Canyon), 1 Golden Eagle and a Rufous-crowned Sparrow.
Thursday 1/10
Bryan and I continued bird counts on a private ranch in Baca County.
During the night we had searched unsuccessfully for owls.
On the return to Denver, we stopped in Colorado City. The Carolina Wren
found previously near Greenhorn Meadows Park was not found in a 2 hour search.
We stopped at the confluence of Fountain Creek and the Arkansas River.
The previously reported White-winged Dove was missed again. We did
observe over 60 Eurasian Collared-Doves along Frontier Street in Blende.
No uncommon birds were found in a brief one hour search of Pueblo Reservoir.
My birding day ended with a 4 mile hike up the South Platte River at
88th Avenue & Colorado Blvd (Adams County).
Three adult male and one adult female Barrow's Goldeneyes were observed in
the deep pool formed by the new dam near the green & white water tower.
All birds were within 40 yards of the water tower. A 1st year male
Barrow's Goldeneye was also found in the vicinity.
Eastern Plains 1/7-1/8
Monday 1/7
Bryan Ehlmann and I left Denver at 5:00am Monday on a trek
around the Eastern Plains. It was a beautiful winter day
with no wind and temperatures that reached the middle 50s.
At first light we searched for Short-eared Owls for an hour at
Lower Latham Reservoir (Weld County). Driving the county roads
between CR 48-42 and CR 43-45 before daylight was unsuccessful also.
Our trek took us next to Jackson Reservoir (Morgan).
Few birds moved about; two Long-eared Owls were observed.
Eight Bald Eagles were standing on the distant ice.
Last Chance Rest Stop (Washington) was quiet. We drove briefly
around CR 201 south of Limon (Kit Carson), west of highway 71 to
see if the Snowy Owl would bless us with an appearance. We did not
find the bird, which has not been reported in several weeks now.
Twenty Eurasian Collared-Doves were observed in Rocky Ford (Otero)
at their usual haunt. We hiked the streets of Las Animas (Bent)
to see if any additional White-winged Crossbills were visiting.
Tuesday, January 8
After spending the night in Lamar (Prowers), we quickly checked the
woods behind the college. Few birds were seen. We then headed back
to John Martin Reservoir (Bent). The adult Great Black-backed Gull
and a 1st basic Thayer's Gull were found. A White-throated Sparrow
and 2 Swamp Sparrows were found while hiking the western end of
John Martin Reservoir (Fort Lyons Wildlife Area).
Our plan for the rest of the day was to stop at Mike Higbee (Prowers)
and Hammit WLA (Prowers) and then head to Garden City, Kansas.
No uncommon birds were found at Higbee; we skipped Hammit
which may no longer exist or have public access?
Several birds piqued our interest in Garden City.
A Yellow-bellied Sapsucker, several Eurasian Collared-Doves,
and a possible Common Ground Dove were observed.
We found ourselves with several hours of daylight and headed for
Elkhart, Kansas. Two Eurasian Collared-Doves were found while
driving around town. The cemetery held no uncommon birds today.
Northern Colorado 1/5
Bryan Ehlmann & I traveled to Larimer County Saturday.
At first light we briefly searched Wellington Wildlife Area for
Short-eared Owls. None were found. One Great Horned Owl
and one Northern Harrier flew about before sunrise.
At 7:25am, fourteen White-winged Crossbills were drinking water
and taking baths in the creek that flows out of the northwest corner
of Grandview Cemetery. The creek flows under La Porte Avenue just
east of N. Taft Hill Road. The birds flew from here to the house
just east of the Texaco Station (north of La Porte Avenue).
They eventually circled back east and south to the cemetery.
Other birds observed while hiking the cemetery for 1.5 hours;
8 Red-breasted Nuthatches, 1 Brown Creeper, Pine Siskins,
2 Cassin's Finches, many House Finches, 1 Townsend's Solitaire,
many American Crows, and American Robins.
We stayed around hoping for a Yellow-bellied Sapsucker sighting;
none were found.
Next we checked Woods Lake, Hertha Reservoir, Lake Loveland,
Thomas Reservoir, and Union Reservoir without recording any uncommon birds.
We decided to hike 1 mile north and south of the Eagle Watch Bunker
located on the east side of Rocky Mountain Arsenal (Adams County).
Like Friday, we did not find the Bullock's Oriole reported on 1/1.
A beautiful Ferruginous Hawk stood on a telephone pole along Buckley Avenue.
I put photos of the bird on the CoBus photo library. A Red-tailed Hawk was
cooperative also. Many Western Meadowlarks sang in the afternoon sun.
We ended our day along the roads north of Denver International Airport's runways.
No Short-eared Owls or other birds of interest could be found.
Plains North & East of DIA 1/4
Bryan Ehlmann and I searched two hours for the 1st year Bullock's Oriole
reported on 1/1 along the east side of Rocky Mountain Arsenal.
We hiked 1 mile north and 1 mile south of the Eagle Watch Bunker located
along Buckley Road (north of 56th avenue). We did not locate the bird.
In fact we observed only one Black-billed Magpie during the whole adventure.
Weather was bad. It was snowing and temperatures were in the low 30s.
We next drove my favorite owl loop north of Denver International Airport's
runways. I had found a Short-eared Owl during a snowstorm last year.
No owls were found today; we headed for home in the increasing snowfall.
Birding Metro Denver 1/3
I birded my first day of 2002 in Colorado Thursday.
Temperatures were in the middle 50s; winds were mild.
At first light, I observed one female winter Long-tailed Duck,
2 male & 1 female Greater Scaup, and a male Barrow's Goldeneye
on Marsten Reservoir (Denver County). An adult bald Eagle flew
over during my stay. The reservoir is 90 percent ice and observing
the birds was easier than previous trips. A scope is handy however.
At Fort Logan Cemetery (Arapahoe County), the female Greater Scaup persists
with a male and female Lesser Scaup. Again the pond is 80 percent frozen.
I stopped at the South Platte River at Bowles Avenue & Santa Fe.
The hybrid Common Goldeneye X Hooded Merganser was just south
of the Bowles Bridge over the Platte. Photos in Photo Library!
Two immature Black-crowned Night-Herons were also here along
with a female Belted Kingfisher and Pied-billed Grebe.
My final stop was a four-mile hike along the South Platte River at
88th avenue & Colorado Blvd (Adams County). The first bird
observed was an adult winter Long-tailed Duck. She was on the
river and just east of the parking area. As I was taking a photo
from the bike path, a dog walker with three dogs scared the bird.
She flew to the northern most West Gravel Lakes.
When I returned to the area 2.5 hours later, the Long-tailed Duck
was again on the South Platte. Again a dog walker came by and the
bird immediately returned to the northern most West Gravel Lakes.
When I walked up the hill to view the West Gravel Lakes, I also found
a male and female Barrow's Goldeneye! They were among one hundred eighty
Common Goldeneyes and seventy-two Buffleheads. The lake is 90 percent
frozen and the birds were crowded together. I put a witness shot of
the Long-tailed Duck on the recent witness photos page.
Over 9000 Northern Shovelers were counted during my hike.
A second male Barrow's Goldeneye was in the 1 percent open water
area of the southern most East Gravel Lakes (just south of water tower)!
One Northern Shrike and one American Kestrel were also found.
I put photo of the cooperative Kestrel in the photo library.
Construction is happening near the white & green water tower and
the distribution of the birds is different than previous visits
this season. Two hundred forty-eight Ring-billed Gulls and one
adult Herring Gull were feeding at the Platte and water tower.
Two adult Bald Eagles flew over during my stay.
In addition there were 2 Song Sparrows and 18 American Tree Sparrows.
More Bird Trips
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