October 1-7, 2019
Richard Stevens:
October 1
Terry Michaels and I to North Park in search of White-winged Crossbills, American Three-toed Woodpeckers and as it turned out a Pileated Woodpecker. See the article in October 2019 "Colorado Field Notes" on Pileated Woodpecker records and sightings in Colorado.
coloradobirdingsociety.net/coloradofieldnotes.htm
Ironically at the same time, we received a report of a Pileated Woodpecker north of Chambers Lake, the "cobirds" listserve was discussing a possible Pileated Woodpecker nesting hole.
October 1
High temperature was 66 degrees at Cameron Pass. Winds were mild at 7 mph which is uncommon for the area.
Terry and I hiked the Zimmerman Lake Loop (Larimer County), target birds White-winged Crossbills and American Three-toed Woodpeckers. We encountered two flocks of Red Crossbills during the trek, no White-winged Crossbills. One American Three-toed Woodpecker was at the trail spit around the Lake.
Later to rest our legs we walked the level part of the Michigan Ditch trail. Highlight was a Long-eared Owl staring out of a thick evergreen at us!
Just before sunset, we walked down to the Crags Campgrounds. A Boreal Owl responded to our recording after dark. No additional Boreal Owls were located at Cameron Pass or highway 14 to the west. That inspired a two day hunt for the bird.
October 2
High was 54 degrees. Winds again a mild 10 mph for this area.
We received a text message that two Illinois birders had seen a Pileated Woodpecker along Laramie River Road a short distance north of Chambers Lake (Larimer County).
Terry and I circled Chambers Lake (Larimer) however found no sign of a Pine Warbler (bird or nesting hole). We did encounter two American Three-toed Woodpeckers along the eastern side of the Lake and a Dusky Grouse at the northeast corner (just west of Laramie River Road).
After a four hour search, we drove up to Tunnel Campgrounds, which is approximately 5 miles to the north. We spent another couple of hours hiking around the Campgrounds and nearby roads. Again no sign of a Pileated Woodpecker or nesting hole.
A few interesting birds were found. These included a male Williamson's Sapsucker, two American Three-toed Woodpeckers and a Townsend's Warbler.
After sunset, we walked Laramie River Road. A Boreal Owl responded to our recordings. The owl was just northeast of Chambers Lake.
October 3
Another great fall day along the continental divide. High was 68 degrees. Winds steady at 6 mph.
Today Terry and I continued our Pileated Woodpecker hunt. We tried farther north at Browns Park Campgrounds and later Hohnholz Lakes Wildlife Area (both in Jackson County).
Once again no sign of a Pileated Woodpecker or their distinctive nesting hole.
An American Three-toed Woodpecker was run into at Browns Park Campgrounds. Another American Three-toed Woodpecker, Sage Thrasher and six Red Crossbills were observed at Hohnholz Lakes.
No owls were heard after dark.
October 4, 2019
For the mountains the high of 73 degrees was rather warm. Winds were strong at 24-25 mph with gusts in the afternoon of 33 mph.
We abandoned our Pileated Woodpecker search and headed to Routt County today. Target birds were White-winged Crossbills and Dusky Grouse.
North of the town of Columbine, we hiked Forest Road 550 east of CR 129. Terry spotted two White-winged Crossbills circling overhead about 2.5 miles northeast of CR 129!
Other birds encountered during our trek included a MacGillivray's Warbler and two Wilson's Warblers in willows in the drainage along the road.
After sunset we set up our two "owl listening stations" and hiked the forest in search of owls (Boreal Owl?). Neither our "owl listening stations" nor we picked up any responding owls.
October 5, 2019
It was a much different day with a high of 57 degrees. Winds were 7-8 mph with gusts to 18 mph.
We had set up camp in the forest and walked around early in the morning. Highlights were four Dusky Grouse. We also observed two flocks of Red Crossbills, sixteen birds in total; unfortunately, no White-winged Crossbills were among them.
The White-winged Crossbills found yesterday along Forest Road 550 did not reappear during our hour return.
Three Broad-tailed Hummingbirds were found at feeders in Columbine.
A stop at Steamboat Springs State Park (Routt) and later Pearl Lake (Routt) did not find any uncommon birds.
October 6
Temperatures continued to drop, high was 54 degrees. Winds around 5-6 mph most of the day.
After a good night sleep in Steamboat Springs, Terry and I decided to head up Buffalo Pass Road (CR 38) before it was closed for the winter. We meandered up Routt County Road 38 and spent the night at Summit Lake (Jackson). This drive is always beautiful and quite interesting.
We enjoyed a fantastic fall day in the northern mountains. Birds come across in Routt County included four American Three-toed Woodpeckers (3 locations along CR 38), one Dusky Grouse, four Williamson's Sapsuckers (2 locations), Red Crossbills, Pine Siskins, and a pair of Pine Grosbeak. Most surprising birds of the drive were a Common Grackle and Juniper Titmouse.
Another two American Three-toed Woodpeckers were found during the day at Granite Campgrounds. After dark, a Flammulated Owl responded to our recording played at Fish Creek Reservoir. A Boreal Owl was heard along CR 310 (the road out of Fish Creek Reservoir).
October 7
It was warmer today even though we were at a higher elevation. The high temperature was 68 degrees. Winds were steady at 13-14 mph.
We woke up to a superb fall morning. An American Three-toed Woodpecker drummed south of Summit Lake. A Dusky Grouse and American Three-toed Woodpecker were at Hidden Lake Campgrounds.
Additional birds found along Buffalo Pass Road (Jackson CR 24) included a pair of Williamson's Sapsuckers, twenty Red Crossbills, Pine Grosbeaks, Evening Grosbeaks, a Red-naped Sapsucker and three additional American Three-toed Woodpeckers.
On the way home, a brief stop back at the eastern and north sides of Chambers Lake (Larimer) did not find a Pileated Woodpecker.
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