Monday, May 22, 2017

Weld County to Lakewood, Jefferson County

May 20, 2017

Richard Stevens:

Temperatures reached the middle 60s today.  Winds were less than 6 mph.

Terry Michaels and I headed to Weld County.  A quick stop at Barr Lake relocated the Gray-cheeked Thrush at mile 8.05 and one of the Barn Owls.

We spent an hour at a friend's ranch in Weld County looking for Mountain Plover.  One was found a week ago; we still did not find a mate or evidence of nesting.

A hike down the southern side of Banner Lakes Wildlife Area (Weld) from Ponds four to one was successful.  A Chestnut-sided Warbler fluttered around a Russian Olive Tree.  Farther south a Gray-cheeked Thrush was walking under an evergreen tree.  A Long-eared Owl was again in the western windbreak.

After dropping Terry off, I decided to jump in the traffic and drive to the western side of Denver and Main Reservoir.  It took an hour; finally, the Hooded Warbler was heard briefly singing along the south side of the reservoir.  It stayed low to the ground and in the grove of trees and bushes 50 yards west of the stream & grouse west of the parking area.

I photographed a Red-eyed Vireo at the western side of the same grove.  Several times, it flew to the little cottonwood just to the west.

Many Yellow Warblers, Western Wood-pewees and a Warbling Vireo were also around.

Then I rushed to a Colorado Birding Society meeting where I had tonight's presentation.

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