Rocky Mountain Arsenal & Cherry Creek State Park

September 8, 2011

Richard Stevens:

Rebecca Kosten and I were at Rocky Mountain Arsenal when they opened this morning. Temperatures were in the low 60s, winds mild and skies clearing. The arsenal opened too late for Long-eared Owls to be flying around. Perhaps in another couple of weeks it will still be dark when they open?

Our first bird found was an American Redstart at the north side of Mary's Lake. Dozens of Chipping Sparrows and House Finches were along the south side of the lake.

We hiked around the south side of Lake Ladora over to the Rod & Gun Club Pond. Dozens of Chipping Sparrows and a Clay-colored Sparrow were along the south side of Ladora. We heard a Virginia Rail and Marsh Wren. Two Townsend's Warblers flew about the cottonwoods along the west side of the R&G pond.

Our return trip took us to the north side of Lake Ladora. Here a Blackpoll Warbler was with a loose flock of 9 Yellow Warblers, 2 Wilson's Warblers and 6 Black-capped Chickadees.

Afterwards, Rebecca went on to do chores and I continued to Cherry Creek Reservoir to search for yesterday's Pomarine Jaeger sighting. The jaeger was not found during my five hours of birding. Neither was the Sabine's Gull seen Monday.

A loose flock of birds at the west side of the Smoky Hill Group Picnic area included 11 Yellow Warblers (all females or first year birds), 2 Blue-gray Gnatcatchers and a Wilson's Warbler. A vireo left unidentified was most likely a Cassin's Vireo (definitely not a Plumbeous Vireo).

I ran into another flock of birds at the willows along the lake (between the Group Picnic Area and the Picnic tables at the handicapped fisherperson's area). This flock included 9 Yellow Warblers (this time 2 adult males), 3 Orange-crowned Warblers, 6 Black-capped Chickadees and a Nashville Warbler. A Cassin's Vireo was with this flock also.

I continued around the reservoir and stopped at the Prairie Loop, Lake Loop, and southwest marina. No jaegers were found. In areas unlikely to relocate the birds, I added 2 additional Townsend's Warblers, another Cassin's Vireo and a Hermit Thrush.

My birding day ended along the DIA Owl Loop. No Short-eared Owls, three Burrowing Owls were found at the 3.4 miles east of Tower Road & 96th avenue prairie dog town.

Fabulous Day at Barr Lake, Adams County

September 7, 2011

Cloudy, temperatures in the high 60s, drizzle, my favorite type of day to bird. I cannot drive because of a wrist fracture, so I arranged to be dropped off at Barr Lake (Adams County). With only a five hour time frame to bird, I could have used another two or three hours.

The morning started slow. An hour walk around the Niedrach Trail and boardwalk only found 1 Great Egret, 1 Snowy Egret and a Western Wood-pewee.

Birding picked up as I headed north toward the banding area. Almost no birds were around until I reached the southwest corner of the banding station. Here a loose flock numbered at least 125 birds. What a treat! Another 2 hours of my time limit was used inspecting the activity.

31 Wilson's Warblers
11 Yellow Warblers
14 Black-capped Chickadees
5 Orange-crowned Warblers
3 (or 4) Townsend's Warblers
1 Tennessee Warbler
1 Chestnut-sided Warbler
1 Blackpoll Warbler
2 Cassin's Vireos
1 Red-eyed Vireo
1 Dusky Flycatcher
1 Hammond's Flycatcher
2 unidentified "empidonax" flycatchers
2 Hairy Woodpeckers
3 Western Wood-pewees
52 Chipping Sparrows
1 Lincoln's Sparrow
1 Clay-colored Sparrow
5 House Wrens

This loose flock eventually moved south. I tried to look for bands on the birds. Did not see any, however I was too busy trying to count numbers and identify the many birds.

Only 2 hours left and I had to hike to the boat ramp (another 1.2 miles north). Another Townsend's Warbler was found just south of the Pioneer Trail. Sixty one Chipping Sparrows and a Clay-colored Sparrow were counted on the way to the Pioneer Trail.

To save time, I walked down the Pioneer Trail with the intention of cutting between the lake and the isolated pond cut off from the lake proper.

Two Osprey both with a fish stood on the "Osprey" nesting platform. I do not believe that they successfully nested this summer and was surprised to see them here this late in the year.

Trying not to disturb them, I circled through the willows to the south (just north of the cut off pond). It was a fortunate choice! A second large flock of birds was encountered in the surrounding willows.

13 Wilson's Warblers
9 Yellow Warblers
14 Black-capped Chickadees
2 Orange-crowned Warblers
2 Townsend's Warblers
1 Blackpoll Warbler
1 Cassin's Vireo
21 Chipping Sparrows
2 Downy Woodpeckers
2 House Wrens
2 non-adult Bald Eagles
3 Swainson's Hawks
11 Western Wood-pewees (appeared to be a family. Many young with four quite vocal adults. I realize that a pair or two would not have had that many offspring; still they stuck close together, as they moved north. The loose flock moved mostly north also).

It has been awhile since Barr Lake was so entertaining. I barely kept my ride waiting, could have used more time. Surely a few additional uncommon birds were out there!

Surprising misses: not one Thrush or Oriole (especially missing thrushes) was encountered

September 7, 2011

Bryan Ehlmann and all enjoyed a good day also on their trip to Mt. Evans. They found 2 White-tailed Ptarmigan east of the Summit Lake parking area. Two Brown-capped Rosy Finches were found at the northwest corner of Summit Lake.

Later, they relocated the Rufous collared Sparrow (origin unknown) at Rose and 8th Streets in Georgetown. Great time guys!

Sabine's Gull at Cherry Creek State Park

September 5, 2011

Rebecca Kosten:

Bryan & Sue Ehlmann, Richard Stevens and I drove through Cherry Creek State Park on our way to purchase some new computers at nearby Micro Center.

The Sabine's Gull was swimming in the very southwest corner of the reservoir. It was just about the only place that the many many boats and jet skis could not go. We could not believe the number of people out there today. Maybe a record? Thanks to Cheryl Teuton for reporting the Gull!

After it cooled down around 6:30 PM, we drove the DIA Owl Loop in search of owls. Three Burrowing Owls were at 3.4 miles east of Tower Road and 96th avenue. They all looked like juveniles................waiting for parents to bring back food?

No Short-eared Owls flew around tonight. Beautiful sunset and cool evening!

Search for Yesterday's Scissor-tailed Flycatcher, Castle Rock

September 3, 2011

Rebecca Kosten:

Richard Stevens, Ray Simmons and Bryan Ehlmann looked for the Scissor tailed Flycatcher that Richard and Rebecca had found yesterday along I25 south of Castle Rock. It was not found within 10 miles of town.

Maybe the huge thunderstorm that went through the area late yesterday afternoon forced the flycatcher to move? Richard and Rebecca experienced 21+ mph winds and a tremendous downpour at Castle Rock around 6:00 PM yesterday.

They went by Winkler/Jones Ranch south of Castlewood Canyon State Park. Western and Mountain Bluebirds along Castlewood Road. A Savannah Sparrow south of ranch entrance. Many Vesper Sparrows and Chipping Sparrows were also found.

No Bobolink or Turkey Vultures, lack of vultures surprised them a little.

Search for Palmer Lake White-eyed Vireo

September 2, 2011

Rebecca Kosten:

Rich had his wrist bandaged, then wrapped in two ace bandages and in a sling but still tried for the Douglas County White eyed Vireo; without success.

We did find two Plumbeous Vireos along the creek side trail, Walnut Road and Glen Park to Spring Road, Palmer Lake. Also found were 2 Black-headed Grosbeaks, 3 Spotted Towhees, 17 Broad-tailed Hummingbirds (including two displaying adult males) and 2 American Goldfinches.

The day was not a loss. A Scissor tailed Flycatcher was on telephone wires next to the first pole north mile marker 180, hwy 25. The flycatcher hung on to the wire in the 14 mph winds. We stopped to take a photo, but a Colorado State Patrolman also stopped and told us to move.

A Yellow billed Cuckoo was found at Hidden Valley Open Space. Take main trail going west from parking lot, turn south at Cherry Creek. Several Wilson's Warblers and a Yellow Warbler were in the willows below the Yellow-billed Cuckoo.

CoBus Trip to Mt. Evans, Clear Creek County

August 31, 2011

Compiled by Rebecca Kosten:

Bryan Ehlmann led the CoBus trip to Mt Evans. Thanks for replacing Richard Stevens as leader. Richard fractured his wrist during an owling trip in Rocky Mountain National Park last Friday.

Bryan's first stop was Summit Lake. They scoped the southeast hillside without finding any White-tailed Ptarmigan. The northwest corner of Summit Lake was more accommodating. Three Brown-capped Rosy Finches flew around the rocky hillside. They even dropped down for a drink of water at the edge of the lake.

Next, they spread out in a line and searched for Ptarmigan in the field on the east side of Mt Evans Road. Two White-tailed Ptarmigan were found 300-400 yards northeast of the Summit Lake parking lot.

A trip to the top of Mt Evans did not find additional ptarmigan. The fantastic view was enjoyed by all. American Pipits and a few Mountain Bluebirds flew around. Mountain goats walked the rocky cliffs.

It will not be long before Mt Evans Road is closed for the season. Take it from me; having to hike up to Summit Lake from Echo Lake can be very tiring. So, if you are looking to add these birds to your 2011 list, visit soon!

They missed American Three-toed Woodpeckers at the Echo Lake Campgrounds. Lincoln's Sparrows were seen coming out of the willows on the east side of the lake. A big lifebird miss for the birders was Green-tailed Towhees. The towhees nest in the willows at the northwest corner. Have they left for the year already?

The hummingbird feeders on the Echo Lodge were visited by many hummingbirds. Most were female and young Broad-tailed Hummingbirds. At least one adult male Broad-tailed Hummingbird and two Rufous Hummingbirds were seen.

On the return trip to Denver, the group stopped at Genesee Mountain Park. A male Williamson's Sapsucker flew around the pine trees at 25 yards below the top of the park. Three species of nuthatches, many Pine Siskins and a small flock of Red Crossbills were added to their trip list.

Their final stop was Red Rocks Park. Not many birds were around. They found the resident Western Scrub-Jays. A Lazuli Bunting was near the stairs up to the amphitheater.

Northeastern Colorado

August 28-30, 2011

Compiled by Rebecca Kosten:

On 8/29, Jerry Petrosky reported that migration has started in the northeastern corner of Colorado. Some of the migrating birds he found at Tamarack Ranch Wildlife Area on 8/29 included: Cassin's Vireo, Great Crested Flycatcher, Least Flycatcher, five American Redstarts, a Tennessee Warbler, Townsend's Warbler and Magnolia Warbler.

Jerry also relocated some summer birds, which included: 2+ Bell's Vireos, 2 Baltimore Orioles, a Yellow-billed Cuckoo, 5 Red-bellied Woodpeckers, 24+ Red-headed Woodpeckers, a Short-eared Owl and 2 Eastern Screech-Owls.

Just to the east, Jerry explored Red Lion Wildlife Area and Little Jumbo Reservoir. Here he relocated three Bell's Vireos and two Upland Sandpipers. Migrating birds included an Eastern Phoebe, two American Redstarts and a Black-and-white Warbler.

The day before, 8/28, Jerry wandered around Sterling, Colorado. He visited several of the parks in town. A Yellow-billed Cuckoo was relocated at Overland Trail Park.

This park located in the southwest end of Sterling has been known for nesting Yellow-billed and Black-billed Cuckoos. Jerry did not find any Black-billed Cuckoos. It has been a couple of years since Black-billed Cuckoos have been spotted along this section of the South Platte River.

Mississippi Kites were found at Columbine Park and also nearby Cheairs Park. Jerry's next stop was Pioneer Park on the northwest side of Sterling. Here Jerry came across a migrating Townsend's Warbler and two American Redstarts.

Jerry ended his day at the south side sections of Tamarack Ranch Wildlife Area. He saw a Short-eared Owl flying along the valley north of Logan County Road 46 and County Road 89.

After dark, Jerry heard two Eastern Screech-Owls back at sections 6-7 of Tamarack Ranch Wildlife Area East.

On his trip back to Denver on 8/30, Jerry stopped at North Sterling Reservoir on. He was able to relocate the Barn Owls reported on Sunday by Bill Kaempfer. This was after Jerry saw a Short-eared Owl flying along the outlet canal just before civil twilight!

In the wooded picnic area, Jerry found a male Baltimore Oriole, Great Crested Flycatcher, Black-and-white Warbler and American Redstart. Two Common Terns flew below the dam.

Jerry's final uncommon bird sightings were two Dickcissels along Logan County Road 46, just west of County Road 37.

Sounds like a great trip! Thanks Jerry for the report!