Sunday, February 8, 2009

Fawnbrook Inn, Allenspark

February 8, 2009

Richard Stevens:

Dennis Rome and I found ourselves before sunrise at Fawnbrook Inn, Allenspark. in Boulder County. Shortly before 7:00am a flock of Rosy Finches flew overhead. They landed in the trees surrounding the Inn however never did come down to the feeders. The flock of 70+ birds contained all three species (though only 1 or 2 Black Rosy Finches).

While waiting for the Rosy Finches to appear, we heard a Northern Pygmy-Owl calling from somewhere behind us. A quick sweep with our binoculars found a Northern Pygmy-Owl about 60 feet southeast of the Inn.

The previously reported Band-tailed Pigeon never showed up during our stay. In Ward, half a dozen Evening Grosbeaks and 2 Pine Grosbeaks were found. We then continued south over to Gross Reservoir in search of Crossbills; without success.

Afterwards, we dropped down out of the mountains and scoped for gulls at Valmont Reservoir. No uncommon gulls or the previously reported White-winged Scoters could be found. No usual gulls were spotted at Prince Lake #2, Baseline or Boulder Reservoirs.

A quick stop was made at Lower Church Lake (Jefferson) where we observed the 5 Trumpeter Swans, and then continued to Aurora Reservoir to wait for the gulls to return from the DADS landfill (Denver Arapahoe Disposal Site).

Our stay lasted until almost too dark to see. No dark mantled gulls returned. No gulls flew to the swim beach; instead they landed on the ice below the eastern end of the dam.

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