Gore Pass, Grand County

August 19, 2013


Richard Stevens:

Our goal today was Gore Pass (Grand County).  A quick stop at Wolford Mountain Recreation did not find many birds.  Only a few Mallards and Gadwall swam around.  Back on 7/14/1999, a Red-throated Loon was spotted (stayed around until at least 9/12).  The highlight today was a lone Long-billed Curlew.

Afternoon birding along Gore Pass was quite interesting.  American Three-toed Woodpeckers were found along Sheep Creek (2), Gore Creek (3) and Rock Creek (1).

There were too many highlights to just pick out one.  A pair of White-winged Crossbills was found along Highway 134 (between Sheep Creek Road [CR 143] and Blacktail Creek Campgrounds.

While driving the Gore Creek Loop [CR 243] we almost ran over a Dusky Grouse.  We drove up to some unnamed lakes off Forest Road 242 and found American Pipits.  On the way back to CR 243, we found a Northern Pygmy-Owl (again thinking that Northern Saw-whet Owls were more likely).