Cherry Creek & Castlewood Canyon State Parks

August 13, 2011

Richard Stevens:

I went back to Cherry Creek Reservoir (Arapahoe County) this morning and walked from the Prairie Loop to the Mountain Loop and back. No sign of the Great Crested Flycatcher. Only warbler was an Orange-crowned Warbler. Several Western Kingbirds are still around. Three female/immature Bullock's Orioles. No sparrows, where are they?

There was a vireo between the west side of the Lake Loop and the west side of the Mountain Loop. I lost it in the trees, never got enough of a look for a proper ID.

After an early dinner, Rebecca Kosten and I drove to Castlewood Canyon State Park (Douglas). One target bird was Bobolink. We spent an hour searching the Winkler Ranch south of the State Park; without success.

Lark Sparrows were the most numerous birds (count was at least 131). A pair of Western Wood-pewees was in the willows along Cherry Creek (just south of the ranch entrance).

Seven Western Bluebirds were along the section of Castlewood Canyon Road that runs east to west (north of the ranch). While Mountain Bluebird count was only two young birds (south of the entrance).

After dark, we got responses by two Northern Saw-whet Owls (different locations) along Castlewood Canyon Road!

Trip To Northeastern Colorado

August 12, 2011

Richard Stevens:

Coming back from Julesburg, we stopped at Prewitt Reservoir (Logan/Washington). Never found the Neotropic Cormorants although we searched for several hours. Mosquitoes were relentless.

A quick hike at the western trees found no uncommon birds. A Nashville Warbler was the only uncommon bird below the dam.

Returned to Denver in time to search briefly for the Great Crested Flycatcher at Cherry Creek Reservoir (Arapahoe); without success.

August 11, 2011

After sunrise, Roger Danka and I traveled to Tamarack Ranch Wildlife Area (Logan County) looking for "late sighting dates" for a few species.

It was a productive morning before we retired for a few hours of sleep.

The western sections of the Wildlife Area added a Bell's Vireo, 2 Red-bellied Woodpeckers, 2 Spotted Towhees, 3 House Wrens and a flock of American Goldfinches to our day list.

The eastern sections added (Eastern Screech-Owl, before civil twilight), 2 Yellow-billed Cuckoos, 3 Red-bellied Woodpeckers, 2 House Wrens, many Lark Sparrows, White-crowned Sparrows, 2 Cassin's Sparrows, many Vesper Sparrows, a Great Crested Flycatcher, 5+ Western Wood-pewees, and five species of swallows (with Northern Rough-winged Swallow missing of the six regular summer visitors).

Late in the afternoon, we found Dickcissels at two locations in Sedgwick County. Roger's ranch still has 2 Eastern Screech-Owls and a Northern Cardinal.

August 10, 2011

Roger Danka and I searched for owls around Logan County all night. We found (heard) five Eastern Screech-Owls at five locations (one new location)!

Two Long-eared Owls were heard at Little Jumbo Reservoir/Red Lion Wildlife Area. Just before sunrise, we saw a Short-eared Owl at Sedgwick Draw!

It was quite a productive night and tiring to say the least!

Search for Cassin's Sparrows at Banner Lakes

August 3, 2011

Richard Stevens:

I drove over to Banner Lakes Wildlife Area (Weld County). I wanted to checkout the grassy area at the northwest corner of the Wildlife Area for Cassin's Sparrows. They are showing up quite a few locations this summer.

No Cassin's Sparrows were found, however, as a bonus a Yellow-billed Cuckoo called in the windbreak between ponds 7 & 8. While looking for Long-eared Owls, I was able to find the Yellow-billed Cuckoo.

Two Burrowing Owls were at 3.4 miles east of Tower Road and 96th avenue (Adams County).

Trip Through Cherry Creek Reservoir

August 2, 2011

Richard Stevens:

While out doing chores, I drove through Cherry Creek Reservoir (Arapahoe County). It started to rain as I arrived. There were not any uncommon gulls at the southwest marina or water covered eastern sand spit.

The male Black-chinned Hummingbird is still searching for a mate east of the Ranger's Office.

The highlight was a flock of 61 Western Kingbirds passing southward over the Smoky Hill Group picnic area.

A couple of Burrowing Owls were out of their burrows along the DIA Owl Loop (3.4 miles east of Tower Road & 96th avenue, Adams County).

There were too many mosquitoes for a bird walk at Barr Lake (Adams).

Owling Trip to Pennock & Cameron Passes

July 31-August 1, 2011

Richard Stevens

We had two cars, four birders on the owling trip Sunday night. Unfortunately, a thunder and lightning storm hit the foothills west of Fort Collins around sunset. In my experience, this has never been good for successful owling.

A Flammulated Owl was found while walking a mile at the top of Pennock Pass (Larimer County).

A little after midnight, we heard a Boreal Owl near one of the Joe Wright Parking Areas (Larimer). Later, another Boreal Owl was heard in Jackson County.

While the other birders took a catnap, I walked a half mile either side of Cameron Pass. I briefly heard another Boreal Owl on the Larimer County side. The clear sky at 10,256 feet was filled with so many stars. Occasionally a satellite would streak across the sky. The descent of falling stars briefly left a trail of bright light.

At civil twilight, I enjoyed listening to a noisy forest. At least 12 Hermit Thrushes, half a dozen Pine Grosbeaks, 4 Red Crossbills and many Pine Siskins filled the air with song. Always a treat to sit and listen to the waking of the forest.

When I returned to the car about sunrise, a young male Moose was walking up the side of Highway 14. Eventually, he came within 20 yards of the car, more interested in feeding on the willows than us.

We watched the hummingbirds at the Colorado State Forest Visitor's Center for about an hour. Many Broad-tailed Hummingbirds, a few Rufous Hummingbirds and a female Calliope Hummingbird were observed.

Other birds included Pine Grosbeaks, Cassin's Finches and Dark-eyed Juncos.

When we went to a late breakfast in Walden, our driver saw a possible White-winged Dove. We stopped for a better look (one or two have been spotted) at McKinley and 6th street; the trees were filled with Common Nighthawks. I counted at least 18 in two yards.

Our next stop was the auto tour at Arapaho National Wildlife Refuge (Jackson County). There were quite a few shorebirds, which included 2 Marbled Godwits, 3 Willets, 6 Long-billed Dowitchers, Greater Yellowlegs, Lesser Yellowlegs, 2 Baird's Sandpipers, a Stilt Sandpiper and Killdeer.

Several Sage Thrashers and many Chipping Sparrows were found in the surrounding sage.

We heard about the return (relocating) of the Rufous collared Sparrow in Georgetown and headed south. Unfortunately, we did not find it during our short one hour visit.

Another Bike Ride, Rocky Mountain Arsenal

July 31, 2011

Richard Stevens:

I went on short 28 bike ride this morning and covered east side of Rocky Mountain Arsenal again before today heats up.

Burrowing Owls and a Northern Mockingbird still can be seen along Buckley Road between 56th and 88th avenue. Two male Bullock's Orioles were a little surprising. Adult males usually disappear by now. Rock Wren and Grasshopper Sparrow always nice to see.

It was good to stretch legs again before riding in a car another 100+ miles later today.

Bike Ride Around DIA Owl Loop

July 30, 2011

Richard Stevens:

I did a little 62 mile bike ride covering DIA Owl Loop (Adams County) & Cherry Creek Reservoir,(Arapahoe) great to stretch the legs after too many car rides.

Burrowing Owls seen at 3.4 miles east of Tower Road & 96th Avenue and along Buckley Road between 56th & 88th avenues. Black-chinned Hummingbird and many mosquitoes at Cherry Creek Reservoir.