Friday, September 9, 2011

A Day on the Eastern Plains

September 9, 2011

Richard Stevens:

Rebecca Kosten and I made a day of it birding on the eastern plains. Our main goal was Last Chance Rest Stop (Washington County).

On the drive east, we stopped at the I70 Rest Stop at Bennett (Arapahoe). In past years, Northern Cardinals have sometimes been reported here; none today.

Coming out of the building, I saw three small birds, which turned out to be a male black-backed and 2 female type Lesser Goldfinches. Mountain birds on the plains got our curiosity so we circled the rest stop.

In the locust trees southeast of the building, we found a nice flock of birds. It included 7 Yellow Warblers (only 1 adult male), 2 Wilson's Warblers, a Red-eyed Vireo and a stunning Chestnut-sided Warbler!

At the extreme western corner of the property, an Olive-sided Flycatcher caught insects out of the air! Finally, as we drove out, four Black-headed Grosbeaks flew across the parking area.

Our stop at Last Chance Rest Stop (Washington) started out decent. Two American Redstarts were grabbing insects off the garbage container. Unfortunately, they were the only two warblers found in a two hour search (not many places to hide here either).

A Brown Thrasher walked along the dry creek at the north end. Two Swainson's Thrushes and an unidentified thrush (not a Swainson's and most likely not a Hermit) was in the ditch at the south end.

Other birds included 2 Blue Jays, dozens of Barn Swallows, 7 Western Wood-pewees and an Olive-sided Flycatcher.

It appeared that we were a day late for the Canada Warbler. I found one here in 1996; our target bird was the Gray-cheeked Thrush.

We continued our day with a drive south to Flagler Reservoir (Kit Carson). We enjoyed better fortune here.

A Black-and-white Warbler was along the southeastern side. While a Cassin's Vireo was observed at the northeastern corner. A Field Sparrow flew about a little farther north. A Nashville Warbler was below the dam.

Other birds observed included: Brown Thrasher, 2 Orange-crowned Warblers, Red-bellied Woodpecker, and a surprising Lazuli Bunting.

A Red-naped Sapsucker was found at Flagler City Park.

We returned to Flagler reservoir and waited until dusk hoping for a Short-eared Owl appearance or Eastern Screech-Owl; without success.

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