Rich Stevens' Bird Trips
November 2005
Denver West Office Complex 11/27
We went out into the high winds (30+ mph) for a short time this
afternoon. I do not know what the high temperature was, however
it was quite cold. A brief stop at the Denver West Office Complex
proved fruitful.
We circled building #7 and found few birds. When we arrived at
building #6, two Yellow-rumped Warblers flew in front of our car.
We found the Pine Warbler while searching the Pine Trees they
had entered. Later the small flock flew north across and road and
ended up in the trees south of building #19. Still later, they
returned to the north side of building #6.
Thanks to Loch Kilpatrick for the suggestion to look for a small
mixed flock of Yellow-rumped Warblers, an Orange-crowned Warbler,
and the Pine Warbler.
Return to the Mountains 11/26
Weather was not as nice today as yesterday.
Temperatures were 10 degrees colder; winds were
much faster. It snowed on us several times.
We started at Pine Valley Ranch Park (Jefferson County).
Luck was with us (not like yesterday’s exhausting search).
We found a male American Three-toed Woodpecker
(within 10 minutes of arrival) 15 yards south of Pine Lake
(at about 2/3 from its eastern end). The woodpecker worked
the same tree for about 30 minutes and offered us great views.
Afterwards we drove back to Guanella pass and searched an
hour for White-tailed Ptarmigan; without success. Time only
allowed a search around the lake below the parking area.
Sidd had to catch his flight home and he dropped me off
at Denver West. I searched around buildings 15, 7, 5, 4, 2, 1;
without success. I had not heard that Loch Kilpatrick had
found the warbler southwest of building 6 earlier in the day.
Mountain Birding 11/25
Siddharthan Ramachandramurthi and I have been birding in the
mountains the last two days.
Saturday we searched Silverthorne and Dillon for Rosy Finches,
Grosbeaks, and whatever. Most birds can be found if one
drives around for a few hours.
Two male and a female Barrow's Goldeneyes were at the Blue River
Water Treatment Plant (Summit County). It looked like Lake Dillon
was completely frozen over.
Then we hiked around Guanella Pass for 4 hours. I caught a brief
look at a White-tailed Ptarmigan that was being chased by a
Coyote. We never got good looks at a Ptarmigan. I believe I know
the location of 33 or more birds; however it is a difficult hike.
We were in snow up to our kneecaps and waist high willows.
Snowshoes would not have helped because of the 1/2 mile willow
field. Anyone wants directions, just ask. It should be easier
to find them after the snowfall gets higher than the willows.
The birds will have fewer places to hide.
The highlight was a Northern Shrike that Sidd found at 11,769 feet
elevation!
We stopped twice at Guanella Pass campground.
No Three-toed Woodpeckers could be found.
Circling southern metro Denver 11/24
We toured around Denver birding here and there. What a fantastic
day with calm winds and temperatures that reached into the 60s.
McLellan Reservoir (Arapahoe County) had a few American Coots,
Common Goldeneyes, and Gadwalls. No scoters were found today.
Our next stop was Aurora Rampart Reservoir (Douglas County).
The White-winged Scoter swan in the middle, preening itself
at times. Great looks! There were also a pair of Red-breasted
and Common Mergansers, and Common Goldeneyes.
From there we headed east toward Castlewood Canyon and stopped
at the Sedalia Cemetery. Two male Western Bluebirds perched
on wires. Several Townsend's Solitaires, Pine Siskins, and
5 Cedar Waxwings flew about. No Bohemian Waxwings today.
Castlewood Canyon Road added Mountain Bluebirds to our day list.
Several Western Scrub-Jays and a Loggerhead Shrike were also
along the road. In the state park, we saw 2 Spotted Towhees
and a Steller's Jay.
We did look at the pond at Parker Regional Park (Douglas).
While there were Common Goldeneyes, Gadwalls, and some
Mallards, we did not find the Greater Scaup reported last week.
There was no Greater White-fronted Goose at the 20 Road Pond.
Quincy Reservoir (Arapahoe) was quite slow with not much on the
water at all.
Our last stop of the day was Cherry Creek Reservoir (Arapahoe).
We did not relocate yesterday's Red-necked Grebe, but did find
the lone Common Loon and 1 Bonaparte's Gull.
A Great Horned Owl flew into the woods across from the Shop Creek
Parking area. No pelicans, 4 Double-crested Cormorants were around.
Cherry Creek Reservoir 11/23
I stopped by Cherry Creek Reservoir (Arapahoe).
Winds were so calm, the water is smooth and it
was easy to see the waterfowl.
A Common Loon swam about 10 yards off the bird platform at
the Cottonwood Creek Loop.
A Red-necked Grebe swam about 200 yards off the bird platform.
Unfortunately, a jet skier got on the water and decided to use
the birds as amusement. He chased the Red-necked Grebe around
and for awhile I thought the bird was going to get close enough
to me for a photo. However, the grebe flew into the southeast
corner of the reservoir (where no boats or jet skis are supposed
to go). I did get a great view of it flying.
There was at least one Bonaparte's Gull flying around the dam.
No jaegers, that I could see.
South Platte River at 88th Avenue 11/22
Bryan Ehlmann and I searched for yesterday's "Ammodramus" sparrow
for about 4 hours. We did not relocate the bird. In fact, we
found no sparrows at all from Colorado Blvd to 1.0 miles south.
No sparrows responded to our tapes. None flew about.
To be added later: our 2 all night owling in Metro Denver (11/22 & 11/23).
Birding Around Denver 11/21
I birded around metro Denver. What a fantastic day.
Temperatures reached 63 degrees; winds were calm.
At first light I observed an adult Lesser Black-backed Gull
with 700+ Ring-billed, 5 Herring, and 34 California Gulls at
the southeast corner of Standley Lake (Jefferson County).
Shortly direct sunlight hit the sandbar, about half the gulls
took off to the northeast. The Lesser Black-backed Gull was
not seen again during my 4 hour visit.
Two Pacific Loons and a Common Loon swam below the dam
to the east. Another Common Loon was swimming not far off
shore about 600 yards to the west.
Those were the highlights. Other birds seen included 3 species
of mergansers; Western & Clark's Grebes, an adult and juvenile
Sharp-shinned Hawks, and many ducks. Full list on request.
Afterwards, I hiked the South Platte River from 88th avenue
to I76 and Clear Creek from the confluence with the Platte to
York Street. Clear Creek had many wintering sparrows last year.
This year I found none and wondered whether all the new building
north of the bike path have contributed to this? Hike was about
6 miles and took 5 hours.
Highlights include:
A male Barrow's Goldeneye was swimming at the north end of
the Northern West Gravel Lake. A possible female was at the
southern end. She stayed close to a male Common Goldeneye.
Three Greater White-fronted Geese were in a large group of
Canada Geese at the south end of the Southern West Gravel Lake.
No Cackling Geese were in that bunch, however I did see at
least two later in the day.
The stated sparrow (see other email) was on the east side of the
Platte River just south of the Northern East Gravel Lake's dam
tower. Look for the yellow post. It was 10 yards south of here.
Many geese and ducks were on Platte and Gravel Lakes.
Southern East Gravel Lake is dry and will be all winter. Dahlia Ponds
(east of Dahlia at Colorado Blvd) had dozens of Common Goldeneyes
(no Barrow's), Buffleheads, and a few Green-winged Teal.
LeConte's Sparrow 11/21
Yesterday while birding along the South Platte River near 88th
avenue and Colorado Blvd I came upon a sparrow. My first
impression was "man that is small". The bird had a short tail.
Its head appeared flattish like an "Ammodramus". It perched on
the chain link fence for about 20 seconds before diving into the
weeds along the river. I noticed a buffy color to the bird;
however it definitely had a grayish cheek with no borders (except
for the brown eye line). The breast and flanks were finely
streaked. The back was strongly streaked dark and lighter browns.
The median crown stripe was not well defined (I looked at this and
the cheek well because I thought this would have me to narrow
down the Id among "Ammodramus" sparrows which I immediately
suspected because of the small size of the bird).
So, what kind of sparrow did I observe? As I see it, there are
only two choices, a juvenile Le Conte's Sparrow or a Grasshopper
Sparrow. I can find only one November Grasshopper Sparrow
Colorado record. There a many Le Conte's Sparrow records,
however this bird would be greatly out of place. The bird was
feeding on the short stubble just inside the fence. It flew up
to the chain link fence for 20 seconds or so and then to the weeds.
The grayish unbordered cheek, dark brown and tan-like streaks
on the back, and overall buffy and gray appearance seem to indicate
a Le Conte's Sparrow.
Pyle "Identification Guide to North American Birds, Part 1" states
about Grasshopper Sparrows: "long wing morphology and somewhat
graduated tail; median crown strip distinct; malar stripe lacking;
auricular buffy with a large dark patch at the rear but with a
poorly defined eye line and subauricular stripe"
About Le Conte's Sparrow: "moderately short wing morphology,
and graduated tail; median crown stripe indistinct to distinct; malar
stripe lacking; auricular buffy; eye line widening posteriorly and
fairly complete behind the eye; subauricular stripe indistinct or absent"
A juvenile Grasshopper Sparrow shows white streaks on its back.
The back streaks of my observation were definitely not white, but
yellow-tan. The bird definitely did not exhibit the brownish
cheek with dark brown streak behind it that a juvenile Grasshopper
Sparrow should show.
Byers, Olsson, & Curson "Sparrows and Buntings" state about
molting: Grasshopper Sparrow:"post-juvenile moult is complete and
occurs in July-October". Le Conte's Sparrow: "post-juvenile moult
is partial and occurs in August-October either on the breeding or
wintering grounds". Pyle: Grasshopper Sparrow: "hatch year molt
is incomplete-complete (refers to flight feathers, but body
feathers should have molted) Le Conte's Sparrow: partial-
incomplete (refers that some body and flight feathers may not be
molted before winter) I mention molt as to whether juvenile
looking birds could be observed in late November. Conclusion:
probably both species can still show juv. plumage in November.
Anyone wanting to discuss this further can email me. I could fill
up pages on molting patterns.
Could this be a Le Conte's Sparrow way out of range?
Any suggestions on what else I should have looked for
in the brief time I had, would be appreciated.
Baird's and Henslow's Sparrows considered (cheek patterns and
colors wrong); Savannah Sparrow size, head shape, cheek pattern,
color, all wrong.
Bryan Ehlmann and I looked for over four hours for the bird this
morning. No sparrows were within 0.5 mile of my original
sighting. However, I could not go across the chain link fence
into private property. So the bird could be where it originally
came from before my sighting.
Southeast Colorado 11/18-11/20
The trip list from last weekend.
Friday 11/18
Ray Shields, Bob Boyer, and I left early Friday morning to look
for owls in Teller County. We did manage to relocate a Northern
Saw-whet Owl on the private ranch of a friend. No Northern
Pygmy-Owls were found near Manitou Lake or north of Divide.
Just around sunrise we birded Spinney Mountain Reservoir.
Uncommon birds observed included 2 Tundra Swans, 2 Surf Scoters
and 2 Common Loons. We missed the White-winged Scoter reported
later in the day by J. Prather.
Our next stop was Eleven Mile Reservoir (Park). Here we observed
3 Tundra Swans (not the same ones from Spinney Mountain), 2 Surf
Scoters, a Pacific Loon, and 2 Common Loons.
From here we headed west to the Buena Vista Overlook (Chaffee).
A search north and south of the overlook did not turn up any
Pinyon Jays. None were around the park in Buena Vista either.
We drove through Gunnison and managed to find a small flock of
Rosy Finches (most Brown-capped, 1 Gray-crowned) on the north side
of town.
Our birding day ended up at Taylor Park Reservoir. We relocated
2 Barrow's Goldeneyes on the reservoir. A 2 hour search for owls
around the various picnic areas and campground only found one
Great Horned Owl. We did see a Northern Goshawk at the campgrounds.
Saturday 11/19
We were joined by Steve Owdom and searched successfully for
Gunnison Sage-Grouse along CR 38 & CR 38A. Just before sunrise
we saw two birds walking along CR 38A. We observed 3 Barrow's
Goldeneyes at the west end of Blue Mesa Reservoir. Unfortunately,
no Blue Grouse could be found at Black Canyon of the Gunnison
National Park.
Again our birding day ended with an unsuccessful search for
little owls.
Sunday 11/20
At first light we observed a mixed flock of Rosy Finches over
Linda Powers' home in Crested Butte. We had planned on heading to
Glenwood Springs to see the Painted Bunting. When it was not seen
on Saturday, we decided to forego that trek and headed toward I25
and south to Trinidad.
It was a good choice as we found the Red-throated Loon at Trinidad
State Park (Las Animas County) with little effort (for a change).
A Common Loon was also here; but we missed the Surf Scoters
reported the day before.
Our luck continued at Lathrop State Park (Huerfano County).
We saw 2 Common Loons and a Ross's Goose. Ray found a
White-throated Sparrow between the lakes while we searched
unsuccessfully for the Harris's Sparrow reported the day before.
Days are getting too short, we ran out of daylight.
Summit County and Western Metro Denver 11/17
Bryan & Sue Ehlmann, Rebecca Kosten, and I traveled to
Summit County this morning. The weather was better up
there than western Denver.
A pair of Barrow’s Goldeneyes was at the Blue River Water
Treatment Plant (Summit County). There should be additional
goldeneyes arriving soon if the past is any indication.
No Rosy Finches could be found in Silver Plume, Georgetown, or
Loveland Ski Basin. It took about an hour; we finally found
2 White-tailed Ptarmigan on Loveland Pass. Look on the south
slope of the east mountain. We did not try to get up Guanella Pass,
therefore we do not know if it is open.
We stopped at Chatfield Reservoir where it was snowing with
much fog. The Yellow-billed Loon was found off the handicapped
fisherperson dock.
We had walked the dam first in hopes of seeing loons or Murrelets
from there. The fog was pretty thick and visibility limited.
We did see 2 Pacific Loons and 3 Common Loons below the dam
where the path turns from running east to south.
No Sage Sparrows found on the south marina sand spit or by the
fishing dock. They seem to “appear” during snowstorms in October
and early November.
No Swans were at Marston Reservoir (Denver County).
A Greater White-fronted Goose was among 1200+ White-cheeked Geese
on the field in the front of the Denver Water Company building.
We did see the Surf Scoters at McLellan Reservoir (Arapahoe
County). We thought there were four! At least three feeding
constantly.
Our final stop was Cherry Creek Reservoir (Arapahoe County).
We counted 18 Bonaparte's Gulls flying around the southwest
marina and northeast boat ramp. Again today, no Pomarine Jaegers,
loons, or uncommon grebes were found.
Cherry Creek Reservoir 11/16
Rebecca Kosten & I went over to Cherry Creek Reservoir after lunch
to see if any of the recently reported uncommon birds were still
around. Winds were calm. Temperature was around 45 degrees.
Unfortunately, they were not. We did count 18+ Bonaparte's Gulls.
However if the Pomarine Jaegers are still there, we could not find
them. There was little wind and the water was calm. Do not think
they could have hid from us. No loons were found. American Coot
numbers were still high at about 81.
Gulls numbered about 800 and we did not pick out the Black-legged
Kittiwake. Lesser Black-backed Gulls were not around either.
About 4:45pm most of the gulls flew to the southeast sand spit.
We found no uncommon gulls among the hundreds of Ring-billed.
Four Double-crested Cormorants and seven American White Pelicans
were out there. Common Merganser numbers have greatly increased
while grebe numbers were way down. A few Common Goldeneyes,
4 Ruddy Ducks, a few Gadwalls, and 24+ Lesser Scaups,
8 Green-winged Teal were observed. No shorebirds were found.
Quite a few American Tree Sparrows were around. We counted
47 in 4 locations. Two Song Sparrows were near the bird platform
and another 2 at the stream west of the Mountain Loop.
Hawks included 5 Red-tailed Hawks and 1 Rough-legged Hawk.
No Bald Eagles have shown up yet, probably any day now?
More Bird Trips
HOME
Please feel free to contact CoBus and
Rich Stevens at the following address:
E-mail: