Saturday, March 10, 2007

Chased Away By Snow and Wind

March 8, 2007

Today was a day of snow and fog. Much of the day was spent with poor visibility. We had planned to search for owls on Douglas Pass (Rio Blanco County). Weather reports included 6-12 inches of snow by 3:00pm.

We wanted to get across Rabbit Ears Pass before the big snow. We looked briefly for owls around Steamboat Springs and Rabbit Ears Pass; without success. We did not find any Sharp-tailed Grouse at the Fish Creek drainage either.

Wandering around Jackson County, it was too early for migrant birds such as Sage Thrashers or Sparrows. Having seen Rosy Finches already this year, we decided not to drop down to Kremmling but instead try for owls on Cameron Pass.

When we arrived at Cameron Pass, snow was coming down quite heavy. We would not have minded that, but winds were 50+mph. Chances of hearing the soft calling owls were unlikely and we headed back to Fort Collins.

Stops at several of the campgrounds and picnic areas along highway 14 did not find any owls.

We drove over to the Wellington Wildlife Area (Larimer County). We drove the complex looking for Short-eared, Barn, Long-eared, Northern Saw-whet or Great Horned Owls; without success.

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