Wednesday, July 27, 2011

Continued Breeding Surveys on Western Slope

July 23-26, 2011

Rebecca Kosteon: Breeding surveys on the western slope continue.

July 23, 2011

Ehlmann group: Bryan and Sue drove up Yankee Boy Basin Road, San Miguel Cty. They saw a Black Swift flying overhead twice (two locations). They also found an American Three-toed Woodpecker and Olive-sided Flycatcher. They thought it was a strange place for an Olive-sided Flycatcher.

Petrosky group drove down Cimarron Road, Montrose Cty and continued into Gunnison Cty, Road 858. Reported bird sightings:
Black Swift at Big Green Mountain Falls
Dusky Grouse at Silver Jack Campgrounds
Northern Pygmy-Owl at Ohio Pass

Gary's group: Drove Hancock Pass (many rocks, two snowdrifts to drive) and Alpine Tunnel Trail. Birds scarce. Northern Pygmy-Owl along Alpine Trail.

July 24, 2011

Ehlmann group: They drove up Ophir Pass Road, San Miguel Cty. A Black Swift was seen overhead near the summit. They hiked up toward Columbine Lake (from Silver Mine Road) until their target bird was found (a female and 3 young White-tailed Ptarmigan).

A Northern Pygmy-Owl responded to a recording up the way back down to Highway 145. Black Bear Pass Road was closed due to snow.

Petrosky group: Hiked up to Fish Creek Reservoir, Gunnison Cty today. High winds and rain. One Northern Pygmy-Owl heard during "slow" period in weather. It was not possible to get over Owl Pass.

Gary's group: Highlight today was a White-winged Crossbill along Old Monarch Pass, Chaffee Cty. Black Sage Pass and Tomichi Pass were both open, few birds found.

July 25, 2011

Ehlmann group: Watched Black Swifts at Box Canyon Falls then drove up the Divide Road on the Uncompahgre Plateau, Montrose Cty. Birds observed and confirmed nesting: Lewis's Woodpeckers, American Three-toed Woodpeckers, Williamson's Sapsuckers, Flammulated Owls and Northern Saw-whet Owl. They also heard several Common Poorwills.

Petrosky group: Hiked along Forest Road 858 most of the day. American Three-toed Woodpeckers found at three locations between Big Cimarron Campgrounds and Silver Jack Campgrounds.

Gary's group: relocated American Three-toed Woodpecker on Monarch Pass. Little luck in finding owls either side of pass. High winds, rain hampering search. Northern Pygmy-Owl on Los Pinos Pass, Saguache Cty.

July 26, 2011

Ehlmann group: They continued their Divide Road survey. Flammulated Owl count was up to 14+ birds. A second Northern Saw-whet Owl was found. Another Three-toed Woodpecker also.

Petrosky group: Visited a friend's ranch in Gunnison County. He reported a pair of Long-eared Owls on a nest in June. They were not there today. A bonus, they saw a Yellow-billed Cuckoo carrying a stick. Lost bird in riparian area, not able to determine if nesting.

Ended day at Box Canyon Falls watching Black Swifts.

Gary's group: Highlight: a pair of White-winged Crossbills near the summit of Los Pinos Pass, Saguache Cty. A pair of American Three-toed Woodpeckers at Dome Lakes, Saguache Cty.

No comments: