September 11-13, 2017
September 11
Jacob Washburn and I headed to Kiowa County trying to find some of the uncommon birds recently reported.
We stopped at Tempel Grove (Bent) just north of Kiowa County. We found the Yellow-billed Cuckoo (Jane Stulp, 9/7), American Redstart (Leatherman, 9/4) and the lingering Red-headed Woodpecker.
The nice collection of shorebirds at Lower Queens Reservoir included a Black-bellied Plover, two Semipalmated Plovers, Buff-breasted Sandpiper, a Long-billed Curlew, Marbled Godwits and Red-necked Phalaropes. Misses included the Short-billed Dowitcher, American Golden-Plover, Dickcissel and Cassin's Kingbird.
Upper Queens Reservoir was not as birdy. Misses included the Black-billed Cuckoo, Great Crested Flycatcher, Palm Warbler and Indigo Bunting reported yesterday by Steve Mlodinow.
We did relocate the Northern Waterthrush at Neenoshe Reservoir. In addition, we found a "new bird". A Nashville Warbler was at the Locust Grove.
Our birding day ended at Mike Higbee Wildlife Area (Prowers). No owls were found this evening.
September 12
Jacob and I headed south into Baca County today.
Two Buttes Reservoir added a Broad-winged Hawk, Cassin's Vireo and Ovenbird to our trip list. Misses: the resident Barn Owl(s) were not found.
We detoured to Turk's Pond Wildlife Area (Baca) were a late migrating Ash-throated Flycatcher fluttered about the taller cottonwoods. A bright colored Blue-headed Vireo was a nice surprise.
Our next stop was around the old Lesser Prairie-Chicken lek east of Campo. The fields around the entrance road are usually good for sparrows, especially in migration. The highlight, perhaps of the trip, was a Baird's Sparrow in the CR G field north of the Lek entrance! Two Cassin's Sparrows were observed along the Lek Road.
We positioned ourselves an hour before sunset to watch for Lesser Prairie-Chickens coming to a lek southeast of the old lek; none appeared this evening. A Short-eared Owl flew low over the field several times. Perhaps this discouraged any Lesser Prairie-Chickens from emerging from the brush?
September 13
Jacob and I arrived in Cottonwood Canyon (Baca) shortly before midnight. A Western Screech-Owl called while we set up our tent! In the morning, we walked CR J to the east. Two Rufous-crowned Sparrows were found at the rocky hillside about 1.2 miles east of the Campgrounds. Misses: Eastern Phoebes, which nest here, were not found today. Other misses: Ladder-backed Woodpeckers, Yellow-billed Cuckoos and Greater Roadrunners.
Picture Canyon was kinder to us. Two Rufous-crowned Sparrows ran around the rocky hillside just south of the parking area. A Curve-billed Thrasher perched on the rocks near the gated abandoned mine. Few passerines moved about. The highlight was relocated one of the male Painted Buntings that spent the summer. On the drive out, a Greater Roadrunner stood sentinel on the hill near CR 18.
Our birding day ended at the Upland Bird Management area. No uncommon sparrows or owls were found this evening.
We did some owling in Las Animas County on a private ranch. No Northern Saw-whet Owls were relocated; however, two Western Screech-Owls called during our hike.
Jacob was not feeling well and we decided to drive back to Denver.
September 11
Jacob Washburn and I headed to Kiowa County trying to find some of the uncommon birds recently reported.
We stopped at Tempel Grove (Bent) just north of Kiowa County. We found the Yellow-billed Cuckoo (Jane Stulp, 9/7), American Redstart (Leatherman, 9/4) and the lingering Red-headed Woodpecker.
The nice collection of shorebirds at Lower Queens Reservoir included a Black-bellied Plover, two Semipalmated Plovers, Buff-breasted Sandpiper, a Long-billed Curlew, Marbled Godwits and Red-necked Phalaropes. Misses included the Short-billed Dowitcher, American Golden-Plover, Dickcissel and Cassin's Kingbird.
Upper Queens Reservoir was not as birdy. Misses included the Black-billed Cuckoo, Great Crested Flycatcher, Palm Warbler and Indigo Bunting reported yesterday by Steve Mlodinow.
We did relocate the Northern Waterthrush at Neenoshe Reservoir. In addition, we found a "new bird". A Nashville Warbler was at the Locust Grove.
Our birding day ended at Mike Higbee Wildlife Area (Prowers). No owls were found this evening.
September 12
Jacob and I headed south into Baca County today.
Two Buttes Reservoir added a Broad-winged Hawk, Cassin's Vireo and Ovenbird to our trip list. Misses: the resident Barn Owl(s) were not found.
We detoured to Turk's Pond Wildlife Area (Baca) were a late migrating Ash-throated Flycatcher fluttered about the taller cottonwoods. A bright colored Blue-headed Vireo was a nice surprise.
Our next stop was around the old Lesser Prairie-Chicken lek east of Campo. The fields around the entrance road are usually good for sparrows, especially in migration. The highlight, perhaps of the trip, was a Baird's Sparrow in the CR G field north of the Lek entrance! Two Cassin's Sparrows were observed along the Lek Road.
We positioned ourselves an hour before sunset to watch for Lesser Prairie-Chickens coming to a lek southeast of the old lek; none appeared this evening. A Short-eared Owl flew low over the field several times. Perhaps this discouraged any Lesser Prairie-Chickens from emerging from the brush?
September 13
Jacob and I arrived in Cottonwood Canyon (Baca) shortly before midnight. A Western Screech-Owl called while we set up our tent! In the morning, we walked CR J to the east. Two Rufous-crowned Sparrows were found at the rocky hillside about 1.2 miles east of the Campgrounds. Misses: Eastern Phoebes, which nest here, were not found today. Other misses: Ladder-backed Woodpeckers, Yellow-billed Cuckoos and Greater Roadrunners.
Picture Canyon was kinder to us. Two Rufous-crowned Sparrows ran around the rocky hillside just south of the parking area. A Curve-billed Thrasher perched on the rocks near the gated abandoned mine. Few passerines moved about. The highlight was relocated one of the male Painted Buntings that spent the summer. On the drive out, a Greater Roadrunner stood sentinel on the hill near CR 18.
Our birding day ended at the Upland Bird Management area. No uncommon sparrows or owls were found this evening.
We did some owling in Las Animas County on a private ranch. No Northern Saw-whet Owls were relocated; however, two Western Screech-Owls called during our hike.
Jacob was not feeling well and we decided to drive back to Denver.
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