Spanish Peaks

August 12-18, 2019

Richard Stevens:

August 12

Terry Michaels and I started toward Spanish Peaks Wilderness and Wildlife Area (Huerfano/Las Animas Counties).  We spent the better part of six days exploring forests of Ponderosa Pines, Pinon-Junipers and Scrub Oak.

A search for Hepatic Tanagers and Grace's Warblers up Rouse Road (Santa Clara Creek, aka Huerfano CR 310) found one Hepatic Tanager and no Grace's Warblers.

The last couple of hours of daylight, we continued west on CR 310 to CR 320, turning around at CR 340.  No owls were encountered this evening.

August 13

We camped at Spanish Peaks Wildlife Area (Las Animas).  In the morning, a Grace's Warbler search found one at a previously reported location (Beebe trail, Eric DeFonso 6/12).  None was found at the previously reported headquarters area (Las Animas).

We circled around to Wahatoya Trailhead #1304 (Huerfano) and drove up the jeep road (CR 360) to its end.  If you have a 4-wheel drive and high clearance, the drive past the trailhead saves two miles of the hike.

An Acorn Woodpecker just south of the trailhead was definitely the highlight of the day!  No owls were heard this night.  A Dusky Grouse ran across the road between the trailhead and end of CR 360.

August 14

The hike up to East Spanish Peak is pleasant, however a long one.  While East Spanish Peak is shorter than West Spanish Peak, the final accent is steeper.  It was an effort.

Records show that no White-tailed Ptarmigan are found on the Spanish Peaks (Huerfano/Las Animas), Greenhorn Mountain (Pueblo) or Pikes Peak (El Paso).

White-tailed Ptarmigan were introduced to Pikes Peak (El Paso) and it was probably one of the reintroduced birds that I ran into in 1999 when attempting to climb all the 14ers in Colorado.

I also found one on Culebra Peak while climbing to the top of this 14,049-foot mountain.

Two American Three-toed Woodpeckers were observed on the hike to the Spanish Peaks ridge (north side burn area).  Other birds encountered included two Williamson's Sapsuckers, a Lewis's Woodpecker, Virginia's Warbler, Warbling Vireo, Plumbeous Vireos, two Band-tailed Pigeons, Bewick's Wren, and Juniper Titmouse among others.

We eventually camped at the Spanish Peaks ridge.  One Flammulated Owl was located below the ridge along the East Spanish Peak's trail (Huerfano).

August 15

Today we traversed the ridge over to West Spanish Peak.  It was a pleasant hike; however, again it is quite strenuous.  Afterwards, we returned to the Ridge and dropping down the south side (Las Animas).

Highlights were two Grace's Warblers below the south side of the trail (Las Animas).  Another Dusky Grouse and American Three-toed Woodpecker was observed.  After dark, a Flammulated Owl responded to our recordings.

August 16

We humped back up the Ridge and dropped down into Huerfano County by way of a West Peak trail.  We did not return to the East Peak trail taken yesterday.  The trail today was not well marked; a compass and GPS waypoints to our vehicle came in handy, for sure.

Highlights included at least one additional Grace's Warblers (may have been two), our first Olive-sided Flycatcher of the trip, and a Lewis's Woodpecker.  Once we reached the East Peak trail (Wahatoya trail #1304), we camped for the night.

A Flammulated Owl responded to our recording.  After recovering our two "owl listening stations" planted on 8/14 (and listened to 8/18) two additional Flammulated Owls were added to our trip list.

August 17

We broke camp early, hoping to relocate the Acorn Woodpecker found on 8/13; however, it was not found.

Next, we drove down Highway 12 not finding much at Cuchara, continuing to North Lake (Las Animas).   A Common Loon was observed in the middle of the Lake.

Farther south, Monument Park Lake (Las Animas) added a Cassin's Kingbird and Cassin's Vireo to our trip list.

Several hours were spent birding back at Spanish Peaks Wildlife Area (Las Animas) before dark.  The Grace's Warbler was not found again.  A Hepatic Tanager was definitely the highlight.  Another Dusky Grouse, a Lewis's Woodpecker, Olive-sided Flycatcher, and Williamson's Sapsucker were also encountered.

A pair of calling Great Horned Owls was the only owls found.

August 18

Two hours before sunrise, we looked for owls.  Flammulated Owls and Great Horned Owls would be the only owls expected here.  We also searched unsuccessfully for Grace's Warblers after sunrise.

Another Hepatic Tanager was a great surprise at the eastern side of the Wildlife Area.  We also ran into another Dusky Grouse, which are considered uncommon in the area.

Finally, we had to return to Denver and traffic.  It was an excellent and enjoyable trip to the Spanish Peaks area!  Colorado Springs & Denver traffic not so much.  

I will provide more detail in my article Spanish Peaks in September's "Colorado Field Notes".

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