May 18, 2013
At first light, I was standing at the parking area for Reynolds Park (Jefferson County). Neither of my target birds (Northern Pygmy-Owl and Common Poorwill) was making a sound.
Later, I walked the Narrow Gauge Trail at Pine Valley Ranch Park (Jefferson) with the same results.
Having found American Three-toed Woodpeckers many times at both Reynolds Park and Pine Valley Ranch Park, I found no reason to hike the steep trails today. I am sure that the opportunity and task will come again soon.
A text message stated that a Bobolink had been found at Prospect Park, Wheat Ridge Greenbelt. Since I could not remember if it was a new Jefferson County bird for my list, I headed back toward Denver and the Park.
As I crossed the Prospect Park footbridge, a flock of 61 Yellow-rumped Warblers caught my attention. One bird was dropping his tail quite often. It turned out to be a Palm Warbler.
A lone Plumbeous Vireo worked the trees along the south side of Clear Creek, west of the footbridge.
As I turned onto the Tree Bridge Trail, a Northern Cardinal was heard singing. Unfortunately, he was deep in the woods south of the trail (between the two wooden footbridges).
Continuing west, I finally reached the area southeast of West Lake where the Bobolink was reported earlier in the day. Regrettably, it was not found.
A male Blue Grosbeak between Bass Lake and Clear Creek was a small consolation for missing the Jefferson County Bobolink.
Circling back to the east, yesterday's Rose-breasted Grosbeak was not relocated.
Since my trek was 25 miles from home, I took the opportunity to visit a friend up the hill from the Tree Bridge Trail. He put me onto an Eastern Screech-Owl! In recent years, photographers had bothered the owls along this riparian strip. There Locations will be unadvertised.
This stretch of Wheat Ridge Greenbelt was once a birding gem of Colorado. The drought, which has lasted for many years now (6+), has taken its toll on the area. While some vegetation has returned, the area is still quite dry (as well as short on birds).
At first light, I was standing at the parking area for Reynolds Park (Jefferson County). Neither of my target birds (Northern Pygmy-Owl and Common Poorwill) was making a sound.
Later, I walked the Narrow Gauge Trail at Pine Valley Ranch Park (Jefferson) with the same results.
Having found American Three-toed Woodpeckers many times at both Reynolds Park and Pine Valley Ranch Park, I found no reason to hike the steep trails today. I am sure that the opportunity and task will come again soon.
A text message stated that a Bobolink had been found at Prospect Park, Wheat Ridge Greenbelt. Since I could not remember if it was a new Jefferson County bird for my list, I headed back toward Denver and the Park.
As I crossed the Prospect Park footbridge, a flock of 61 Yellow-rumped Warblers caught my attention. One bird was dropping his tail quite often. It turned out to be a Palm Warbler.
A lone Plumbeous Vireo worked the trees along the south side of Clear Creek, west of the footbridge.
As I turned onto the Tree Bridge Trail, a Northern Cardinal was heard singing. Unfortunately, he was deep in the woods south of the trail (between the two wooden footbridges).
Continuing west, I finally reached the area southeast of West Lake where the Bobolink was reported earlier in the day. Regrettably, it was not found.
A male Blue Grosbeak between Bass Lake and Clear Creek was a small consolation for missing the Jefferson County Bobolink.
Circling back to the east, yesterday's Rose-breasted Grosbeak was not relocated.
Since my trek was 25 miles from home, I took the opportunity to visit a friend up the hill from the Tree Bridge Trail. He put me onto an Eastern Screech-Owl! In recent years, photographers had bothered the owls along this riparian strip. There Locations will be unadvertised.
This stretch of Wheat Ridge Greenbelt was once a birding gem of Colorado. The drought, which has lasted for many years now (6+), has taken its toll on the area. While some vegetation has returned, the area is still quite dry (as well as short on birds).
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