Saturday, June 18, 2011

Douglas & Elbert County Birds!

June 18, 2011

Richard Stevens:

Back on the birding trail, Rebecca Kosten and I drove down to Chatfield State Park. As soon as we exited the car, we heard two Cassin's Sparrows singing. One was quite far south of the intersection of the main road and the Old Plum Creek Road (Douglas County). A second bird was less than 10 yards north-northeast of the intersection.

A quick drive by the marina, found the Western Gull. We then headed to Castlewood Canyon State Park by way of Titan Road. I had just washed my car (later turned out to be a waste of time) and did not drive down the gravel/dirt road to Plum Creek Delta (where the Eastern Phoebes have reported to nest).

Bobolinks were still in the field along Castlewood Canyon Road, south of the Winkler Ranch entrance (Douglas). Lark Sparrows, Vesper Sparrows, a Cordilleran Flycatcher (singing), Mountain Bluebirds, 2 Western Bluebirds (no Eastern) were also along the road.

Inside Castlewood Canyon State Park, we found Wild Turkey, Cordilleran Flycatcher, Least Flycatcher, Black-headed Grosbeaks, and Warbling Vireos. We could not find the reported Ovenbirds.

Our final destination was Elbert Road south of Kiowa (Elbert County). The weather was deteriorating rapidly. Winds started to pick up and clouds darken. Just before the rain started, we heard 2 (observed 1) Dickcissel about 4.0 miles south of highway 86. So much for a washed/clean car.

No comments: