Rich Stevens' Bird Trips
October 1999
Standley Reservoir 10/31
Donna Fortney, Daniela Garrett and I traveled to Standley Reservoir
late Sunday afternoon. The weather was beautiful and so was the sunset.
We observed the Pomarine Jaeger several times in the northwest corner.
Along the dam (northeast) were five Common Loons.
A Trip To Douglas County and Franktown 10/29
I read Hugh Kingery's email about 3 minutes after he sent it to cobirds.
Calling several friends and finding only Louise Jones home,
we traveled south to Franktown to view the Purple Finch and Rose-breasted Grosbeak.
Within 30 minutes of arrival, the first year male Rose-breasted Grosbeak
came to the Kingery's backyard feeders. It was a beautiful bird and
flashed its rose-red wing linings for us as it flew around the feeders.
The RBGR did not seemed bothered by the Scrub Jays also coming in to eat.
Thirty minutes later, the male Purple Finch visited for 3 or 4 minutes.
Louise and I then drove to Castlewood Canyon State Park and the Winkler Ranch just south.
There were two Lewis's Woodpeckers in the cottonwoods behind the ranch house.
Along Castlewood Canyon Road and just south of the ranch,
three male Mountain Bluebirds were standing on the fence line.
This topped a pleasant day of birding, in spite of the overcast skies,
high winds, and cool temperatures!
Birding Pike National Forest 10/26-10/28
This week I undertook something a little different. I parked my car at Pine Junction and
rode my mountain bike the 14 miles into Pike National Forest (Jefferson County).
In two nights camping and three days, I had several Three-toed Woodpecker sightings
however no Black-backed Woodpecker.
The most consistent TTWO sightings were 200 yards around the wooden bridge at
Buck Creek along the Skipper Trail. One of the two males that share that territory
was observed several times on 10/27. On 10/26 and 10/28, a female TTWO was observed
near 543 Road Trail and the northern end of Tramway Trail.
The October full moon made the camping trip quite enjoyable.
Not much else of interest was found and no owls were heard.
On Thursday afternoon, I met Donna Fortney at Cherry Creek Reservoir (Arapahoe County).
In the first 2 hours, we found few birds. Just before our departure, we located
one Bonaparte's Gull (in the middle of reservoir) and one Common Loon and Pacific Loon
(in the southeast corner). We did not relocate the other
two Pacific Loons observed on Sunday 10/24.
Checking the Burrowing Owl colonies north of DIA on the trek home,
I only observed one BUOW. It was 0.5 miles south of Picadilly Road and 128th avenue.
None were found along Buckley and 56th (Rocky Mountain Arsenal) or
the location at 3.4 miles east of Tower Road and 96th avenue.
Sunday At Cherry Creek Reservoir 10/24
Donna Fortney, D. & R. Campbell, and I searched for birds at
Cherry Creek Reservoir the last two hours of light Sunday.
Twenty yards off the shoreline from the Prairie Loop, we got great
looks at three Pacific Loons and one Common Loon. While watching them,
an Osprey flew overhead. Along the shoreline, a Virginia Rail ran back and
forth across the clearing (path to the water).
We were not able to find the Bonaparte's Gulls reported on Saturday.
The swim beach, boat docks, and jet ski launch area were all checked, without success.
On the way to Cherry Creek Reservoir, I checked the DIA Burrowing Owl colonies.
There were two owls 0.5 miles south of the intersection of Picadilly Road and 128th avenue.
There were two more owls 3.4 miles east of Tower Road and 96 avenue.
I did not see any Burrowing Owls along Buckley Road (Rocky Mountain Arsenal).
Birding Eastern Plains 10/19-10/22
I just finished a delightful week of birding on the Eastern Plains of Colorado.
My excursions in search of migrating sparrows included hikes into Cheyenne County, KS and
McCook County, NE and visits to the Colorado towns of Armel and Alvin.
I do not remember a recent fall where there was such sunny weather accompanied by little wind.
While no super rare birds were found, there were enough sparrows (and one Sprague's Pipit)
to keep my interest high. The temperatures ranged from middle sixties to seventies.
Total birding time was 41 hours; mileage hiked 34 miles. Many Red-tailed Hawks,
two Prairie Falcons, one Merlin, no Ferruginous Hawks, and no Swainson's Hawks observed.
October 19
- Flagler Reservoir (Yuma county)
One Field Sparrow (southeast side), two Spotted Towhees and 23 Cedar Waxwings.
- Bonny Reservoir (Yuma)
At Wagon Wheel Campground, there were two White-throated Sparrows
(one adult, one tan-striped) and many Yellow-rumped Warblers.
One Red-naped Sapsucker flew around campsites 19-21.
I also checked North Cove and Foster's Campground's without much of interest.
October 20
- Eastern Screech-Owl (northwest end of Hale Ponds) called again about 4:30am.
Many Eastern Bluebirds and one female Red-bellied Woodpecker at Republican WLA
along Republican River from Kansas border to 1.0 miles west.
Harris's Sparrow (Republican River, 0.5 miles east of CR LL.5 and CR 4) with
two Northern Shrikes, an Eastern Bluebird, and a Spotted Towhee.
At Wagon Wheel Campground
Palm Warbler (northeast of campsite 41)
Orange-crowned Warbler (2) and Hermit Thrush (1)
- Yuma CR RR and CR 18
One Sprague's Pipit (private property)
October 21
- Thursday morning, I checked Yuma CR 45 (north of Wray) for Greater Prairie-Chickens;
without success. There were nine species of sparrows, two Northern Shrikes,
one Loggerhead Shrike and a Prairie Falcon.
- Stalker Lake WLA and Wray Fishing Unit
Not much!
- Sandsage Wildlife Area (Yuma)
This area with its high grasses and weeds, North Fork of Republican River, and
cattails seems ideal for sparrow migration. There were eleven species of sparrows
including two Harris's Sparrows. Also two Brown Thrashers were observed.
October 22
- Beecher Island Battlefield
Two Field Sparrows, not much else.
It was a beautiful day, and walking the self-guided tour of this battle field is worth the trip.
- Last Chance Rest Stop
Not much bird activity.
Windsor Reservoir 10/18
After reading Steve Dinsmore's email about the Parasitic Jaeger.
Donna Fortney and I traveled up to the reservoir in search of the bird.
The PAJA was flying around the southeast corner and harassing gulls around 3:00pm.
Windsor Reservoir is private and a scope is a must!
We stopped at Union Reservoir and Jim Hamm Park on the way back to Denver.
Not much of interest was observed at either place.
The weather was cold and raining; a few flakes of snow fell also!
I have not observed any Burrowing Owls at Rocky Mountain Arsenal or
North of DIA since 10/9. They may finally have migrated south for the winter.
I will continue to check because this area is also good for Short-eared Owls.
Continued Birding On The Eastern Plains 10/14-10/15
I finished my trip to the Eastern Plains late last night.
I would prefer to have stayed longer in search of migrating sparrows,
however it was nice to return home before the snow started.
October 14
It was another stunning Colorado fall day, no wind and mild temperatures.
- Ovid and Ovid Woods:
I watched feeders where earlier in the week two Purple Finches were reported.
None visited the feeders in the three hours that I stayed.
The male Northern Cardinal made an appearance in the southwest corner
of Ovid again today around 8:30am. There was not much at Ovid Woods.
- DePoorter Lake (Sedgwick county, just south of Julesburg)
Harris's Sparrow (4, along the Platte River, near trash dump)
Northern Bobwhite (22+, along the dirt road south of lake to Platte River)
- Sand Draw Wildlife Area
Not much! One Sharp-shinned Hawk
- Frenchman Creek Wildlife Area (Phillips County)
Not much! One White-throated Sparrow
- Sandsage Wildlife Area (Yuma)
This is one of my favorite spots to study sparrows.
Hundreds of sparrows were visiting this tall grass and weedy area.
Species included American Tree, Chipping, Clay-colored, Brewer's, Vesper,
Lark, Savannah, Song, Lincoln's, White-crowned, and:
Field Sparrow (along fence at entrance on CR CC)
Harris's Sparrow (2, on the island along creek)
In all 12 species of sparrows and quite an enjoyable time!
October 16
It was a cool and overcast day. The wind picked up by noon.
- Republican Wildlife Area and Hale Ponds (Yuma county)
Eastern Screech-Owl (heard at 4:00am)
Eastern Bluebirds (7 males and 4 females)
Red-bellied Woodpecker (male, cottonwoods at Kansas border)
Common Yellowthroat (one along Republican River)
- Bonny Reservoir and Wagon Wheel Campground
Eastern Screech-Owl (called in response to my tape;
I was trying to get response from migrating sparrows, without success.)
Not much else at the other campgrounds or on the reservoir.
- Flagler Reservoir (Kit Carson)
Not much below the dam or along the eastern edge of reservoir.
A decision to not camp in the snow was made and I headed for home.
A plan to return next week is already in the works!
Birding Colorado's Eastern Plains 10/12-10/13
After a disappointing time last week this trip is more interesting.
Tuesday 12
The weather was fantastic, overcast and no wind!
- Crow Valley
Nashville Warbler (southwest corner and again along creek 60 yards east)
Townsend's Warbler (campground 7)
Sandhill Crane (46+, flew overhead)
Hermit Thrush (3, east of horseshoe pits)
Golden-crowned Kinglet (southwest corner with flock of yellow-rump)
Brown Thrasher
Spotted Towhee
Cooper's Hawk
Orange-crowned Warbler
- While on the drive along highway 14 to Sterling,
there was a Prairie Falcon at Keota and a Dark-morph Red-tailed Hawk at Raymer.
Just east of Crook on highway, 138 there were two Burrowing Owls.
- Red Lion Wildlife Area
Fourteen Common Snipe, 12 Long-billed Dowitchers, and a lone Lesser Yellowlegs
were feeding at the pond on the west side of CR 95. A check of the pond
0.5 miles east of parking area, produced little of interest.
- Jumbo Reservoir (Logan/Sedgwick):
Thousands of Franklin's Gulls were accompanied by
Black-bellied Plover (2, in southwest corner)
Lesser Black-backed Gull (1st alternate/2nd basic)
There is no wind out here too, weather is great!
- Sedgwick County Roads 30 and 59:
I spent three hours hiking from this intersection to 1 mile east and west.
I then checked CR 59 and CR 28 and CR 26. No Sprague's Pipits were found and
only four Horned Lark (Le Conte's Sparrow missed too).
CR 32 and CR 63.2 intersection was also checked without sightings.
Then at CR 61 and CR 26, there was a Sprague's Pipit on the telephone wires.
I managed to get out my scope and look at the bird from 15 yards for 30 seconds
before a truck came by and scared the bird away. A second SPPI flew from
the ground and followed the first as they flew about 0.1 mile north.
With only 30 minutes before sunset, I took the hint and drove the county roads
with telephone wires. At 1.5 miles north of CR 26 and CR 55
there was a single SPPI standing on a telephone wires.
Again, I watched the bird for 30 seconds or so before another truck drove past.
It flew 30 yards west into the field where 120+ Western Meadowlarks were feeding.
Farmers were harvesting their sugar beets and trucks were constantly driving
down the roads. Being a city boy, I assume they are sugar beets.
(Note: I can recognize cows, saw them once in a picture book :-)
At CR 20 and CR 59 there were 14 pipits on the telephone wires, however
they turned out to be American Pipits. When I stopped,
there were 200+ AMPIs along with 200+ Western Meadowlarks in the field to the west.
At a pond 0.5 miles west of CR 20 and CR 29 1000 Mallards and 500 Green-winged Teal
were accompanied by two Cattle Egrets. A lone Solitary Sandpiper worked the shoreline.
October 13
- Sedgwick CR 30
I went back to CR 59 and CR 30 searching for Le Conte's Sparrow and whatever.
Again, there was no wind and a beautiful sunrise.
No Le Conte's Sparrow, however several dozen Savannah Sparrows and
two Song Sparrows. The three-hour hike was quite enjoyable!
- Ovid Wildlife Area (Sedgwick)
While searching cottonwoods along CR 29 and South Platte River,
I observed two Field Sparrows.
There were too many hunters in the wildlife area itself, so I stayed out.
- Ovid Woods
Few birds were observed in woods, one Ruby-crowned Kinglet and Downy Woodpecker,
I then walked around town and found male and female Northern Cardinal
in southwest corner in neighborhood yards around the creek.
Locals are reporting two males and two female Cardinals visiting feeders at first and last light.
There was a rumor of Purple Finches at neighborhood feeders and
I plan to check them out tomorrow.
- Pony Express Wildlife Area (Sedgwick)
Dark-morph Red-tailed Hawk and two Eastern Bluebirds along with an adult Golden Eagle!
- Sedgwick Bar Wildlife Area
A pleasant hike in search of migrating sparrows produced sightings of
a male Red-bellied Woodpecker and four Eastern Bluebirds.
I am seeing many Red-tailed Hawks.
No Swainson's Hawks and no swallows have been observed in the last three days.
A Search for White-tailed Ptarmigan 10/7
I accompanied two Louisiana Birders up to Clear Creek county in search of WTPT.
Unfortunately, we picked a day when it snowed (several inches).
A three hour search at the Loveland Pass summit, did not produce a WTPT sighting.
We did see 14 Mountain Bluebirds and a few White-crowned Sparrows.
On the trip up we observed a Northern Goshawk about 1 mile before the summit.
We then tried to reach the summit of Guanella Pass. The snow proved too much and
the exercise had to be abandoned. Several hours later, we made another attempt,
however again we were turned back.
A stop at Wheat Ridge Greenbelt on the way home found two flocks of birds:
Orange-crowned Warblers (4)
Warbling Vireo
Yellow-rumped Warblers (62)
Ruby-crowned Kinglets (3)
Black-capped Chickadees (8)
Townsend's Warbler (1)
It was a nice walk after a disappointing day.
Visiting Boulder and Weld Counties 10/6
Donna Fortney and I traveled to Union Reservoir (Weld county).
The juvenile Little Gull was flying around the northwest corner of the reservoir at 10:30am.
At 11:30am it was in the southeast corner of Union.
In two hours we could not find the Arctic Tern reported yesterday.
There was however, a Common Tern and two Forster's Terns along the northern shoreline.
We then checked Jim Hamm Park (across CR 1 from Union Reservoir and in Boulder county)
In a two hour search, we came across a flock of birds that included
two Orange-crowned Warblers, four Yellow-rumped Warblers,
two Black-capped Chickadees and two Wilson's Warblers.
Not much else!
A check of Baseline Reservoir and Boulder Reservoir produced few interesting sightings.
There were two Great Egrets at Culver Ponds.
The Trumpeter Swan here most of 1999 was not to be seen!
Birding Colorado 9/30-10/3
Accompanied by a birding friend, this was my annual search for
the autumn colors and maybe a few birds.
September 30
(Sunny and relatively windless day)
- Valco Ponds (Pueblo county) (three hour search)
Black-throated Blue Warbler
Osprey
- Swallows Road (Pueblo County)
Curve-billed Thrasher
Sage Thrasher (4)
Scaled Quail (2)
Mountain Bluebird (12+)
- Lake Beckwith (Colorado City, Pueblo county)
Not much!
- Monte Vista National Wildlife Refuge (Rio Grande county)
Thirty minutes before sunset, a Whooping Crane with many Sandhill Cranes
was found just northeast of CR 6 and CR 10S.
We did search the area for five hours before this sighting.
A thousand Sandhills were in the area.
We observed an American Bittern on the self-guided tour of NWR.
October 1
(Sunny morning that turned cloudy late afternoon)
- Buena Vista Overlook (Chaffee county)
Pinyon Jay (40+)
Bushtit (36+)
- Kepler Pass (Gunnison county) (the best fall colors of our trip)
- McClure Pass (Pitkin county)
Townsend's Warbler with 67 Yellow-rumped Warblers
No Swallows or Swifts; nor Band-tailed Pigeons
- Reudi Reservoir (Pitkin/Eagle counties)
Not much!
October 2
- Hanging Lake (Garfield county)
Not much; no Black Swifts observed.
- Wolford Mountain Recreation Area
No Red-throated Loon observed.
- Echo Lake
Not much!
- Cherry Creek Reservoir (Arapahoe County)
In two hours, many Ring-billed Gulls, no Sabine's Gull observed.
October 3
(Cool, sunny, and low wind day)
- Cherry Creek Reservoir (Arapahoe County)
We searched three hours and could not relocate
Sabine's Gull or Ovenbird observed earlier in the week.
- Barr Lake (Adams County)
Donna Fortney and I birded four hours. There were few birds.
One flock of six Ruby-crowned Kinglets, two Orange-crowned Warblers,
two Wilson's Warblers, and two Black-capped Chickadees.
As we returned to my car, a Northern Waterthrush appeared
near the nature center footbridge.
- South of Barr Lake
Burrowing Owls
- (5) 0.5 miles south of Picadilly Road and 128th avenue
- (2) 3.4 miles east of Tower Road and 96th avenue
More Bird Trips
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Rich Stevens at the following address:
E-mail:cobus@worldnet.att.net