Tuesday, February 9, 2016

Trip to Jackson County and Owling Around Denver!

January 26-29, 2016

Rebecca Kosten and I made a three day trip to Jackson County.  While the goal was to relax and re-cooperate, of course we squeezed in a little birding.

January 26

On the trip to Gould, we stopped at several locations and listened for owls.  A Boreal Owl was calling west of the restroom pullover at Cameron Pass.

January 27

Rosy Finches are visiting the Colorado State Forest Visitor's Center feeders.  Numbers vary from day to day.  Black Rosy Finches are the most difficult to find.

During a drive into Walden in the late morning, we stopped at Ranger's Lake.  A male American Three-toed Woodpecker was heard drumming as we stood on the side of Highway 14.

Returning later, we found the male American Three-toed Woodpecker whose territory appears to be north of Highway 14, across from the Visitor's Center.

Late in the afternoon, we walked down to the Crags Campgrounds.  We timed the trip to return shortly after complete darkness (or as dark as it gets).  A Boreal Owl was heard calling from the south side of the Campgrounds.

January 28

Rosy Finches at the Colorado State Forest Visitor's Center numbered 112 this morning.  All three species were represented (with the visit of one Black Rosy Finch).

January 29

Before returning to Denver this morning, we stopped again at the Colorado State Forest Visitor's Center.  About 200 Rosy Finches included one Black Rosy Finch.

The male American Three-toed Woodpecker was busy drumming north across highway 14!

After dropping Rebecca at home, I had arranged to meet up with Jacob Washburn at Anderson Park (Jefferson). 

I made a quick detour to 2695 Newland Street (Jefferson).  I talked to Patty and shortly afterwards saw the Carolina Wren visit the feeders behind her home.

Jacob and I then walked the Clear Creek Trail behind (south of) Anderson Park (Jefferson).  Eventually two Eastern Screech-Owls responded to our recordings.

We continued hiking west across Kipling down to Prospect Park.  Another Eastern Screech-Owl was found at Wheat Ridge Greenbelt.

We were not done and drove to Highline Canal south of Colorado Blvd.  Our fifth Eastern Screech-Owl of the night responded quickly to our recordings.

That is when our good fortune ran out for the night.  The Eastern Screech-Owl at Dry Creek Trail (Jefferson) did not call tonight.

We were not able to get a respond from the pair of Eastern Screech-Owls that live at Dekoevand Park.

Still one had to be satisfied with five Eastern Screech-Owls scattered over three locations!

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