Wednesday, July 26, 2017

Birding In the Colorado State Forest and area, Jackson Cty

July 19-24, 2017

Rebecca Kosten: transcripts from cell phone messages;

July 19-20, 2017

July 19

Robert Carlson met Richard Stevens in Gould for a couple of days of birding.  They relocated a male American Three-toed Woodpecker north of Hwy 14, across from the Colorado State Forest Visitor's Center (Jackson Cty).

Two Boreal Owls were heard along Hwy 14 west of Cameron Pass.  Later they saw a Flammulated Owl in the Colorado State Forest up Ruby Jewell Road.

July 20

At first light, they watched two Greater Sage-Grouse cross Jackson County Road 26b.  Searches at Lake John Wildlife Area and Delaney Buttes found nothing uncommon.

While other areas of Colorado are reporting a reduced number of hummingbirds, that was not the case in Jackson Cty.  They found many Broad-tailed Hummingbirds, Rufous Hummingbirds and a Calliope Hummingbird.

At dusk, they again hiked up Ruby Jewell Road.  The Flammulated Owl did not appear this night; however, seeing a Boreal Owl was the consolation prize.

July 21-22

Richard hiked down the Michigan Ditch today and camped overnight at the base of Mt. Richthofen (13, 940 feet), Never Summer Wilderness.  Highlights were three American Three-toed Woodpeckers and five Boreal Owls.

He hiked above tree line on the morning of 22nd and encountered a female White-tailed Ptarmigan with three young!

He returned in time for the CoBus monthly meeting.  Afterwards, eight birders hiked up Ruby Jewell Road and were rewarded with a Flammulated Owl and Boreal Owl sighting.  Two additional Boreal Owls responded to recordings.

Misses: Long-eared Owls encountered on previous visits.

July 23

In the afternoon, Richard Stevens hiked into the Colorado State Forest (Jackson Cty) for an overnight trip. 

He started out before dusk for a 3.0 mile hike along the North Fork of the Canadian River.  Two Boreal Owls were heard along the hike.  The box where a nesting Boreal Owl was found last month was now empty.  He continued to Jewell Lake.

July 24

The next morning he continued to the northern terminal of Ruby Jewell Road.  From there he dropped down to North Fork Michigan Road and back to his car.  Most interesting birds encountered a Hermit Thrush, American Three-toed Woodpecker, Dusky Grouse and MacGillivray's Warbler.

In the afternoon, he hiked the 3.4 miles up Montgomery Pass Road to the summit.  On the return trip, he received responses from two Boreal Owls and a Flammulated Owl.

Other sightings/hearings included a Black Bear and several Elk.  He saw many signs (clawed Aspens) of Bears.  These hikes are not recommended without previous knowledge of the trails.  Richard during his owl studies has driven ATVs up these trails many times and knows them well.

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