Saturday July 21, 2007
Bryan and I visited the Colorado National Monument today. As usual we started at the southern end so that the sun would be at our back while driving the road north.
Gambel's Quail and Black-throated Sparrows were easy to find in the brush outside of the entrance. Several Black-chinned Hummingbirds, an Ash-throated Flycatcher, Rock Wren, and Canyon Wren were found at the first picnic area (Devil’s Kitchen) inside the park. One surprise, a Chukar jumped up on the rocks along the eastern edge and started calling.
We found Gray Vireos singing along the road while we were stopped at several overlooks. White-throated Swifts hawked insects high over the canyons. Several Black-chinned Hummingbirds zipped by our heads.
We took a side trip to Glade Park. I prefer to take the unpaved second road (northern road) as it seems to be birdier (Is that a word?).
A walk down Black Ridge Hunter Trail was quite productive. We found Gray Vireos, Black-throated Gray Warbler, our target bird-Juniper Titmice, and several Ash-throated Flycatchers.
Continuing further toward Glade Park we stopped at the final curves before the opening bottoms. Here we found our Mesa County Cassin's Kingbird. Several Brewer's Sparrows were also in the area.
At the Visitor’s Center we made several hikes. A hike through the campgrounds added Pinyon Jays and another Black-throated Gray Warbler to our day list.
In the late afternoon we decided to hike the trail running north from the visitor’s center. Several years ago (do not think it was last year) a Black-chinned Sparrow was reported about a mile down the trail. It was a pleasant walk as the air cooled in contrast to the hot afternoon. We did not find any Black-chinned Sparrow but did see a Gray Flycatcher.
Our last stop was just inside the northern entrance. We quickly found 2 Bewick's Wrens and our first Plumbeous Vireo of the trip. Both of us recognized from the call that it was not a Gray Vireo! It took another 15-20 minutes to put binoculars on it.
After sunset we checked several locations for owls (Long-eared Owl, Short-eared Owl, Barn Owl (previously reported); without success. We did find a Western Screech-Owl at a friend’s yard north of Grand Junction.
Bryan and I visited the Colorado National Monument today. As usual we started at the southern end so that the sun would be at our back while driving the road north.
Gambel's Quail and Black-throated Sparrows were easy to find in the brush outside of the entrance. Several Black-chinned Hummingbirds, an Ash-throated Flycatcher, Rock Wren, and Canyon Wren were found at the first picnic area (Devil’s Kitchen) inside the park. One surprise, a Chukar jumped up on the rocks along the eastern edge and started calling.
We found Gray Vireos singing along the road while we were stopped at several overlooks. White-throated Swifts hawked insects high over the canyons. Several Black-chinned Hummingbirds zipped by our heads.
We took a side trip to Glade Park. I prefer to take the unpaved second road (northern road) as it seems to be birdier (Is that a word?).
A walk down Black Ridge Hunter Trail was quite productive. We found Gray Vireos, Black-throated Gray Warbler, our target bird-Juniper Titmice, and several Ash-throated Flycatchers.
Continuing further toward Glade Park we stopped at the final curves before the opening bottoms. Here we found our Mesa County Cassin's Kingbird. Several Brewer's Sparrows were also in the area.
At the Visitor’s Center we made several hikes. A hike through the campgrounds added Pinyon Jays and another Black-throated Gray Warbler to our day list.
In the late afternoon we decided to hike the trail running north from the visitor’s center. Several years ago (do not think it was last year) a Black-chinned Sparrow was reported about a mile down the trail. It was a pleasant walk as the air cooled in contrast to the hot afternoon. We did not find any Black-chinned Sparrow but did see a Gray Flycatcher.
Our last stop was just inside the northern entrance. We quickly found 2 Bewick's Wrens and our first Plumbeous Vireo of the trip. Both of us recognized from the call that it was not a Gray Vireo! It took another 15-20 minutes to put binoculars on it.
After sunset we checked several locations for owls (Long-eared Owl, Short-eared Owl, Barn Owl (previously reported); without success. We did find a Western Screech-Owl at a friend’s yard north of Grand Junction.
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