Saturday, August 4, 2007

Telluride Area

Wednesday August 1, 2007

Being in the area, of course we had to hike around and see Bridal Veil Falls! Several Black Swifts (our target bird) were hawking insects high overhead. In surrounding willows we found a Hermit Thrush and Wilson's Warblers. (N 37 55.15 W 107 46.16)

Next we hiked around the Lizard Head Pass Wilderness Area. Weather has not been nice to us; summer storms pop up every afternoon. We believe from past experience that the afternoon storms tend to quiet down owls. Perhaps it takes them hours to "feel safe" again after thunder, lightning, and pouring rain?

The trailhead starts at 10,281 feet and meanders through conifer forests with scattered Aspen groves. We found a male Williamson's Sapsucker in Lodgepole Pine trees. Unusual, they are said to prefer Ponderosa Pine forests. Two Red-naped Sapsuckers were in one of the Aspen Groves.

Once out of the forest, we enjoyed a fantastic view of Lizard Head. BTW, neither of us see a Lizard Head (guess we have little imagination)?

In July, 2001 Coen Dexter reported White-winged Crossbills up Forest Road 578 in Dolores County. We went up that a ways and also Forest Road 626 in San Miguel County; without success. Several Red Crossbills got our attention; unfortunately there was not a White-winged Crossbill amongst them.

We found the usual mountain suspects, however nothing uncommon.

Our birding day ended with a drive up the Ophir Loop. Again nothing unusual was observed. No owls, after the great luck we had been experiencing, it was expected to end. However it was disappointing.
(N 37 15.56 W 107 51.96)

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