Sunday, December 11, 2011

Winter Search for Grouse in North Park

December 7, 2011

Richard Stevens:

Bryan Ehlmann and I drove around Jackson County Road 26 and 26b about an hour before sunrise. Our target bird was a Greater Sage-Grouse. We found plenty of tracks in the snow. Finally, two Greater Sage-Grouse were observed crossing CR 26b.

We then hurried to Steamboat Springs (Routt County). Several Sharp-tailed Grouse were found wandering around on private property!

Several locations in and around Steamboat Springs were checked for waxwings. A flock of about 20 Cedar Waxwings was found along the Yampa River (south of the library). Unfortunately, no Bohemian Waxwings were encountered.

There was no access to Buffalo Pass so we headed back to Walden. Several stops along Rabbit Ears Pass (Routt/Grand) did not find any American Three-toed Woodpeckers or White-winged Crossbills this trip.

A stop at the Colorado State Forest Visitor's Center added Rosy Finches, Mountain Chickadees, Pine Siskins, a pair of Pine Grosbeaks and Steller's Jays to our trip list.

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