Monday, February 27, 2012

Jackson Lake State Park and Brush Wildlife Area

February 21, 2012

Rebecca Kosten for Richard Stevens:

Bryan Ehlmann and I headed to the northeastern Plains. While winds were reported up to 80-100 mph along the foothills (Denver to Wyoming), we only measured winds 8-10 mph. That was our first bonus to miss the high winds.

Our first stop was Brush Wildlife Area (Morgan County). The stop required back tracking later in the day; however, we were chasing a report of an American Woodcock along the small creek at the Wildlife Area.

Unfortunately, the American Woodcock was not found during a 2 hour search of the creek and pond. We did run into a male Red-bellied Woodpecker along the west side of the pond.

Then we drove back to Jackson Reservoir (Morgan).

Our number one target bird, the American Black Duck reported at Jackson Reservoir by Steve Mlodinow on 2/19 was found rather easily. The Lesser Black-backed Gull was also relocated; however, the Iceland Gull was not.

Half a dozen Long-eared Owls were found along the western side of the reservoir. Two Great Horned Owls called at dusk. We also relocated the Eastern Screech-Owl.

A brief hour stop at Prewitt Reservoir (Logan/Washington) did not relocate any Eastern Screech-Owls.

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