Denver Foothills

November 9

Richard Stevens:

It felt cold today with a high of 43 degrees.  Winds were 7-8 mph with gusts to 13 mph.

After a few hours of sleep this morning, I headed toward a White-eyed Vireo sighting at Red Rocks Park (Jefferson).  

A stop at Bluff Lake Nature Area (Denver) found the Harris's Sparrow with four or so White-crowned Sparrows behind the park building.

Thanks to Dave King for the heads up, his photos are on the Colorado Birding Society's Photo Library (recent favorite photos):

coloradobirdingsociety.net 

Many birders and I searched for over two hours for the White-eyed Vireo near the Red Rocks Park trading post.  Most birders finally left. 

At last, I relocated the vireo beneath the pine tree at the north end of the trading post trail (near the road up to the amphitheater.  This was around 2:45 pm.  Unfortunately only one birder was still around to tell.

Next, I went to the southern end of the trading post trail (north of the old chapel).  I scoped the juniper trees for Northern Saw-whet Owls, which historically have been found in them in November & December.  None was found today.

While scoping the evergreen trees north of the elementary school I found a Yellow-bellied Sapsucker.  Originally, in the two tall evergreens, it flew to the shorter pines to the west.

At one time, birders could walk down the drainage to this area.  Regrettably, it is now behind a no trespassing sign.

After checking this area, I ended my birding day at Mt. Falcon Park, target bird, a Northern Pygmy-Owl.  While no Northern Pygmy-Owls were found, a Dusky Grouse walked across the southern trail.  It was past the fence.  This trail runs south from the main trail and starts just east of the upper parking area.

No owls called this night at Mt. Falcon Park or surrounding neighborhoods.