July 15 to August 5, 2009
Bryan Ehlmann: Hello cobirders,
Over the next three weeks I will be leading the CoBus summer birding tour. Sue and I are the core of the group and we will be joined at times by up to 7 other birders including Richard Stevens, Rebecca Kosten, Gary Weston, Jerry Petrosky, a few other Colorado birders and a couple of out of state birders.
Unfortunately the format of this blog doesn't allow chronological order of our trip. See Part 1, below.
July 18
We had a lot of ground to cover today. Too much really, but we split up and gave it a try. My group made a loop Monte Vista to Antonio to Platoro to Capulin back to Del Norte. Gary Weston's group headed east to Fort Garland to San Luis to Manassa to Alamosa to Del Norte.
It would take too long to write down all the birds found. So highlights to follow.
Ehlmann group:
Of course Eurasian Collared-Doves are found in almost all towns now. We stopped at the many campgrounds along the route. Our Conejos County wanderings included:
An Ash-throated Flycatcher was seen at Mogate Campgrounds. A pair of Purple Martins was found at Trujillo Meadows Campground and Reservoir. At Cumbres Pass we saw a singing Fox Sparrow, several Broad-tailed Hummingbirds, and a male Rufous Hummingbird.
We detoured to Chama Basin since few birders have ever reported from the very isolated area which has to be reached by way of New Mexico. It was similar to Trujillo Meadows Campgrounds but without the water. One Purple Martin was seen flying by. Cordilleran Flycatchers, Hammond's Flycatchers, Ruby-crowned Kinglets, a Golden-crowned Kinglet and Broad-tailed Hummingbirds can be added to the Campgrounds list.
We had to skip Garcia Lake as it appeared it would take too much time to get to it. We continued north and then northwest on Forest Road 250 deeper into Conejos Canyon. We counted birds at the following campgrounds but nothing uncommon was listed: Elk Creek CG, Spectacle CG, Conejos CG, Trail Creek CG, and Lake Fork CG. Lincoln's Sparrows, a Savannah Sparrow, a pair of Red-naped Sapsuckers and 2 Evening Grosbeaks were the highlights.
Our next stop was Platoro Reservoir area. To say the least, there were few birds. Not worth a stop unless you are conducting bird counts to be able to say few birds. Mixed Lake CG also was a bust. Stunner CG was the same. We detoured up to Summitville just to see what it looked like. Boreal Owls have been reported at Platoro and Summitville, but we weren't going to stay around until dark. Not likely to ever find them during the day, we moved on to Terrace Reservoir.
A brief stop at Alamosa Campgrounds to stretch our legs found a Dusky Grouse wandering around unobvious to humans. The Campgrounds probably do not get many birders.
On the way to Monte Vista we again detoured up Rock Creek Road (now in Rio Grande County) to Rock Creek CG and Comstock CG. Just before reaching the Campgrounds the road enters back into the forest. We counted the usual forest birds. Nothing unusual unless Evening Grosbeaks are uncommon to Rio Grande County? All groups returned after dark and we heard two Boreal Owls west of Rock Creek Campgrounds!
Weston group:
Our "mission" was to count birds in the San Luis Hills, a very different habitat than Bryan was seeing. The barren land has some Pinyon Juniper woodlands and Sagebrush. It's definitely defined by the lack of water.
On the trip down from Monte Vista we found a pair of Mountain Plovers. They have been reported to nest in the valley. They were a great Conejos County find for all of us!
The highlights in the order found included Sage Sparrows, a Black-throated Sparrow, a pair of Blue-gray Gnatcatchers, a Savannah Sparrow, Bewick's Wrens, a Dusky Flycatcher, Virginia's Warbler, Chipping Sparrows, and a Cassin's Sparrow. A flock of 4-6 Pinyon Jays made quite a racket for us! We considered our list to be very impressive and left very happy with our long morning of birding! We also considered ourselves fortunate to not run across any rattlesnakes which probably come out in late evening.
We found Alto Lakes and Cove Lake Reservoir on the map, but decided that there was not enough time to check them out. We were disappointed to find Sego Springs Wildlife Closed (due to waterfowl nesting). Note: We found out later that it might have been open and we miss read the signs? Didn't go back to check.
Short drives around Antonio, Romeo, San Acacio, and San Luis did not add much to our day lists. We did find a couple of Rufous Hummingbirds and Black-chinned Hummingbirds around Antonito. We looked around San Luis for hummingbirds as an Anna's Hummingbird was reported here a few years ago. Only a couple of Black-chinned Hummingbirds were found by us.
We left Conejos County and drove east to Costilla County. A few raptors were added to our county and day list. The only bird of note at Sanchez Reservoir was a Bewick's Wren (for our county lists).
A pair of Burrowing Owls were just south of Fort Garland. We walked around the area about 3 miles south of Fort Garland and run across a couple of Sage Sparrows.
A flock of 8-10 Pinyon Jays were flying around Mountain Home Reservoir. A lone sandpiper turned out to be a Least Sandpiper. This has to be very out of place? Smith Reservoir south of Blanca was a bust and we headed to Del Norte to meet up with Bryan.
CoBus group:
After a quick bite we went west to Wolf Creek Pass, Mineral County. We wanted to look for Black Swifts this afternoon because our itinerary may not include passing by here early or late in the afternoon. The trip turned out well as two Black Swifts were seen from the western overlook!
After dark we went owling back north of Del Norte. Campgrounds checked included: Rock Creek (south of Del Norte), Cathedral, Poso, Storm King, Buffalo Pass, Luders Creek, Stone Cellar, and North Crestone Creek.
We enjoyed what we considered as great success in finding owls. Exact locations are kept for the Colorado Bird Breeding Atlas IIC. We again split into two groups to cover more ground.
Rio Grande County
Flammulated Owl (2)
Great Horned Owl (4, 2 Locations)
Long-eared Owl (1)
Boreal Owl (2)
Saguache County
Flammulated Owl (5, 3 Locations)
Great Horned Owl (2)
Northern Pygmy-Owl (2, 2 Locations)
Northern Saw-whet Owl (1)
July 19
In spite of being up all night, all of us headed to DeWeese Reservoir, Custer County. Fortunately, the Reddish Egret was walking around the southern end before sunrise. We all got great looks, a bad photo, and drove to West Cliff to get some sleep.
We got an afternoon start on our trip west to South Fork area, Mineral County. We again split up to conduct surveys for the BBS IIC. We did not get back together until sunrise.
Ehlmann group:
We stopped at Campgrounds and wildlife areas on the east side of Wolf Creek Pass. These included: Palisade to Wagon Wheel Gap, Highway Springs, Lower Beaver Creek, Upper Beaver Creek, Cross Creek, Park Creek, Big Meadows, West Fork, Wolf Creek.
The first highlight was a Hooded Warbler up to road to Wagon Wheel Gap. We all wondered if they could possibly nest in the area? The habitat is similar to those found in Arizona (though I have no idea if they have breeding records), and Gregory Canyon where they also may breed. A Sage Thrasher seemed out of place as we expect them more down in the valleys.
Just south of Wagon Wheel Gap is Palisade Campgrounds. A Warbling Vireo and Cordilleran Flycatcher were of a little interest. Coller Wildlife Area is south of here. Again few birds were around, another Warbling Vireo, Green-tailed Towhee, Lincoln's Sparrow, and Yellow Warblers. We did find our Mineral County American Dipper! Big Meadows Reservoir was a bust. A Dusky Grouse walked across the road to Park Creek Campgrounds.
Not much else of interest was found until our owling started. Tonight we enjoyed fair success.
Flammulated Owl (3, 2 Locations) One being Park Creek CG
Northern Saw-whet Owl (1)
Weston group:
We counted birds west of Wolf Creek Pass, still in Mineral County. Campgrounds visited included West Fork and Wolf Creek in Mineral County; East Fork in Archuleta County; and Bridge, Williams Creek, Teal Picnic Area, Cimarrona; also Williams Creek Reservoir in Hinsdale County.
The highlights of our daylight birding included a Three-toed Woodpecker north of Williams Creek Reservoir and a Dusky Grouse near Cimarrona Campgrounds.
We did better on owls than the Ehlmann group!!!
Flammulated Owl (2)
Western Screech-Owl (missed)
Great Horned Owl (2, 2 Locations)
Long-eared Owl (missed) (Of the expected owls, we wanted this one bad; no luck!)
Boreal Owl (Wolf Creek Pass at 4:30 AM)
Northern Saw-whet Owl (west fork CG)
July 20
Getting to bed at 7:00 AM and sleeping until noon. Our days are really beginning in the afternoon, but owling is our major concern. Owling which doesn't really start until after 8:00 PM.
Ehlmann group:
Our "assignment" today was in Mineral County.
We drove around Creede, explored Marshall Park CG, Rio Grande CG, and then went up Forest Road 528 (Lime Creek Road) along Lime Creek to Spar City and up to Ivy Creek Campgrounds.
We would have liked to explore the Wheeler Geologic Area but it's a long trip to get there. A drive up Forest Road 503 found us a couple of White-throated Swifts for Mineral County.
The usual birds were found up the many spurs of Lime Creek Road. We did see American Three-toed Woodpeckers, 2 Dusky Grouse, etc. Ivy Creek Campgrounds are at 9200 feet. Our trip was timed to reach the area around 6:00 PM. That gave us enough time to look around and then wait until dark. Two Grace's Warblers were definitely our highlight, county birds for all of us!
Owling was poor as we found absolutely none.
Weston group:
Most of our birding was in Hinsdale County. Our "territory included a couple of lakes and reservoirs. We drove north along Highway 149 which runs along the Rio Grande River.
Campgrounds visited included Road Canyon, River Hill, Thirty Mile, and Lost Hill. There are a couple of reservoirs along Hwy 149 just before it enters Hinsdale County. The highlight was a couple of Western Grebes, 2 Pied-billed Grebes, and 3 species of ducks.
Forest Road 520 was the most interesting. It passes the Road Canyon Reservoirs and Rio Grande Reservoir. The road goes west into the Weminuche Wilderness. The reservoirs themselves were uneventful though we did find some Hinsdale County birds for us: Western Grebe, Pied-billed Grebe, Eared Grebe, and four species of ducks. Lazy U Reservoir up Crooked Creek had a pair of Western Grebes. With so many sightings, they must nest somewhere in Hinsdale County.
We also found Grace's Warblers at Lost Trail Campgrounds (9,500 feet). Waited until dark and stopped many places to search for owls. We had a little better success with owls and I mean little. Two Great Horned Owls called early in the morning around Road Canyon Reservoir #1.
Bryan Ehlmann: Hello cobirders,
Over the next three weeks I will be leading the CoBus summer birding tour. Sue and I are the core of the group and we will be joined at times by up to 7 other birders including Richard Stevens, Rebecca Kosten, Gary Weston, Jerry Petrosky, a few other Colorado birders and a couple of out of state birders.
Unfortunately the format of this blog doesn't allow chronological order of our trip. See Part 1, below.
July 18
We had a lot of ground to cover today. Too much really, but we split up and gave it a try. My group made a loop Monte Vista to Antonio to Platoro to Capulin back to Del Norte. Gary Weston's group headed east to Fort Garland to San Luis to Manassa to Alamosa to Del Norte.
It would take too long to write down all the birds found. So highlights to follow.
Ehlmann group:
Of course Eurasian Collared-Doves are found in almost all towns now. We stopped at the many campgrounds along the route. Our Conejos County wanderings included:
An Ash-throated Flycatcher was seen at Mogate Campgrounds. A pair of Purple Martins was found at Trujillo Meadows Campground and Reservoir. At Cumbres Pass we saw a singing Fox Sparrow, several Broad-tailed Hummingbirds, and a male Rufous Hummingbird.
We detoured to Chama Basin since few birders have ever reported from the very isolated area which has to be reached by way of New Mexico. It was similar to Trujillo Meadows Campgrounds but without the water. One Purple Martin was seen flying by. Cordilleran Flycatchers, Hammond's Flycatchers, Ruby-crowned Kinglets, a Golden-crowned Kinglet and Broad-tailed Hummingbirds can be added to the Campgrounds list.
We had to skip Garcia Lake as it appeared it would take too much time to get to it. We continued north and then northwest on Forest Road 250 deeper into Conejos Canyon. We counted birds at the following campgrounds but nothing uncommon was listed: Elk Creek CG, Spectacle CG, Conejos CG, Trail Creek CG, and Lake Fork CG. Lincoln's Sparrows, a Savannah Sparrow, a pair of Red-naped Sapsuckers and 2 Evening Grosbeaks were the highlights.
Our next stop was Platoro Reservoir area. To say the least, there were few birds. Not worth a stop unless you are conducting bird counts to be able to say few birds. Mixed Lake CG also was a bust. Stunner CG was the same. We detoured up to Summitville just to see what it looked like. Boreal Owls have been reported at Platoro and Summitville, but we weren't going to stay around until dark. Not likely to ever find them during the day, we moved on to Terrace Reservoir.
A brief stop at Alamosa Campgrounds to stretch our legs found a Dusky Grouse wandering around unobvious to humans. The Campgrounds probably do not get many birders.
On the way to Monte Vista we again detoured up Rock Creek Road (now in Rio Grande County) to Rock Creek CG and Comstock CG. Just before reaching the Campgrounds the road enters back into the forest. We counted the usual forest birds. Nothing unusual unless Evening Grosbeaks are uncommon to Rio Grande County? All groups returned after dark and we heard two Boreal Owls west of Rock Creek Campgrounds!
Weston group:
Our "mission" was to count birds in the San Luis Hills, a very different habitat than Bryan was seeing. The barren land has some Pinyon Juniper woodlands and Sagebrush. It's definitely defined by the lack of water.
On the trip down from Monte Vista we found a pair of Mountain Plovers. They have been reported to nest in the valley. They were a great Conejos County find for all of us!
The highlights in the order found included Sage Sparrows, a Black-throated Sparrow, a pair of Blue-gray Gnatcatchers, a Savannah Sparrow, Bewick's Wrens, a Dusky Flycatcher, Virginia's Warbler, Chipping Sparrows, and a Cassin's Sparrow. A flock of 4-6 Pinyon Jays made quite a racket for us! We considered our list to be very impressive and left very happy with our long morning of birding! We also considered ourselves fortunate to not run across any rattlesnakes which probably come out in late evening.
We found Alto Lakes and Cove Lake Reservoir on the map, but decided that there was not enough time to check them out. We were disappointed to find Sego Springs Wildlife Closed (due to waterfowl nesting). Note: We found out later that it might have been open and we miss read the signs? Didn't go back to check.
Short drives around Antonio, Romeo, San Acacio, and San Luis did not add much to our day lists. We did find a couple of Rufous Hummingbirds and Black-chinned Hummingbirds around Antonito. We looked around San Luis for hummingbirds as an Anna's Hummingbird was reported here a few years ago. Only a couple of Black-chinned Hummingbirds were found by us.
We left Conejos County and drove east to Costilla County. A few raptors were added to our county and day list. The only bird of note at Sanchez Reservoir was a Bewick's Wren (for our county lists).
A pair of Burrowing Owls were just south of Fort Garland. We walked around the area about 3 miles south of Fort Garland and run across a couple of Sage Sparrows.
A flock of 8-10 Pinyon Jays were flying around Mountain Home Reservoir. A lone sandpiper turned out to be a Least Sandpiper. This has to be very out of place? Smith Reservoir south of Blanca was a bust and we headed to Del Norte to meet up with Bryan.
CoBus group:
After a quick bite we went west to Wolf Creek Pass, Mineral County. We wanted to look for Black Swifts this afternoon because our itinerary may not include passing by here early or late in the afternoon. The trip turned out well as two Black Swifts were seen from the western overlook!
After dark we went owling back north of Del Norte. Campgrounds checked included: Rock Creek (south of Del Norte), Cathedral, Poso, Storm King, Buffalo Pass, Luders Creek, Stone Cellar, and North Crestone Creek.
We enjoyed what we considered as great success in finding owls. Exact locations are kept for the Colorado Bird Breeding Atlas IIC. We again split into two groups to cover more ground.
Rio Grande County
Flammulated Owl (2)
Great Horned Owl (4, 2 Locations)
Long-eared Owl (1)
Boreal Owl (2)
Saguache County
Flammulated Owl (5, 3 Locations)
Great Horned Owl (2)
Northern Pygmy-Owl (2, 2 Locations)
Northern Saw-whet Owl (1)
July 19
In spite of being up all night, all of us headed to DeWeese Reservoir, Custer County. Fortunately, the Reddish Egret was walking around the southern end before sunrise. We all got great looks, a bad photo, and drove to West Cliff to get some sleep.
We got an afternoon start on our trip west to South Fork area, Mineral County. We again split up to conduct surveys for the BBS IIC. We did not get back together until sunrise.
Ehlmann group:
We stopped at Campgrounds and wildlife areas on the east side of Wolf Creek Pass. These included: Palisade to Wagon Wheel Gap, Highway Springs, Lower Beaver Creek, Upper Beaver Creek, Cross Creek, Park Creek, Big Meadows, West Fork, Wolf Creek.
The first highlight was a Hooded Warbler up to road to Wagon Wheel Gap. We all wondered if they could possibly nest in the area? The habitat is similar to those found in Arizona (though I have no idea if they have breeding records), and Gregory Canyon where they also may breed. A Sage Thrasher seemed out of place as we expect them more down in the valleys.
Just south of Wagon Wheel Gap is Palisade Campgrounds. A Warbling Vireo and Cordilleran Flycatcher were of a little interest. Coller Wildlife Area is south of here. Again few birds were around, another Warbling Vireo, Green-tailed Towhee, Lincoln's Sparrow, and Yellow Warblers. We did find our Mineral County American Dipper! Big Meadows Reservoir was a bust. A Dusky Grouse walked across the road to Park Creek Campgrounds.
Not much else of interest was found until our owling started. Tonight we enjoyed fair success.
Flammulated Owl (3, 2 Locations) One being Park Creek CG
Northern Saw-whet Owl (1)
Weston group:
We counted birds west of Wolf Creek Pass, still in Mineral County. Campgrounds visited included West Fork and Wolf Creek in Mineral County; East Fork in Archuleta County; and Bridge, Williams Creek, Teal Picnic Area, Cimarrona; also Williams Creek Reservoir in Hinsdale County.
The highlights of our daylight birding included a Three-toed Woodpecker north of Williams Creek Reservoir and a Dusky Grouse near Cimarrona Campgrounds.
We did better on owls than the Ehlmann group!!!
Flammulated Owl (2)
Western Screech-Owl (missed)
Great Horned Owl (2, 2 Locations)
Long-eared Owl (missed) (Of the expected owls, we wanted this one bad; no luck!)
Boreal Owl (Wolf Creek Pass at 4:30 AM)
Northern Saw-whet Owl (west fork CG)
July 20
Getting to bed at 7:00 AM and sleeping until noon. Our days are really beginning in the afternoon, but owling is our major concern. Owling which doesn't really start until after 8:00 PM.
Ehlmann group:
Our "assignment" today was in Mineral County.
We drove around Creede, explored Marshall Park CG, Rio Grande CG, and then went up Forest Road 528 (Lime Creek Road) along Lime Creek to Spar City and up to Ivy Creek Campgrounds.
We would have liked to explore the Wheeler Geologic Area but it's a long trip to get there. A drive up Forest Road 503 found us a couple of White-throated Swifts for Mineral County.
The usual birds were found up the many spurs of Lime Creek Road. We did see American Three-toed Woodpeckers, 2 Dusky Grouse, etc. Ivy Creek Campgrounds are at 9200 feet. Our trip was timed to reach the area around 6:00 PM. That gave us enough time to look around and then wait until dark. Two Grace's Warblers were definitely our highlight, county birds for all of us!
Owling was poor as we found absolutely none.
Weston group:
Most of our birding was in Hinsdale County. Our "territory included a couple of lakes and reservoirs. We drove north along Highway 149 which runs along the Rio Grande River.
Campgrounds visited included Road Canyon, River Hill, Thirty Mile, and Lost Hill. There are a couple of reservoirs along Hwy 149 just before it enters Hinsdale County. The highlight was a couple of Western Grebes, 2 Pied-billed Grebes, and 3 species of ducks.
Forest Road 520 was the most interesting. It passes the Road Canyon Reservoirs and Rio Grande Reservoir. The road goes west into the Weminuche Wilderness. The reservoirs themselves were uneventful though we did find some Hinsdale County birds for us: Western Grebe, Pied-billed Grebe, Eared Grebe, and four species of ducks. Lazy U Reservoir up Crooked Creek had a pair of Western Grebes. With so many sightings, they must nest somewhere in Hinsdale County.
We also found Grace's Warblers at Lost Trail Campgrounds (9,500 feet). Waited until dark and stopped many places to search for owls. We had a little better success with owls and I mean little. Two Great Horned Owls called early in the morning around Road Canyon Reservoir #1.
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