April 15-22, 2015
The CoBus group started another Grouse Trip with four members. It was snowing a little after midnight. One Boreal Owl was heard and another was seen just west of Cameron Pass.
Just before sunrise, 49 Greater Sage-Grouse were observed displaying at the Jackson County Road 26b Lek. Less than a dozen were female birds.
A search for the resident American Three-toed Woodpecker at Rabbit Ears Pass (Grand) turned up unsuccessful. Four Red Crossbills flew around the entrance road to the maintenance sheds. No White-winged Crossbills were among them.
Recent snows made a drive down 80 Route (Routt County) impossible. Instead, we sat at the 20 Road Leks (Routt) at dusk. Sharp-tailed Grouse did show up; however, it was quite dark and looks were terrible.
April 16, 2015
We returned to the 20 Road leks just before sunrise. In my experience, Sharp-tailed Grouse visit their leks later than other grouse. They seldom show up before sunrise. This morning twenty birds appeared and "did their thing" in the tall grasses just north of the infamous pipe gate.
A detour to the Oxbow State Trust Lands (Moffat) found two Sagebrush Sparrows and three Sage Thrashers.
No Barrow's Goldeneyes were found on the Yampa River as we returned to Craig and headed south.
Luck was with us at Coal Canyon; two Chukar were observed on the hillside west of the second pipe gate parking area. Several Black-throated Sparrows were enticed to jump out of the brush and sing! A Rock Wren wandered on the rocky hillside to the east.
In spite of light snow, a Boreal Owl was found at the second pullover south of Spruce Grove Campgrounds. Unfortunately, no American Three-toed Woodpeckers or Northern Pygmy-Owls could be found around the Powderhorn Ski Area. We did stop and look at the Northern Saw-whet Owl along Highway 65.
April 17, 2015
Before entering the Colorado National Monument (Mesa County) from the southern entrance, we drove around the subdivision just outside. A dozen Gambel's Quail walked around several of the yards. Some were singing from the top of the bushes and scrubs.
A walk down the Devil's Kitchen trail found a Black-throated Gray Warbler and several Pinyon Jays. Regrettably, no Black-chinned Sparrows have shown up yet this year.
Another Black-throated Gray Warbler and four Pinyon Jays flew around the Campgrounds. Juniper Titmice chattered from the Juniper bushes. Two Bushtits and many White-throated Swifts were also seen.
A drive to Pinnacle Rock at Escalante Canyon (Delta) added a Black Phoebe to our trip list.
While there, we received a text message about a Painted Redstart sighting in the Black Canyon of Gunnison National Park (Montrose). Eventually we searched for two hours without finding the bird. No Dusky Grouse came out (it was in early morning).
We decided to detour to Durango and Cortez for a later search for Lucy's Warblers. Predicted snowstorms made the decision to continue south instead of east an easy one.
It was too late to look today; instead, we stretched our legs at the Huck Finn Pond in Durango. Both our target birds (Black Phoebe & Lewis's Woodpecker) were found!
April 18, 2015
I called up a friend who lives near Dove Creek. He occasionally (some years) has Gunnison Sage-Grouse visit his ranch. He had seen two to four this year and at first light, we parked at a potential lek. Eventually, two Gunnison Sage-Grouse did show up.
We then turned around and drove to Yellow Jacket Canyon in Montrose County. The strenuous hike down the canyon was well worth it when Bill found a Lucy's Warbler near the northeastern end of the public land. The bird flew to the private property across the creek; however, it most likely will return. We also found our third Black-throated Gray Warbler of our trip! Other birds included two Bushtits and a Gambel's Quail.
It was a little early for Summer Tanagers (early dates are 4/25 & 4/28); however, Lucy's Warblers have been reported in past years on 4/12/2008; 4/12/2014; 4/13/2013 and 4/16/2011(with mean arrival date being 4/23 (see March 2015 "Colorado Field Notes").
We retired early to catch up on some sleep.
April 19, 2015
Having picked up Gunnison Sage-Grouse yesterday, our trek did not require heading back to Montrose and Gunnison and the winter weather. Instead, we continued east. A quick drive to Wildcat Canyon (La Plata) found two Acorn Woodpeckers at their usual location.
While a drive around the Monte Vista National Wildlife Refuge, (Rio Grande) did not find the previously reported Brant.
Having already found Sagebrush Sparrows, we opted to skip the drive to John James Canyon in Conejos County. Black Swifts traditionally do not return to Colorado until late May or even June; we skipped a drive to Zapata Falls (Alamosa).
The drive over La Veta Pass many times has caused but stress (my most dreaded Colorado Pass). Today it was quite tame.
A Greater Roadrunner was found along Highway 160 shortly after we passed San Francisco Creek (Las Animas).
We turned south on Baca County Road 16, just west of Pritchett. The road is one of my favorite routes to Cottonwood Canyon. Two Mountain Plover were spotted east of CR 16, between CR R & CR S. A Long-billed Curlew was just north of CR T.
At dusk, we found a Western Screech-Owl in Cottonwood Canyon (the draw near the primitive Campgrounds.
April 20, 2015
Bryan Ehlmann and I found the Elkhart, Kansas Leks to have few Lesser Prairie-Chickens this year. Our only sightings were along the road into the lek and not the lek itself (although our visits were quite early in the season).
Fortunately, we found a lek in Colorado (Baca County) where up to four male Lesser Prairie-Chickens have performed their ritual dances. In three trips, we have not seen any females.
Afterwards, we stopped at the entrance road to the old Campo Lek. The dirt road headed north has been good for sparrows this year and past years. A Cassin's Sparrow was observed performing his flight display with accompanying song! A few Vesper Sparrows, a Brewer's Sparrow and two Song Sparrows were also in the area.
We returned to Cottonwood Canyon, which was rich with birds. Two Eastern Phoebes, two Rufous-crowned Sparrows, an Ash-throated Flycatcher, Ladder-backed Woodpecker, Canyon Towhees, Spotted Towhee, Chihuahuan Ravens and many Wild Turkeys were found.
Our trek continued toward Lamar with several stops. Probably the best bird was a Northern Parula at Turk's Pond (Baca). A Great Crested Flycatcher and White-throated Sparrow was found at Burchfield Wildlife Area.
No Mountain Plovers were found along the roads surrounding Two Buttes Reservoir (Baca). We scoped from the dam road and saw a Black-and-white Warbler walking along the limbs of a cottonwood tree. Construction has closed the northern side below the dam. However, there is some access from the south side. The resident Barn Owl eluded us today.
A walk around Fairmount Cemetery and the Lamar Community College woods added only three Northern Cardinals, a male Red-bellied Woodpecker, two Chimney Swifts and a Brown Thrasher to our trip list.
April 21, 2015
The detour to John Martin Reservoir (Bent) was well worth the trip. Even though we missed the Black Rails, Snowy Plovers and Semipalmated Plovers were relocated from the north side overlook. Two Piping Plovers were later found along the south side.
A quick detour to Upper Queens Reservoir (Kiowa) found a Mountain Plover and two Burrowing Owls (along the west side). Neenoshe Reservoir however was slow.
We arrived in early afternoon at Bonny Reservoir (Yuma). Two Long-eared Owls and Wild Turkey were found at the now defunct State Park. Eastern Bluebirds were found along Yuma County Road 4 as we drove to Hale Ponds. A Red-bellied Woodpecker called and drummed on a cottonwood tree while we waited for sunset. Later an Eastern Screech-Owl called several times.
April 22, 2015
Thirty minutes before sunrise, we watched six Greater Prairie-Chickens dance at the Yuma County Road 45 Lek. Plenty of Horned Larks flew along the road as we drove back to Highway 385.
Stops at nearby Wildlife Areas found several nice birds. Two White-throated Sparrows and an Eastern Phoebe were at the Wray Fishing Unit. A male Northern Cardinal was relocated at Stalker Pond. A House Wren fluttered about below the spillway.
We passed one of my favorite pastures in Pawnee National Grasslands and relocated one of the nesting Mountain Plovers. Our birding trip would end at the field at Highway 85 & Weld County Road 114. Two male Chestnut-collared Longspurs in new breeding plumage performed their mating flights.
Nothing uncommon was found along CR 48 (south side of Lower Latham Reservoir) as I took several birders to DIA.
On the way home, I stopped by Barr Lake (Adams) and relocated the Common Loon first found on 4/10. I could not resist driving the nearby DIA Owl Loop and counted nine Burrowing Owls. No Short-eared Owls appeared this evening.
The CoBus group started another Grouse Trip with four members. It was snowing a little after midnight. One Boreal Owl was heard and another was seen just west of Cameron Pass.
Just before sunrise, 49 Greater Sage-Grouse were observed displaying at the Jackson County Road 26b Lek. Less than a dozen were female birds.
A search for the resident American Three-toed Woodpecker at Rabbit Ears Pass (Grand) turned up unsuccessful. Four Red Crossbills flew around the entrance road to the maintenance sheds. No White-winged Crossbills were among them.
Recent snows made a drive down 80 Route (Routt County) impossible. Instead, we sat at the 20 Road Leks (Routt) at dusk. Sharp-tailed Grouse did show up; however, it was quite dark and looks were terrible.
April 16, 2015
We returned to the 20 Road leks just before sunrise. In my experience, Sharp-tailed Grouse visit their leks later than other grouse. They seldom show up before sunrise. This morning twenty birds appeared and "did their thing" in the tall grasses just north of the infamous pipe gate.
A detour to the Oxbow State Trust Lands (Moffat) found two Sagebrush Sparrows and three Sage Thrashers.
No Barrow's Goldeneyes were found on the Yampa River as we returned to Craig and headed south.
Luck was with us at Coal Canyon; two Chukar were observed on the hillside west of the second pipe gate parking area. Several Black-throated Sparrows were enticed to jump out of the brush and sing! A Rock Wren wandered on the rocky hillside to the east.
In spite of light snow, a Boreal Owl was found at the second pullover south of Spruce Grove Campgrounds. Unfortunately, no American Three-toed Woodpeckers or Northern Pygmy-Owls could be found around the Powderhorn Ski Area. We did stop and look at the Northern Saw-whet Owl along Highway 65.
April 17, 2015
Before entering the Colorado National Monument (Mesa County) from the southern entrance, we drove around the subdivision just outside. A dozen Gambel's Quail walked around several of the yards. Some were singing from the top of the bushes and scrubs.
A walk down the Devil's Kitchen trail found a Black-throated Gray Warbler and several Pinyon Jays. Regrettably, no Black-chinned Sparrows have shown up yet this year.
Another Black-throated Gray Warbler and four Pinyon Jays flew around the Campgrounds. Juniper Titmice chattered from the Juniper bushes. Two Bushtits and many White-throated Swifts were also seen.
A drive to Pinnacle Rock at Escalante Canyon (Delta) added a Black Phoebe to our trip list.
While there, we received a text message about a Painted Redstart sighting in the Black Canyon of Gunnison National Park (Montrose). Eventually we searched for two hours without finding the bird. No Dusky Grouse came out (it was in early morning).
We decided to detour to Durango and Cortez for a later search for Lucy's Warblers. Predicted snowstorms made the decision to continue south instead of east an easy one.
It was too late to look today; instead, we stretched our legs at the Huck Finn Pond in Durango. Both our target birds (Black Phoebe & Lewis's Woodpecker) were found!
April 18, 2015
I called up a friend who lives near Dove Creek. He occasionally (some years) has Gunnison Sage-Grouse visit his ranch. He had seen two to four this year and at first light, we parked at a potential lek. Eventually, two Gunnison Sage-Grouse did show up.
We then turned around and drove to Yellow Jacket Canyon in Montrose County. The strenuous hike down the canyon was well worth it when Bill found a Lucy's Warbler near the northeastern end of the public land. The bird flew to the private property across the creek; however, it most likely will return. We also found our third Black-throated Gray Warbler of our trip! Other birds included two Bushtits and a Gambel's Quail.
It was a little early for Summer Tanagers (early dates are 4/25 & 4/28); however, Lucy's Warblers have been reported in past years on 4/12/2008; 4/12/2014; 4/13/2013 and 4/16/2011(with mean arrival date being 4/23 (see March 2015 "Colorado Field Notes").
We retired early to catch up on some sleep.
April 19, 2015
Having picked up Gunnison Sage-Grouse yesterday, our trek did not require heading back to Montrose and Gunnison and the winter weather. Instead, we continued east. A quick drive to Wildcat Canyon (La Plata) found two Acorn Woodpeckers at their usual location.
While a drive around the Monte Vista National Wildlife Refuge, (Rio Grande) did not find the previously reported Brant.
Having already found Sagebrush Sparrows, we opted to skip the drive to John James Canyon in Conejos County. Black Swifts traditionally do not return to Colorado until late May or even June; we skipped a drive to Zapata Falls (Alamosa).
The drive over La Veta Pass many times has caused but stress (my most dreaded Colorado Pass). Today it was quite tame.
A Greater Roadrunner was found along Highway 160 shortly after we passed San Francisco Creek (Las Animas).
We turned south on Baca County Road 16, just west of Pritchett. The road is one of my favorite routes to Cottonwood Canyon. Two Mountain Plover were spotted east of CR 16, between CR R & CR S. A Long-billed Curlew was just north of CR T.
At dusk, we found a Western Screech-Owl in Cottonwood Canyon (the draw near the primitive Campgrounds.
April 20, 2015
Bryan Ehlmann and I found the Elkhart, Kansas Leks to have few Lesser Prairie-Chickens this year. Our only sightings were along the road into the lek and not the lek itself (although our visits were quite early in the season).
Fortunately, we found a lek in Colorado (Baca County) where up to four male Lesser Prairie-Chickens have performed their ritual dances. In three trips, we have not seen any females.
Afterwards, we stopped at the entrance road to the old Campo Lek. The dirt road headed north has been good for sparrows this year and past years. A Cassin's Sparrow was observed performing his flight display with accompanying song! A few Vesper Sparrows, a Brewer's Sparrow and two Song Sparrows were also in the area.
We returned to Cottonwood Canyon, which was rich with birds. Two Eastern Phoebes, two Rufous-crowned Sparrows, an Ash-throated Flycatcher, Ladder-backed Woodpecker, Canyon Towhees, Spotted Towhee, Chihuahuan Ravens and many Wild Turkeys were found.
Our trek continued toward Lamar with several stops. Probably the best bird was a Northern Parula at Turk's Pond (Baca). A Great Crested Flycatcher and White-throated Sparrow was found at Burchfield Wildlife Area.
No Mountain Plovers were found along the roads surrounding Two Buttes Reservoir (Baca). We scoped from the dam road and saw a Black-and-white Warbler walking along the limbs of a cottonwood tree. Construction has closed the northern side below the dam. However, there is some access from the south side. The resident Barn Owl eluded us today.
A walk around Fairmount Cemetery and the Lamar Community College woods added only three Northern Cardinals, a male Red-bellied Woodpecker, two Chimney Swifts and a Brown Thrasher to our trip list.
April 21, 2015
The detour to John Martin Reservoir (Bent) was well worth the trip. Even though we missed the Black Rails, Snowy Plovers and Semipalmated Plovers were relocated from the north side overlook. Two Piping Plovers were later found along the south side.
A quick detour to Upper Queens Reservoir (Kiowa) found a Mountain Plover and two Burrowing Owls (along the west side). Neenoshe Reservoir however was slow.
We arrived in early afternoon at Bonny Reservoir (Yuma). Two Long-eared Owls and Wild Turkey were found at the now defunct State Park. Eastern Bluebirds were found along Yuma County Road 4 as we drove to Hale Ponds. A Red-bellied Woodpecker called and drummed on a cottonwood tree while we waited for sunset. Later an Eastern Screech-Owl called several times.
April 22, 2015
Thirty minutes before sunrise, we watched six Greater Prairie-Chickens dance at the Yuma County Road 45 Lek. Plenty of Horned Larks flew along the road as we drove back to Highway 385.
Stops at nearby Wildlife Areas found several nice birds. Two White-throated Sparrows and an Eastern Phoebe were at the Wray Fishing Unit. A male Northern Cardinal was relocated at Stalker Pond. A House Wren fluttered about below the spillway.
We passed one of my favorite pastures in Pawnee National Grasslands and relocated one of the nesting Mountain Plovers. Our birding trip would end at the field at Highway 85 & Weld County Road 114. Two male Chestnut-collared Longspurs in new breeding plumage performed their mating flights.
Nothing uncommon was found along CR 48 (south side of Lower Latham Reservoir) as I took several birders to DIA.
On the way home, I stopped by Barr Lake (Adams) and relocated the Common Loon first found on 4/10. I could not resist driving the nearby DIA Owl Loop and counted nine Burrowing Owls. No Short-eared Owls appeared this evening.
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