Friday, December 29, 2017

Searching for Owls in Weld County

December 29, 2017

Richard Stevens:

Terry Michaels and drove the roads northeast of Hudson today; our target bird was Snowy Owl(s).  Regrettably, none was found. Temperatures reached 64 degrees today.  Winds were 12 mph with gusts to 29 mph (several topped 40 mph).

On Terry's way to our home he stopped at Aurora Reservoir (Arapahoe).  He relocated the two Long-tailed Ducks, two White-winged Scoters and one Lesser Black-backed Gull. 

A stop at a friend's ranch near Peaceful Valley found the two resident Long-eared Owls.  He has seen a Barn Owl around his property; we did not relocate it today.

Our birding day ended at Banner Lakes Wildlife Area (Weld).  We added a third Long-eared Owl sighting to our day.  Two Great Horned Owls called in the distance.  No Short-eared Owls appeared.

Jackson County & the Eleventh CoBus Christmas Count

December 27-28, 2017

Richard Stevens:

December 28

Before heading back to Denver, Terry Michaels and I went into the Colorado State Forest.  We found two additional Boreal Owls.

The male American Three-toed Woodpecker was found north of the Colorado State Forest Visitor's Center and Hwy 14.

Rebecca Kosten and I returned by way of Fort Collins.  A detour to Rawhide Reservoir (Larimer) relocated the three Trumpeter Swans.

Temperatures reached 38 degrees at Briggsdale.  Anemometer readings were 7 mph with gusts to 17 mph.

A brief walk around Crow Valley Campgrounds (Weld) found a Common Redpoll north of the group picnic area.  Missed: any Long-eared Owls at Briggsdale Cemetery or the Work Station.  No Eastern Screech-Owls were found in the Campgrounds.

We timed our trip to be around Lower Latham Reservoir (Weld) about an hour before sunset.  A Short-eared Owl was found north of Lower Latham Reservoir (along CR 51).  Later a second Short-eared Owl was observed flying over the cattails south of Lower Latham Reservoir.

December 27

The eleventh CoBus sponsored Colorado State Forest Christmas Count was conducted today.  Sixth birders and eight feeder watchers participated.  The feeder watchers contributed most of the numbers!  Temperatures only reached 34 degrees.  Winds were 13 mph with gusts to 23 mph.  Several gusts just after midnight on Cameron Pass reached 36 mph.

Several of us searched for owls shortly after midnight.  One Boreal Owl was found just west of the Cameron Pass summit (restroom pullover).  Another was relocated south of the Crags Campgrounds.

Before sunrise, we drove outside the Christmas Count circle and found one Greater Sage-Grouse walking along Jackson County Road 26, then returned to the count circle.

Terry Michaels and Sue Ehlmann spent several hours inside the count circle searching for a Greater Sage-Grouse for the count.  Eventually they did find one!

Many birds visited the Colorado State Forest Visitor's Center.  Unfortunately, none was Rosy Finches.  The best birds were a pair of Pine Grosbeaks and half a dozen Evening Grosbeaks.

Highlights:

Boreal Owls (4)
Long-eared Owl 
American Dipper (unusual find in winter)
Greater Sage-Grouse (1)
Common Redpoll (1)
Rosy Finches (531 Gray-crowned, 4 Black Rosy, 89 Brown-capped)

Totals: 51 species  (complete list on January 2018 "Colorado Field Notes")

Tuesday, December 26, 2017

First Creek Trail, Aurora Reservoir & Smoky Hill Village

December 26, 2017

Richard Stevens:

Wow, it got up to 11 degrees today!  Definitely, a nippy day, I did not go out until the afternoon.  Winds were 2-3 mph with gusts to 9 mph.  If the wind was any stronger, it could have been real nasty day.

Once again, I missed the Harris's Sparrow along the First Creek Trail (Denver County).  Others are finding it; perhaps I will on my next trip.

On the way to Centennial to search for a Pine Warbler, I made a brief stop at Aurora Reservoir (Arapahoe).  Temperature was 5 degrees at 2:00 pm; hence, I scoped the lake for only 15 minutes.  

The pairs of White-winged Scoters and Long-tailed Ducks were still quite a distance east of pavilion 4, upper swim beach parking area.  Nothing else uncommon stuck out in the short time it took to stiffen my fingers trying to focus my scope.  At least half a dozen Lesser Black-backed Gulls were also present.

The Pine Warbler was in a neighbor's tree when I arrived at Doug's yard in Smoky Hill Village.  Doug suggested the warbler could be observed from the neighborhood greenbelt (public access) south of East Garden Drive & East Garden Place.

While that is where I observed the bird for ten seconds before it flew north, when returning to my car, the HOH president and later a police officer questioned me.  

Doug suggests continuing to post the Pine Warbler situation.  Beware that you may be subjected to the same experience as mine. 

Monday, December 25, 2017

A Christmas Snowy Owl

December 25, 2017

Richard Steves:

Rebecca and I arrived at Standley Lake (Jefferson County) this morning just in time to see the Snowy Owl fly over the dam.  It was not a satisfying look for our first Jefferson County Snowy Owl.

It was my third Snowy Owl of the 2017-18 season (Morgan, Logan and now Jefferson Counties).  In the 2011-12 season I had observed 10 Snowy Owls (Arapahoe, Adams, Logan, Sedgwick, Weld , Yuma Counties)!

We did not relocate the bird from the north side of the lake.  The owl was later relocated in the open space north of 100th avenue & Simms.  When we were there is was too cold to walk the area.

Temperature only reached 21 degrees today.  It would have felt colder but for a wind of 2 mph only gusting to 6 mph.

After dropping Rebecca off, I drove off chasing a Pine Warbler report in Arapahoe County.  I brief search found the area to be private yards.  I was uncomfortable looking around on Christmas day and left.

Then I went to the South Platte Birding Area at 88th avenue (Adams).  A half mile hike south added two Barrow's Goldeneyes to my day list.  Many gulls on nearby East Gravel Lakes and Tani Reservoir were almost all Ring-billed Gulls.  One California Gull was on Tani.

I still had a couple of hours of daylight and decided to return to the Jefferson County Open Space.  A two mile walk north and west of 100th and Simms did not find the Snowy Owl.

Returning home by way of 100th avenue west to North Alkire Street south to 88th avenue, then east, I scoped the south side of Standley Lake.  The Snowy Owl was there!

Sunday, December 24, 2017

Arapahoe County Reservoirs

December 24, 2017

 Richard Stevens:

Rebecca and checked out the Arapahoe reservoirs this afternoon.  Temperatures only reached 29 degrees.  Anemometer readings at Aurora Reservoir were 6-7 mph with gusts to 13 mph.

Nothing unusual was found at Cherry Creek Reservoir or Quincy Reservoir.

The pair of White-winged Scoters and two Long-tailed Ducks are still on Aurora Reservoir.  The thousands of White-cheeked Geese made finding other waterfowl quite difficult to find.

No Short-eared Owls appeared along the DIA Owl Loop again this evening.

Note: Aurora Reservoir is closed on Christmas & New Years days.

Colorado Springs and Back for a Red-breasted Sapsucker

December 23, 2017

We stuffed the car with birders and headed to Colorado Springs this morning.  Rebecca Kosten, Terry Michaels, Sue Ehlmann and I had little trouble finding the Red-breasted Sapsucker in Colorado Springs.  A mob of birders was already looking at it.  It is nice to have an easy find now and then.

Temperatures only reached 41 degrees today.  Winds were a mild 6 mph with gusts a few times to 14 mph.

Afterwards, we walked around Big Johnson Reservoir.  Our hope to find a Snow Bunting was not fulfilled.  A Lapland Longspur was discovered in a small flock of Horned Larks.

We returned to Denver by way of Highway 83 (the back route), much more interesting than Interstate 25.  Attempts at finding an American Three-toed Woodpecker at Black Forest Regional Park and the Brant at Salisbury Equestrian Park (El Paso) failed.

Prewitt Reservoir, Jackson Reservoir & Aurora Reservoir

December 22, 2017

Richard Stevens:

Temperatures reached the middle 40s today.  Winds were 9 mph with gusts to 14 mph at Aurora Reservoir.

Terry Michaels and I returned from eastern Colorado. We relocated two Eastern Screech-Owls at Prewitt Reservoir (about 4:00 am), and then after sunrise found two Long-eared Owls at Jackson Reservoir. Not much else moving about.

After dropping Terry off, I returned home by way of Aurora Reservoir. Scoping the lake from the pavilion #4, upper swim beach parking area, I relocated the two Long-tailed Ducks about 100 yards directly off shore. The pair of White-winged Scoters was in the same line another couple hundred yards east.

Search for Snowy Owls

December 21, 2017

Richard Stevens:

Terry Michaels and I spent most of the day driving around Logan and Sedgwick Counties in search of Snowy Owls (previously reported and undiscovered).  Temperatures reached a cool 36 degrees.  Winds were outrageous at 20 mph with gusts to 32 mph.

After failing to find the Snowy Owl along Interstate 76 and mile marker 130 (Janice & Paul Sweet, 12/20), our five hour efforts paid off.  A female Snowy Owl stood in a field southwest of the intersection of Logan CR 67 and CR 38!  The owl was approximately 3.4 miles northeast of Galien.

Horned Larks were the majority bird found today.  Six and two Lapland Longspurs were encountered at separate locations.  The second surprise of the day was a Northern Goshawk way out on the eastern plains.  A male was along CR 55, south of Interstate 76.

Our birding day ended at Sterling Reservoir (Logan).  One Greater White-fronted Goose was among the thousands of White-cheeked Geese.

Fourteenth Wray Christmas Count

December 20, 2017

Richard Stevens:

Again, predicted inclement weather coming to Colorado forced us to change the date of a Christmas Count.  We had to choose between a Christmas Count at Wray or Bonny Reservoir. 

The CoBus group consisted of six birders with another 12 feeder watchers joining us on our fourteenth Wray Christmas Count.  The temperatures today reached a "warm" 60 degrees.  Winds were a mild 5 mph most of the day with a few gusts to 12 mph late in the afternoon.

Total: 74 species (full list in January 2018 "Colorado Field Notes")

Highlights:
++Wray City Park     
Yellow-bellied Sapsucker (CoBus group) first 12/20
++Stalker Pond    
Northern Cardinal (CoBus group) first 12/20
++Wray Fishing Unit    
Eastern Bluebird (CoBus group) last 12/20
Northern Mockingbird (CoBus group) last 12/20
Common Yellowthroat (CoBus group) first 12/20
Harris's Sparrow (CoBus group) first 12/20
White-throated Sparrow (CoBus group) first 12/20
++Sandsage Wildlife Area   
Eastern Screech-Owl (CoBus group) last 12/20
Brown Thrasher (CoBus group) last 12/20
Harris's Sparrow (CoBus group) first 12/20
White-throated Sparrow (CoBus group) first 12/20
++Yuma County Road 45  
Greater Prairie-Chicken (2) (CoBus group) last 12/20
--Between Hwy 385 and Lek, 1.7 miles/east/hwy 385
Short-eared Owl --CR 45/CR PP (CoBus group) last 12/20

Fifteenth Cottonwood Canyon Christmas Count

December 19, 2017

Richard Stevens:

With predicted inclement weather coming to Colorado, we had to change the Cottonwood Canyon Christmas Count.  Six cobirders and four feeder watchers conducted the fifteen Cottonwood Canyon Christmas Count today.  Temperatures reached 53 degrees.  Anemometer reading was 11 mph with gusts to 23 mph.

We enjoyed the beautiful Colorado fall day and success in finding some quite interesting birds in spite of the low species count.
Total: 68 (full list in January 2018 "Colorado Field Notes")

++Cottonwood Canyon and area    
Mississippi Kite (very late, not without precedent: 12/31/1993) (CoBus group) first 12/19
Western Screech-Owl (CoBus group) 4; last 12/19
Northern Saw-whet Owl (CoBus group) 3; last 12/19
Barn Owl (CoBus group) last 12/19
Short-eared Owl (2) (CoBus group) last 12/19
Long-eared Owl (CoBus group) last 12/19
Winter Wren (CoBus group) last 12/19
Juniper Titmouse (2) (CoBus group) first 12/19
Pine Warbler (CoBus group) first 12/19
Rufous-crowned Sparrow (CoBus group) 8; last 12/19
Common Redpoll (Mlodinow/CoBus group) (first 12/15) last 12/19
Northern Cardinal (CoBus group) last 12/19
(all above: Cottonwood Canyon)
Western Screech-Owl (CoBus group) 1; last 12/19
Northern Saw-whet Owl (CoBus group) 1; last 12/19
Winter Wren (CoBus group) last 12/19
Curve-billed Thrasher (CoBus group) last 12/19
(above: Carrizo picnic area)

Belmar Place Warblers and Rocky Mountain Arsenal

December 18, 2017

Richard Stevens:

I drove over to the Belmar Place apartments and walked around their small pond in late morning.  Temperature was 46 degrees. Winds were mild at 4 mph with a gust or two at 15 mph.

The infamous trio of warblers was working the trees at the northeastern corner of the lake.  The Yellow-throated Warbler offered many views.  The Yellow-rumped Warbler was more active and more around much.  The Prairie Warbler was more secretive.  It offered brief looks when it emerged from the thicker parts of the pine trees.  The best route to the lake is: Take Wadsworth Blvd to Center Street, drive east to apartments, walk south to lake.

In the afternoon, I revisited the Rocky Mountain Arsenal (Adams).  The Tundra Swan was somewhat hidden in the southeastern corner of Lower Derby Lake.  A walk along the First Creek Trail (Denver/Adams Counties) did not find the previously reported Harris's Sparrow(s).  No sparrows were around the chain link fence at the Denver County trailhead.  Only about 10 American Tree Sparrows were at the Adams County site.

No Short-eared Owls appeared as I parked along the DIA Owl Loop at sunset.  Raptors included three Red-tailed Hawks, one Rough-legged Hawk, one Ferruginous Hawk and two Bald Eagles.

Search for Harris's Hawk and Snowy Owls

December 16/17, 2017 

Richard Stevens:

December 16

Terry Michaels and I relocated the Harris's Hawk (David Wade, 12/10) by scoping the recycle plant and Running Deer Natural Area (Larimer) from the Colorado Visitor's Center off Prospect Road, Fort Collins.

Temperatures today reached 49 degrees.  Winds were 9 mph with gusts to 20 mph in the afternoon.

We decided to again search for the Snowy Owl that has been "hanging around" the Fort Morgan area.  It was not found. 

A walk around Jackson Reservoir (Morgan) in the afternoon found a Swamp Sparrow in the cattails south of Pelican Campgrounds.  Two Long-eared Owls were also relocated.

December 17

Terry and I walked from Riverside Park, Fort Morgan to Fort Morgan Ponds.  Highlights were a Stub-tailed Wren (probably Winter Wren) and a Long-eared Owl in the Fort Morgan Ponds area!

We received a message that the Snowy Owl had been spotted near Morgan CR &, west of CR 27 and rushed over.  The Snowy Owl was still there when we arrived.  

First discovered by Jesse Casias, we observed what he later rightly commented.  A birder walked closer to the owl for a better photo.  It irked us also.  Perhaps if these "photographers" were mentioned by name, they would be more reluctant in their trespassing behavior?

Fourteenth Sterling Christmas Count & Aurora Reservoir

December 15, 2017

Richard Stevens:

The CoBus group down to five and eight feeder watchers conducted the fourteenth Sterling Christmas Count today.  Temperatures reached a nice 55 degrees.  Winds were 7 mph with gusts to 14 mph.  What a pleasant Colorado fall day!

Total: 87 species (full list January 2018 "Colorado Field Notes")

Highlights:
++Sterling Reservoir
Northern Mockingbird (Norm Lewis) first 12/20
Common Redpoll (30) (Bill Kaempfer/CoBus group) (first 12/14) 1; last 12/15
Greater White-fronted Goose (Leon Moore/CoBus group) (first 12/14) last 12/15
Bonaparte's Gull (CoBus group) last 12/15
Harris's Sparrow (CoBus group) first 12/15
++Overland Park    
Common Redpoll (2) (CoBus group) first 12/15
++Bravo Wildlife Area 
Red-bellied Woodpecker (CoBus Group) first 12/15
Eastern Bluebird (2) (CoBus group) first 12/15
Eastern Screech-Owl (CoBus group) first 12/15
++Knudson Wildlife Area   
Red-bellied Woodpecker (CoBus group) first 12/15
++Pioneer Park     
Eastern Screech-Owl (CoBus group) last 12/15

I passed on the Sterling Christmas Count and had returned to Denver last night.

It was 60 degrees in Parker.  Winds were 8 mph with gusts to 14 mph.

If had known about the Snowy Owl north of Fort Morgan a detour would have been worthwhile.

In the afternoon, I tried to update some sightings. Neither the Adams nor Denver Counties Harris's Sparrows were found along the First Creek trail. Nor was the Common Loon or Swan at the Rocky Mountain Arsenal.

Aurora Reservoir was more exciting. The pair of White-winged Scoters was directly east of the upper swim beach parking area, albeit quite far away. The pair of Long-tailed Ducks was at the mouth of Senac Cove.  Two Greater Scaup were below the northwestern corner of the dam.

No geese were on the Twenty-mile Pond in Parker nor were they at nearby Salisbury Equestrian Park (Douglas). Too many dog walkers were around. I scoped the City of Parker land from the northeast corner of Salisbury Equestrian Park and found the Brant.

Fourteenth Tamarack Ranch Wildlife Area Christmas Count

December 14, 2017

Richard Stevens:

The CoBus group (Terry Michaels, Jacob Washburn, Jamie Thompson, Sue Ehlmann, Rebecca Kosten and I) were joined by six feeder watchers in conducting the fourteenth Tamarack Ranch Wildlife Area Christmas Count today.  Temperatures only reached 37 degrees.  Anemometer readings were 17 mph with gusts to 34 mph.  The day was not conducive to finding many bird species.  We enjoyed good success under the conditions.

The circle includes centers in Tamarack Ranch Wildlife Area near CR 89 and included Jumbo Reservoir, Red Lion Wildlife Area, Little Jumbo Reservoir and Logan CR 46/CR 89.  It stops just short of the town of Tobin to the west and just short of Haystack Butte to the northwest.  This was the fourteen Tamarack Ranch Wildlife Area Christmas Count conducted by the Colorado Birding Society.

Total: 106 species (full list in January 2018 "Colorado Field Notes")

Highlights:
CoBus group:
++Tamarack Ranch Wildlife Area
  Red-bellied Woodpeckers (7)
  Northern Cardinal (2)
  Eastern Bluebirds (2)
  Field Sparrow (2)
  Harris's Sparrow (1)
  White-throated Sparrow (1)
  Common Redpoll (4)
  Greater Prairie-Chicken (one, southern section)
  Greater Prairie-Chicken (one, CR 46/CR 89)

++Red Lion Wildlife Area
  Greater White-fronted Geese
  Long-eared Owl (2)
  Harris's Sparrow
++Jumbo Reservoir
  Greater White-fronted Geese (4)
  Black-legged Kittiwake
  Bonaparte's Gull
  Hermit Thrush
  Eastern Screech-Owl (1 heard)
  Short-eared Owl (1)       
Feeder Watchers
  Long-eared Owl (2)
  Eastern Screech-Owl (2)
  Red-bellied Woodpecker (1)
  Harris's Sparrow (1)
  Common Redpoll (1)

Thursday, December 14, 2017

Aurora Reservoir Waterfowl!

December 13, 2017

Richard Stevens:

A small flock of Rosy Finches was relocated in Victor (Park).  Having stayed up all night, we decided to return to Denver.

Temperatures in Aurora only reached 50 degrees today.  Winds were 6-7 mph with gusts to 12 mph at Aurora Reservoir.

Email to cobirders listserve:

Terry Michaels and I returned around noon from a trip to Fremont County for some owling.  We passed through Pueblo County on the trip down.  After dropping Terry off, I returned home by way of Aurora Reservoir (Arapahoe) which was my best bet to miss traffic.

It was a good/fortunate choice.  I scoped the lake from the upper parking area north of the swim beach.  Three Long-tailed Ducks, one male & two female were directly east.  Male and female White - winged Scoters were southeast of me.

The remaining daylight was used with a hike to the northwest corner of the reservoir.  From the northwest corner of the dam, I found two Greater Scaup and a male Barrow's Goldeneye.

Surprisingly, few gulls were around.  I did see two Herring Gulls and less than one hundred Ring-billed Gulls.  Perhaps the gulls were at nearby Cherry Creek Reservoir.

Thousands of White-cheeked Geese swam on the lake with thousands additional lining the swim beach and upper parking area shore.

I enjoyed the sounds of the geese under another colorful Colorado sunset!

Super Trip to Pueblo & Fremont Counties

December 11-12, 2017

Richard Stevens:

December 11

Terry Michaels and I headed to Fremont County for some owling, by way of Pueblo.  Temperatures reached 66 degrees.  Winds were 4-5 mph with gusts to 12 mph.

We want to thank the birder who offered directions on where to find the great uncommon birds around Pueblo Reservoir and Pueblo City Park.

We spent the day in the area and eventually after several attempts found at below Pueblo City Park: Chestnut-sided Warbler, Carolina Wren, Long-tailed Duck, Greater Scaup, and Barrow's Goldeneye.  Misses: Rusty Blackbird.

At the Pueblo Reservoir area: Prairie Warbler, Lesser Black-backed Gull, Great Black-backed Gull, and Common Loon. Misses: Bonaparte's Gulls, Mew Gull and Rusty Blackbird.

We ended the day owling at Beaver Creek Wildlife Area (Fremont).  One of our "owl listening stations" picked up a Northern Pygmy-Owl.

December 12

Our birding day started around noon.  Temperatures only reached 53 degrees.  Winds were 10-11 mph with gusts to 21 mph.

We searched the many parks and the abbey for Yellow-bellied and Williamson's Sapsuckers.  Eventually one Yellow-bellied Sapsucker and one Williamson's Sapsucker were encountered.  The Western Screech-Owl was sunning at his tree near Raynolds and the Arkansas Riverwalk.

No Black Phoebes could be found along the Arkansas Riverwalk or Florence River Park.  One Rufous-crowned Sparrow was seen at the Tunnel Drive trailhead.

No uncommon birds were found at Temple Canyon Park.  However, at sunset, we did find a Northern Pygmy-Owl.

Later we went owling up Phantom Canyon Road (Fremont).  One Northern Saw-whet Owl was found at its usual location.  No Spotted Owls were found.

Monday, December 11, 2017

Rocky Mountain Arsenal & Cherry Creek Reservoir

December 10,  2017

Richard Stevens:

I started toward Fort Collins to search for the Harris's Hawk.  When I received text message that it was not found I turned around and went to Rocky Mountain Arsenal (Adams).

The Trumpeter Swan was still on Lower Derby Lake.

Then I headed to Cherry Creek Reservoir (Arapahoe) where the Red-necked Grebe was 50 yards off the dam tower.

I put photos of both on the Recent Witness Photos link, Colorado Birding Society's website:
http://coloradobirdingsociety.net

South Platte Birding Area, Big Dry Creek & Cherry Creek Reservoir

December 9, 2017

Richard Stevens:

Not one of my best days of birding.  Temperatures did reach the high 50s.  Winds were 5-6 mph.

I walked the South Platte River Birding Area (Adams) in the morning.  Only one of the Barrow's Goldeneyes was found on the Platte River south of 88th avenue.

In the afternoon, I walked the Big Dry Creek Trail (Arapahoe) from Dry Creek to Arapahoe Blvd.  On the return trip, I ran into Mary O'Connor who originally found the Yellow-bellied Sapsucker.

I could not find it.  Mary last saw the sapsucker flying up the bike trail heading uphill/west from the blue gray house.

Then I rushed over to Cherry Creek Reservoir (Arapahoe) and decided to search for the Common Redpoll I found on 12/7.  It was now 4:15 pm and daylight was rapidly fading.  The Common Redpoll was not found.

So.........I was walking a deer trail along Cherry Creek just north of the 12-mile beaver pond.  Rushing to get back to my car before complete dark, I tripped on a tree root.

Two fractured ribs, a dislocated shoulder and broken wrist later, when getting to the car, I discovered that my car keys had fallen out of my pocket.  After waiting for AAA, I eventually got to the ER.  Birding can be dangerous?

Saturday, December 9, 2017

Birding South-central Weld County

December 8, 2017

Richard Stevens:

Rebecca Kosten and I walked the First Creek Trail today.  Temperatures reached 56 degrees.  Winds were a strong 10-11 mph with gusts to 16 mph.

The Harris's Sparrow continued to hang around with a flock of 36+ American Tree Sparrows and two Song Sparrows about 1/4 mile west of Buckley Road.  The usual raptors were also around.

Afterwards, we decided to bird south-central Weld County.  Our first stop was Horse Creek Reservoir.  Bring a scope; the reservoir is quite far from a public road.  The previously reported (thee days ago), Tundra Swans were not on the water.  Only a couple of Ring-billed Gull flew around in the high wind.  The shore was lined with hundreds of White-cheeked Geese and several hundred Snow Geese.

Our next stop was Prospect Reservoir.  Again, the lake is quite far from a county Road (CR 59) and needs to be scoped.  A Glaucous Gull flew around or we would not have been able to find it.  A few hundred Ring-billed Gulls stood on the far shore.  In the high winds, our scope was not stable enough to get identification of the distant birds.  The previously reported Iceland Gulls and Greater Scaup may still be out there.

Thousands of White-cheeked Geese were accompanied by a couple hundred Snow Geese.  A few were small enough to be Ross's Geese.

Our next stop was Ireland Reservoir #1.  We thought our chances of finding the previously reported Swamp Sparrow close to zero in the surrounding cattail marshes.

However, a lone sparrow working the cattails at the water's edge turned out to be a Swamp Sparrow!  The cattails were at the northeast corner of the lake about 40 yards west of the five or six dead snags sticking out of the water.

Ireland Reservoir #5 had hundreds of White-cheeked Geese swimming around its ice-free waters.  Several thousand additional White-cheeked Geese and over one hundred Snow Geese fed on the hill east of the lake.

Then we drove to nearby Banner Lakes Wildlife Area and walked the north side from Pond #5 down to Pond #8.  One Long-eared Owl hid in the thick cottonwoods west of Pond #7.  American Robins were the majority birds around.

Most of the ponds are now ice covered.  The few waterfowl in the small open pools were Gadwalls and Mallards.

Our birding day ended back at the DIA Owl Loop.  We parked for an hour at my favorite spot about 0.2 miles south of West Cargo Road and Third Creek.  The location offers nice 360 views of the surrounding rolling prairie.  No Short-eared Owls appeared tonight.

Raptors that flew by included two Red-tailed Hawks, two adult and two subadult Bald Eagles, two Ferruginous Hawks and three Northern Harriers.

Friday, December 8, 2017

Cherry Creek Reservoir on Thursday

December 7, 2017

Richard Stevens:

Wow, it felt cold today (Thursday).  Perhaps it is that one day is warm and the next cold.  Temperatures reached only 37 degrees with winds 3-4 mph at Cherry Creek Reservoir (Arapahoe).

Rebecca and I scoped the Lake from the Lake Loop.  A Common Loon was in the eastern quadrant.  An Iceland Gull was with 50+ Ring-billed, 7 California and 1 Herring Gull at Pelican Point.

The highlight was a Common Redpoll loosely following four American Goldfinches at the 12-mile picnic area windbreak!

No Short-eared Owls appeared this evening along the DIA Owl Loop (Adams).

Thursday, December 7, 2017

Salisbury Equestrian Park & Aurora Reservoir

December 6, 2017

Richard Stevens:

Rebecca and I had to go Colorado Springs today.  We took the scenic highway 83 on the drive home.  Temperatures only reached 38 degrees today.  Winds were 7-8 mph with gusts to 15 mph.

A thirty minute stop at Black Forest Regional Park (El Paso) did not find an American Three-toed Woodpecker.

No geese were on the Twenty-mile Pond in Parker; we detoured over to nearby Salisbury Equestrian Park (Douglas).  The Brant was with hundreds of White-cheeked Geese south of the horse corrals at 3:30 pm.

There was no enough daylight to walk into Aurora Reservoir (Arapahoe) from the south side.  The lake was scoped from the upper swim beach parking area.

We could pick out the adult Lesser Black-backed Gull on the far shore at mile 2.0.  Nothing uncommon was found on the Lake with high waves and waning light.

Tuesday, December 5, 2017

Another Visit to First Creek Trail

December 4, 2017

Richard Stevens:

Temperatures reached the middle 40s today, must have been early in the day.  Winds were 15-16 mph with gusts to 31 mph.

I finished home maintenance chores finally; time to get back to birding with Christmas Counts coming.  There was time in the afternoon to swing by First Creek trail east of Rocky Mountain Arsenal.  By the time I arrived winds were down to 2-3 mph; however, temperature was 38 degrees at 4:00 pm.

The Harris's Sparrow was still around in Adams County (west of Buckley Road).  It was with a flock of 50+ American Tree Sparrows, 2 Song Sparrows and a dozen Dark-eyed Juncos.

While the Tree Sparrows were hop around the gravel trail, the Harris's Sparrow stayed in the high grasses.  When someone walked by, the sparrows would fly to the short trees on the south side of First Creek.

My photos are probably no better than the ones taken November 30.  The auto focus let me down.  Only two of eighty photos were in focus.  Those two were posted on the Colorado Birding Society's Photo Library.

Raptors encountered included in Adams County five Red-tailed Hawks and one Great Horned Owl.  Six additional Red-tailed Hawks and another Great Horned Owl were in Denver County (east of Buckley Road).

Sunday, December 3, 2017

Common Redpoll at Denver City Park

December 3, 2017

Richard Stevens:

Finished the third day of painting the house.  Greatest torture in my life and we have mostly a brick house.  I would rather wash windows.

I finished just before 3:00 pm and heard about a Common Redpoll at Denver City Park (Denver County).  Rebecca and I rushed over.

No birds were around the retention pond where John Breitsch had found the Common Redpoll earlier.  I followed one of my important birding rules; follow the sun.  The retention pond was in shade.  However, the sun shone on the three tall evergreen trees at the southeast corner of Ferril Lake.

The trees were jumping with birds.  Off and on, they would fly down to the short deciduous tree next to the lake.

The group included four Black-capped Chickadees, two Brown Creepers, four Yellow-rumped Warblers, four Dark-eyed Juncos, one Ruby-crowned Kinglet and one COMMON REDPOLL!

The Common Redpoll is a new county bird for both of us!

After direct sunlight left the three evergreens, the flock moved to the two evergreen trees farther north (just off shore of the lake).

After sunset, Rebecca and I searched unsuccessfully for the City Park Eastern Screech-Owls.  Eventually we found two Eastern Screech-Owls farther east (Grape Street and Gaylord Street, Denver).

At Least A New Yard Bird

December 2, 2017

Richard Stevens:

Spent the beautiful fall day painting the house.  Thank goodness, it is mostly brick. 

Bird wise, one flock of migrating White-cheeked Geese had two Snow Geese (a new yard bird)!

Saturday, December 2, 2017

Jefferson to Clear Creek to Arapahoe Counties

December 1, 2017

Richard Stevens:

Today was colder than yesterday with high temperature of 62 degrees.  Winds were 5-6 mph with gusts to 9 mph.

New York birder Ken Bowen and I set out sights on finding a White-tailed Ptarmigan today.  An hour before sunrise we parked at Reynolds Park (Jefferson County).  A walk along Foxton Road found a Northern Pygmy-Owl presumably along the Songbird trail.

Six White-tailed Ptarmigan were found around the upper parking area at Guanella Pass (Clear Creek).  Later we relocated an American Three-toed Woodpecker at the Guanella Pass Campgrounds.

Note: second hand information had Guanella Pass Road closed from Georgetown side.  We came from Grant; no telling how much longer the road will be open.  Predicted snowstorms will eventually require over a two mile hike from either access to reach the top.

Later I drove home by way of Aurora Reservoir (Arapahoe).  I scoped the lake from the bench at mile 2.5 (about a mile hike from the southern gate).

Up to three thousand gulls were on the shore below the bench.  Two Herring Gulls were among Ring-billed Gulls.  I almost missed an adult Lesser Black-backed Gull that was hidden in the mass.

Eight hundred additional gulls stood on the west shore at Senac Cove.  A Mew Gull was among the many Ring-billed Gulls.  On surprise was the lack of California Gulls.

Few waterfowl were on the lake.  Two Western Grebes swam up Lone Tree Cove.  I almost missed a Black Scoter in the middle of the lake.  It only came to the surface for a count of two or three, then dove again.

Ended my birding day at Cherry Creek Reservoir (Arapahoe) watching thirty eight American Tree Sparrows feeding at Pelican Point.  The Swamp Sparrow did not make an appearance.  The only gulls (60) on the Point were Ring-billed Gulls.
Today was colder than yesterday with high temperature of 62 degrees.  Winds were 5-6 mph with gusts to 9 mph.

New York birder Ken Bowen and I set out sights on finding a White-tailed Ptarmigan today.  An hour before sunrise we parked at Reynolds Park (Jefferson County).  A walk along Foxton Road found a Northern Pygmy-Owl presumably along the Songbird trail.

Six White-tailed Ptarmigan were found around the upper parking area at Guanella Pass (Clear Creek).  Later we relocated an American Three-toed Woodpecker at the Guanella Pass Campgrounds.

Note: second hand information had Guanella Pass Road closed from Georgetown side.  We came from Grant; no telling how much longer the road will be open.  Predicted snowstorms will eventually require over a two mile hike from either access to reach the top.

Later I drove home by way of Aurora Reservoir (Arapahoe).  I scoped the lake from the bench at mile 2.5 (about a mile hike from the southern gate).

Up to three thousand gulls were on the shore below the bench.  Two Herring Gulls were among Ring-billed Gulls.  I almost missed an adult Lesser Black-backed Gull that was hidden in the mass.

Eight hundred additional gulls stood on the west shore at Senac Cove.  A Mew Gull was among the many Ring-billed Gulls.  On surprise was the lack of California Gulls.

Few waterfowl were on the lake.  Two Western Grebes swam up Lone Tree Cove.  I almost missed a Black Scoter in the middle of the lake.  It only came to the surface for a count of two or three, then dove again.

Ended my birding day at Cherry Creek Reservoir (Arapahoe) watching thirty eight American Tree Sparrows feeding at Pelican Point.  The Swamp Sparrow did not make an appearance.  The only gulls (60) on the Point were Ring-billed Gulls.

A Nice Day in Adams and Weld Counties

November 30, 2017

Another great fall day in Colorado.  We made it through November with warmer than average temperatures and little snow!

This morning I decided to enter Barr Lake (Adams) from the west side (off Buckley Road).  Sparrows appear to be in short supply this fall at Barr Lake.  The west side had more than any other part I have run into this year.

A White-throated Sparrow was with nine White-crowned Sparrows near the woodpile at the southwest corner.

Later I went to the First Creek Trail (Adams) and relocated the Harris's Sparrow found yesterday by John Breitsch.  Terry Michaels and I have been watching the sparrow flock along the trail about 1/4 mile east of Buckley Road.  John found a rather plain Harris's Sparrow!  I put photos on the Colorado Birding Society's photo library:
http://coloradobirdingsociety.net

My birding day ended at Banner Lakes Wildlife Area (Weld).  Nothing unusual appeared.  I did find two Long-eared Owls and a Great Horned Owl.  No Short-eared Owls seen tonight.

Chores At Home

November 29, 2017

Richard Stevens:

Spent the day painting the house.  A Lapland Longspur an infrequent yard bird!

Search For A Snowy Owl

November 27-28, 2017

Richard Stevens:

Terry Michaels and I headed out on a two-day search for the Snowy Owl found near Riverside Park, Fort Morgan on 11/25.  We covered much territory in two days from I70 to Hwy 14 (Weld) and Riverside Reservoir (Morgan) to Washington County.  We could not relocate it.

During our trek highlights included:

11/27:
Lapland Longspur flock (14 birds) along Weld CR 105, north of Jackson Reservoir.
Eastern Bluebirds at Fort Morgan Ponds (Morgan)
Greater White-fronted Goose at Riverside Park, no Snowy Owl.
Long-eared Owl (2) at Jackson Reservoir while walking around with our NVG7-3P Night Vision glasses at 10:00 pm!
Eastern Screech-Owl at Jackson Reservoir (after midnight)

11/28:
Heard Long-eared Owls whining during the night!
We observed two Long-eared Owls south of Pelican Campgrounds early in the morning.
Swamp Sparrow in Jackson Reservoir marsh.
White-throated Sparrow south of Pelican Campgrounds wooden fence.
No Snowy Owl Riverside Reservoir

Trip to Jackson County

November 21-26, 2017

Richard Stevens:

Just so, I have a record of my birding.  A brief summary of Rebecca's and my trip to Jackson County.

November 21, 2017

On the way up, we stopped at Sale Lake in Boulder County.  We relocated the Swamp Sparrow found by Ernest Crvich on 11/20.  No uncommon sparrows found at Teller Lakes #5 parking area. Is the Golden-crowned Sparrow going to return this year?

A Pacific Loon and Common Loon were on Union Reservoir (Weld).  At least one Bonaparte's Gull remained also.

No Boreal Owls were found around the Joe Wright Reservoir parking areas.  Winds were 21+ mph, difficult to hear the soft spoken owls.

November 22

No Rosy Finches visited the Colorado State Forest Visitor's Center feeders.  We relocated the male American Three-toed Woodpecker across Hwy 14, north of the Visitor's Center.

A small flock of 42 Rosy Finches was encountered at a friend's ranch.  All three species were represented.

Winds were again strong after dark.  We missed Boreal Owls on Cameron Pass and Crags Campgrounds.

November 23, 2017

We missed Greater Sage-Grouse along Jackson County Roads 26 & 26b.

An American Three-toed Woodpecker was found at Ranger Lakes.  No Rosy Finches at the Colorado State Forest Visitor's Center.

After dark, we walked up Ruby Jewell Road.  A Boreal Owl was heard about 0.4 miles up the gravel road.

November 24, 2017

Another visit to our friend's ranch.  Rosy Finches flock was 46 birds, no Black Rosy Finches today.  No Rosy Finches at the Colorado State Forest Visitor's Center.

No Rosy Finches around Walden and no uncommon birds at Walden Reservoir, Johns Lake Wildlife Area and Delaney Buttes Wildlife Area.

November 25, 2017

Leisure day around Gould.  No Rosy Finches found at Colorado State Forest Visitor's Center.  Missed Three-toed Woodpeckers today at Ranger Lakes & Visitor's Center.

November 26, 2017

We rose early and again drove Jackson CR 26 & 26b.  Our fortune was better today.  One Greater Sage-Grouse was observed walking along CR 26.

Rosy Finch flock at friend's ranch was growing to 61 birds, three species represented (with one Black Rosy Finch).

Missed Three-toed Woodpeckers.  Waited until dark and listened for Boreal Owls at Cameron Pass & Joe Wright Reservoir parking areas; none was heard/seen.

We stopped at half a dozen Campgrounds and picnic areas along Hwy 14 on the way back to Fort Collins.  One Northern Pygmy-Owl responded to a recording at Ansel Watrous Campgrounds.