Cherry Creek State Park

August 11, 2009

Richard Stevens:

Rebecca Kosten and I made a quick drive through Cherry Creek Reservoir (Arapahoe County); At least one Black-chinned Hummingbird is still lingering behind the Ranger's Office. It perches in the trees at the southeast corner of the fence around the maintenance parking area. When not there, the male hummingbird flies over for some nourishment to the feeder at the house directly east of said corner.

Afterwards, we road our bikes along the east side of the Rocky Mountain Arsenal (Buckley Road between 56th and 88th avenues. Not many birds were found, but the Burrowing Owl count was 11.

Pawnee National Grasslands and Owling Trip

August 6 through 9, 2009

Richard Stevens:

August 6

Jim Fuller, Brad Hutton and I returned to the Pawnee National Grasslands area (Weld) for another search for Mountain Plovers.

On the trip up we stopped at Lower Latham Reservoir and Beebe Draw Ponds. No uncommon birds were observed. We did relocate Dickcissels at two locations (CR 42 and CR 45).

We enjoyed walking around several fields in spite of the hot temperatures. It took an hour to find a Mountain Plover at the field north of CR 94 and CR 63. About a dozen Burrowing Owls were scattered around west of the old cement drain (north of CR 94). Finally a Mountain Plover was found 1012 yards west of the old cement drain and 20 yards north of the dirt road that leads west.

Swift Foxes were out at both the dens that I discovered on August 3rd (two of four dens found that day)!

We continued east to Murphy's Pasture (CR 96) and found several McCown's Longspurs along CR 96. A 30 minute walk around the field south of CR 96 at 1.7 miles west of CR 77 added another Mountain Plover to our day list.

Many Brewer's Sparrows, the Clay-colored Sparrow nest (first recorded Weld County record), and several Lark Buntings were found as we continued back west. No Chestnut-collared Longspurs could be found here or south of CR 69 and 96.

Two Cassin's Sparrows were observed along CR 69, just north of CR 96. There are a bunch of Yucca Plants in the area (the only we saw along CR 69). Thanks to Nick Komar for pointing out this spot!

We had to drive up to Highway 85 and CR 114 to get out Chestnut-collared Longspur for the trip. We only had to walk about halfway to the windmill in the southeast field before finding two male Chestnut-collared Longspurs. They were still singing and displaying (seems late in the season?).

Burrowing Owls were found at many locations including:
Hwy 14 & CR 51
CR 90 & CR 51
North of CR 94 & CR 63
Hwy 14 & 0.7 miles east of CR 51

After dinner we continued to Pennock Pass. Having made half a dozen trips up there this year; it only took a few minutes to find Flammulated Owls. In fact, we had 4 Flammulated Owls spread around 3 Locations.

Returning to Highway 14, a Common Poorwill was found along Stove Prairie Road at 0.3 miles south of Highway 14. It answered our recordings and was seen in our spotlight.

August 7

We did not arrive at Cameron Pass (Jackson County) until after midnight. No Boreal Owls were found at my favorite spots (usual Locations).

We finally located a Boreal Owl after a three mile hike into the Colorado State Forest. We enjoyed the hike (from the end of Michigan Creek Road) along the road heading east into the forest. Several owl boxes are located in the area. While none were used again this year (fifth year in a row), a pair of Boreal Owls nesting in Aspens near the boxes!

I found several birders like myself a glutton for punishment; we continued west to the old Teller City ghost town (foregoing any sleep for a few more hours).

While we could not relocate any American Three-toed Woodpeckers, we did manage to find one of the two Northern Pygmy-Owls that appear to be nesting at the southwest corner of the self guided hiking tour around the old Silver mining town. Remnants of the "house of ill-repute" and several cabins are still up there!

Beware; a high clearance 4-wheel drive vehicle is definitely required to reach the ghost town.

After getting a few hours sleep, toward sunset, we drove around Jackson County Road 26 but did not find any Greater Sage-Grouse. After dark we searched for owls around Gould; without success.

August 8

We got a few more hours of sleep this morning and then drove north to Steamboat Springs State Park and north to Columbine. The forests east of Columbine have been good for White-winged Crossbills in the past. Unfortunately, we could not find any.

Several Sandhill Cranes were found while driving around the gravel county roads north of Columbine. A few hummingbirds

We birded around Walden Reservoir, Delaney Buttes Wildlife Area, and Lake John Wildlife Area. No uncommon birds were found.

A drive along Jackson County Road 25 did not find any grouse but we did see plenty of Sage Thrashers and Brewer's Sparrows.

Near sunset we returned to the county roads south of Gould to look for owls. This time we heard Northern Pygmy-Owls at two locations!

August 9

After a few hours of sleep, we drove to Arapaho National Wildlife Refuge. Two Greater Sage-Grouse crossed the road that heads south from the Ranger's Office east of Highway 125.

Our trek continued south along highway 125 south toward Granby. We stopped many times and listen and played recordings for American Three-toed Woodpeckers. Three-toed Woodpeckers were found at five locations along this road where the forest seems to have been devastated by the Mountain Pine Beetle.

Waypoints were taken at all locations. Two successful sites were in Jackson County and three in Grand County.

A quick stop at Windy Gap Reservoir (Grand) found a surprise. A male Barrow's Goldeneye was among many more common ducks. It seems a little early for Barrow's Goldeneyes to be moving south?

Before returning to Denver, we drove up Grand County Road 14 (north and west of Kremmling). This area has been good for Red Crossbills and owls in the past; we relished no success today.

Return to Jefferson County

August 5, 2009

Richard Stevens:

I thought I would give the Magnificent Hummingbird seen up in Bailey (Jefferson County) another shot even though several birders and I had missed it the past couple of days. I had no better luck today.

On the way back to Denver, I drove to the southern parking area for Pike National Forest. The two mile hike along the Strawberry Jack Trail to the Parkview Trail found about the same birds found a few weeks ago.

Broad-tailed Hummingbirds, Mountain Bluebirds, White-breasted Nuthatches, Pygmy Nuthatches, and Chipping Sparrows are still tending to families.

At 120 yards south of the Park View Trail, I observed an adult American Three-toed Woodpecker feeding a young bird.

I could not find any of the elusive Northern Pygmy-Owls.

Western Slope Birding Trip (part 7, final)

I am not quite ready to post Western Slope Trip part 7. Richard wanted me to post this to keep things somewhat in chronological order.

Drive through Jefferson, Douglas & Adams Counties

August 4, 2008

Richard Stevens:

I drove up to Bailey (Jefferson County) to see if the Magnificent Hummingbird found last week was still anywhere in the area; without success.

Before sunrise, I relocated the Common Poorwill northwest of the main Reynolds Park parking area. I also heard a Northern Pygmy-Owl east along Foxton Road (the road to and past Reynolds Park).

On the way home I stopped at the Winkler Ranch (Castlewood Canyon Road, south of the State Park) and counted at least 5 male and 2 female Bobolink. I heard at least one Dickcissel but did not have the time to put binoculars on it.

Burrowing Owls are still spread around the DIA Owl Loop (Adams).

Pawnee National Grasslands

August 3, 2009

Richard Stevens:

Suzy Murphy and I birded Pawnee National Grasslands and surrounding areas.

A quick stop at Cottonwood Marsh found Least Bittern (off Artist's Point) and a lone and uncommon for that area Sage Thrasher (trail just below Artist's Point).

On the grasslands I took waypoints of Chipping Sparrow in five locations. We found a first Weld County breeding record (4 witness's to young--being fed and adult Clay-colored Sparrows; see future "Colorado Field Notes"). A few Grasshopper Sparrows and Cassin's Sparrows were also around.

Burrowing Owls were relocated at five locations.
Northeast corner Highway 14 & Weld CR 51
Southeast corner of Hwy 14 & CR 51
Northeast corner of CR 51 & CR 90
Field North of CR 94 and CR 63
Field South of CR 96 and 1.7 miles west of CR 77

I found one Mountain Plover at the field North of Weld CR 94 and CR 63. It took about 1.5 hours to find one. The plover was 1012 yards west of the old cement drain and 20 yards north of the dirt track.

We also found an adult and juvenile Ferruginous Hawks, one Prairie Falcon, and a Golden Eagle.

The highlight for me was 4 Swift Fox Dens spread around the grasslands. I saw 2 young at each (duh 8 total) and Suzy saw an adult while I was searching for Mountain Plover.

Western Slope Birding Trip (part 6)

Bryan Ehlmann: Hello cobirders,

Over the next three weeks I will be leading the CoBus summer birding tour. Sue and I are the core of the group and we will be joined at times by up to 7 other birders including Richard Stevens, Rebecca Kosten, Gary Weston, Jerry Petrosky, a few other Colorado birders and a couple of out of state birders.

Unfortunately the format of this blog doesn't allow chronological order of our trip. See Parts 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 below.

July 29

Ehlmann group:

We continued to search for Yellow-billed Cuckoos but did not get any response early this morning around Hotchkiss or Paonia today. For the most part, we were again limited to public property and missed much good habitat on private property. There just wasn't enough time to run down landowners to obtain permission to enter private property.

We did find a Lewis's Woodpecker in Paonia; it was a new county bird for the three of us!

Campgrounds birded today included McCluskey and Roeber. We spent a lot of time around Paonia Reservoir, but had to see what Minnesota and Beaver Reservoir looked like. McCluskey and Roeber Wildlife Areas were visited also.

After receiving a text message about a Common Black Hawk and Yellow-billed Cuckoo in Hotchkiss, we returned to Hotchkiss in the afternoon. Our only hint was 0.5 miles southwest of town. We drove around the county roads found neither the Yellow-billed Cuckoo nor Hawk. We kept our eyes to the skies but never saw the Common Black Hawk.

We then returned to the mountains south and east of Paonia for owling. Our owl count tonight was 1 Northern Saw-whet Owls, 3 Northern Pygmy-Owls (2 Locations), and one Long-eared Owl. Scouting areas helped to find the owls later!

Weston group:

Our big search today was Forest Road 860 to Owl Creek Pass in Ouray County. It was one of the most exciting days so far. Besides finding Three-toed Woodpeckers at 2 Locations, a pair of White-winged Crossbills flew around the road up to Green Mountain!

We continued down to Silver Jack Reservoir and the Middle Fork of the Cimarron River. We found the trail to Big Green Falls and relocated 2 Black Swifts that Coen Dexter had reported on Monday!

We then turned around after dark and returned to Ridgway. Another great highlight was a Boreal Owl at the first switchbacks that turn extremely south from the Summit. There are only 3 or 4 records of Boreal Owls in Ouray County. I have been fortunate to be along during 3 of them!

One Northern Saw-whet Owl and two Northern Pygmy-Owls (2 Locations) were added during our all night journey.

July 30

Our groups are more or less back together staying at a cabin that we have rented for the summer in Montrose County.

Ehlmann group:

With yesterday's report of a Common Black Hawk and Yellow-billed Cuckoo near Hotchkiss, we went back for another look. Neither bird was found again.

We had a short day planned with no owling past midnight. We counted birds at Chipeta Lakes Campgrounds and Chipeta Lake Wildlife Area, Montrose County and Billy Creek Campgrounds and Billy Creek Wildlife Area, Ouray County. We also stopped at Ridgway State Park.

The Common Loon reported a few days ago was still at Ridgway S.P. Nothing unusual was recorded but we did count many nesting birds.

We made it down to Ouray and Box Canyon in time to see that several Black Swifts are still around. Hummingbird feeders in Ouray added Broad-tailed, Rufous, and a Calliope Hummingbirds to our day list.

We had several leads on Western Screech-Owls and Barn Owls around Montrose. They did not pan out either. Not one owl was found tonight. We thought the State Park would have at least one.

Weston group:

We are trying to find a couple of days of good weather to bird the Uncompahgre Plateau and the Telluride area. That left us with Paradox valley and the Nucla area for us today.

Five Black Phoebes were found over 3 Locations (2 at Uravan). Surprisingly, a Long-eared Owl was at the same GPS waypoint as last year!

At Buckeye Reservoir Williamson's Sapsuckers, Grace's Warblers, and a Virginia's Warbler was added to our day list.

After dark we found 5 Northern Pygmy-Owls at 5 stops (four in the Manti La Sal National Forest). Two again were close to GPS waypoints taken last year! One up La Sal Creek.