Rich Stevens' Bird Trips

March 2001

Birding Metro Denver 3/31

I birded around the metro Denver area today; the highlights follow.
After overnight snow, the temperatures reached the middle 50s and
the snow melted. Winds were calm most of the day!

At Littleton Historic Park/Ketring Park (Arapahoe County):
Two male Greater Scaups were among dozens of Lesser Scaups.
The GRSC stayed somewhat apart from the LESC.
The male and female Barrow's Goldeneyes were still present also.

At Fort Logan National Cemetery (Denver County):
Two male Greater Scaups joined four female Greater Scaups.

At Belmar Historic Park (Jefferson):
I did not find any unusual birds (nor the Ross's Goose).

At Wheat Ridge Greenbelt (Jefferson):
The Eastern Screech-Owls did not show today. The Harris's Sparrow did not appear
during a one-hour wait at the western end of the parking area off Kipling Avenue.

Birding Eastern Plains 3/28-3/30

Wednesday (3/28) I continued the owl-monitoring program in Baca County.
Two Western Screech-Owls were heard at the camping area at Cottonwood Canyon.
Highlights during the day included two Eastern Phoebes, three Say's Phoebes and
9 Wild Turkeys. Three Rufous-crowned Sparrows were found in their usual location
1.4 miles east-northeast of the camping area.

Thursday (3/29) I searched the Upland Bird Improvement Area (Baca County).
No Cassin's Sparrows or Prairie-Chickens were found. At Picture Canyon,
I located 2 Rufous-crowned Sparrows, one Northern Mockingbird, and one
Greater Roadrunner. Seven male Lesser Prairie-Chickens came to the Campo Lek.

Scaled Quail were along CR J on the trip to the lek. Half a dozen Lark Buntings
and at least two Vesper Sparrows were also found. Two Ferruginous Hawks stood on
telephone poles along Baca CR J. I still have not observed a Swainson's Hawk in 2001!.

Friday (3/30) I headed back to Denver after learning of the threat of snow.
No Inca or Eurasian Collared-Doves were found during an hour stop in Rocky Ford.

At the South Platte River and 88th avenue (Adams), one male and two female
Barrow's Goldeneyes were 100 yards north of the green and white water tower and
in the East Gravel Lake. One female Long-tailed Duck was at the northern end of
East Gravel Lakes (along the shoreline bordered by Dahlia).

I could not locate any Great-tailed Grackle along 136th avenue and Buckley road.
The day ended as I drove my owl loop north of DIA. Two Burrowing Owls were at
the Prairie Dog village 3.4 miles east of Tower Road and 96th avenue.

One Rough-legged Hawk stood on a telephone pole near the Prairie Dog Village
0.5 miles south of Picadilly Road and 128th avenue.

Birding North of Denver International Airport 3/27

Rebecca Kosten and I searched for Burrowing Owls north of DIA today.
Temperatures were in the middle 50s; winds were quite strong.
We drove my favorite owl loop which passes by three large Prairie Dog Villages.

We found no Burrowing Owls on the trip today. They should be arriving any day.
There were two Rough-legged Hawks!! over the Prairie Dog Village 3.4 miles east
of Tower Road and 96th Avenue. At least eight Northern Harriers were also around.

North of Barr Lake at 136th Avenue and Interstate 76, we observed
our first Loggerhead Shrike of the year. I dropped Rebecca off and
headed to Southeastern Colorado for the next three days.

Northeastern Plains 3/25

Paul Langendorfer and I went out for what we thought would be a little birding
on a dreary afternoon. We ran into several pockets of heavy snow east and south
of Greeley. The snow was heavier near the South Platte River at Colorado Blvd.

At Jackson Reservoir (Morgan County), we observed five Long-eared Owls in
the western side campgrounds. A pair of Mountain Chickadees fluttered about
in Pelican Campground. There were at least four Bald Eagles. We both observed
our first American Pelican of the year. The bird appeared to be quite alone.

At Jim Hamm Park (Boulder County), we arrived pretty late. We did not find
the Mew Gull in the fog, snow, and dwindling light. Across the road at
Union Reservoir (Weld County), the winds and waves were high.
The only birds observed were many Mallards and Canada Geese.

Birding Metro Denver 3/22

I checked several locations around Denver today.
The weather in the morning was partly cloudy, warm, and winds were calm.

At Fort Logan Cemetery, the female Greater Scaup (with bent bill) is still at
Memorial Lake. There was one male Greater Scaup with two additional females.

At Belmar Historical Park (Jefferson County), the Ross's Goose was on the island
in the bigger lake. After Ken Chavez reported the bird to CoBus on 3/19,
several birders searched unsuccessfully for it on 3/20.
Since I was passing the area, I stopped and got lucky.

At the South Platte River at Colorado Blvd and 88th avenue, I hiked to
highway 224 and back (approximately 4 miles). At 4:00PM it was raining.

The male and female Barrow's Goldeneyes were in the river below the green and
white water tower. Many Lesser Scaups swam in the river; they had been missing
on previous trips in the past three weeks.

I scoped the East Gravel Lakes for about 1.5 hours as the sun peaked out from
the clouds at 5:00PM. There were two additional male Barrow's Goldeneyes on
the northern East Gravel Lake. One adult female Long-tailed Duck swam in the
middle of the northern lake. No mergansers were observed today
(all three species were common the past three weeks).

Half a dozen Ruddy Ducks have been around for two weeks now. There were more
Common Goldeneyes than previous trips, many Northern Shovelers, and a dozen
Northern Pintails. Hundreds of American Robins searched for food along the trail.
Winds were strong at 4:00PM and the high waves made an exact count difficult.

Birding Around Denver 3/18

Paul Langendorfer and I birded several locations around Denver today.
The temperatures started in the low 50s, however they dropped into the 30s.
It was snowing heavily by 3:00 PM.

We stopped briefly at Wheat Ridge Greenbelt and watched two Eastern Screech-Owls
in their favorite tree about 100 yards west of the Kipling Avenue parking area.
The Harris's Sparrow that "hangs around" the northwest corner did not appear.

We then drove to Golden Gate State Park north of Golden in search of
the Northern Pygmy-Owls. They were not found in an hour exploration.
The snow started coming down quite rapidly during our stay.

We traveled to Red Rocks Park to search for the Northern Pygmy-Owl recently
reported south of the park. Again we experienced no success in the falling snow.

Back at Wheat Ridge Greenbelt, we sat at the northwest corner of the parking
area off Kipling Avenue for an hour. The Harris's Sparrow did not show itself.

Our day ended at Cherry Creek Reservoir. Most of the gulls were standing on
the telephone poles around the southwest marina. Five Herring Gulls and
three California Gulls joined 150 Ring-billed Gulls. Not much else was
moving around at the cold and windy reservoir.

A Stop At Wheat Ridge Greenbelt 3/16

While doing chores around town, I found myself near Wheat Ridge Greenbelt.
At 12:00 PM, two Eastern Screech-Owls were at the first cottonwood tree
along the bike path that goes west from the Kipling Parking Area.
(This dead tree is just west of three fir trees on the south side of the path).

I remained at the northwest end of the parking area for an hour. The
immature Harris's Sparrow did not appear during my stay. For half of
the time, a Red-tailed Hawk stood in a tree over my head. Bird activity
was greatly decreased when the bird appeared.

Birding Metro Denver 3/15

I birded several places around Denver in the afternoon.
The day was cold, windy, and snowy (at 4:30PM).

At Fort Logan Cemetery, the female Greater Scaup continues to swim around
Memorial Lake. Two male Greater Scaups (first found by Tina Jones on 3/13)
and a 2nd female joined her. Few other birds were in the cemetery's two lakes.

At Ketring Park (Littleton Historic Park, Arapahoe County) the male and female
Barrow's Goldeneye are still present. I did not locate the Greater Scaup reported
earlier in the week by Andrew Spencer. There were many Lesser Scaups to sift through.

While hiking the South Platte from 88th avenue and Colorado Blvd to highway 224
several interesting birds were found. The male and female Barrow's Goldeneye
continue in the river below the white and green water tower.

At East Gravel Lakes (northern lake) two additional males and another female
Barrow's Goldeneyes were toward the middle. The lake also held several
Common Mergansers, four Hooded Mergansers, and a male Red-breasted Merganser.

I scoped the lake for about an hour looking for the Long-tailed Duck that has
been there since 12/23. She was swimming conspicuously around the northern
shoreline (unfortunately, I started at the southern end of the lake).

Southeastern Colorado 3/13-3/14

March 13
I returned to Las Animas and Baca Counties to continue the Owl Monitoring Project
that Bryan Ehlmann and I are conducting. The BBS routes contain mostly private
land and the exact locations of owls found is being protected.

While camping at Cottonwood Canyon, I heard two Western Screech-Owls north of
the camping area along Carrizo Creek. A Great Horned Owl called in the distance.
March 14
At first light, I hiked from down CR J/5 to 1.4 miles east-southeast. Just before
reaching the cattle guard, two Rufous-crowned Sparrows fluttered about the rocks
on the north side of the road. The canyon contained several Canyon Towhees and
Bewick's Wrens. Up the draw to the south, a male Ladder-backed Woodpecker
was behind the broken down cabin. A Canyon Wren called off in the distant rocks.

Continuing on to Picture Canyon, I hiked the 1.5 miles to New Mexico.
Two additional Rufous-crowned Sparrows were observed on the rocks to
the east of the hiking trail (found while hiking to the Indian Pictographs).

Four Scaled Quail were on the rocks to the west of the road back to CR 18.

At the Upland Game Bird Improvement Area (Baca CR 24 and D), I hiked 3.0 miles
to the windmill to the east. Few birds were observed during this hike.
One of these trips I am going to locate a Prairie-Chicken or Grouse in this area?
Rumor has it, that years ago Sharp-tailed Grouse were introduced here.
The habitat appears good for a Short-eared Owl sighting also.

On the trip to the Campo Lesser Prairie-Chicken Lek, I stopped at my favorite
intersection. There is an undeveloped area just south of CR 36 and CR J.
A male and female Lark Bunting were searching for food in the area. In past
years, I have observed Scaled Quail and Curve-billed Thrashers here also.

Before sunset, I hiked south from the lek parking area to the Bird Management Area
(approximately 1.5 miles). Three Vesper Sparrows flew up to the barb wire fences.

I ended the day at the Campo Lesser Prairie-Chicken Lek. Two males came to
the lek and "performed" their ritual. No females were attracted to the dances.

Prior obligations forced my all night drive back to Denver.

Back to Cherry Creek Reservoir 3/12

I met several other cobirders at CCK this morning. Weather was much better
than Saturday with temperatures in the middle 40's and clear skies.

We could not locate the 1st basic Thayer's Gull observed Saturday.
The adult Thayer's Gull stood on the swim beach for about an hour.

After studying the possible 2nd basic Glaucous-winged Gull for several hours,
(now two hours last Friday, 2.5 hours Saturday and two hours today)
(several observers have seen the bird standing and flying overhead)
the consensus was that the bird might be a hybrid Herring X Glaucous-winged Gull?

Nine American Bald Eagles were in the southeast corner of the reservoir.

Cherry Creek Reservoir 3/10

Paul Langendorfer and I checked out CCK Reservoir. Temperatures were
in the middle 30's; visibility was 20 yards; snow fell all day.

In a 2.5-hour search we observed few birds through the fog. The 1st basic
and an adult Thayer's Gull visited the swim beach for approximately 10 minutes.
An hour later, we relocated the 1st basic bird on the logs at the southwest marina.

The 150 gulls at the swim beach, included three adult California Gulls and
a 3rd basic Herring Gull. A White-breasted Nuthatch fluttered above us
in the cottonwood we used for shelter from the snow while watching the gulls.

The 2nd basic Glaucous-winged Gull reported yesterday, was not to be found.

Douglas/Jefferson Counties 3/8

The day engendered sunny skies, temperatures in the 50's, and calm winds.

After reading of Andrew Spencer's sighting of the Glaucous-winged Gull at
Chatfield Reservoir, I called Donna Fortney and we headed southwest.

The Glaucous-winged Gull was off the sand spit at the southeast marina as
we pulled up to the parking area. The bird then flew to the ice, 300 yards
west of the marina. I managed to videotape the bird from approximately 50 yards.

A male Hooded Merganser was joined by many Common Goldeneyes in the few open
water areas in the frozen reservoir. One adult Bald Eagle was to the northeast.

We then traveled to Salida, CO cemetery. Three Bohemian Waxwings were feeding
on the berries on the Juniper Trees (along the western edge of the cemetery).

Eleven male and two female Mountain Bluebirds were along Castlewood Canyon Road.
They were south of the Winkler Ranch (located 2 miles south of the state park).

We searched unsuccessfully for the Lewis's Woodpeckers found in past years.
Several Western Scrub-Jays were the only other birds spotted.

Eastern Plains 3/6-3/7

Bryan Ehlmann and I are conducting a four-day CoBus birding tour on the
Colorado Eastern Plains this week. What great weather the last two days
and maybe for a few more? Unfortunately I had to return to Denver today
because one of our six birders felt sick this morning. Highlights below:
March 6
March 7

Adams County 3/2

I birded the Barr Lake area and the South Platte River on a sunny, warm,
windless Friday. What a beautiful day it was to bird in Colorado.

I searched unsuccessfully for the Swamp Sparrow observed earlier in the year at
the canal east of Bromley Lane (152nd avenue) and Picadilly Road (Adams County).
Three pairs of Cinnamon Teal swam in the canal where it crosses under 152nd avenue.
One Marsh Wren and many Song Sparrows were also in the area.
A pair of Red-tailed Hawks are building a nest along the creek, north of the road.

While traveling between Barr Lake and Brighton I observed two Rough-legged Hawks,
three American Kestrels, and a Northern Harrier. A Prairie Falcon hunted over
the field along Sable Blvd approximately 2.0 miles south of Brighton.

Forty + Great-tailed Grackles were at a feedlot/pond just north and west of
Interstate 76. Take Buckley Exit 16 and follow ramp around to 136th avenue.
There is a small pond surrounded by small trees (water surface not visible)
0.5 miles west of Buckley and 136th. Look for green metal gate with
green cable box (#15511). The pond and trees were about 20 yards north of gate.
Many cows and grackles were around pond.

At the South Platte River and 88th avenue parking area, I hiked south to
highway 224 and returned along the east side of the river. Two male and
three female Barrow's Goldeneyes were in the river below the green and white
water tower. Continuing north, there were addition Barrow's Goldeneyes on
the open water at East Gravel Lakes-North. Two more males and a female
swam below the dam's pump tower. I did not locate the Long-tailed Ducks Friday.

There is more open water now and a scope would help to see East Gravel Lakes-South.
More Bird Trips

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