Wednesday, October 15, 2014

Barr Lake Bay-breasted Warbler & Boreal Owl In Mountains

October 11, 2014

Richard Stevens:

Afternoon skies were cloudy with no rain and I decided to search for the Bay-breasted Warbler reported the last two days at Barr Lake (Adams County).

Very birds were found as I walked along the main trail from the Visitor's Center to the boat ramp.  My return trip was along the northern edge of the riparian area.  Again only a couple of birds (Northern Flicker, Black-billed Magpie, Barn Owl) were observed until I was at the southwestern edge of the banding area.

Here I found a late House Wren, two Rock Wrens, a pair of Downy Woodpeckers and a Swainson's Thrush.  While trying to photograph the thrush I noticed a small bird (warbler size) moving high in the canopy.

It took another 20 minutes to obtain satisfactory looks at the only warbler found today.  It was the Bay-breasted Warbler.  I even got glimpses of the band on its leg.  It was not possible to see this bird from the southern side (the main trail).  Look for it from the northern side.

Later, Rebecca Kosten and I drove up to Gould by was of Cameron Pass.  A Boreal Owl was heard approximately 400 yards northwest of the restroom at the Summit pullover.

October 12, 2014

It snowed quite a bit overnight and was predicted to continue throughout the day.  We winterized the cabin and decided to head for Denver.  There was no desire to hike around the Colorado State Forest or the Zimmerman Lake Loop (Larimer) in snow.  We did get quick looks at the resident American Three-toed Woodpecker that "hangs out" across (north) of the Colorado State Forest Visitor's Center.  No Rosy Finches were coming to the Visitor's Center feeders.

Arriving back in Denver late in the afternoon, we missed the early morning snow.  Under overcast skies, we detoured south to Chatfield Reservoir (Jefferson/Douglas).  The Red-necked Grebe was still east of the south marina sand spit.  We looked briefly for the Surf Scoter but had been told by birders who spent hours searching, that it was not around or difficult to find.

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