Rich Stevens' Bird Trips
March 2003
Grouse Loop Around Colorado 3/30-4/3
Thursday, we passed through Denver on our way from the Western Slope to
the Eastern Plains. Route plans changed to avoid this weekend's snowstorm.
Gulls were few at Cherry Creek Reservoir (Arapahoe County).
My first Burrowing Owls of the season were found on the DIA
Owl Loop (Adams/Denver Counties). Two birds were 3.4 miles east
of Tower Road and 96th Avenue. Three birds were along the Eastern
side of Rocky Mountain Arsenal (Buckley Road, north of 56th avenue).
Other birds seen this week:
April 3:
Kremmling (3 species of Rosy Finches)
Loveland Ski Area (Brown-capped & Gray-crowned Rosy Finches,
White-throated Sparrow, Pine Grosbeaks, Gray Jays)
April 2:
20-mile Hayden Leks (2 Sharp-tailed Grouse)
Timberlake Leks (8 Greater Sage-Grouse)
April 1:
Waunita Hot Springs Lek (5 Gunnison Sage-Grouse)
Private Ranch (3 Gunnison Sage-Grouse)
March 31:
Campo Lek (4 Lesser Prairie-Chickens)
Comanche National Grasslands (Mountain Plover)
Cottonwood Canyon (Wild Turkey, Rufous-crowned Sparrows)
Buena Vista Overlook (8+ Pinyon Jays)
March 30:
Private Ranch (9 Greater Prairie-Chickens)
Hale Ponds (Long-eared Owl)
Bonny Reservoir (Eastern Bluebirds, Red-bellied Woodpeckers)
Lamar Community College (Red-bellied Woodpecker)
Cherry Creek Reservoir 3/29
I was fortunate to stop by Cherry Creek Reservoir as I returned from
a week on the grouse tour around Colorado. A Glaucous-winged Gull
was on the edge of the southwest marina. On a personal note,
it was my 400th non-target Colorado lifebird. I had been stuck
on 399 for 4 years.
Grouse Loop Around Colorado 3/25-3/28
March 25
Private Ranch, Yuma County (Greater Prairie-Chickens)
Campo Lek (3+ Lesser Prairie-Chickens)
Cottonwood Canyon (Western Screech-Owl, Rufous-crowned Sparrows)
March 26
Comanche National Grasslands (Short-eared Owl, McCown's Longspur, Lark Bunting)
Temple Canyon State Park (Juniper Titmice, Bushtits)
March 27
Waunita Hot Springs Lek (Gunnison Sage-Grouse)
Black Canyon National Park (White-throated Swift, Blue Grouse)
March 28
Escalante WLA (Sage Sparrow, Chukar)
Loveland Ski Area (Brown-capped & Gray-crowned Rosy Finches,
Pine Grosbeak, and Gray Jays)
South Platte River 3/24
(Zeeto): Richard Stevens led CoBus trip to the South Platte River
upstream from 88th Avenue. No uncommon birds found. We did
see six American Tree Sparrows and a Loggerhead Shrike.
Long-tailed Ducks, Barrow's Goldeneyes, and Harris's Sparrow
appear to have moved on elsewhere.
Cherry Creek Reservoir 3/23
I drove through Cherry Creek State Park both at dawn and dusk today.
No uncommon birds were observed. A couple of Horned Grebes and
several dozen Eared Grebes were along the shorelines.
1600 Gulls on the swim beach at 5:00pm included 6-8 California Gulls
and the rest Ring-billed Gulls.
The storm appears to have destroyed one of the nests of the two
nesting Great Horned Owl pairs. I hope they find another location
and try again.
Canon City; Fremont County 3/22
I joined the DFO trip to Canon City on Saturday. The weather was superb.
It offered an opportunity to leave the 41 inches of snow at my house
and see dry land again after 4 days of snow shoveling.
Leader David Pantle took us around Canon City to see some nice birds.
A Rufous-crowned Sparrow was in its usually location at the west end of
Tunnel Drive. Several Canon Towhees, a Rock Wren, Canyon Wren were here also.
Several on the trip saw two birds of the Nighthawk species!!!
Eurasian Collared-Doves were at the northeast corner of North and
West Circle Drives. A Ringed-Turtle Dove and hybrids were around also.
The Arkansas Riverwalk was quiet, but we did see a Brown Creeper,
Western and Dark-morph Red-tailed Hawks, Belted Kingfishers, and
of course Song & White-crowned Sparrows.
At a private home we watched a pair of Curve-billed Thrashers and
half a dozen Scaled Quail.
Valco Ponds, Canon City added several Virginia Rails and
Marsh Wrens to our trip list.
We missed the Harris's Sparrows behind the Humane Society.
Boulder County 3/17
I just returned home from birding in the rain all day Monday.
The rain turned to snow about 10:30pm (an hour ago);
it is thick, wet, and covering the ground rapidly.
Perhaps we will get the predicted 1-3 feet of snow?
I searched for the Inca Dove reported yesterday at the Homestead Trail
(running North & West from the Mesa South Trail in Boulder County).
The bird was not found during either of my two 2-hour searches.
No bird trip is ever bad. I was greeted at the parking area by a
singing Spotted Towhee. North up the trail just before it flattens,
I ran into 22 Bushtits. They were my first for Boulder County and
had been missed on a dozen previous trips to various trails in the county.
I set up my scope in the pouring rain at Baseline Reservoir.
A 1st basic Glaucous Gull stood on one of the islands in the
southwest corner. A 1st year Thayer's Gull stood on another
island. A third interesting gull looked like an adult very
dark mantled California Gull. Several California Gulls next
to it were much lighter, but still darker than the surrounding
Ring-billed Gulls. A Bald Eagle flew over as I was leaving
and scared up the gulls. Most returned to the islands,
however the Glaucous Gull continued toward Valmont Reservoir.
Note: Added 3/18
I showed photos to Bryan Ehlmann & Gary Zeeto and they agree
that the dark mantled gull was an adult Lesser Black-backed Gull.
No Trumpeter Swans were found at Valmont Reservoir complex or
the Presbyterian Church Pond. No Trumpeter Swans were at the
Fairway Drive Pond in Lake Valley; however I did notice two
at Left Hand Reservoir (just west of Lake Valley).
A search of Boulder Valley Ranch Open Space and Walden Ponds
did not produce a sighting of Eastern Bluebirds. The
Rusty Blackbirds and Swamp Sparrows were not found either.
I stopped twice at the Longmont Sewage Plant, but missed the
Palm Warbler and White-winged Dove again. Many Song Sparrows
still fluttered about in the tall weeds.
One Ring-billed Gull was at Jim Hamm Park. Across the street
at Union Reservoir (Weld County) the only gulls observed were
Ring-billed and 2 California Gulls. Seven Bald Eagles stood along
the shoreline. A few dozen Common Mergansers swan in the distance.
A return to Doudy Draw and Mesa Trail South did not add
any birds to my trip list.
After dinner I tried listening for owls at Walden Ponds and
the Northwest corner of Baseline Reservoir. None were heard.
Downtown Denver 3/16
Before our Blizzard of 2003, Gary & DiAnne Weston and I shopped at
the REI near the confluence of the South Platte River and Cherry Creek
(Downtown Denver). We walked up Cherry Creek to look for a restaurant to
eat lunch. Two American Dippers were 100 yards upstream of the Confluence.
They were my first Denver County American Dippers (and probably still there).
Flagler & Bonny Reservoirs 3/15
I was fortunate to join the Boulder Bird Club trip to Flagler
and Bonny Reservoirs. The weather was superb with temperatures
reaching 73 degrees and winds mild most of the day.
Eurasian Collared Doves numbered 17+ in Flagler (Kit Carson County).
Most were observed at 4th street and Ouray with a few visiting the
grain elevator across from the City Park.
Flagler Reservoir (Kit Carson) was quiet today. Forty-three Redheads
joined Green-winged Teal and Mallards on the reservoir. Many Robins
and a female Downy Woodpecker were at the south end. Sparrows were sparse.
A few American Tree Sparrows were in the trees at the northeast corner.
A stop at Burger King in Burlington was worth it for the non-hungry birders.
A Great-tailed Grackle stood on a telephone pole at the parking area
(missed by those who went in to get food). Four additional birds flew
to the field behind (west) of the ALCO store across the street.
Burlington Cemetery was our next stop (Red Crossbills had been
reported there previously). Twenty-three Cedar Waxwings and
a beautiful Great Horned Owl were spotted.
Along Yuma CR 2 (entrance of Bonny Reservoir) an adult Harris's Sparrow
was sighted. The bird roamed the trees along CR 2 about 0.5 miles
east of Highway 385. A pair of Mountain Bluebirds was here also.
The road that runs along the south side of the reservoir was productive.
Todd spotted a pair of Red-bellied Woodpeckers. Others found a small
flock of Eastern Bluebirds. While I caught a glimpse of an adult
Red-headed Woodpecker.
Later we found a Loggerhead Shrike near the Wagon Wheel Picnic Pond
(which has now been dry for about 2 years).
Out of the reservoir proper hundreds of Snow Geese and probably a
few Ross's Geese swam. A male Cinnamon Teal, Lesser Scaup,
Gadwalls, Mallards and a few Ring-billed Gulls were also spotted.
Hale Ponds area was quiet (but we stayed only 15 minutes).
The hedgerows at Hale produced the sightings of two Long-eared Owls.
A Northern Shrike was along CR 4.
Many Rough-legged Hawks, a few Red-tailed Hawks, and a couple
of Ferruginous Hawks were observed on the drive from Denver.
Quite an enjoyable day, we jumped in our cars for the
2.5 hour drive back to Denver.
South Platte River & Barr Lake 3/14
My 5.0 mile hike along the South Platte River & Clear Creek
was uneventful. No Barrow's Goldeneyes, Long-tailed Ducks,
or Harris's Sparrows were observed today.
The weather was fantastic as temperatures reached into the 70s.
Winds were calm most of the day.
Two Horned Grebes on the East Dahlia Ponds were the only
interesting birds. The two Mute Swans remain on the pond
next to the Wildlife Office north of 88th avenue.
Barr Lake was quiet also. No uncommon sparrows could be found.
A Spotted Towhee was observed northeast of the banding station.
A couple of Great Horned Owls were along the Pioneer Trail.
Again, much of the area is quite dry.
Southeastern Colorado 3/12-3/13
Wednesday 3/12
I did not have much time to spend on this trip. I wanted see
how the Lesser Prairie-Chickens are doing at the Campo Lek.
The weather was fantastic. Rumors have it that records high
temperatures were set. Southeastern Colorado is extremely
dry; sadly, drier than several decades.
Only two birds visited the lek on Wednesday evening.
Birds were scarce. No sparrows were observed. No owls.
I managed to find three Lark Buntings near the farm house
at County Roads J amp; 36. No Sage Thrashers or
Cassin's Sparrows were around yet.
No Burrowing Owls were at their usual nesting locations yet.
An Eastern Screech-Owl was found North of CR 55 & V.
Thursday 3/13
Birchfield Wildlife Area has been hit hard by the drought.
No uncommon sparrows and few birds were around.
The Holly Rest Stop along Highway 50 was quiet. I did hear
a Northern Bobwhite to the South. No Burrowing Owls were
seen on the North side of highway 50 yet.
My first Swainson's Hawk of 2003 was observed along Hwy 50.
The bird was on a telephone pole about 0.5 West of Holly.
Mike Higbee Wildlife Area just East of Lamar was quiet.
The area is quite dry. White-crowned Sparrows were
the only species seen today. Surprisingly, no Longspurs
were observed during the whole 650 mile trip.
Lamar Community College was very quiet.
A few Blue Jays and House Finches were about all observed.
My birding day ended back at Aurora Reservoir.
Again few uncommon birds were found.
The 1st basic Thayer's Gull was again at mile marker 2.0.
One Canvasback and 9 Redheads were new since Monday.
Cherry Creek Reservoir 3/11
I made a quick stop at Cherry Creek Reservoir on my way out of
town to bird in southeastern Colorado for a day or two.
A male Cinnamon Teal was with a small group of Mallards at the
Prairie Loop Wetlands Pond. Two Great Blue Herons were here also.
Two pairs of Great Horned Owls are sitting on nests.
Neither picked an isolated area; let's hope they succeed.
American Tree Sparrows are becoming scarce. I could only find
three birds in the thickets north of the campgrounds.
The 12-mile Beaver Pond was quiet. Fifty Green-winged Teal
remain. I could only find a few Song Sparrows at the southern end.
Common Mergansers, Common Goldeneyes, Ring-billed, California, and
Herring Gulls make up most the birds on the reservoir proper.
Aurora Reservoir 3/10
I hiked the 8.8 miles around Aurora Reservoir (Arapahoe County).
Winds were mild to 20 mph by noon. Temperatures rose to 50 degrees.
There was not much uncommon around. I did see my first Say's Phoebe
of the year near mile marker 3.7 (southeast corner). A Bald Eagle
stood in the cottonwood tree below the dam.
A 1st basic Thayer's Gull was with 600 Ring-billed, 14 California,
and 9 Herring Gulls along shoreline at mile marker 2.0.
No Burrowing Owls were North of DIA or at Rocky Mountain Arsenal
yet and not expected. My early date is 3/19; March 30-31 are
my most common first dates.
Eastern Plains 3/9
Terry Michaels and I drove East to check on several Greater Prairie-Chicken leks.
We were fortunate to find 5 booming birds on a private ranch in Yuma County.
In Wray we stopped at a friend's home and watched a male and female
Northern Cardinal come to her feeders.
A hike around Sandsage Wildlife area did not find any uncommon sparrows.
We did see dozens of Song Sparrows and White-crowned Sparrows and
hundreds of American Tree Sparrows. A lone Great Horned Owl stood in
one of the taller cottonwoods. No Eastern Screech-Owls were around today.
Raptors observed were 14 Rough-legged, 2 Ferruginous, 9 Red-tailed Hawks,
3 Northern Harriers, 18 American Kestrels, and 1 Prairie Falcon.
Search for Owls & Three-toed Woodpeckers 3/8
Steve Spencer, Mike Williams, Terry Michaels and I ventured into
the foothills in search of Three-toed Woodpeckers and Owls.
A female Three-toed Woodpecker was foraging on the hill along the
south side of Pine Lake. We found a male Three-toed Woodpecker
on the hill to the east of Buck Gulch Trail and approximately
50 yards south of Pine Lake. This is the same hill where the
female was observed (possible nesting pair later in the year?).
At the western end of the Narrow Gauge Railroad Trail a Pygmy Owl
responded briefly to our tape. We never did see the bird.
We drove South to Guanella Pass Road, but it was not open to
the summit so we were turned around.
A drive around Pine Valley and Reynolds Park did not locate any owls.
Holt's book talks about Pygmy Owls on the telephone wires in this valley.
I have yet to see one in about 250 trips over the years. Maybe next time!
A search for Pygmy Owls in the forest around Deckers came up empty also.
A stop at Castlewood Canyon Park where previous Northern Saw-whet Owls
were reported also was not successful.
Boulder County 3/7
I decided to spend the day birding in Boulder County. What a great
winter day in Colorado. Temperatures reached 60 degrees and
winds were mild until the afternoon.
At first light I was just across the county line at Union Reservoir
(Weld County). I counted 118 Bald Eagles standing on the shoreline!
Amazing sight, this alone was worth the trip.
The Glaucous Gull reported Thursday did not make an
appearance during my two stays. I returned later in the
morning for a second look. No Glaucous Gull, but a first
year Thayer's Gull was now at the northwest corner.
One California Gull was with 16 Ring-billed Gulls across the
county line at Jim Hamm Park (Boulder County),
Longmont Water Treatment Plant (Boulder County) was my
next stop. During the day, I made three one-hour stops to
search for the previously reported White-winged Dove and
Pine Warbler. I did not find either. A lone Mourning Dove
was the only dove in the vicinity.
I do not know if I have ever observed so many Song Sparrows in
one place before. The weeds were full of them (close to 100).
Walden Ponds was my next stop where I hiked along Boulder Creek
from 75th avenue to the first pond. The previously reported
Rusty Blackbirds were not found. A Swamp Sparrow walked
along the northern shoreline (2/3 west and upstream from
the power lines over the creek to the waste treatment plant
pipe over the creek). Two Song Sparrows and a Common Snipe
were here also. Six Yellow-rumped Warblers also fluttered about.
No Trumpeter Swan was observed on Valmont Reservoir or at Presbyterian Pond.
At Boulder Valley Ranch Open Space, I hiked from the parking area
south and east to 1.5 miles. The Eastern Bluebirds reported
Thursday were not found. There were plenty of European Starlings
making plenty of racket.
I drove around northern Boulder County checking the various ponds.
Two Trumpeter Swans were on the pond at Fairway Drive and
Neva Road. The dark-morph Ferruginous Hawk is still in the
area and was observed about 1.5 miles east of here today.
Boulder Community Gardens was checked for last year's
Harris's and Field Sparrow. Neither was around.
After a late lunch, I drove up Flagstaff Road.
No Three-toed Woodpeckers were found at the Walker Ranch Burn Area.
No Bohemian Waxwings could be found around Gross Reservoir.
I did run into a flock of 14 Red Crossbills at 1.5 miles south of
Gross Reservoir (northern parking area).
No Pygmy-Owls were found in last year's locations at south side
of Gross Reservoir or White Ranch Open Space.
Birding Around Denver 3/6
At first light, I hiked the South Platte River from 88th & Colorado Blvd
to highway 224 and back. I have not observed any Barrow’s Goldeneyes
in several trips (since 2/14). They may have left the area early this year?
I made the side trip east to York along Clear Creek. The Harris’s Sparrow
was relocated 50 yards west of the second bench west of the Confluence
of the S. Platte & Clear Creek. The bird was again with 8 White-crowned
Sparrows and 2 American Tree Sparrows.
My first Yellow-rumped Warbler of 2003 for Adams County was
found along the South Platte just West of the pond at the Northeast
corner of Hwy 224 and the river.
On the return trip to 88th avenue, I found a second Harris’s Sparrow.
This bird was seen 14 minutes after the first sighting and along the
north side of the pond east of the Platte and north of Highway 224.
I first observed two birds on 1/2, but was not sure of two. I am
positive now. This second bird was first observed on the west side
of the pond just south of Hwy 224 and has moved north about 300 yards.
The waterfowl count was quite high today. In a one mile stretch of
the river (green/white water tower to 88th avenue) the count included
2000 Gadwalls, 3100 Northern Shovelers, 250 Northern Pintails, and
American Wigeons, Lesser Scaup, and Common Goldeneyes. It seemed
like there was no room for another duck on the river. Why they were
there and not on the surrounding lakes, who knows (food supply?).
When I arrived at the Dahlia Pond 0.3 miles south of Dahlia and
88th avenue, the two Long-tailed Ducks were 10 yards offshore.
The two Mute Swans were at the Dahlia Pond 0.8 miles east of Dahlia
and 88th avenue. I managed to find someone to talk about Mute Swans.
They flew in about a month ago; they were not brought in by anyone.
My next search was for the previously observed Red-bellied Woodpecker
along Sand Creek (0.5 miles west of Airport Road). I missed the bird
for the third trip in a row, but have not given up on it yet.
Another attempt is in the works.
Later in the day, I headed to Chatfield Reservoir.
The White-winged Scoter was in the northeast corner!
On the way, I stopped at Stern Park (Bemis, just south of Littleton Blvd).
I finally found the male Mandarin Duck that has been along the South Platte
River for about 3 years now. Not a countable bird, but I had missed him in
about 8 searches over the 3 years.
My birding day ended at Castlewood Canyon State Park (Douglas).
No Northern Saw-whet Owls were located this evening.
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