Sunday, July 28, 2019

Genesee Mountain Park, Chatfield and Cherry Creek Reservoirs

July 27, 2019

Richard Stevens:

Another hot day with a high of 93 degrees, winds were 2-3 mph.  The lack of a breeze made the day feel even hotter.

The Painted Bunting at the Audubon Nature Center (Jefferson) had not been reported before noon the last three days.  So, I decided to start my day owling and birding at Genesee Mountain Park (Jefferson).

No owls were observed or heard.  A hike to the top near the flagpole found one male Williamson's Sapsucker.  The Sapsucker was along the main road and about 80 yards from the top. 

Another birder had run across a Dusky Grouse; it was not relocated by me.

Pine Siskins, four Red Crossbills (type 2), White-breasted and Red-breasted Nuthatches, and two Western Bluebirds were found.

When I arrived at the Audubon Center, it was reported that the Painted Bunting had shown up at 7:20 to 7:35am and again at 8:55 am.  I arrived at 12:35 pm.  Fortunately, the male Painted Bunting made another appearance at 1:55 pm.  He hung around until 2:14 pm and then flew to the south.

While wandering around the Audubon Nature Center buildings I saw Gray Catbirds, many Spotted Towhees, two Yellow-breasted Chats, many House Wrens and quite a few Broad-tailed Hummingbirds.  

The highlight was a male Nashville Warbler walking on the ground below the thick willows southeast of the restrooms.

The road through Chatfield State Park is now open with the completion of the Kingfisher Bridge.  However, it was too hot to continue birding and I had to be home by 5:00 pm.  I was not looking forward to the traffic and major construction along C470.

Late in the afternoon, Rebecca and I drove through Cherry Creek State Park (Arapahoe).  The male Great-tailed Grackle was again perched above the Cottonwood Creek Wetlands.

No owls appeared at sunset.

No comments: