Sunday, September 20, 2009

Phantom Canyon

September 16, 2009

Gary Weston: We continued our search for owls today. Before sunrise we searched the Manitou Experimental Forest for owls. The area is best known for Flammulated Owls, but there could be Pygmy Owls. We found neither.

We drove up to the Crags Campgrounds just to explore. Near dusk we played Northern Pygmy-Owl recordings but received no responses.

Next, we went into Canon City for some nourishment and then walked the Arkansas Riverwalk. A Black Phoebe was found about a 1/2 mile west of the eastern parking lot. We searched the area where Rich Miller had found a Prothonotary Warbler back on 9/14. The bird appears to have taken off.

Richard wanted some photos of the new Pathfinder Park near Florence, so that was our next stop. Jeffery found one of the Black Phoebes that has spent the summer here. David Elwonger first reported one back on April 14th.

Our main target was the Spotted Owls of Phantom Canyon. I think we drove the complete road twice and most of the area with high canyon walls at least five times. Not a whimper from any owls.

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