Monday, August 25, 2008

Mt Evans' Birds and Status

August 25, 2008

Richard Stevens:

I took 4 New York birders up to Mt Evans this morning. Shortly after getting out of the car, we found 2 White-tailed Ptarmigan walking along the ridge at the east side of the upper parking area. On the drive back down to Summit Lake, Jerry found another 2 White-tailed Ptarmigan on the east side of the road, just uphill from Summit Lake.

We had to hike to the northwest corner of Summit Lake to find Rosy-Finches. Two or three Brown-capped Rosy-Finches visited the rocks above the lake on several occasions.

Our next stop was the campgrounds at the entrance. We searched about 30 minutes for American Three-toed Woodpeckers; without success. While looking for Pine Grosbeaks along the north and west side of Echo Lake, we ran into a male American Three-toed Woodpecker. Later we found a flock of 6-8 Pine Grosbeaks northwest of the lake.

Around the lake we also observed Lincoln's Sparrows and Green-tailed Towhees.

Note about Mt Evans status: In the past, the Mt Evans Road would be kept open until inclement weather closed it. This usually met it was open until late September or October. The government has changed the policy this year. Mt Evans Road is to be closed the day after Labor Day, 2008.

For those energetic birders, the hike from the Mt Evans pay station to Summit Lake is approximately 10 miles along the road.

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