Northeastern Bird Trip

August 5-8, 2012

Rebecca Kosten:

August 5, 2012

Richard Stevens and Bryan Ehlmann headed up to Northeastern Colorado for a few days to help a friend with some harvesting and of course get in a little birding.

When they stopped at Prewitt Reservoir in Logan/Washington Counties many shorebirds were at the inlet canal.  Fourteen species included a Pectoral Sandpiper and Willet.

While scoping the lake from the western end of the dam, they found a Common Tern and five Forster's Terns flying over.  Species missed: Eastern Screech-Owl.

An hour before sunset, they stopped at Sedgwick Bar Wildlife Area in Sedgwick County.  Highlights were a Great Crested Flycatcher and male Red-bellied Woodpecker.  Species missed: Upland Sandpiper.

August 6, 2012

Richard Stevens and Bryan Ehlmann birded Tamarack Ranch Wildlife Area in Logan County for a good seven hours.  They walk most of the west sections 1-4 and the eastern sections from highway 55 to County Road 93.

They relocated at least one Bell's Vireo in the western sections.  Several Spotted Towhee X Eastern Towhee birds were also seen.  A Yellow-billed Cuckoo called briefly from 2-West.  They heard a male Northern Cardinal, which was never seen.

The eastern sections were most productive.  They found a male Baltimore Oriole, one or two Field Sparrows, which appear to stay year round now, and five Red-bellied Woodpeckers.

At nearby Julesburg Wayside Rest Stop they found a Great Crested Flycatcher and several Chimney Swifts circling overhead.  Species missed: Eastern Towhees.

After dark, they checked Jumbo Reservoir for Eastern Screech-Owls; none was heard tonight.  They relocated Eastern Screech-Owls at Tamarack Ranch Wildlife Area, two Locations.

August 7, 2012

Richard Stevens and Bryan Ehlmann continued their Northeastern Trip.  After checking on owls at several private ranches, they went south to Sand Draw Wildlife Area.  There they found a Bell's Vireo (western windbreak), Barn Owl (western windbreak) and two Field Sparrows (eastern fence line).

They owl count on private property was six Long-eared Owls (two Locations), four Great Horned Owls (two Locations) and another Barn Owl.

It was a good day.  They also confirmed that an adult pair of Black-billed Cuckoos that had three young had fledged the young.  The first confirmed successful nesting in Sedgwick County.

August 8, 2012

Richard Stevens and Bryan Ehlmann birded mostly on private property in Sedgwick and Phillips Counties today.

They found a Barn Owl in Sedgwick County.  Two Greater Prairie-Chickens were found in Phillips County.

Other birds reported: Great Crested Flycatcher (Sedgwick), Red-bellied Woodpecker (6; 4 Sedgwick, 2 Phillips), Carolina Wren (Phillips), Northern Cardinal (Sedgwick & Phillips), Lazuli Bunting (Phillips),  four Chimney Swifts (Sedgwick),  Yellow-billed Cuckoo (Sedgwick), female Baltimore Oriole (Sedgwick), Mississippi Kite (Phillips, Holyoke), two Long-eared Owls (Sedgwick).

Just before sunset, they walked the southern section of Tamarack Ranch Wildlife Area in Logan County.  A Short-eared Owl was seen flying 800 yards northwest of CR 46 & 89.