Thursday August 2, 2007
Bryan and I decided to hike to Navajo Lake, hopefully finding some owls after dark. Our rain gear came in handy. Two downpours increased the efforts needed for this 4.3 mile hike. The trail crosses the West Dolores River which is always fun crossing. I used this route to climb Wilson Peak many years ago (1992). Camping around Navajo Lake back then, I heard a Boreal Owl!
Considering the hike? In the last 2.5 miles there is an altitude gain of 1000 feet. In the end, it is a beautiful hike.
Unfortunately we did not find any owls on the trip. The hike goes through Englemann Spruce and subalbine Forest. A scattering of Aspens provide homes for many birds.
We did find several Williamson's Sapsuckers, Red-naped Sapsuckers, Hairy Woodpeckers, and Downy Woodpeckers. Twice we heard and later observed American Three-toed Woodpeckers. One was within a hundred yards of the Kilpacker Trail (1.5 miles from the trailhead).
Chipping Sparrows were still feeding young. Several Mountain Bluebirds crossed our path. We kept an eye out for Western Bluebirds but guessed that we were just a little high (elevation wise) to see any.
Pygmy and White-breasted Nuthatches were plentiful. We counted 3 Red-breasted Nuthatches. A Rock Wren fluttered about the lake. Warbling Vireos still are singing away at several Aspen Groves. Of course House Wrens are also up here chattering away. Golden-crowned Kinglets and Ruby-crowned Kinglets are singing but difficult to spot high in the trees.
While trying to get a look at the kinglets, we found one Grace's Warbler at 9,153 feet (thought they were a Ponderosa Pine dweller? We will have to check elevation sightings for warblers when back in Denver? Perhaps Grace's Warblers nest higher than previously thought? It is past their breeding season, so maybe this bird was just wandering around in a post-breeding migration? We did find Wilson's Warblers (which were expected) as well as Virginia's Warblers and Yellow Warblers.
At dusk, American Robins and Hermit Thrushes filled the air with melodious songs! Several Common Nighthawks did their thing also.
Bryan and I decided to hike to Navajo Lake, hopefully finding some owls after dark. Our rain gear came in handy. Two downpours increased the efforts needed for this 4.3 mile hike. The trail crosses the West Dolores River which is always fun crossing. I used this route to climb Wilson Peak many years ago (1992). Camping around Navajo Lake back then, I heard a Boreal Owl!
Considering the hike? In the last 2.5 miles there is an altitude gain of 1000 feet. In the end, it is a beautiful hike.
Unfortunately we did not find any owls on the trip. The hike goes through Englemann Spruce and subalbine Forest. A scattering of Aspens provide homes for many birds.
We did find several Williamson's Sapsuckers, Red-naped Sapsuckers, Hairy Woodpeckers, and Downy Woodpeckers. Twice we heard and later observed American Three-toed Woodpeckers. One was within a hundred yards of the Kilpacker Trail (1.5 miles from the trailhead).
Chipping Sparrows were still feeding young. Several Mountain Bluebirds crossed our path. We kept an eye out for Western Bluebirds but guessed that we were just a little high (elevation wise) to see any.
Pygmy and White-breasted Nuthatches were plentiful. We counted 3 Red-breasted Nuthatches. A Rock Wren fluttered about the lake. Warbling Vireos still are singing away at several Aspen Groves. Of course House Wrens are also up here chattering away. Golden-crowned Kinglets and Ruby-crowned Kinglets are singing but difficult to spot high in the trees.
While trying to get a look at the kinglets, we found one Grace's Warbler at 9,153 feet (thought they were a Ponderosa Pine dweller? We will have to check elevation sightings for warblers when back in Denver? Perhaps Grace's Warblers nest higher than previously thought? It is past their breeding season, so maybe this bird was just wandering around in a post-breeding migration? We did find Wilson's Warblers (which were expected) as well as Virginia's Warblers and Yellow Warblers.
At dusk, American Robins and Hermit Thrushes filled the air with melodious songs! Several Common Nighthawks did their thing also.
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