June 21, 2012
Richard Stevens:
Bryan Ehlmann and I tried to walk as much of Cherry Creek as we could without trespassing on private lands from Cherry Creek Reservoir (Arapahoe County) to Castlewood Canyon State Park (Douglas). Our goal was to find Yellow-billed Cuckoos.
Historically, Yellow-billed Cuckoos have used the taller, older cottonwoods for nesting sites. Unfortunately, increased human growth and activity in the area has caused lost of habitat (due to cutting of trees and noise levels).
No Yellow-billed Cuckoos were found as we probably covered 80 percent of the riparian areas (with permission of several landowners and public accessed open space).
We were able to see that 6+ Bobolink still are in the fields south of the Winkler Ranch entrance (on the ranch property). As a bonus, we heard a Dickcissel several hundred yards south of the same entrance.
Inside the park, we found many Spotted Towhees, Pine Siskins, several Evening Grosbeaks, a Gray Catbird and a dozen+ Turkey Vultures. No Black Vultures or Ovenbirds which would have been a nice surprise (both seen in the past).
Chipping Sparrows appeared in higher numbers than expected. Could this be post-breeding migration already? On the other hand, could they have been escaping from the several wildfires currently in Colorado?
In the afternoon, we detoured over to Tomichi Gulch (site of last year's Eastern Towhee). A few Pine Siskins, American Goldfinches, Spotted Towhees, White-breasted Nuthatches, 4 Pygmy Nuthatches and one Red-breasted Nuthatch were all seen there.
After dark, we returned to Castlewood Canyon State Park. The Northern Saw-whet Owl could not be enticed into calling tonight. We eventually did hear one at a friend's yard above the park.
Richard Stevens:
Bryan Ehlmann and I tried to walk as much of Cherry Creek as we could without trespassing on private lands from Cherry Creek Reservoir (Arapahoe County) to Castlewood Canyon State Park (Douglas). Our goal was to find Yellow-billed Cuckoos.
Historically, Yellow-billed Cuckoos have used the taller, older cottonwoods for nesting sites. Unfortunately, increased human growth and activity in the area has caused lost of habitat (due to cutting of trees and noise levels).
No Yellow-billed Cuckoos were found as we probably covered 80 percent of the riparian areas (with permission of several landowners and public accessed open space).
We were able to see that 6+ Bobolink still are in the fields south of the Winkler Ranch entrance (on the ranch property). As a bonus, we heard a Dickcissel several hundred yards south of the same entrance.
Inside the park, we found many Spotted Towhees, Pine Siskins, several Evening Grosbeaks, a Gray Catbird and a dozen+ Turkey Vultures. No Black Vultures or Ovenbirds which would have been a nice surprise (both seen in the past).
Chipping Sparrows appeared in higher numbers than expected. Could this be post-breeding migration already? On the other hand, could they have been escaping from the several wildfires currently in Colorado?
In the afternoon, we detoured over to Tomichi Gulch (site of last year's Eastern Towhee). A few Pine Siskins, American Goldfinches, Spotted Towhees, White-breasted Nuthatches, 4 Pygmy Nuthatches and one Red-breasted Nuthatch were all seen there.
After dark, we returned to Castlewood Canyon State Park. The Northern Saw-whet Owl could not be enticed into calling tonight. We eventually did hear one at a friend's yard above the park.
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