Wednesday, June 27, 2012

Return to Crow Valley

June 11, 2012

Richard Stevens:

Bryan & Sue Ehlmann, Rebecca Kosten and I drove North to Crow Valley Campground (Weld).  We had received a report of a possible Alder Flycatcher at the Campgrounds.

The fields along Highway 392 (7 miles south of Briggsdale) were scanned for Upland Sandpiper (traditional nesting locations).  None were found today.

We arrived at Crow Valley Campground soon after sunrise and walked this small riparian treasure.  Sure enough we located an "empidonax flycatcher" that appeared greener backed and darker headed than the "empidonax flycatchers" that we are used to seeing.

We played a recording; the bird cooperated nicely and sang back for 10 seconds or so!  It definitely sounded like an Alder Flycatcher.  Our only question was whether another "empidonax" would imitate the song of an Alder Flycatcher.  An eastern Willow Flycatcher would look similar; however it would have a completely different song.

Continuing our hike around the Campgrounds, we found a Red-eyed Vireo high in the tall cottonwoods at the most southwestern campground.  A few Brown Thrashers, House Wrens, Bullock's Orioles, and a Western Wood-pewee were also encountered.

Two Common Nighthawks lay on branches in the group picnic area (across from the group picnic restrooms).

The day was young and we decided to drive to Jackson Reservoir and Fort Morgan (by way of Weld County Road 105 & Morgan County Road 4).  Four White-rumped Sandpipers were relocated at the Jackson Lake Wildlife Area.

We continued to Fort Morgan for lunch (and to escape the hottest part of the day).  After lunch we first checked Brush Wildlife Area (Morgan).  The resident male Red-bellied Woodpecker flew around the pond here.

A walk from the eastern side of Fort Morgan Ponds added another Red-bellied Woodpecker (this time female) to our day list.  A Yellow-billed Cuckoo called from the taller cottonwoods just east of Riverside Park (western end of the same riparian area as the Fort Morgan Ponds).

We returned to Jackson Reservoir (Morgan) at dusk.  One of the Long-eared Owls we suspect of nesting here this summer was relocated.  After sunset, an Eastern Screech-Owl called from the Campgrounds.  A Great Horned Owl called from the western side of the State Park.

It was a nice ending to a great day of birding with friends.  We headed back to Denver.

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