August 14, 2011
Richard Stevens:
I led the CoBus sponsored trip to Mt Evans (Clear Creek County) this morning. It was a fine-looking morning with partly sunny skies and temperatures in the 60s. We had a caravan of two cars, seven birders.
Have to say, it helps to have many eyes looking for birds. I am quite often alone (which is nice also). It only took 20 minutes before Ray found a White-tailed Ptarmigan. Seconds later Jo Ann found another. It would not have taken 20 minutes, however the ptarmigan were 400 yards east of the pullover just north of the entrance to Summit Lake's parking area.
The many eyes helped also with Rosy Finches. Within 10 minutes of arriving at the northwest corner of Summit Lake, Jan called, Brown-capped Rosy Finch 10 o'clock! Within another 5 minutes, all counted at least 3 birds.
The view at the top of Mt Evans was marvelous in the clear air. No additional ptarmigan were found however, we did come across a dozen American Pipits, 4 Mountain Bluebirds and many Common Ravens. A Prairie Falcon even flew over!
Many Broad-tailed Hummingbirds and a half dozen Rufous Hummingbirds took advantage of the free "eats" at the feeders hung on the side of the Echo Lodge. An abbreviated drive through the Echo Lake Campgrounds did not find any American Three-toed Woodpeckers. I have missed them on the last three trips now.
A pair of Lincoln's Sparrows and a Green-tailed Towhee were at the northwest corner of Echo Lake. A lone sapsucker proved to be a male Red-naped Sapsucker. No Pine Grosbeaks turned up this morning.
En route to Denver, a quick stop at the top of Genesee Mountain Park (Jefferson) found a male Williamson's Sapsucker wandering around near this year's nest site below the summit. It did not appear that he had another brood in the works.
A small flock of Red Crossbills was meandering around below the southwest corner of the upper parking area. Red-breasted, White-breasted, and Pygmy Nuthatches fluttered about the group picnic area. Pine Siskins and a pair of Lesser Goldfinches added to the morning's symphony.
Half our group rushed to the airport to return home. I drove the DIA Owl Loop (Denver) and found 2 Burrowing Owls and a Ferruginous Hawk (east of Tower Road and 96th avenue).
Richard Stevens:
I led the CoBus sponsored trip to Mt Evans (Clear Creek County) this morning. It was a fine-looking morning with partly sunny skies and temperatures in the 60s. We had a caravan of two cars, seven birders.
Have to say, it helps to have many eyes looking for birds. I am quite often alone (which is nice also). It only took 20 minutes before Ray found a White-tailed Ptarmigan. Seconds later Jo Ann found another. It would not have taken 20 minutes, however the ptarmigan were 400 yards east of the pullover just north of the entrance to Summit Lake's parking area.
The many eyes helped also with Rosy Finches. Within 10 minutes of arriving at the northwest corner of Summit Lake, Jan called, Brown-capped Rosy Finch 10 o'clock! Within another 5 minutes, all counted at least 3 birds.
The view at the top of Mt Evans was marvelous in the clear air. No additional ptarmigan were found however, we did come across a dozen American Pipits, 4 Mountain Bluebirds and many Common Ravens. A Prairie Falcon even flew over!
Many Broad-tailed Hummingbirds and a half dozen Rufous Hummingbirds took advantage of the free "eats" at the feeders hung on the side of the Echo Lodge. An abbreviated drive through the Echo Lake Campgrounds did not find any American Three-toed Woodpeckers. I have missed them on the last three trips now.
A pair of Lincoln's Sparrows and a Green-tailed Towhee were at the northwest corner of Echo Lake. A lone sapsucker proved to be a male Red-naped Sapsucker. No Pine Grosbeaks turned up this morning.
En route to Denver, a quick stop at the top of Genesee Mountain Park (Jefferson) found a male Williamson's Sapsucker wandering around near this year's nest site below the summit. It did not appear that he had another brood in the works.
A small flock of Red Crossbills was meandering around below the southwest corner of the upper parking area. Red-breasted, White-breasted, and Pygmy Nuthatches fluttered about the group picnic area. Pine Siskins and a pair of Lesser Goldfinches added to the morning's symphony.
Half our group rushed to the airport to return home. I drove the DIA Owl Loop (Denver) and found 2 Burrowing Owls and a Ferruginous Hawk (east of Tower Road and 96th avenue).
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