January 7, 2012
Richard Stevens:
Storms with a foot or more of snow were predicted for the mountains. We greatly desired to drop back down to the foothills before the major storm.
However, we had several scheduled stops before leaving North Park. A dozen Sharp-tailed Grouse were observed at a friend's home near Steamboat Springs.
Several hundred Rosy Finches were coming to the feeders behind the Colorado State Forest Visitor's Center. No Pine Grosbeaks were here or at Gould; we gave up on finding any this trip.
It was still snowing just west of Fort Collins when we arrived.
A detour to Weld County to visit a friend allowed us to see the Golden-crowned Sparrow and Northern Saw-whet Owl that have been on his ranch for several weeks now!
Light snow was falling, but becoming heavier as we drove north. This determined our course and we gave up on scoping Rawhide Reservoir (Larimer) for the Long-tailed Ducks (one could be seen at Denver City Park).
Our birding day ended as we passed Lower Latham Reservoir (Weld). Many raptors north of the reservoir included 4 Red-tailed Hawks, 2 Rough-legged Hawks, a pair of American Kestrels and a Short-eared Owl (north of Weld County Roads 54 & 45.
Another Short-eared Owl was found flying over the fields south of CR 48! Then we continued to Denver.
Richard Stevens:
Storms with a foot or more of snow were predicted for the mountains. We greatly desired to drop back down to the foothills before the major storm.
However, we had several scheduled stops before leaving North Park. A dozen Sharp-tailed Grouse were observed at a friend's home near Steamboat Springs.
Several hundred Rosy Finches were coming to the feeders behind the Colorado State Forest Visitor's Center. No Pine Grosbeaks were here or at Gould; we gave up on finding any this trip.
It was still snowing just west of Fort Collins when we arrived.
A detour to Weld County to visit a friend allowed us to see the Golden-crowned Sparrow and Northern Saw-whet Owl that have been on his ranch for several weeks now!
Light snow was falling, but becoming heavier as we drove north. This determined our course and we gave up on scoping Rawhide Reservoir (Larimer) for the Long-tailed Ducks (one could be seen at Denver City Park).
Our birding day ended as we passed Lower Latham Reservoir (Weld). Many raptors north of the reservoir included 4 Red-tailed Hawks, 2 Rough-legged Hawks, a pair of American Kestrels and a Short-eared Owl (north of Weld County Roads 54 & 45.
Another Short-eared Owl was found flying over the fields south of CR 48! Then we continued to Denver.
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