February 17-20, 2013
Richard Stevens:
Once again I find myself behind in updating the CoBus trip blog. Time goes so fast. I am already a week behind; it seems like I just updated it.
February 17, 2013
Late in the morning, Bryan Ehlmann and I headed to Sedgwick County. Along the way, we made several stops.
Email to "cobirders":
Getting a late start this morning, Bryan and I are headed to Morgan County. Perhaps only 40 or so miles from my house.
Almost time for gallinaceous bird trips, only a couple of more weeks; difficult to "sink in" that it is almost March. Yesterday's fantastic weather got us excited about heading out on new adventures!
Our first stop was Boyd Ponds Wildlife Area (Morgan County). There is not much to this Wildlife Area located at the southwest corner of Log Lane Village (a small village/town) northwest of Fort Morgan.
While searching for the Stub-tailed Wren reported at least three times in the past month, we ran across the Rusty Blackbirds first reported by Joe Roller (probably while he was looking for the wren).
Finally, the Stub-tailed Wren chattered from along the S. Platte River. Unfortunately, we did not get a recording of the wren (only a brief look of 4 or 5 seconds). Neither Bryan nor I could decide if it was a Winter Wren or Pacific Wren (others reported it as a Winter Wren).
We visited a friend in town and saw the female/immature Purple Finch which has been around since at least 1/28/2013, then continued northeast up Interstate 76.
A Red-bellied Woodpecker was found below the Prewitt Reservoir dam. First, it was heard as we glanced over the dam to see if there were any uncommon birds at the reservoir. Nothing uncommon was observed and we continued northeast.
Jumbo Reservoir (Logan/Sedgwick Counties) was more interesting. A Lesser Black-backed Gull and Thayer's Gull were observed from the southeast corner of the lake. Several Greater White-fronted Geese were found at the northeast corner.
A male Northern Cardinal was below the western road at the northwest corner. Then we decided to walk west to Little Jumbo Reservoir (and Red Lion Wildlife Area, Logan County).
Two Long-eared Owls were "buried" deep in the bushes below the western road. After encountering nothing else "interesting" or just about no birds, we returned to Jumbo Reservoir.
At dusk, a Short-eared Owl flew over the field at the southeast corner of the property. After dark, we played a recording at the northern side of the lake (private property) and an Eastern Screech-Owl responded!
Quite a nice end to our birding day (temperatures in the high 40s and mild winds).
February 19, 2013
Before sunrise, Bryan and I sat at the Yuma County Road 45 Lek waiting for some sign of activity. Regrettably, no Greater Prairie-Chickens appeared.
A visit to homes of three Wray friends took up most of the morning and early afternoon. Five Northern Cardinals (three males, two females) were spread between two yards. A pair of Great Horned Owls appear to be nesting at one of the yards.
We drove the 40 miles south to Bonny Reservoir Wildlife Area (Yuma). No uncommon birds were encountered as we walked from Highway 385 to Foster's Grove, around Wagon Wheel old Campgrounds and the Wagon Wheel Picnic Area.
The Hale windbreak has not done well in high winds the past couple of years. We found little cover for Long-eared Owls and no owls. No Northern Saw-whet Owls were found at their usual location. After sunset, an Eastern Screech-Owl responded to our recordings played at Hale Ponds.
February 18, 2013
The main purpose of our northeastern trip was to help a friend who broke his leg several weeks ago. Nothing like getting up early in the morning and doing chores on a ranch. Both Bryan and I were quietly glad this we did not have to do this for months or years at a time. Quite a strenuous workout; who needs a gym membership. Fortunately, Roger's wife is a great cook (or unfortunately for our cholesterol levels, but tastes great)!
In the afternoon, we drove over to DePoorter Lake. Two Harris's Sparrows continued along the South Platte River. We again missed a reoccurring American Woodcock at a nearby private ranch (Sedgwick County).
February 20, 2013
Predictions of a major snowstorm to hit the eastern plains, changed our plans to return to Sedgwick County. Instead we headed back to Denver (and just in time as we experienced the first of snow just east of Byers/Denver).
A quick stop at Flagler Reservoir (Kit Carson County) found a male Red-bellied Woodpecker at the northeast corner of the lake. Nothing uncommon was found in the northeastern windbreak or below the dam.
Rushed to return home!
Richard Stevens:
Once again I find myself behind in updating the CoBus trip blog. Time goes so fast. I am already a week behind; it seems like I just updated it.
February 17, 2013
Late in the morning, Bryan Ehlmann and I headed to Sedgwick County. Along the way, we made several stops.
Email to "cobirders":
Getting a late start this morning, Bryan and I are headed to Morgan County. Perhaps only 40 or so miles from my house.
Almost time for gallinaceous bird trips, only a couple of more weeks; difficult to "sink in" that it is almost March. Yesterday's fantastic weather got us excited about heading out on new adventures!
Our first stop was Boyd Ponds Wildlife Area (Morgan County). There is not much to this Wildlife Area located at the southwest corner of Log Lane Village (a small village/town) northwest of Fort Morgan.
While searching for the Stub-tailed Wren reported at least three times in the past month, we ran across the Rusty Blackbirds first reported by Joe Roller (probably while he was looking for the wren).
Finally, the Stub-tailed Wren chattered from along the S. Platte River. Unfortunately, we did not get a recording of the wren (only a brief look of 4 or 5 seconds). Neither Bryan nor I could decide if it was a Winter Wren or Pacific Wren (others reported it as a Winter Wren).
We visited a friend in town and saw the female/immature Purple Finch which has been around since at least 1/28/2013, then continued northeast up Interstate 76.
A Red-bellied Woodpecker was found below the Prewitt Reservoir dam. First, it was heard as we glanced over the dam to see if there were any uncommon birds at the reservoir. Nothing uncommon was observed and we continued northeast.
Jumbo Reservoir (Logan/Sedgwick Counties) was more interesting. A Lesser Black-backed Gull and Thayer's Gull were observed from the southeast corner of the lake. Several Greater White-fronted Geese were found at the northeast corner.
A male Northern Cardinal was below the western road at the northwest corner. Then we decided to walk west to Little Jumbo Reservoir (and Red Lion Wildlife Area, Logan County).
Two Long-eared Owls were "buried" deep in the bushes below the western road. After encountering nothing else "interesting" or just about no birds, we returned to Jumbo Reservoir.
At dusk, a Short-eared Owl flew over the field at the southeast corner of the property. After dark, we played a recording at the northern side of the lake (private property) and an Eastern Screech-Owl responded!
Quite a nice end to our birding day (temperatures in the high 40s and mild winds).
February 19, 2013
Before sunrise, Bryan and I sat at the Yuma County Road 45 Lek waiting for some sign of activity. Regrettably, no Greater Prairie-Chickens appeared.
A visit to homes of three Wray friends took up most of the morning and early afternoon. Five Northern Cardinals (three males, two females) were spread between two yards. A pair of Great Horned Owls appear to be nesting at one of the yards.
We drove the 40 miles south to Bonny Reservoir Wildlife Area (Yuma). No uncommon birds were encountered as we walked from Highway 385 to Foster's Grove, around Wagon Wheel old Campgrounds and the Wagon Wheel Picnic Area.
The Hale windbreak has not done well in high winds the past couple of years. We found little cover for Long-eared Owls and no owls. No Northern Saw-whet Owls were found at their usual location. After sunset, an Eastern Screech-Owl responded to our recordings played at Hale Ponds.
February 18, 2013
The main purpose of our northeastern trip was to help a friend who broke his leg several weeks ago. Nothing like getting up early in the morning and doing chores on a ranch. Both Bryan and I were quietly glad this we did not have to do this for months or years at a time. Quite a strenuous workout; who needs a gym membership. Fortunately, Roger's wife is a great cook (or unfortunately for our cholesterol levels, but tastes great)!
In the afternoon, we drove over to DePoorter Lake. Two Harris's Sparrows continued along the South Platte River. We again missed a reoccurring American Woodcock at a nearby private ranch (Sedgwick County).
February 20, 2013
Predictions of a major snowstorm to hit the eastern plains, changed our plans to return to Sedgwick County. Instead we headed back to Denver (and just in time as we experienced the first of snow just east of Byers/Denver).
A quick stop at Flagler Reservoir (Kit Carson County) found a male Red-bellied Woodpecker at the northeast corner of the lake. Nothing uncommon was found in the northeastern windbreak or below the dam.
Rushed to return home!
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