Weld County Birding

October 17, 2018

Richard Stevens:

High temperature was 61 degrees today at Hudson.  High winds made the day feel quite cold.  Anomometer readings were 12-14 mph with gusts to 29 mph in the afternoon.

I walked around Banner Lakes Wildlife Area (Weld County) for four hours.  Highlight was a female Black-throated Blue Warbler in the windbreak west of Ponds 4 to 3.  A Spotted Towhee was between 4 & 3 Ponds.

An Eastern Bluebird perched on top of an evergreen tree at the windbreak at Pond 8.  Only one Long-eared Owl was encountered today.  American Robins and Dark-eyed Junco were abundant north of Hwy 52.

Ireland Reservoir #5 had few birds.  I could not kick up a Swamp Sparrow in the western cattails.  Got the same result at Ireland Reservoir #1, no Swamp Sparrows appeared today.  Another Spotted Towhee was below the dam at #1.

In the afternoon, I visited a friend's ranch (Snowy Owl, March 2012).  We drove north of hwy 52 searching for a Burrowing Owl he had last seen two days ago; without success.

The prairie dog villages along CR 73 area, both sides of the road host Burrowing Owls.

He had a pair of Long-eared Owls nest in his windbreak (Weld).  John showed me a photo of a red Fox Sparrow taken 9 days ago.  Eastern Bluebirds passed through two weeks ago.

I watched daylight disappear back at Banner Lakes Wildlife Area.  No Short-eared Owls appeared this evening.  My birding day ended while listening to a Great Horned Owl calling somewhere near Pond 12 area.