Rebecca Kosten:
We currently have three groups out conducting breeding surveys. Contact is limited as cell phone coverage restricted in the mountains, internet service even more so. I piece together their progress from limited phone calls and text messages.
Progress for all groups has been limited by our huge snowfall this spring. When roads have not been covered with snowdrifts, they have been muddy. All have encountered rain almost everyday. Rain and thunderstorms especially does not help in finding owls.
July 15-20, 2011
Bryan and Sue Ehlmann have spent the last eight weeks wandering around southwest Colorado. We had rented a Cabin near Montrose as a base camp. Others were to join them, however circumstances personal and weather wise have diverted those plans. We have been thankful for their efforts! They plan to narrate their story for August's "Colorado Field Notes".
During this time, they have found Cassin's Sparrows in four counties: Montrose, Gunnison, Montezuma, La Plata and Archuleta. They returned at least two times at each location to search for indications of nesting. All sightings were single singing birds.
They found a Mexican Whip-Poor-will in Archuleta County. They returned three evenings as the bird was only briefly seen once in flight. It was heard all three nights. Their question: how to prove if nesting is or has occurred? Finding a Poorwill nest is extremely difficult.
Misses: Extensive searches for Bendire's Thrashers and additional poorwills has come up unsuccessful. They found at least three Curve-billed Thrasher nests.
July 15, 2011
The Gary's (Weston & Zeeto) departed Denver early Friday morning. They missed White-tailed Ptarmigan on Guanella Pass, Clear Creek County and continued west to Buena Vista, Chaffee Cty.
American Three-toed Woodpeckers were relocated south of Brookdale Avenue and east of North Pleasant Avenue in Buena Vista. Pinyon Jays were found along the road between the Buena Vista Overlook and Ruby Mt. parking area.
After dark, they missed any owls at Ruby Mt but relocated a Northern Saw-whet Owl on the BLM land north of the Buena Vista Overlook.
July 16, 2011
The Garys spent the day and early evening birding on Marshall Pass, Gunnison Cty. High winds and rain encountered and caused muddy roads. An American Three-toed Woodpecker and Flammulated Owl were found near the summit.
July 17, 2011
Jerry Petrosky and Richard Stevens searched unsuccessfully for White-tailed Ptarmigan on Loveland Pass then continued to Montezuma, Colorado.
Owling started late as they waited for afternoon rains to stop. No owls were found along the first two miles of the Argentine Pass Trail.
A Northern Pygmy-Owl was heard between the parking lot and the fork of the two trails. A Flammulated Owl was seen up the Hunkidori Trail. They continued to above treeline. No Boreal Owls were located.
Garys Weston and Zeeto
The Gary's found 3 Gunnison Sage-Grouse near the intersection of Gunnison CR 38 & 38A.
July 18, 2011
Jerry Petrosky and Richard Stevens drove to the upper parking lot for the Spruce Creek Trail. Instead of taking the main trail, they detoured south and then west up the mountain. An American Three-toed Woodpecker and Northern Pygmy-Owl were found within 400 to 900 yards from their car.
This is one of Richard's favorite trails. Waterfalls, lakes and wild flowers are abundant. Misses included White-tailed Ptarmigan and Boreal Owls. Hermit Thrushes, Fox Sparrows and Brewer's Sparrows were consolations. They recorded the singing Brewer's Sparrows which may have been "Timberline" Brewer's Sparrows.
The Garys found a Least Flycatcher up the Neversink Trail. Along Gunnison CR 26, north of highway 149, they encountered an American Three-toed Woodpecker and Williamson's Sapsucker. Rain limited owling.
July 19, 2011
Jerry Petrosky and Richard Stevens hiked up to the A.M. Bailey Bird Sanctuary, Summit Cty. An American Three-toed Woodpecker was east of the trail about 1/3 up the trail.
A Williamson's Sapsucker and Red-naped Sapsucker were in the small Aspen Grove at the sanctuary. Fox Sparrows, Wilson's Warblers, Willow Flycatchers and White-crowned Sparrows also seen.
The Garys found a Common Loon at Blue Mesa Reservoir. An interesting Gull was too far away to identify. By the time they circled around to the south side of the reservoir, the Gull was gone. They postulated that it was a Little Gull, but did not record as such.
Taylor Park Reservoir had a few Common Goldeneyes, no Barrow's. An American Three-toed Woodpecker and 4 Band-tailed Pigeons were found at the Lake View Campgrounds.
July 20, 2011
Jerry Petrosky and Richard Stevens saw 2 Black Swifts high over the canyon on their hike to Hanging Lake, Garfield Cty. They searched unsuccessfully for Purple Martins at the Sunlight Ski area and the Transfer Trail.
The Garys found a White-tailed Ptarmigan at Cumberland Pass, Gunnison Cty. Rains extremely limited their birding and owling today.
July 21, 2011
Bryan and Sue Ehlmann headed north from their southern birding. They spent the night in Telluride and found Black Swifts early in the morning at Bridal Veil Falls, San Miguel Cty.
Later they were rewarded by sighting a pair of White-winged Crossbills at Lizard Head Pass, Dolores Cty.
Jerry Petrosky and Richard Stevens enjoyed a great day of birding south of Glenwood Springs.
While searching for Purple Martins at an old nesting location below McClure Pass, they found a Chestnut-sided Warbler in the area and road below the first guard rail north of McClure Pass, Pitkin Cty.
They continued toward Marble and stopped at Prospect Ranch. Twenty plus Band-tailed Pigeons were in trees above the cabins. A Purple Martin was seen flying around the open field (airplane field).
They continued to Marble and decided not to drive up Schofield Pass. Rumors that the water crossing at Devil's Punchbowls was 3 feet deep. Instead returning to Prospect Ranch they climb part way up the waterfalls and found a Black Swift (nest).
While walking up Old Kebler Pass road, they found a Dusky Grouse south of the cattle guard. Later a Northern Pygmy-Owl was found between the road and the McClure Pass Campgrounds.
The Garys drove up Cumberland Pass Road, Gunnison Cty today. A long hike found a White-tailed Ptarmigan at the summit. After dusk, they found Northern Pygmy-Owls at Tincup and Mirror Lake.
July 22, 2011
Bryan and Sue Ehlmann: They hiked the Alta Trail today. It's a strenuous hike but they were well rewarded. Birds recorded: American Three-toed Woodpecker, Northern Pygmy-Owl and Boreal Owls. Owls responded well to recordings.
Jerry Petrosky and Richard Stevens drove up Kebler Pass, Gunnison Cty today. Hikes added an American Three-toed Woodpecker Dusky Grouse, near the old cemetery to their trip list. High winds, rain ruined most of their day. Schofield Pass could not be reached from Crested Butte.
Garys: Drove Tincup Pass Road, Gunnison Cty today. Many rocks, not possible without high clearance vehicle. Rufous Hummingbirds and two Calliope Hummingbirds found in town. Northern Pygmy-Owl responded to a tape at dusk. Owling hampered by rains.
We currently have three groups out conducting breeding surveys. Contact is limited as cell phone coverage restricted in the mountains, internet service even more so. I piece together their progress from limited phone calls and text messages.
Progress for all groups has been limited by our huge snowfall this spring. When roads have not been covered with snowdrifts, they have been muddy. All have encountered rain almost everyday. Rain and thunderstorms especially does not help in finding owls.
July 15-20, 2011
Bryan and Sue Ehlmann have spent the last eight weeks wandering around southwest Colorado. We had rented a Cabin near Montrose as a base camp. Others were to join them, however circumstances personal and weather wise have diverted those plans. We have been thankful for their efforts! They plan to narrate their story for August's "Colorado Field Notes".
During this time, they have found Cassin's Sparrows in four counties: Montrose, Gunnison, Montezuma, La Plata and Archuleta. They returned at least two times at each location to search for indications of nesting. All sightings were single singing birds.
They found a Mexican Whip-Poor-will in Archuleta County. They returned three evenings as the bird was only briefly seen once in flight. It was heard all three nights. Their question: how to prove if nesting is or has occurred? Finding a Poorwill nest is extremely difficult.
Misses: Extensive searches for Bendire's Thrashers and additional poorwills has come up unsuccessful. They found at least three Curve-billed Thrasher nests.
July 15, 2011
The Gary's (Weston & Zeeto) departed Denver early Friday morning. They missed White-tailed Ptarmigan on Guanella Pass, Clear Creek County and continued west to Buena Vista, Chaffee Cty.
American Three-toed Woodpeckers were relocated south of Brookdale Avenue and east of North Pleasant Avenue in Buena Vista. Pinyon Jays were found along the road between the Buena Vista Overlook and Ruby Mt. parking area.
After dark, they missed any owls at Ruby Mt but relocated a Northern Saw-whet Owl on the BLM land north of the Buena Vista Overlook.
July 16, 2011
The Garys spent the day and early evening birding on Marshall Pass, Gunnison Cty. High winds and rain encountered and caused muddy roads. An American Three-toed Woodpecker and Flammulated Owl were found near the summit.
July 17, 2011
Jerry Petrosky and Richard Stevens searched unsuccessfully for White-tailed Ptarmigan on Loveland Pass then continued to Montezuma, Colorado.
Owling started late as they waited for afternoon rains to stop. No owls were found along the first two miles of the Argentine Pass Trail.
A Northern Pygmy-Owl was heard between the parking lot and the fork of the two trails. A Flammulated Owl was seen up the Hunkidori Trail. They continued to above treeline. No Boreal Owls were located.
Garys Weston and Zeeto
The Gary's found 3 Gunnison Sage-Grouse near the intersection of Gunnison CR 38 & 38A.
July 18, 2011
Jerry Petrosky and Richard Stevens drove to the upper parking lot for the Spruce Creek Trail. Instead of taking the main trail, they detoured south and then west up the mountain. An American Three-toed Woodpecker and Northern Pygmy-Owl were found within 400 to 900 yards from their car.
This is one of Richard's favorite trails. Waterfalls, lakes and wild flowers are abundant. Misses included White-tailed Ptarmigan and Boreal Owls. Hermit Thrushes, Fox Sparrows and Brewer's Sparrows were consolations. They recorded the singing Brewer's Sparrows which may have been "Timberline" Brewer's Sparrows.
The Garys found a Least Flycatcher up the Neversink Trail. Along Gunnison CR 26, north of highway 149, they encountered an American Three-toed Woodpecker and Williamson's Sapsucker. Rain limited owling.
July 19, 2011
Jerry Petrosky and Richard Stevens hiked up to the A.M. Bailey Bird Sanctuary, Summit Cty. An American Three-toed Woodpecker was east of the trail about 1/3 up the trail.
A Williamson's Sapsucker and Red-naped Sapsucker were in the small Aspen Grove at the sanctuary. Fox Sparrows, Wilson's Warblers, Willow Flycatchers and White-crowned Sparrows also seen.
The Garys found a Common Loon at Blue Mesa Reservoir. An interesting Gull was too far away to identify. By the time they circled around to the south side of the reservoir, the Gull was gone. They postulated that it was a Little Gull, but did not record as such.
Taylor Park Reservoir had a few Common Goldeneyes, no Barrow's. An American Three-toed Woodpecker and 4 Band-tailed Pigeons were found at the Lake View Campgrounds.
July 20, 2011
Jerry Petrosky and Richard Stevens saw 2 Black Swifts high over the canyon on their hike to Hanging Lake, Garfield Cty. They searched unsuccessfully for Purple Martins at the Sunlight Ski area and the Transfer Trail.
The Garys found a White-tailed Ptarmigan at Cumberland Pass, Gunnison Cty. Rains extremely limited their birding and owling today.
July 21, 2011
Bryan and Sue Ehlmann headed north from their southern birding. They spent the night in Telluride and found Black Swifts early in the morning at Bridal Veil Falls, San Miguel Cty.
Later they were rewarded by sighting a pair of White-winged Crossbills at Lizard Head Pass, Dolores Cty.
Jerry Petrosky and Richard Stevens enjoyed a great day of birding south of Glenwood Springs.
While searching for Purple Martins at an old nesting location below McClure Pass, they found a Chestnut-sided Warbler in the area and road below the first guard rail north of McClure Pass, Pitkin Cty.
They continued toward Marble and stopped at Prospect Ranch. Twenty plus Band-tailed Pigeons were in trees above the cabins. A Purple Martin was seen flying around the open field (airplane field).
They continued to Marble and decided not to drive up Schofield Pass. Rumors that the water crossing at Devil's Punchbowls was 3 feet deep. Instead returning to Prospect Ranch they climb part way up the waterfalls and found a Black Swift (nest).
While walking up Old Kebler Pass road, they found a Dusky Grouse south of the cattle guard. Later a Northern Pygmy-Owl was found between the road and the McClure Pass Campgrounds.
The Garys drove up Cumberland Pass Road, Gunnison Cty today. A long hike found a White-tailed Ptarmigan at the summit. After dusk, they found Northern Pygmy-Owls at Tincup and Mirror Lake.
July 22, 2011
Bryan and Sue Ehlmann: They hiked the Alta Trail today. It's a strenuous hike but they were well rewarded. Birds recorded: American Three-toed Woodpecker, Northern Pygmy-Owl and Boreal Owls. Owls responded well to recordings.
Jerry Petrosky and Richard Stevens drove up Kebler Pass, Gunnison Cty today. Hikes added an American Three-toed Woodpecker Dusky Grouse, near the old cemetery to their trip list. High winds, rain ruined most of their day. Schofield Pass could not be reached from Crested Butte.
Garys: Drove Tincup Pass Road, Gunnison Cty today. Many rocks, not possible without high clearance vehicle. Rufous Hummingbirds and two Calliope Hummingbirds found in town. Northern Pygmy-Owl responded to a tape at dusk. Owling hampered by rains.
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