Monday, December 28, 2009

Return to the Mountains

December 27, 2009

Richard Stevens:

Bob Kersey and I drove up to Summit County to search for Rosy Finches and other mountain species.

No Rosy Finches were found around Silver Plume (Clear Creek County). Local feeders were visited by Mountain Chickadees and Pine Siskins.

Fourteen Barrow's Goldeneyes, several Common Goldeneyes, Mallards and Green-winged Teal were on the Blue River Water Treatment Plant Pond (Summit County).

Our attempt to find White-tailed Ptarmigan on Loveland Pass was not successful. We continued south down the pass and stopped at Montezuma. Here we snow shoed up the Hunkidori Trail for a bit hoping to find a Northern Pygmy-Owl; did not happen. We had no luck on the Saints John Trail also.

We returned to Loveland Pass for another 2 hour search for Ptarmigan; again without success. Then we headed to Georgetown for a late lunch.

A pair of Pine Grosbeaks and a flock of 7 Evening Grosbeaks were observed at feeders around Georgetown. A flock of 9 Red Crossbills was at the city park.

With an hour of light left, we returned once again to Loveland Pass. Bob watched the east side of the pass, I the west. Just after sunset, a pair of White-tailed Ptarmigan flew down from the west side hill to just below the road. Bob rushed over and saw his lifebird Ptarmigan!

Last year I had a similar experience where just at sunset, Ptarmigan flew down from higher hills to tree line. They appear to spend the night in the scattered trees at the upper tree line (provides a shelter from the nasty winds)? I am now three for three in searches for Ptarmigan at sunset on Loveland Pass. Cannot tell if this is "common", but we were quite happy it happened!

I would like to test this "concept" on Guanella Pass. However, exposing ones self to the late afternoon winds may not be a prudent idea? In addition, with recent snowstorms, Guanella Pass may now be closed for the season (will have to check on that next week).

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