Saturday, February 4, 2017

Search for Owls in Foothills and Mountains

January 31 to Februay 2, 2017

January 31, 2017

We headed up to Gould by way of Weld County.  A few Lapland Longspurs were found along County Road 49.

Later we searched Horsetooth Mountain Park without finding any Northern Pygmy-Owls.  Stops are several of the Campgrounds/picnic areas along Highway 14 also added no owls to our trip list.

February 1, 2017

Shortly after midnight, Rebecca Kosten and I heard a Boreal Owl just west of Cameron Pass.  Winds were quite strong, the soft calling Boreal Owls are quite difficult to hear.

Shortly before sunrise, I went by the Colorado State Forest Visitor's Center (Jackson).  Only one Brown-capped Rosy Finch appeared.  The male American Three-toed Woodpecker was heard drumming north across Highway 14.

We cross-country skied around the Colorado State Forest; no uncommon birds were encountered.

February 2, 2017

Rebecca and I drove into Larimer County within 5 miles of the Summit of Cameron Pass.  Winds were less than 15 mph, which is great for up there.

A heard a Boreal Owl when we parked at the west end of the upper parking area for Joe Wright Reservoir.

We backtracked to Coalmont and drove Jackson County Road 26 before sunrise.  Two Greater Sage-Grouse were just north of Jackson CR 26b.

After breakfast in Walden, we watched a flock of 200+ Rosy Finches flying over fifth street area.  All three species were picked out of the flock, which unfortunately did not land.

At a friend's ranch east of Walden, we watched another 350+ Rosy Finches (three species)!

Ranger Lakes area had no uncommon birds today.  The Boreal Owl just west of Cameron Pass called again about 60 minutes after civil twilight.

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