Thursday, April 3, 2008

Grouse Trip March 28 to April 3

March 28, 2008

Trent & Meta Hunt and I enjoyed a fantastic bird of birding. The weather was superb with mild winds (except Loveland Pass) and warm temperatures for this time of year.

We were able to find 3 species of Rosy Finches in Summit County. Also Pine Grosbeaks, Mountain Chickadees, Black-capped Chickadees, Pine Siskins, Pygmy Nuthatches, and several Clark's Nutcrackers.

A male and two female Barrow's Goldeneyes were still on the Blue River Water Treatment Pond.

Our only disappointment of the day was missing White-tailed Ptarmigan on Loveland Pass. Winds were mild for the area. Unfortunately many skiers and snow boarders were up there. I hiked to the top of Mt Sniktau but could not find any Ptarmigan.

Next we drove Gore Pass Road in search of American Three-toed Woodpeckers; without success. No Rosy Finches could be located in the town to Toponas. Lake Catamount was completely frozen.

We drove around the Fish Creek Area of Steamboat Springs. To our surprise, 10 Sharp-tailed Grouse were walking around the neighborhood!

We stopped at several pullovers on Rabbit Ears Pass on our trip to Jackson County. A female American Three-toed Woodpecker was searching for food on the trees along the road into the maintenance shed area (Grand County). This road is 4.8 miles north of Hwys 14 & 40.

As we drove toward the old Coalmont Greater Sage-Grouse Lek we found many hawks. Around Highway 14 and CR 26 our Hawk count was 7 Rough-legged Hawks, 9 Red-tailed Hawks, and a Prairie Falcon. Walden Reservoir was frozen. Most of Arapaho National Wildlife Area was snow covered. Hundreds of Elk walked along the creek. At one stop we counted 300 Pronghorn.

Two Golden Eagles stood on telephone poles along the entrance road to the NWR. We did not find the Gyrfalcon that has been reported in the area.

Our birding day ended by watching a male Greater Sage-Grouse feed on the sage along Jackson County Road 26.

March 29, 2008

We found 2 displaying Sharp tailed Grouse at the 20 road lek south of Hayden. lek is under 4 to 5 feet of snow. Birds were displaying on east side of road.

In Craig we found 80 Bohemian Waxwings eating crab apples in front of memorial hospital. around 8th and Russell Street.

At Oxbow Wildlife area: 6 Sage Sparrows and 4+ Sage Thrashers.

Continuing South we searched around the Rifle Rest Stop where we added a male and 2 female Great-tailed Grackles to our trip list.

We drove over to Maam Creek Gravel Pit to search for the previously reported Greater Scaup. They were not around, but we did find a Bonaparte's Gull and 2 Franklin's Gulls. Plenty of species of waterfowl were also there.

A stop at Cameo did not add much to our day list. No Chukar were located, just a couple of White-crowned Sparrows.

March 30, 2008

Our day started with a search for birds at the southern entrance to the Colorado National Monument. We did not find any Black-throated Sparrows, but did count over a dozen of Gambel's Quail.

It was early for many migrating passerines to arrive at the Monument. We did find our target bird. Half a dozen Pinyon Jays were around the campgrounds. We found several Bushtits.

At 1:00 pm we joined the Grand Junction Audubon Society's Owl Prowl. Overall it was a disappointing experience.

Unfortunately there was some of the worse behavior of ABA ethics that I have seen. Nesting Long-eared Owls were harassed for over an hour and a half. I can see stopping and looking for them at a distance is one thing, but circling them and chasing them back and forth for any length of time is not acceptable.

At the next stop, a dozen people or so stood underneath a Great Horned Owl that was clearing sitting on eggs. Scoping from a distance would have been more advisable.

At the last stop we got views of a Western Screech-Owl. The Audubon Society's clearly needs to reassess their Owl Prowl.

We tried to drive up the Grand Mesa and we greeted with a downpour of Graupel.

March 31, 2008

Our first stop this morning was Escalante Canyon. We spent 3 hours searching for Chukar; without success. A great bonus was finding a Black Phoebe singing along the creek. It was south of Pinnacle Rock.

From here we headed south to Fruitgrower's Reservoir. Winds were quite strong. Few birds were out on the water. However, 700 Sandhill Cranes entertained us with their graceful landing next to the reservoir.

Below the dam we saw 3 Lewis's Woodpeckers and Evelyn Horn. The highlight was Evelyn who introduced us to her new book.

Few birds were at Payne's Landing and we went over to Confluence Park in Delta. There were no uncommon waterfowl; a bonus was a Bonaparte's Gull. Several Great-tailed Grackles were around the lake.

We had planned to end our birding day at Black Canyon Gunnison National Park (Gunnison). However the road was closed at the Visitor's Center. We could not get back the 6 miles to the traditional location for Dusky Grouse and Northern Pygmy-Owls.

So we headed to Gunnison. Blue Mesa Reservoir was frozen and snow covered.

I found a couple of Bohemian Waxwing and a Yellow-bellied Sapsucker at Western State College in Gunnison.

April 1, 2008

At first light we watched 27 Gunnison Sage-Grouse at the Waunita Hot Springs Lek.

Afterwards we drove east toward Pueblo. The drive along Swallows Road (west end of Pueblo West) was quite productive. We counted over 9 Curve-billed Thrashers, 7 Sage Thrashers, and 14 Scaled Quail.

At the Fowler Sewage Ponds, we found a Greater Scaup, several Redheads, and Lesser Scaup.

We drove around the many reservoirs in Crowley and Otero County. Most had little water and no birds. Lake Cheraw was low on water; shoreline was quite far away. Neenoshe Reservoir, Upper and Lower Queens Reservoirs, and Thurston were almost dry. Neeogrande Reservoir had some water and several hunters. The hunters had Snow Geese and Ross's Geese in the back of their truck. They said white geese were difficult to find and good luck. We did not find any.

We skipped Lamar Community College and our birding day ended at Pasture G south of Springfield. There were no Mountain Plover, Burrowing Owls, or Long-billed Curlew there.

April 2, 2008

Our birding day started at the Lesser Prairie-Chicken leks outside of Elkhart, Kansas. Fourteen males entertained us by circling one uninterested female (for about 2 hours). She was not impressed.

Trent & Meta headed back home and I went north.

In Rocky Ford I walked around looking for the Inca Dove that Bryan Ehlmann found a few days earlier. I did not find it, but did see a White-winged Dove at hwy 202 and Industrial Drive.

April 3, 2008

I found a Common Nighthawk (would have preferred a Lesser Nighthawk) along the creek at Business Highway 50 and I 25.

At Big Johnson Reservoir, a Bonaparte's Gull was the only uncommon bird found.

2 comments:

Birder Rich said...

Richard Stevens, administrator: The first comment was removed as it was an advertisement for a diet company.

The second comment was by a person who did not have the courage to leave his name (which is typical of people who want to leave negative comments without consequences.

This rude person met us at a Kansas Lesser Prairie Chicken Lek demanding that he had a reservation for the blind.

I had contacted two rangers in control of the blind. BOTH stated that the there are no reservations for the blind. This trip leader made a mistake and took his group to the blind thinking he could bully anyone who got there first.

I was told that it was first come, first served (by both rangers). We got up at 4:00am to be at the blind at first light and make sure that we had use of the blind.

The rude trip leader showed up after first light (against rules). We viewed Prairie Chickens from blind and left before the Chickens were done displaying (another violation of the rules).

This unknown trip leader has threaten to spread the word about our group. Typically, without a name. Sad person, blaming his mistake on others.

Bryan Ehlmann said...

I ran across the blog of the rude person who left the negative comment about Richard Stevens and his group. By the way he didn't have the character and integrity to leave the comment under his name which by the way is Mike Hendrickson. You can search for his blog if you want to read more of his garbage.

Richard had the character and integrity to leave one comment and drop the subject. I on the other hand want to set the record straight having talked to two of the other birders that were with Richard.

Richard did contact three rangers who stated that access to the blind was on a first come basis. Mr. Hendrickson screwed up, must have looked terrible to the people who hired him and needs a scapegoat. And he can't even leave his real name to find one.

Mr. Hendrickson showed up late for the blind and was informed of the rules. Only professional bird guides need a permit. Richard and his friends were not any part of a professional tour. No one was paid to lead a trip. It was just four guys who went down to Kansas to see Lesser Prairie-Chickens. They followed the rules, Mr. Hendrickson didn't.

He didn't arrive early enough to get the blind. He left early before the birds were done displaying, thus scaring the birds. These are the facts. Mr. Hendrickson suggests that no one "hire" Richard; maybe potential clients of Mr. Hendrickson should think twice before hiring him!

Mr. Hendrickson’s other ridiculous comments show further lack of character and knowledge. Mr. Hendrickson talked to a couple of Colorado birders who dislike the independence of Richard and are jealous of Richard’s birding abilities.

Concerning Richard’s "broke away from" or lack of desire to join the Colorado Field Ornithologists which he never was a member, never.....when CFO President Mark Janos was sent to federal prison for running his “child pornography ring” and that is a pretty nasty story in itself, that pretty well vindicated Richard and other great Colorado birders like Dr. Righter and Dan Bridges for not wanting their name connected with the CFO organization.

The other two birders who love to rag on Richard no longer live in Colorado and have not for several years. One was under federal investigation for “missing funds” of a tax free organization. The other is not missed by Colorado birders.

Concerning the ignorant statements about “alias”, the same idiots above have concocted stories to try and make themselves look good and Richard look bad to those unknowing. Except, birders who know Richard know of his good character and integrity and also are aware of the several bad seeds, thugs, bullies mentioned above.

I went to High School with Richard Stevens. If the people above had taken the time to ask, they would have learned that sometimes he drives a car registered to his step mother, Donna Fortney. Get the facts straight, but that would require some intelligence.

Time to leave this subject alone. Notice I can sign my name to this comment. Not just “anonymous”. Great birding to all!