Another Trip to Northeastern Colorado

November 20-22, 2019

Richard Stevens:

November 20

High today was 50 degrees.  Winds were 14-15 mph with gusts to 23 mph.

Jacob Washburn and I returned to Northeastern Colorado.  We arrived at Prewitt Reservoir around sunrise to find the many gulls on the small strip of land at the western end of the Lake.

From the main entrance near the ranger's home drive west staying as close to the Lake as possible.  After passing the second restroom, there is a pullover about 10 yards farther west.  The water level currently allows for a strip of land about 3 feet wide and 40 feet long.  Gulls have been spending the night here.

The previously reported Mew Gull was among hundreds of Ring-billed, six California and two Herring Gulls.  We did not find the Laughing Gull.

We walked from the ranger's office to the east and south end of the dam.  The Eastern Screech-Owl was again sunning himself.  The Red-headed Woodpecker and Red-bellied Woodpecker were not found.  The 11/18 swans and Surf Scoter were also missing.

It took about 30 minutes to relocate the three White-winged Scoters at Jumbo Reservoir (Logan/Sedgwick).  Winds were 18-19 mph, which created high waves.

No additional uncommon ducks were found.  Thousands of white geese (Snow & Ross's) formed a large raft in the middle of the lake.

We parked near sunset at the southeastern hill and watched nearby fields for owls.  None appeared this evening.

November 21

It was much colder today with a high of 34 degrees.  Winds were 11-12 mph with gusts to 18 mph.

After camping at Tamarack Ranch Wildlife Area (Logan), Jacob and I explored the southern sections before sunrise.  Greater Prairie-Chicken favorite locations (windmill just south of I76 & Logan CR 81 and the intersection of CR 46 & CR 89) did not yield a bird this trip.

Later, Jacob and I walked the riparian area at Tamarack Ranch Wildlife Area (Logan) from 2West to 8East and back.  Two Red-bellied Woodpeckers and two Field Sparrows were relocated.  Misses included the Eastern Screech-Owl, any warblers or vireos.

Ovid Woods (Sedgwick) and Sedgwick Bar Wildlife Area (Sedgwick) did not add any uncommon birds to our trip list.  Sedgwick Cemetery and Sedgwick Draw also were a bust.

An Eastern Screech-Owl called briefly while we enjoyed a barbecue near sunset at a friend's ranch.

November 22

Cold weather continued with a high of 32 degrees.  Winds were 7-8 mph with gusts to 12 mph.

Jacob and I departed our friend's ranch early enough to reach Yuma CR 45 at dawn.  We drove the loop of CR 45--CR PP.  No Greater Prairie-Chickens or Short-eared Owls were found this morning.

Brief stops at the Wray Fishing Unit, Stalker Pond and the Wray City Park did not find any uncommon birds.

The highlight at the Republican Wildlife Area (Yuma) was two Long-eared Owls in the Fosters Grove windbreak.  Twelve Wild Turkeys walked across CR 3 as we continued to Hale.

Hale Ponds added a pair of Red-bellied Woodpeckers, four Eastern Bluebirds and an Eastern Screech-Owl to our trip list.  In summary, birding was slow.

Target birds, American Woodcocks, Greater Prairie-Chickens and the Laughing Gull were all missed.