Thursday, September 1, 2011

Northeastern Colorado

August 28-30, 2011

Compiled by Rebecca Kosten:

On 8/29, Jerry Petrosky reported that migration has started in the northeastern corner of Colorado. Some of the migrating birds he found at Tamarack Ranch Wildlife Area on 8/29 included: Cassin's Vireo, Great Crested Flycatcher, Least Flycatcher, five American Redstarts, a Tennessee Warbler, Townsend's Warbler and Magnolia Warbler.

Jerry also relocated some summer birds, which included: 2+ Bell's Vireos, 2 Baltimore Orioles, a Yellow-billed Cuckoo, 5 Red-bellied Woodpeckers, 24+ Red-headed Woodpeckers, a Short-eared Owl and 2 Eastern Screech-Owls.

Just to the east, Jerry explored Red Lion Wildlife Area and Little Jumbo Reservoir. Here he relocated three Bell's Vireos and two Upland Sandpipers. Migrating birds included an Eastern Phoebe, two American Redstarts and a Black-and-white Warbler.

The day before, 8/28, Jerry wandered around Sterling, Colorado. He visited several of the parks in town. A Yellow-billed Cuckoo was relocated at Overland Trail Park.

This park located in the southwest end of Sterling has been known for nesting Yellow-billed and Black-billed Cuckoos. Jerry did not find any Black-billed Cuckoos. It has been a couple of years since Black-billed Cuckoos have been spotted along this section of the South Platte River.

Mississippi Kites were found at Columbine Park and also nearby Cheairs Park. Jerry's next stop was Pioneer Park on the northwest side of Sterling. Here Jerry came across a migrating Townsend's Warbler and two American Redstarts.

Jerry ended his day at the south side sections of Tamarack Ranch Wildlife Area. He saw a Short-eared Owl flying along the valley north of Logan County Road 46 and County Road 89.

After dark, Jerry heard two Eastern Screech-Owls back at sections 6-7 of Tamarack Ranch Wildlife Area East.

On his trip back to Denver on 8/30, Jerry stopped at North Sterling Reservoir on. He was able to relocate the Barn Owls reported on Sunday by Bill Kaempfer. This was after Jerry saw a Short-eared Owl flying along the outlet canal just before civil twilight!

In the wooded picnic area, Jerry found a male Baltimore Oriole, Great Crested Flycatcher, Black-and-white Warbler and American Redstart. Two Common Terns flew below the dam.

Jerry's final uncommon bird sightings were two Dickcissels along Logan County Road 46, just west of County Road 37.

Sounds like a great trip! Thanks Jerry for the report!

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