Birding Along Foothills May 20, 2007

Bryan & Sue Ehlmann, Rebecca Kosten, and I chased a rare Black-tailed Gnatcatcher report at Red Rocks Park this morning. After seeing a photo later in the day, the bird turned out to be a Blue-gray Gnatcatcher. However, we did enjoy a beautiful day of birding.

We hiked the Red Rocks Trail twice, but only found 2 Blue-gray Gnatcatchers. We did find around the park, White-throated Swifts overhead, a Virginia's Warbler, a Lazuli Bunting, and many Western Scrub-Jays.

In the late afternoon, we also drove over to the Apex Trail and hiked about 2 miles up it. Here we found Spotted Towhees, half a dozen Lazuli Buntings, and a singing male Indigo Bunting.

The trail is used by many hikers and bikers on the weekends. Searches for Buntings and Dusky Grouse are better served by visiting during the week.

We ended our birding day by visiting Genesee Mountain Park. Again we found 2+ male and 2 female Williamson's Sapsuckers. A few weeks ago, we discovered a nesting hole. We listened closely, but did not hear any young yet.

A search for Northern Pygmy-Owls (or any owls) after sunset did not turn up any tonight