A Visit to Genesee Mountain Park

July 11, 2011

Richard Stevens:

Three of us went back to Genesee Mountain Park (Jefferson County) to check on the two Williamson's Sapsucker nests discovered a few weeks ago. One of the nests still had the male and female birds feeding at least two young. There was no activity at the other nest.

The first pair of Williamson's Sapsuckers did wander around the flagpole at the top of the park. The second or possibly a third male Williamson's Sapsucker was seen around the group picnic area.

Other birds encountered included: 1 Clark's Nutcracker, 4 Red Crossbills, three species of Nuthatches, Mountain Chickadees and several flocks of Pine Siskins.

Trip To Northeastern Colorado

July 10, 2011

Richard Stevens:

Roger Danka and I sat on a hill overlooking the southern sections of Tamarack Ranch Wildlife Area (Logan) about an hour before sunrise. After a stormy night, the early morning was calm; a crisp clear smell was in the air.

We enjoyed the serene nature of the scene. Unfortunately, no Short-eared Owls appeared this morning. We scoped the hillside and valley below us; no Greater Prairie-Chickens walked around in our view.

After dropping Roger off, I briefly circled Sedgwick County this morning. A couple of Cassin's Sparrows were found along CR 61 & 32. Two Dickcissels were seen along CR 32.

In Phillips County, a Mountain Plover was wandering the field near County Road 61 and CR 26. Holyoke Fishing Unit added a singing Bell's Vireo to my trip list. I missed the Marbled Godwit at County Road 2, west of highway 287. A Snowy Plover was there as a consolation prize.

I continued south to Wray to say "Hi" to a couple of friends. Northern Cardinals were found at two yards. The pair of Fox Sparrows that spent the spring at private yard # 1 disappeared about a week ago.

Another male Northern Cardinal was observed in the windbreak at the Wray Fishing Unit. No uncommon sparrows appeared at Sandsage Wildlife Area.

From Wray I turned west and stopped at Brush Wildlife Area (Morgan). I relocated the male Red-bellied Woodpecker but struck out on the Yellow-billed Cuckoo and Eastern Screech-Owl (not the best time of day to search for that one).

Dropping down south, I gave Last Chance Rest Stop (Washington) an opportunity to provide some interesting birds. Regrettably, it was quiet; there were only a Western Wood-pewee and a Brown Thrasher moving about.

I continued south to Limon, which has never been a great birding place for me. Perhaps I just do not know where to search.

The Crested Caracara had not been seen in a couple of days, so I scratched the idea to head down to John Martin Reservoir and instead drove back east to Flagler Reservoir (Kit Carson).

I wandered around for about 2 hours, not really seeing many birds. Finally, I did get a Yellow-billed Cuckoo to respond to my recordings! At least something to write about! No Short-eared Owls came out at dusk and my journey turned toward home.

Finally Northern Owling Trip of Summer

Rebecca Kosten: I do not have a Google account and am using Richard Stevens'.

July 9, 2011

As a last owling trip to northern Colorado for the summer, four of us spent the night on Pennock Pass. We located nine Flammulated Owls, 3 nests for sure.

At daybreak, we relocated the Scissor-tailed Flycatcher at Weld County Road 100. Then Jerry and I returned to Denver while Richard took Roger back to Julesburg.

On their way to the northeast, Richard and Roger drove the Mountain Plover Loop, Weld County. They found two Mountain Plovers along the dirt road leading north from CR 94 and CR 63. McCown's Longspurs and Brewer's Sparrows were easy to find along CR 96. Burrowing Owls were are CR 90 and CR 51.

They searched for cuckoos at Pioneer and Overland Parks in Sterling. One Yellow-billed Cuckoo was found at Overland.

Dickcissels were found just outside of North Sterling State Park. Two were at CR 46 and CR 37.

They stopped at Tamarack Ranch Wildlife Area, Logan County and relocated: Eastern Towhee (section 1 West), Yellow-billed Cuckoo (1-2 West), Bell's Vireo (1 West), and Red-bellied Woodpeckers (1 West and 1 & 2 East). They returned later to hear an Eastern Screech-Owl at 6-7 East.

At dusk, they searched for Short-eared Owls at Sedgwick Draw. None was found. After dark, they found Eastern Screech-Owls at 1. the woodlot across from Sedgwick Draw; 2. the north side of Jumbo Reservoir; 3. Roger's ranch where there has been a nesting pair for years.

They also heard a Long-eared Owl on the west side of CR 95, the northwest corner of Jumbo Reservoir.

Bird Breeding Surveys

Rebecca Kosten: I do not have a Google account and am using Richard Stevens'.

June 27 to July 8, 2011

After two weeks, the owl count in North Park is finally finished. The tremendous amount of snow this spring still has a couple of passes and roads closed. Richard Stevens has waypoints on 15 Boreal Owls. Two active nests found for sure. The effort involved snow shoeing for miles. On two occasions, Richard and Jerry had to stay out all night, too tired to return in 4.5 miles of snow. It snows briefly in most afternoons. However, this is not adding to the snow pack.

Bryan and Sue Ehlmann have spent the last month in southwest Colorado. They are conducting bird-breeding surveys and found a couple of new county breeding records. Some of their sightings have included Cassin’s Sparrows in four counties, Yellow-billed Cuckoos in two counties and a Mexican Whip-Poor-will, heard only. They plan to write up their account in a future “Colorado Field Notes”.

Jacob Washburn and Ray Simmons started yesterday on their attempt to hike the whole 469 miles of the Colorado Trail. They found Ovenbirds yesterday at the start, Roxborough State Park.

Normally, the start would be easier; however, Waterton Canyon is closed until the end of the year. They had to go by way of Carpenter Peak trail in Roxborough State Park. Plans are to re-supply them at several junctions along their route. As far as we know, no birders have accomplished the feat. Best of luck!

La Plata, Sedgwick/Logan and Jefferson County Updates

July 2, 2011

Amy Davenport:

La Plata County
Bryan and Sue Ehlmann found a Virginia's Warbler at the Junction Creek Campgrounds. They ran into the "Mesa Verde" couple who had found a Flammulated Owl last night. Additional searching to come tonight.

Sedgwick and Logan Counties
Jacob Washburn and Ray Simmons searched unsuccessfully for the Yellow-crowned Night-Heron seen a few weeks ago at Jumbo Reservoir.. An Eastern Screech-Owl called again at sunrise along the north side. Several Dickcissels were heard also. Two Common Loons remain on the reservoir.

Birds still found a Tamarack Ranch Wildlife Area: Northern Cardinals, Field Sparrows, Red-bellied Woodpeckers, Bell's Vireos, Yellow-billed Cuckoos, Eastern Bluebirds and Eastern Screech-Owl.

They stood near the southern section of Tamarack Ranch Wildlife Area at sunset. No Greater Prairie-Chickens, Sharp-tailed Grouse or Short-eared Owls were found.

Jefferson County
Richard Stevens drove down from Gould, Jackson County and met Suzie Weverka and Amy Davenport. We continued south to Bailey where we visited Richard's friend. For the fourth time in eleven years, a Magnificent Hummingbird has shown up at the mountain feeders. It has been around since 6/28. Will keep cobirders posted on its visitation. The landowner prefers to not have unknown visitors.

Richard later stopped by Lair 'O Bear Park and found the Prairie Warbler reported to have been at the western end of the park for almost a month.

Richard picked up Roger Danka and Terry Michaels and they went back toward Jackson County on owling surveys.

La Plata, Sedgwick and Jackson County Updates

July 1, 2011

Amy Davenport:

La Plata County
Bryan and Sue Ehlmann relocated a Williamson's Sapsucker family at Haviland Lake Wildlife Area. They relocated two Acorn Woodpeckers at Wildcat Canyon, and then drove up Junction Creek Road.

They found a Townsend's Warbler and Grace's Warbler at the Junction Creek Campgrounds. A Northern Saw-whet Owl was heard not far from the Campgrounds. A second Northern Saw-whet Owl was heard farther up the road from the Campgrounds.

Sedgwick County
Jacob Washburn and Ray Simmons continued their northeastern bird counts. They found a Great Crested Flycatcher at the Julesburg Wayside Rest Stop. No way to know if it was the one found on 5/31/2011.

A White-throated Sparrow was on the southwest hillside at DePoorter Lake. A Dickcissel was at Highway 138 and County Road 15.

An Eastern Screech-Owl was found on private land.

Jackson County
Stevens and Petrosky ended up with 11 Boreal Owls over three nights. One nest box had a female and one young. Another nest box had two destroyed eggs. None of the nests was located within 3 miles of a paved road.

Sedgwick, Montezuma and La Plata Counties

June 30, 2011

Amy Davenport:

Slim reports today.

Sedgwick County
Jacob Washburn and Ray Simmons relocated a Field Sparrow along the eastern side of Sand Draw Wildlife Area.

On private land, they found two Eastern Screech-Owls, an eastern Fox Sparrow and a pair of Long-eared Owls. All had been reported previously.

Montezuma & La Plata Counties
Bryan and Sue Ehlmann searched for Black-chinned Sparrows and other uncommon birds near the New Mexico border; without success. A visit to Mesa Verde National Monument was uneventful (their words). Another birding couple reported a Long-eared Owl; however, the Ehlmanns were not able to relocate it.

Jackson County
Stevens & Petrosky decided to stay out a third night.