March 17-20, 2014
Richard Stevens:
Richard Stevens:
March 17
It can only be said the winds were ridiculous today. "Steady at 32 mph with gusts to 48 mph, putting our binoculars on birds to say the least, was quite difficult. Winds increased as we headed east.
Bryan and I started out searching unsuccessfully for the Rusty Blackbirds reported yesterday below the dam at Barr Lake (Adams County). Nor was the Lesser Black-backed Gull reported several times the last few days found.
A Barn Owl perched in the tall cottonwoods near mile 7.2.
Our "eastern plains" trek continued to Jackson Reservoir (Morgan County). More than half a dozen Long-eared Owls continue to "winter"/hide in the windbreak along the western Campgrounds.
One of the resident Eastern Screech-Owls took exception to our recordings and called back. We were actually hoping to attract some migrating sparrows. No uncommon sparrows appeared, however dozens of Dark-eyed Juncos "attacked" us.
Two Wilson's Snipes were found along the Bijou Creek at their traditional location. Riverside Park and Morgan Ponds had few interesting birds.
A Red-bellied Woodpecker wandered around Brush Wildlife Area. The resident Eastern Screech-Owls did not appear today.
Our birding day ended at Prewitt Reservoir (Logan/Washington). A Red-bellied Woodpecker wandered below the dam. We did not relocate the Rusty Blackbirds reported by David Dowell on 3/16.
It can only be said the winds were ridiculous today. "Steady at 32 mph with gusts to 48 mph, putting our binoculars on birds to say the least, was quite difficult. Winds increased as we headed east.
Bryan and I started out searching unsuccessfully for the Rusty Blackbirds reported yesterday below the dam at Barr Lake (Adams County). Nor was the Lesser Black-backed Gull reported several times the last few days found.
A Barn Owl perched in the tall cottonwoods near mile 7.2.
Our "eastern plains" trek continued to Jackson Reservoir (Morgan County). More than half a dozen Long-eared Owls continue to "winter"/hide in the windbreak along the western Campgrounds.
One of the resident Eastern Screech-Owls took exception to our recordings and called back. We were actually hoping to attract some migrating sparrows. No uncommon sparrows appeared, however dozens of Dark-eyed Juncos "attacked" us.
Two Wilson's Snipes were found along the Bijou Creek at their traditional location. Riverside Park and Morgan Ponds had few interesting birds.
A Red-bellied Woodpecker wandered around Brush Wildlife Area. The resident Eastern Screech-Owls did not appear today.
Our birding day ended at Prewitt Reservoir (Logan/Washington). A Red-bellied Woodpecker wandered below the dam. We did not relocate the Rusty Blackbirds reported by David Dowell on 3/16.
March 18
Winds were not as bad as yesterday, if you consider 28 mph with gusts to 38 mph. Using a scope to look over fields was close to impossible. Most of the birds we observed today were being blown rapidly away.
Bryan Ehlmann and I walked around two hours before sunrise at Prewitt Reservoir (Logan/Washington Counties). Eastern Screech-Owls were heard below the dam (west of the eastern parking area) and at the outlet area.
The rest of our morning was spent driving around Sedgwick in search of Eastern Meadowlarks, Sprague's Pipits and other early migrants. We had heard that a Sprague's Pipit was found farther south in Lincoln County. In the end, none of our target birds was found.
In the afternoon, we met Roger Danka and visited several ranches in Sedgwick. Seven Long-eared Owls were found at one ranch. Two additional were at a second ranch. A pair of Rusty Blackbirds walked around the S. Platte River bank at private ranch #2!
Migrating birds have not reached Sedgwick County yet (nor were they expected).
We enjoyed a barbecue while listening to Roger's resident Eastern Screech-Owls.
Winds were not as bad as yesterday, if you consider 28 mph with gusts to 38 mph. Using a scope to look over fields was close to impossible. Most of the birds we observed today were being blown rapidly away.
Bryan Ehlmann and I walked around two hours before sunrise at Prewitt Reservoir (Logan/Washington Counties). Eastern Screech-Owls were heard below the dam (west of the eastern parking area) and at the outlet area.
The rest of our morning was spent driving around Sedgwick in search of Eastern Meadowlarks, Sprague's Pipits and other early migrants. We had heard that a Sprague's Pipit was found farther south in Lincoln County. In the end, none of our target birds was found.
In the afternoon, we met Roger Danka and visited several ranches in Sedgwick. Seven Long-eared Owls were found at one ranch. Two additional were at a second ranch. A pair of Rusty Blackbirds walked around the S. Platte River bank at private ranch #2!
Migrating birds have not reached Sedgwick County yet (nor were they expected).
We enjoyed a barbecue while listening to Roger's resident Eastern Screech-Owls.
March 19
Bryan Ehlmann and I stopped at Tamarack Ranch Wildlife Area and Jumbo Reservoir several times throughout the day. Winds were not as bad as the past two days (10 mph, gusts to 14 mph, temperatures in the 50s).
One of the resident Eastern Screech-Owls called from the northern end of Jumbo Reservoir (Logan/Sedgwick Counties0. Two Long-eared Owls were found between Jumbo Reservoir and Little Jumbo Reservoir.
Then we went over to Tamarack Ranch Wildlife Area (Logan County). A male Northern Cardinal wandered about the 1W section. While Red-bellied Woodpeckers were found at 1W, the Hwy 55 bridge and several eastern sections.
Two Eastern Bluebirds fluttered about the 7E windbreak. While a White-throated Sparrow was found around the old tamarack pond area.
We wandered around searching unsuccessfully for Burrowing Owls. It is a few days before our early dates of 3/25.
Our birding day ended as we stood at the southeastern corner of Jumbo Reservoir (Sedgwick County Roads 24.8 & 3). While being entertained by a superb sunset, a Short-eared Owl was spotted flying over the field to the southwest.
Bryan Ehlmann and I stopped at Tamarack Ranch Wildlife Area and Jumbo Reservoir several times throughout the day. Winds were not as bad as the past two days (10 mph, gusts to 14 mph, temperatures in the 50s).
One of the resident Eastern Screech-Owls called from the northern end of Jumbo Reservoir (Logan/Sedgwick Counties0. Two Long-eared Owls were found between Jumbo Reservoir and Little Jumbo Reservoir.
Then we went over to Tamarack Ranch Wildlife Area (Logan County). A male Northern Cardinal wandered about the 1W section. While Red-bellied Woodpeckers were found at 1W, the Hwy 55 bridge and several eastern sections.
Two Eastern Bluebirds fluttered about the 7E windbreak. While a White-throated Sparrow was found around the old tamarack pond area.
We wandered around searching unsuccessfully for Burrowing Owls. It is a few days before our early dates of 3/25.
Our birding day ended as we stood at the southeastern corner of Jumbo Reservoir (Sedgwick County Roads 24.8 & 3). While being entertained by a superb sunset, a Short-eared Owl was spotted flying over the field to the southwest.
March 20
Bryan Ehlmann and I stopped Sterling Reservoir (Logan County) on our return to Denver. Birding was slow; at least the high winds of the last three days had slowed to 8 mph, gusts to 10 mph.
We found a Thayer's Gull with many Ring-billed and a few Herring Gulls off the dam. A Barn Owl was found at the southern end.
We also stopped at several Upland Sandpipers locations of past years. None was found. No Burrowing Owls were around yet. No American Woodcock sightings heard about by our friends.
It was an uneventful day, although great weather!
Bryan Ehlmann and I stopped Sterling Reservoir (Logan County) on our return to Denver. Birding was slow; at least the high winds of the last three days had slowed to 8 mph, gusts to 10 mph.
We found a Thayer's Gull with many Ring-billed and a few Herring Gulls off the dam. A Barn Owl was found at the southern end.
We also stopped at several Upland Sandpipers locations of past years. None was found. No Burrowing Owls were around yet. No American Woodcock sightings heard about by our friends.
It was an uneventful day, although great weather!
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