Monday, March 2, 2015

Greater Sage-Grouse On Their Lek

February 23-24, 2015

Richard Stevens:

February 23

Rebecca Kosten and I drove up to Jackson County for a short visit.  Our main target birds were Greater Sage-Grouse (were they on their lek yet?).

About 40 Rosy Finches (no Black) came to the Colorado State Forest Visitor's Center feeders.  We could not find the American Three-toed Woodpecker that has been north of the Visitor's Center and Highway 14 for several years.

After dark, we heard a Boreal Owl about 0.2 miles west of Cameron Pass.  After midnight, we heard a Boreal Owl at the Crags Campgrounds (2/24).

February 24

We sat at the Greater Sage-Grouse lek off Jackson County Road 26b before sunrise.  Two Greater Sage-Grouse did come out of the sagebrush and walk around the lek.  However, they did not display.

Whether is was the cold, too early in the season or lack of females "to show off for", we did not determine.  More birds should arrive in a few days or so.

About fifty Rosy Finches were at the Colorado State Forest Visitor's Center feeders when we passed by.  Today the male American Three-toed Woodpecker could be heard drumming north of the Visitor's Center and Highway 14 (it was not seen).

Once back in Denver, I drove over to Aurora Reservoir (Arapahoe) while out doing chores.  Two Lesser Black-backed Gulls and two Thayer's Gulls were on the ice shelf at the southwest corner of the lake.  Most of the lake was ice free.

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