November 4-6, 2013
Richard Stevens:
November 4
Today, Bryan Ehlmann and I searched unsuccessfully for the Varied Thrush reported yesterday by Mlodinow at Ovid (Sedgwick County). We walked Lodgepole Creek twice from the Ovid High School to the railroad tracks.
A pair of Rusty Blackbirds walked along the creek south of the high school, north of highway 138.
A Brown Thrasher was encountered near the cross bridge south of highway 138. Misses included the resident Northern Cardinals. A male Purple Finch is still coming to feeders at a friend's house (she prefers to remain unnamed).
Inspection of the field and S. Platte River at the Ovid Sewage Pond area found a White-throated Sparrow today. Misses included the resident Harris's Sparrow(s).
The highlight of the day was an American Woodcock along the S. Platte River (private ranch near Red Lions Wildlife Area).
The weedy field at DePoorter Lake only added another White-throated Sparrow to our day list. A Northern Bobwhite called from the old dump area.
While checking the Julesburg Wayside Rest Stop for uncommon doves (Inca Doves found in the past) we ran upon a Field Sparrow and not much else.
Eastern Screech-Owls called on Roger Danka's ranch at dusk.
Today, Bryan Ehlmann and I searched unsuccessfully for the Varied Thrush reported yesterday by Mlodinow at Ovid (Sedgwick County). We walked Lodgepole Creek twice from the Ovid High School to the railroad tracks.
A pair of Rusty Blackbirds walked along the creek south of the high school, north of highway 138.
A Brown Thrasher was encountered near the cross bridge south of highway 138. Misses included the resident Northern Cardinals. A male Purple Finch is still coming to feeders at a friend's house (she prefers to remain unnamed).
Inspection of the field and S. Platte River at the Ovid Sewage Pond area found a White-throated Sparrow today. Misses included the resident Harris's Sparrow(s).
The highlight of the day was an American Woodcock along the S. Platte River (private ranch near Red Lions Wildlife Area).
The weedy field at DePoorter Lake only added another White-throated Sparrow to our day list. A Northern Bobwhite called from the old dump area.
While checking the Julesburg Wayside Rest Stop for uncommon doves (Inca Doves found in the past) we ran upon a Field Sparrow and not much else.
Eastern Screech-Owls called on Roger Danka's ranch at dusk.
November 5
We called Rebecca, Sue and Jerry Petrosky last night and drove back to the private ranch near Red Lion Wildlife Area (Logan County) first thing in the morning. The American Woodcock had moved down river from yesterday's sighting, but was still on private property (a site/private ranch access that I had "inherited" from Colorado master birder Dan Bridges).
Jumbo Reservoir (Logan/Sedgwick) had more ducks and geese than a few days ago, but less gulls. We did relocate the Lesser Black-backed Gull and several Bonaparte's Gulls. Geese included Greater White-fronted Geese and Ross's Geese.
The Greater Scaup, Surf Scoter and Black-bellied Plover from two days ago could not be found. Nor were the four Red-necked Grebes reported by Nick Moore on 11/3.
We continued to Sterling where we planned to spend the night and visited several birding locations.
North Sterling Reservoir (Logan) added another Lesser Black-backed Gull and Bonaparte's Gull to our day list. Jerry heard a Snow Bunting; however regrettably none of us was able to put a binocular on the bird.
Pioneer Park had few passerines, no warblers or vireos. The resident Eastern Screech-Owls were not cooperative today; we did not see them.
Overland Park and Museum was equally void of birds.
Two Barn Swallows and a Tree Swallow were somewhat surprising as they flew up and down the South Platte River at Highway 138.
Our birding day ended back at Sterling Reservoir where we waited for Short-eared Owls to appear. None did tonight.
We called Rebecca, Sue and Jerry Petrosky last night and drove back to the private ranch near Red Lion Wildlife Area (Logan County) first thing in the morning. The American Woodcock had moved down river from yesterday's sighting, but was still on private property (a site/private ranch access that I had "inherited" from Colorado master birder Dan Bridges).
Jumbo Reservoir (Logan/Sedgwick) had more ducks and geese than a few days ago, but less gulls. We did relocate the Lesser Black-backed Gull and several Bonaparte's Gulls. Geese included Greater White-fronted Geese and Ross's Geese.
The Greater Scaup, Surf Scoter and Black-bellied Plover from two days ago could not be found. Nor were the four Red-necked Grebes reported by Nick Moore on 11/3.
We continued to Sterling where we planned to spend the night and visited several birding locations.
North Sterling Reservoir (Logan) added another Lesser Black-backed Gull and Bonaparte's Gull to our day list. Jerry heard a Snow Bunting; however regrettably none of us was able to put a binocular on the bird.
Pioneer Park had few passerines, no warblers or vireos. The resident Eastern Screech-Owls were not cooperative today; we did not see them.
Overland Park and Museum was equally void of birds.
Two Barn Swallows and a Tree Swallow were somewhat surprising as they flew up and down the South Platte River at Highway 138.
Our birding day ended back at Sterling Reservoir where we waited for Short-eared Owls to appear. None did tonight.
November 6
Our two car caravan continued west today. Crow Valley Campground (Weld) was quiet. No Common Redpolls, owls and other uncommon birds moved about.
We found Lapland Longspurs on the road toward the 122 Ponds. While no uncommon waterfowl were found.
We searched for Long-eared and Short-eared Owls at Wellington Wildlife Area (Larimer); however, daytime is not the most favorable time for such a search. We have found them in the windbreak along Larimer County Road 3 in past years.
A Common Loon and Bonaparte's Gull were found at Douglas Reservoir (Larimer) and then we turned south.
It took awhile, but eventually we found the Brant at Houts Reservoir. Several Bonaparte's Gulls were also here.
The Little Gull at Terry Lake (Boulder) was not found. Perhaps it was back at McIntosh Lake; we did not check it out (and probably should have).
As a consolation, the Golden-crowned Sparrow was relocated at Teller Lake # 5. It was with 6-8 White-crowned Sparrows and 2 Song Sparrows in the weedy field north of the path heading toward Teller Lake # 5.
Our two car caravan continued west today. Crow Valley Campground (Weld) was quiet. No Common Redpolls, owls and other uncommon birds moved about.
We found Lapland Longspurs on the road toward the 122 Ponds. While no uncommon waterfowl were found.
We searched for Long-eared and Short-eared Owls at Wellington Wildlife Area (Larimer); however, daytime is not the most favorable time for such a search. We have found them in the windbreak along Larimer County Road 3 in past years.
A Common Loon and Bonaparte's Gull were found at Douglas Reservoir (Larimer) and then we turned south.
It took awhile, but eventually we found the Brant at Houts Reservoir. Several Bonaparte's Gulls were also here.
The Little Gull at Terry Lake (Boulder) was not found. Perhaps it was back at McIntosh Lake; we did not check it out (and probably should have).
As a consolation, the Golden-crowned Sparrow was relocated at Teller Lake # 5. It was with 6-8 White-crowned Sparrows and 2 Song Sparrows in the weedy field north of the path heading toward Teller Lake # 5.
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