Friday, August 17, 2012

Mt Evans Byway & Barr Lake

August 17, 2012

Post to "cobirders"

Hello birders,

A reminder that "cobirders" can be read at:
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Rob Peterson, Craig Gross, Richard Stevens and I went to Mt. Evans in Clear Creek County.  We hiked to the top of the mountain from the upper parking lot, no big deal.  Did not find any Ptarmigan until we reached the first pullover on the west/right side of the road.  A male White tailed Ptarmigan was about 20 feet below the pullover.

On the way down the mountain, we found several Brown capped Rosy Finches at the northwest corner of Summit Lake.

A Three-toed Woodpecker was found in the cabin/camp area southeast of the Echo Lake Campgrounds.  Several Pine Grosbeaks, a Red-naped Sapsucker and Lincoln's Sparrows were along the western side of Echo Lake.  Rufous and Broad-tailed Hummingbirds came to the feeders at the Echo Lake Lodge.

The Trumpeter Swans are still on the small pond west of Evergreen.  These are domestic birds.

We found two American Dippers at Lair 'O Bear Park in Jefferson County.  Mountain Chickadees, a couple of Black-capped Chickadees and Western Scrub-Jays were around the parking lot.  A Canyon Wren was on the rocks at the west end of the park.

Missed Evening Grosbeaks and any crossbills.

Directions to birding spots on CoBus website:
http://coloradobirdingsociety.net16.net

Bryan Ehlmann, Colorado Birding Society
Denver, CO
Contact CoBus/Report Interesting Birds: 303-324-7994
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Richard Stevens:

After returning home, I went over to Barr Lake (Adams County) to see if I could find the Laughing Gull reported yesterday (Thursday).  I scoped the lake from the northwest side (access off 144th avenue).

No dark headed gulls were found.  Hundred+ gulls were mostly Ring-billed with a dozen California Gulls.

Two hundred shorebirds were mostly Baird's Sandpipers.  Included: 2 Western Sandpipers, a Stilt Sandpiper, 4 Spotted Sandpipers and the Marbled Godwit (first seen yesterday).

The evening was pleasant with temperatures in the low 60s and little wind.  No Short-eared Owls appeared along the DIA Owl Loop.  Two Burrowing Owls were seen at the site 3.4 miles east of 96th avenue and Tower Road.

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