October 21, 2012
Richard Stevens:
On 10/20, Rebecca Kosten and I headed to Jackson County for a couple of days. A Flammulated Owl responded to our recordings near the Summit of Pennock Pass (this is probably a juvenile bird that was fledged not far from a nearby nest that we monitored this summer).
Later a Boreal Owl responded to our recording played at the eastern end of the upper parking lot for Joe Wright Reservoir.
After a few hours sleep, we wandered around Jackson County. A White-throated Sparrow surprised us at the Gould Store.
Dozens of birds came to the feeders at the Colorado State Forest Visitor's Center. Unfortunately, no Rosy Finches appeared during our hour stay. Pine Grosbeaks, plenty of Pine Siskins & Mountain Chickadees and a few Red-winged Blackbirds entertained us.
We managed to navigate the "iffy" road down to the Teller Ghost Town. I would not recommend it in a passenger car as there are several deeply washed out areas. Unfortunately, we did not locate any American Three-toed Woodpeckers or owls today.
We emerged from the area by way of Rand. Few birds were seen on the "High Park Prairie". Even the summer nesting Vesper Sparrows appeared to have abandoned North Park for the winter.
No Greater Sage-Grouse were found around the Arapaho National Wildlife Refuge Visitor's Center at dusk.
October 22, 2012
Rebecca Kosten and I ventured into Routt County for a couple of days. Today we drove up Buffalo Pass Road to the Summit.
It was a successful day. Temperatures were in the 50s; winds were less than 10 mph (good for this area). Buffalo Pass Road is open to the Summit from Steamboat Springs (west side) until weather closed it (which may be soon). It is only open on the east side on weekends (road repair) which we did not know (had planned to drive down the eastern side into Larimer County).
Eventually we found 9 American Three-toed Woodpeckers during 7 or 8 stops along the road. The highlight however was a pair of White-winged Crossbills, which circled overhead at 0.6 miles from the Buffalo Pass Summit.
During the trek, we also saw Pine Grosbeaks, Evening Grosbeaks, Pine Siskins, Mountain Chickadees and 2 Clark's Nutcrackers.
October 23, 2012
Today we drove north to the small "village" of Columbine and then into Little Red Park (Forest Road 550 going east from Highway 129).
Just before reaching Forest Road 500, we observed a male White-winged Crossbill circling overhead. There may have been two; however, they were not seen at the same time.
Birds were scarce. Many of the birds that nest along Creek had migrated out. At 3-4 miles up the road, we entered the forest. One Dusky Grouse was observed running across the dirt track.
A Ferruginous Hawk in Little Red Park may have been the most uncommon bird found today.
Richard Stevens:
On 10/20, Rebecca Kosten and I headed to Jackson County for a couple of days. A Flammulated Owl responded to our recordings near the Summit of Pennock Pass (this is probably a juvenile bird that was fledged not far from a nearby nest that we monitored this summer).
Later a Boreal Owl responded to our recording played at the eastern end of the upper parking lot for Joe Wright Reservoir.
After a few hours sleep, we wandered around Jackson County. A White-throated Sparrow surprised us at the Gould Store.
Dozens of birds came to the feeders at the Colorado State Forest Visitor's Center. Unfortunately, no Rosy Finches appeared during our hour stay. Pine Grosbeaks, plenty of Pine Siskins & Mountain Chickadees and a few Red-winged Blackbirds entertained us.
We managed to navigate the "iffy" road down to the Teller Ghost Town. I would not recommend it in a passenger car as there are several deeply washed out areas. Unfortunately, we did not locate any American Three-toed Woodpeckers or owls today.
We emerged from the area by way of Rand. Few birds were seen on the "High Park Prairie". Even the summer nesting Vesper Sparrows appeared to have abandoned North Park for the winter.
No Greater Sage-Grouse were found around the Arapaho National Wildlife Refuge Visitor's Center at dusk.
October 22, 2012
Rebecca Kosten and I ventured into Routt County for a couple of days. Today we drove up Buffalo Pass Road to the Summit.
It was a successful day. Temperatures were in the 50s; winds were less than 10 mph (good for this area). Buffalo Pass Road is open to the Summit from Steamboat Springs (west side) until weather closed it (which may be soon). It is only open on the east side on weekends (road repair) which we did not know (had planned to drive down the eastern side into Larimer County).
Eventually we found 9 American Three-toed Woodpeckers during 7 or 8 stops along the road. The highlight however was a pair of White-winged Crossbills, which circled overhead at 0.6 miles from the Buffalo Pass Summit.
During the trek, we also saw Pine Grosbeaks, Evening Grosbeaks, Pine Siskins, Mountain Chickadees and 2 Clark's Nutcrackers.
October 23, 2012
Today we drove north to the small "village" of Columbine and then into Little Red Park (Forest Road 550 going east from Highway 129).
Just before reaching Forest Road 500, we observed a male White-winged Crossbill circling overhead. There may have been two; however, they were not seen at the same time.
Birds were scarce. Many of the birds that nest along Creek had migrated out. At 3-4 miles up the road, we entered the forest. One Dusky Grouse was observed running across the dirt track.
A Ferruginous Hawk in Little Red Park may have been the most uncommon bird found today.
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