November 28, 2011
Richard Stevens:
I wanted to try for White-tailed Ptarmigan on Guanella Pass (Clear Creek County) one more time before tonight's snowstorm potentially closes the possibility for the winter. Visiting birder Edward Benson and I threw snowshoes in the car and headed up there early this morning.
We found no owls along Guanella Pass Road (from the Grant Side, hwy 285). We did find that the gate across the road at Duck Lake was closed so we had to hike the last 1.5 miles to the Summit. Later I talked to a ranger who stated that it would now be common practice to gate the road the day after Thanksgiving.
Once we got to the top, it took less than 10 minutes before we stopped six White-tailed Ptarmigan walking around the wooden fence near the Summit. One advantage of fewer visitors at the top!
After dropping Edward off at an Aurora motel, I detoured to 3904 South Idalia Street, Aurora. After about 20 minutes, the Varied Thrush popped up on the shed at the house north of Buzz's home (address above). Later, I followed the Varied Thrush to the yard two houses north of the house with the birdbath and feeders (Myra's home; nice person!).
No Short-eared Owls were observed along the DIA Owl Loop on my drive home.
Richard Stevens:
I wanted to try for White-tailed Ptarmigan on Guanella Pass (Clear Creek County) one more time before tonight's snowstorm potentially closes the possibility for the winter. Visiting birder Edward Benson and I threw snowshoes in the car and headed up there early this morning.
We found no owls along Guanella Pass Road (from the Grant Side, hwy 285). We did find that the gate across the road at Duck Lake was closed so we had to hike the last 1.5 miles to the Summit. Later I talked to a ranger who stated that it would now be common practice to gate the road the day after Thanksgiving.
Once we got to the top, it took less than 10 minutes before we stopped six White-tailed Ptarmigan walking around the wooden fence near the Summit. One advantage of fewer visitors at the top!
After dropping Edward off at an Aurora motel, I detoured to 3904 South Idalia Street, Aurora. After about 20 minutes, the Varied Thrush popped up on the shed at the house north of Buzz's home (address above). Later, I followed the Varied Thrush to the yard two houses north of the house with the birdbath and feeders (Myra's home; nice person!).
No Short-eared Owls were observed along the DIA Owl Loop on my drive home.
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