Ken Caryl Valley & Sand Creek Birds

September 10, 2019

Richard Stevens:

I spent the morning assembling a Ken Caryl Valley birding club.  Several of my friends have recently been turned onto birding, which allowed great access for me and other non-residents to an area restricted to residents.

Today we hiked about 1.2 miles (one way) along the Massey Draw Trail.  Highlights included a late sighting of a Bullock's Oriole and a Cassin's Vireo!

Later, I stopped at Sand Creek for another look and possible photo op of the Groove-billed Ani.  Today at 2:00 pm, the Ani was quite far east of yesterday's location near Akron & 37th street.

To find the bird today, I parked at Florence Way and Dayton Circle, and then walked northeast to Sand Creek.  The bird stayed in an 18-foot willow along the north side of the Creek.

Sand Creek & First Creek

Setember 9, 2019

Richard Stevens:

High temperature today was 83 degrees.  Winds were 4-5 mph with gusts to 14 mph.

After taking care of business in downtown Denver, we detoured over to Sand Creek (Denver County).  The Groove-billed Ani was again below the southern trail (100 yards east of the RF building).

For the majority of the time it stayed in willows below the path (37th avenue & Akron).  It called several times and flew about 40 yards to the west.  Then once again, it buried in streamside willows.

We decided to drive the Rocky Mountain Arsenal Wildlife Drive.  Few birds were encountered; it was the hottest part of the day.

The few highlights included a male Lark Bunting at mile 8 near 88th avenue and Havana Street, a Sage Thrasher in the field north of the Contact Station (old Visitor's Center), two Lark Sparrows at the new Visitor's Center and several small flocks of Vesper Sparrows.

I concluded my birding day back at the First Creek Trail (Adams).  Another sighting of Saturday's mystery sparrow was not expected.  Its identification is still up in the air and photos were sent off to a friend in Texas.

Nothing uncommon was found on the hike.  The Northern Waterthrush was not relocated when I searched both the north and south sides of First Creek.

No owls were found along the DIA Owl Loop on my drive home.

Groove-billed Ani along Sand Creek

September 8, 2019

Richard Stevens:

High temperature was only a cool 79 degrees today.  Winds were 6-7 mph.  The thunderstorm at 5:00 pm brought winds of 42 mph to Cherry Creek Reservoir.

Early in the morning, Terry Michaels and I explored a Varied Thrush report at Jackson Reservoir (Morgan).  It was reported near Pelican Campgrounds.  We did not find it.

We did count a Townsend's Warbler, two Spotted Towhees, one Long-eared Owl and a Cassin's Vireo all from the Campgrounds.

Our plans were to continue to Prewitt Reservoir (Logan/Washington) and look for the Buff-breasted Sandpiper.  A text message altered those plans.

Our next stop, Sand Creek (Denver) where many birders got descent looks at the Groove-billed Ani.  When accepted it will be the fourth Colorado State Record.

photos at the photo library: coloradobirdingsociety.net

Late in the afternoon, Rebecca Kosten and I went to check on a Common Tern report at Cherry Creek Reservoir (Arapahoe).  It was raining quite heavily by the time we arrived.  Winds were 42 mph, visibility possibly 10 yards.

East of DIA and the First Creek Trail

September 7, 2019

Richard Stevens:

Temperatures reached 89 degrees today.  Winds were 7-8 mph with gusts to 11 mph in the morning.

Terry Michaels wanted to hunt for Cassin's Sparrows so we drove the gravel roads east of DIA Airport this morning.  

It is always the last place you look (of course because your done).  We checked Hudson Road (9/5 bird) and then 104th avenue and Box Elder Creek (9/6 bird) before finding a Cassin's Sparrow along Umpire Road just south of 104th Avenue.

None of the Red-headed Woodpeckers reported last spring was relocated.  Raptors included a Great Horned Owl, two Ferruginous Hawks, two Swainson's Hawks and a Red-tailed Hawk.

After I dropped Terry off, I drove to the First Creek Trail.  Winds were strange.  The Denver County half had winds of 7-8 mph while the Adams County trail was calm.

The Gray Flycatcher reported this morning by John Breitsch was not relocated.  I only detected one "empidonax" flycatcher in Adams County.  The bird was in the cottonwoods along the road running north from the Pond near the Rocky Mountain Arsenal border.  A Say's Phoebe was in the same tree.

A strange sparrow popped out of the tall grasses northeast of the same Pond.  It was small, rather flat headed, square tailed and its face looked like that of a Baird's Sparrow.  I was able to watch it for twenty seconds or so (and get one photo) before it dropped back down into the grasses.  

If it was a Grasshopper Sparrow, it had to be a juvenile.  However, the dark lateral throat stripe was strong.  I could not see if it had rufous tinged streaks on its flanks.  The breast streaks were well defined.  It may have been a juvenile Baird's Sparrow.  Will look at photos tomorrow.

Other birds encountered along the trail included two Blue Jays, four Barn Swallows, three Vesper Sparrows, fourteen Chipping Sparrows and two Lark Sparrows.

The Lark Sparrows were still in the same location on my return trip about 1.5 hours later.  They were south of the trail and over a clearing (pool of water, open area between cattail fields) about 50 yards west of the Adams County trailhead.

While trying to take of photo of the two birds there was motion along First Creek.  It turned out to be a Northern Waterthrush.  The bird walked along a grassy area on the south side of the creek (north side has tall cattails).

Eventually the bird hopped across the Creek and into the cattails.  I hurriedly circled round by way of Buckley Road to the south side of the Creek.  The Northern Waterthrush could be seen walking among the cattails.  Unfortunately, my camera would not focus through the cattails and on the bird.

The Barn Owl that nested in the owl box we constructed last year is gone.  She fledged three owlets this summer!

No Short-eared Owls or Burrowing Owl were found this evening along the DIA Owl Loop as I drove home.

Avoiding a Thunderstorm and Hail

September 6, 2019

Richard Stevens:

High temperature was a "cool" 84 degrees.  Winds before the late afternoon thunderstorm were 8-9 mph.  Gusts during the storm reached 30 mph. 

After doing chores I was tempted to drive back down to the Walker Gravel Pond for another look at the egrets there.  Yesterday I relocated the three Snowy Egret s first seen on September 2 (Monday).

Fortunately several reporters of the Little Blue Heron appear to have retracted their identification.  

I say fortunately because a thunderstorm with hail hit Parker and Franktown just about the time I would have been arriving at the Walker Pond (just west of Franktown).

At least I finished many chores today!

I did take a brief drive east of Denver International Airport searching for the Cassin's Sparrow reported yesterday; none was found.

Then I checked on the Red-headed Woodpecker at Box Elder Creek and 104th Avenue, not there.  A Cassin's Sparrow was observed just west of the Creek and south of 104th.

Misses In Elbert & Douglas Counties

September 5, 2019

Richard Stevens:

It was a hot one today; highs reached 98 degrees.  Winds were 5-6 mph.

I returned to Kiowa (Elbert) to search for Dickcissels.  While there appears to be much adequate habitat, Dickcissels have been uncommon in Elbert County this year.  None was found today at the previously reported fields.

A report of a Little Blue Heron changed my route back to Denver to the Walker Gravel Pond (Douglas).

Three egrets were on the far side (northern) side of the pond.  I scoped them for almost an hour until they walked the shore and showed their yellow feet.  All three were Snowy Egrets; probably the same three observed on Monday, September 2.

The Common Loon, which has been reported since June 22, was still around.  His flight feathers are looking much better than they appeared several weeks ago.

Then I drove over to nearby McClain Gravel Pond and walked up and down Castlewood Canyon Road.  In order to see the pond from the road it required peeking over the hillside between the road and pond.

Only one egret was observed.  It took a good twenty minutes before the Snowy Egret flew and revealed its yellow feet.

Afterwards I visited a friend who lives west of Castlewood Canyon State Park.  We set up my two "owl listening stations" and sat watching the sunset and listening to sounds of the night.

No Northern Saw-whet Owls were heard of seen this night.

Searching for a Few Target Birds for an Iowa Birder

September 3-4, 2019

Richard Stevens:

Iowa birder, Jan Nolan and I searched for several of his target birds.

September 3

High temperature in Idaho Springs was a pleasant 55 degrees and much cooler at Mt. Evans!  Winds were 15-16 mph.

We arrived at Mt. Evans just after sunrise and continued to Summit Lake (Clear Creek).

Two Brown-capped Rosy Finches landed several times on the rocky hillside at the northwest corner of Summit Lake.  It is one of the most reliable spots to find them in summer.

It took almost two hours of walking the field east of the Summit Lake parking lot before finding White-tailed Ptarmigan.  Two birds hunkered down behind a large granite rock.  Their summer plumage matches the rock quite well.

We hiked the Echo Lake Campgrounds twice before hearing the distinctive drumming of an American Three-toed Woodpecker.  A male drummed at the southeast corner!

A female Barrow's Goldeneye and several young swam on Echo Lake.  A Green-tailed Towhee and Lincoln's Sparrow were in the northwest willows.

NOTE: Mt Evans is now closed just north of Summit Lake.  Access to the Lake should be open until the first weekend in October.

A search below tree line did not find any Dusky Grouse.  No owls responded to our recordings played around the Campgrounds and Echo Lake.

September 4

Highs reached into the low 90s.  Winds were 7-8 mph.

Today Jan Nolan and I went to Banner Lakes Wildlife Area (Weld) looking for a Long-eared Owl.  Regrettably, none was found.  We did find a Townsend's Warbler and Clay-colored Sparrow.

Still looking for our target bird, we headed to Jackson Reservoir (Morgan).  Another Townsend's Warbler and a Long-eared Owl were encountered here!

Birding In Douglas County

September 2, 2019

Richard Stevens:

A new record high for September was set today as highs reached 100 degrees!  Winds were 6-7 mph with gusts to 16 mph.

Rebecca Kosten and I had some business in Parker.  Afterwards we continued to the Walker Gravel Pond (Douglas).

The Common Loon continued swimming around mostly in the middle of the pond.  Three Snowy Egrets walked the shore.  Twelve Double-crested Cormorants (no Neotropic Cormorant) stood on a small island at the southeast corner.

No hummingbirds were found at the only feeder at the Castlewood Canyon State Park Visitor's Center.  Later circling around to the west side, nothing uncommon was found.  Bobolinks appear to have departed the Winkler Ranch south of the State Park.

Highlight, but a small one, a female and one young Wild Turkey walked along Castlewood Canyon Road between the Ranch and southern entrance to the State Park.

Search for a Little Blue Heron

September 1, 2019

Richard Stevens:

It was a hot 98 degrees on this memorial day.  Winds 5-6 mph with gusts to 11 mph.

Rebecca and I headed to Lowell Ponds Wildlife Area (Adams) after a report of a Little Blue Heron.  We circled the Wildlife Area and all the ponds however found not one heron.

We ran into an Arizona birder looking for Clay-colored Sparrows.  I suggested Clear Creek Valley Park on the north side of I76 (it was once considered part of Lowell Ponds Wildlife Area).

Rebecca and I headed over that way and circled the park on the new hiking path (much nicer than the many times I had to bushwhack along the south fence line).

We counted thirty one Snowy Egrets, no Little Blue Heron.  As a side note, we found three Clay-colored Sparrows at the southeast corner of the most western pond!

Return to Denver

August 31, 2019

Richard Stevens:

It was 91 degrees when I reached Broomfield.  Winds were 4-5 mph.

On the drive south on Interstate 25, I detoured over to Plaster Reservoir (Broomfield).  The previously reported American Bittern was almost hidden in the cattails.

I stopped at Barr Lake (Adams) to stretch my legs after the long drive.  In the afternoon heat, few birds moved about.  Highlight was a Philadelphia Vireo at the north end of the peninsula at the banding station.  I was able to watch the vireo for a good six minutes!

No shorebirds were along the shore off the Niedrach Trail today; so I circled over the north side.  The peninsula had not quite turned into an island yet because of high water.  The north side of the peninsula is often the best spot for shorebirds.

Scoping the peninsula from the north side of Barr Lake did not reveal any uncommon shorebirds.  A large number of shorebirds were walking the shore near mile 4.5.  Included in this group were the Black-bellied Plover in alternate plumage still, two Least Sandpipers, Western Sandpipers, Baird's Sandpipers, Lesser Yellowlegs and one Greater Yellowlegs.

The sun set before I could explore below the dam.

Escaping the Heat, Birding In the Mountains

August 28-31, 2019

Richard Stevens:

Temperatures ranged between 77-79 degrees during our trip.  This was warm for the mountains; however much nicer than back in Denver.  Surprisingly, winds ranged between 6-8 mph; quite calm for the mountains.

August 28

Terry Michaels and I headed up to Jackson County in pursuit of the Red Phalarope reported at Cowdrey Lake.  

We stopped at Bobcat Ridge Natural Area (Larimer) found nothing uncommon.  

After dark, we counted four Flammulated Owls along CR 44!

August 29

Jacob Washburn had met us in Gould.  He had seen the phalaropes yesterday.  Unfortunately, when we drove to Cowdrey Lake in the afternoon, the phalaropes were gone.

On the drive to Cowdrey Lake we drove Jackson County Roads 26 & 26b searching for Greater Sage-Grouse; none was found.

The male American Three-toed Woodpecker was heard and seen north of the Colorado State Forest Visitor's Center and Hwy 14.  Behind the Visitor's Center: Wilson's Warblers, Fox Sparrows, and a Canada Jay.

No Boreal Owls could be located at Cameron Pass or the Crags Campgrounds.  Winds were quite fast this night.

August 30

Jacob Washburn, Terry Michaels and I headed to Buffalo Pass (Routt) today.  We enjoyed a superb day and night of birding.

Our bird count included five American Three-toed Woodpeckers, one Dusky Grouse, a pair of Williamson's Sapsuckers and two Flammulated Owls.

Misses: our main target bird(s) was White-winged Crossbill; none was found.

August 31

The three of us drove up Laramie River Road two hours or so before sunrise.  Again, no Boreal Owls called at Cameron Pass (Jackson).

Target bird(s): traditionally uncommon large hummingbirds are found at the Campgrounds in late August.  Regrettably, none was found today.  No White-winged Crossbills to report either.

We did hear a Boreal Owl north of Chambers Lake (Larimer).  A pair of American Three-toed Woodpeckers and a Townsend's Warbler was observed at Browns Park Campgrounds.

On the return trip, an American Three-toed Woodpecker was relocated along the east side of Chambers Lake.

Terry returned to Denver with Jacob (by way of Cowdrey Lake and Silverthorne while I headed east through Fort Collins.

Slow Birding in Eastern Arapahoe County

August 27, 2019

Richard Stevens:

It was an unusual cool day with a high of only 78 degrees (quite pleasant).  Winds were 7-8 mph with gusts to 16 mph.

Drove around Arapahoe County today, I found a Cassin's Kingbird along CR 42, east of CR 161.  No Loggerhead Shrikes were along CR 161, south of CR 42. 

Birding was quite slow.

Fantastic Day At Barr Lake

August 26, 2019

Richard Stevens:

High temperature today was a pleasant 81 degrees.  Winds were 7-8 mph.

It was 59 degrees when I arrived at Barr Lake State Park (Adams) at 6:30 am.  I enjoyed six hours of fantastic birding.  A Great Horned Owl was calling around the Visitor's Center when I got out of my car.  Target birds included the previously banded Red-eyed Vireo and Northern Waterthrushes.

Shortly after crossing the footbridge (mile 0.0/9.0) and heading east, the call of a Red-breasted Nuthatch filled the air.  The Red-eyed Vireo fluttered about the willows and cottonwoods at mile 8.8 (the banding station is at mile 8.7).  It took 20 minutes before it landed on a leafless branch for a photo op.  At least twenty Yellow Warblers, four Wilson's Warbler and a pair of House Wrens were in the same area.

At the banding station, I turned north to checkout the peninsula.  An Osprey screamed almost constantly from one of the taller cottonwoods in the distance.  Shorebirds included a Stilt Sandpiper, Western Sandpiper, two Least Sandpipers, a Pectoral Sandpiper and two Baird's Sandpipers.

The woods were fairly quiet.  Highlights were a male MacGillivray's Warbler, an Orange-crowned Warbler, Warbling Vireo and Least Flycatcher.  It appeared that most birds were back along the main road where the trees were in sunlight.

I continued east and found eighty+ birds hawking insects along the Farmer's canal 10 yards east of the bench that faces the Osprey nesting platform.  This group included 40+ Yellow Warblers, 20+ Wilson's Warblers, another MacGillivray's Warbler, a pair of Blue Grosbeaks and a Northern Waterthrush (mile 8.6).

Farther east is the Pioneer Trail (mile 8.1).  As I walked north down the trail I looked up and was startled by a Barn Owl peeking around the trunk of a large cottonwood tree.  Cool, photos on Colorado Birding Society's website later.

A dozen House Wrens, a pair of Eastern Kingbirds, and 20+ Wilson's Warblers were observed along the trail.  From the bird blind, a second Osprey could be seen perched on the nesting platform.  The second Least Flycatcher of my day was also found along with half a dozen Western Wood-pewees.

Dozens of Barn Swallows would rest on a dead branch just outside the blind.  I hoped a Violet-green Swallow would come by for a photo op.  While none did, a Northern Rough-winged Swallow did stop several times.

Nothing uncommon was observed as I continued to the boat ramp.  Hundreds of American White Pelicans and dozens of Western Grebes swam off the boat ramp.

Returning west, a Gray Flycatcher flew from the south side of the canal to the cottonwoods along the main trail (mile 8.6).  It pumped it tail downward constantly confirming its id.

Once back at the Visitor's Center footbridge I continued west to mile 1.5.  Most of the gulls along the shore off the Niedrach Trail were Ring-billed.  One Herring Gull was picked out.

Dozens of shorebirds also walked the grassy shoreline.  The highlight was definitely a Black-bellied Plover in alternate plumage.  Except for a Pectoral Sandpiper, the mixed included similar shorebirds as the banding station peninsula. A sub-adult Bald Eagle perched overlooking the shorebirds.  

Additional birds observed during the hike included over a dozen Western Wood-pewees, one Gray Catbird, a third MacGillivray's Warbler, many Yellow Warblers, House Wrens and Western Kingbirds.

Two birds were left unidentified.  A small "empidonax" flycatcher had a very bright yellow breast and belly.  It had a complete, bold eye-ring, olive-green head and back, contrasting olive malar region with yellowish throat, quite bright, white wingbars.  I seldom have seen such a yellowish "empidonax" flycatcher.  The bird was between mile 8.5 and 8.4.

I have read that Cordilleran Flycatchers can be very yellow.  This bird lacked the ragged crest and oblong eye-ring I would expect on a Cordilleran Flycatcher.  Unfortunately, by the time my camera booted up, the bird had flown.

The other mystery bird was a Wood-pewee.  I was first attracted by the wide and white wingbars that stood out from the other Western Wood-pewees run across all morning.  The lower mandible was quite orange in color.  It did not make a sound.

I would be more likely to call this an Eastern Wood-Pewee than the "empidonax" flycatcher a Yellow-bellied Flycatcher.  They were recorded as undetermined.

After lunch at a nearby Wendy's, I returned to the west end of Barr Lake accessed from Buckley Road.  The usual suspects at the rookery included Snowy Egrets, Great Blue Herons, two Black-crowned Night-Herons and one Great Egret.  

Both a Virginia Rail and Sora were heard near the path to the bird blind at mile 2.5.  Highlights included a Tennessee Warbler and Ruby-crowned Kinglet.  Surprisingly, sparrows were scarce during my eight hour trek today.  A few Song Sparrows were the complete tally.  Chipping Sparrows appeared not have arrived yet.

One last bird found just before sunrise was a Long-eared Owl.  The species and location are sensitive and will remain unlisted.

Weld County To Sedgwick County

August 24-25, 2019

Richard Stevens:

Terry Michaels and I started up north to survey the Pawnee National Grasslands area for Mountain Plover, Upland Sandpipers, Baird's Sparrows and such.

August 24

High temperature reached 91 degrees today.  Winds were 8-9 mph.

About an hour before sunrise, we sat at Weld County 48 at the south end of Lower Latham Reservoir.  Our suspicions were proven when a Short-eared Owl was observed flying south of CR 48 (south of the oil tank).  We watched it eventually fly north over CR 48 and disappear along the west side of the Reservoir.

We continued north to Keota and Weld CR 100.  Three Mountain Plover were encountered about a mile and a half west of CR 390.  Several McCown's Longspurs found as we drove west to CR 77.

We dropped down to Weld CR 96 and then continued west.  Another pair of Mountain Plovers (one adult, one young) were encountered along the way to my favorite Pawnee National Grasslands area loop.

CR 61 north to CR 94, east to CR 63, south to CR 92, east to CR 65, then south to highway 14.  Usually the loop is good for McCown's Longspur, Chestnut-collared Longspur, Upland Sandpiper, Burrowing Owl and Mountain Plover.  Regrettably, only a few McCown's Longspurs were found today.

Eventually we drove north of CR 57 to CR 100.  Norma's Grove is along CR 100, just east of CR 57.  Here the previously reported Gray Flycatcher was found hawking insects.  The Eastern Wood-Pewee and Field Sparrow that would be reported on 8/25 we not found by us today.

Our trek continued along the gravel roads as we continued north and west.  Sites of previously reported Baird's Sparrows were searched; without success.

Additional birds ran across included a pair of Blue Grosbeaks, two Prairie Falcons, one Ferruginous Hawk, and two Loggerhead Shrikes.

We received a text message about Baird's Sparrows in Logan County.  Having no success in Weld County, we decided to head east.

The search for the reported Baird's Sparrows south of Tamarack Ranch Wildlife Area (Logan) was unfortunately not successful.

Our birding day ended at the southeastern end of the Tamarack Ranch Wildlife Area (Logan CR 46 & CR 89).  We hiked north over the hill and sat down to wait for sunset.  No Greater Prairie-Chickens were found this evening.

August 25, 2019

Terry Michaels and I walked around the Tamarack Ranch Wildlife Area sections 6 East & 7 East several hours before sunrise.  An Eastern Screech-Owl was heard calling north of the Platte River.

Just before sunrise, we drove south of I76 to the first windmill along CR 55.  Our plan was to hike west for a couple of miles with Sharp-tailed Grouse, Greater Prairie-Chickens and uncommon sparrows in mind.

A Sharp-tailed Grouse was found up over the hill about 1/4 mile west of the windmill.  The highlight of the day came at 1.2 miles to the west (GPS coordinates).  Two buffy faced sparrows turned out to be Baird's Sparrows!

Afterwards we returned to the northern sections of Tamarack Ranch Wildlife Area.  A search for Bell's Vireos and Cuckoos at 1 West to 2 West did not find any.  The suspicious Eastern Towhee that has been reported many times this year and in the past was not found today.

A male Red-bellied Woodpecker was along the Platte River and just west of the CR 55 bridge. Two additional Red-bellied Woodpeckers were found at 1 East section.

Warblers found included a Nashville Warbler, Yellow-rumped Warblers, two Yellow Warblers, a Wilson's Warbler and an Orange-crowned Warbler.  The only vireo seen was a Plumbeous Vireo.  A Field Sparrow flew around 3 East.

A brief stop at Jumbo Reservoir (Logan/Sedgwick) did not find any uncommon birds. 

The rest of the afternoon was spent driving Sedgwick County Roads in search of Sprague's Pipits.  Although none was expected, we did scout possible locations for future searches in late September and October.

Well after dark, we stopped at Prewitt Reservoir (Logan/Washington) and listened for owls.  None called this evening. 

Eastern Arapahoe & Adams Counties to Washington County

August 23, 2019

Richard Stevens:

High temperature today was a warm 91 degrees.  Hot winds of 12-13 mph with gusts to 28 mph did not help.

Rebecca and I drove eastern Arapahoe County roads on our way to the West Bijou Conservation area (southeast of Byers).  Unfortunately, we could not determine access once we arrived.  Karen Metz reported seven Red-headed Woodpeckers on the property 8/18; we were unable to contact her about access.

We scoped the property from County Line Road and found one Red-headed Woodpecker.  Regrettably, it was quite far from the road.

Later we scoped the northern end of the property and West Bijou Creek from Arapahoe CR 30.  Again, another Red-headed Woodpecker was found clinging to the trunk of a large cottonwood off in the distance.  Cassin's Sparrow(s) were found here in June 2018; none was observed today.

Our trek concentrated on the gravel roads northeast of Deer Trail.  We did find a flock of twenty McCown's Longspurs that had two Chestnut-collared Longspurs among it.

We continued briefly into Washington County and checked Last Chance Rest Stop.  Nothing uncommon was found here.

Birding Around Castlewood Canyon

August 22, 2019

Richard Stevens:

High temperature today was 93 degrees.  Winds were calm all morning.

The plan was to hike the Creek Bottom and Inner Canyon trails at Castlewood Canyon State Park (Douglas).

I arrived several hours ahead of sunrise and set up my "owl listening stations".  One was in the Park and the other at a private ranch outside of the Park.  Then I visited a friend's home above and western cliffs.

A Northern Saw-whet Owl in response to my recordings flew into the fir trees where I sat!  Later the "owl listening stations" picked up another Northern Saw-whet Owl in the Park (when I listened to recordings).

No Ovenbirds were found today along the Creekside trail.  Whether they are gone or just silent was not determined; no warblers or vireos were found.  An unidentified 'Empidonax Flycatcher" was ran across just north of the broken Cherry Creek dam.

The inner canyon trail was a little more interesting.  It was cooler and mostly in shade.  Both Sharp-shinned and a Cooper's Hawks were found.  Best bird was a Virginia's Warbler fluttering around the willows.  

A Canyon Wren was heard singing in the rocky cliff west of the overlook. All three nuthatches, a few Yellow-rumped Warblers and a Plumbeous Vireo were also observed.

By the time I returned to my car, it was quite warm and I headed for home.  A quick stop at the Walker Gravel Pond found the Common Loon still there!

Another Drive Around Eastern Arapahoe & Adams Counties

August 21, 2019

Richard Stevens:

It was much cooler today with a high of 82 degrees.  Winds were 8-9 mph most of the day.  Winds did reach 22 mph when a thunderstorm blew in around 5:00 pm.

Rebecca and I decided to drive the gravel roads in eastern Arapahoe County.  Few birds moved about in spite of the cooler temperatures.

At least one Cassin's Kingbird continues at Richmil Ranch Open Space.  Both Western Kingbirds and Eastern Kingbirds were also there.

East Bijou Creek at Arapahoe County 38 had few birds.  Two House Wrens chased each other around.

Instead of continuing southwest, we turned north into Adams County.  One of the Burrowing Owls is still along 160th Avenue.  Burrowing Owls appear to be uncommon this summer.  On the other hand, perhaps I have not been searching the correct areas? 

Two Loggerhead Shrikes were also observed along 160th Avenue west of Bradbury-Krebs Road.  Not much else was encountered.  No Mountain Plovers were found as we checked previously reported locations.

Birding Outside the Eastern Side of the Rocky Mountain Arsenal

August 20, 2019

Richard Stevens:

It was 64 degrees at 6:00am when I left home and 91 degrees at 11:00am when I finished my hike along the east side of the Rocky Mountain Arsenal (Buckley Road and the First Creek Trail).  Hot winds of 7-8 mph blew over the rolling hills.

Highlights were a calling Upland Sandpiper west of Buckley Road (inside the Arsenal fence) and a Burrowing Owl on the fence.  Both were in Adams County and several hundred yards north of the old Eagle Watch bunker.

Several flocks of Vesper Sparrows flew back and forth across Buckley in both Adams & Denver Counties.  A Grasshopper Sparrow also fluttered about both counties; it was between the First Creek Trail and the Buckley parking area.

Raptors included two Swainson's Hawks, one Red-tailed Hawk and a pair of American Kestrels.

First Creek Trail was slow both in Adams County (toward the pond at the eastern Arsenal fence and in Denver County (Buckley Road to the horse corrals).

A least three Western Kingbirds were still around and a Great Horned Owl was along First Creek in Adams County.

Wildlife Drive at Rocky Mountain Arsenal

August 19, 2019

Richard Stevens:

Rebecca and I drove through the Rocky Mountain Arsenal (Adams) on the way to brunch.  The temperature was 65 degrees at 6:00 am and 89 degrees by 10:30 am.

Few birds, deer and bison were moving around from view of the 9.0 mile Wildlife drive.  A Sage Thrasher was just south of the bridge at mile 3.7.

Misses: no Burrowing Owls, Red-headed Woodpeckers, Eastern Phoebes or other uncommon birds were found. 

Most of the parking areas inside the Arsenal, along the entrance road and trails were closed due to bubonic plague reports.

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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