October 28, 2011
Richard Stevens:
Bryan Ehlmann and I left Denver in order to arrive at Jackson Reservoir (Morgan) at 3:00 am. Eastern Screech-Owls were heard at the western Campgrounds. We also found Long-eared Owls, however choose to not advertise the fact to protect them from disturbance.
A quick stop at Prewitt Reservoir (Logan/Washington) found another Eastern Screech-Owl (heard only) at the inlet area.
Bryan Ehlmann and I drove up to Julesburg in search of the Sharp tailed Sparrow found on a private ranch (10/22 to 10/24). Unfortunately, it was not found or seen since 10/24.
The group of us visited DePoorter Lake (Sedgwick) and relocated 2 Harris's Sparrows and a White-throated Sparrow. A male Black-and-white Warbler and 2 Northern Bobwhite were added to our day list.
No Short-eared Owls appeared at Sedgwick Draw tonight. We did listen to two Eastern Screech-Owls calling back at Roger's Ranch!
Saturday, October 29, 2011
Return to Park County and Denver
October 27, 2011
Richard Stevens:
Bryan Ehlmann and I wanted to visit the Park County Trio of Reservoirs (Antero, Spinney Mountain, & Eleven Mile) before winter came in earnest.
Our count today was:
Antero Reservoir
New addition: Tundra Swans (2)
Surf Scoter (2)
Black Scoter
Common Loon
Spinney Mountain Reservoir
White-winged Scoter
Surf Scoter
Common Loon
Eleven Mile Reservoir
Common Loon
Upon returning to Denver, I drove over to Cherry Creek Reservoir (Arapahoe County). A Pacific Loon was swimming alone in the southeast corner of the lake.
I scoped from the Bird Observation Platform at the Prairie Loop. A Willet and 6 Long-billed Dowitchers wandered back in forth in front of me!
The reservoir was scoped well. No additional loons were found. This leads me to believe that there is a turnover most days. The Red-throated Loon and 2 Common Loons reported on 10/28 by Glenn Walbek were not there the afternoon before.
If this holds true, the Red-throated Loon Glenn found was the second in the past two weeks (which is what I believe).
Richard Stevens:
Bryan Ehlmann and I wanted to visit the Park County Trio of Reservoirs (Antero, Spinney Mountain, & Eleven Mile) before winter came in earnest.
Our count today was:
Antero Reservoir
New addition: Tundra Swans (2)
Surf Scoter (2)
Black Scoter
Common Loon
Spinney Mountain Reservoir
White-winged Scoter
Surf Scoter
Common Loon
Eleven Mile Reservoir
Common Loon
Upon returning to Denver, I drove over to Cherry Creek Reservoir (Arapahoe County). A Pacific Loon was swimming alone in the southeast corner of the lake.
I scoped from the Bird Observation Platform at the Prairie Loop. A Willet and 6 Long-billed Dowitchers wandered back in forth in front of me!
The reservoir was scoped well. No additional loons were found. This leads me to believe that there is a turnover most days. The Red-throated Loon and 2 Common Loons reported on 10/28 by Glenn Walbek were not there the afternoon before.
If this holds true, the Red-throated Loon Glenn found was the second in the past two weeks (which is what I believe).
Fremont County Birding & Owling
October 26, 2011
Richard Stevens:
Bryan Ehlmann and I birded around Canon City today. It was another mild late fall day in Colorado, fantastic!
Hours were spent walking around in search of Yellow-bellied Sapsuckers. Finally we relocated the one reported by Jerry Petrosky at Centennial Park on 10/18. Later, we found another one at the old Holy Cross Abbey!
We set up our owl "listening stations" along the Shelf Road. It was a great success. In total 6 Northern Saw-whet Owls were accounted for with 2 observed and 4 additional recorded!
In the early morning, we found 2 Northern Pygmy-Owls at the Beaver Creek Wildlife Area.
Richard Stevens:
Bryan Ehlmann and I birded around Canon City today. It was another mild late fall day in Colorado, fantastic!
Hours were spent walking around in search of Yellow-bellied Sapsuckers. Finally we relocated the one reported by Jerry Petrosky at Centennial Park on 10/18. Later, we found another one at the old Holy Cross Abbey!
We set up our owl "listening stations" along the Shelf Road. It was a great success. In total 6 Northern Saw-whet Owls were accounted for with 2 observed and 4 additional recorded!
In the early morning, we found 2 Northern Pygmy-Owls at the Beaver Creek Wildlife Area.
A Short Day in Park County
October 25, 2011
Richard Stevens:
Bryan Ehlmann and I got a late start going back to Park County today.
A hike up Kenosha Pass and Twin Cone trails was uneventful. If Flammulated Owls are still up here, we could not find them.
We whiffed on finding owls up Georgia Pass (Michigan Creek Road)
Richard Stevens:
Bryan Ehlmann and I got a late start going back to Park County today.
A hike up Kenosha Pass and Twin Cone trails was uneventful. If Flammulated Owls are still up here, we could not find them.
We whiffed on finding owls up Georgia Pass (Michigan Creek Road)
Return to Park County and More Owling
October 24, 2011
Richard Stevens:
Bryan Ehlmann and I returned to the Park County Trio of Reservoirs (Antero, Spinney Mountain, & Eleven Mile). Winds were quite strong at 14 mph, gusts to 23 mph; temperatures in the 30s. Our count today was:
Antero Reservoir
Surf Scoters (3)
Spinney Mountain Reservoir
White-winged Scoter
Surf Scoter (2)
Common Loon
Eleven Mile Reservoir
Black Scoter
Common Loon
A flock of Red Crossbills was found up Tumbling Creek Road (Park County).
We set up "listening stations" along Phantom Canyon Road and heard a Spotted Owl (different location, no way to know if it was the same one from last night).
Note: Sue Ehlmann and Rebecca Kosten drove up to Julesburg area. Roger Danka had seen a Sharp-tailed Sparrow on his land on Thursday (10/22). They all relocated the sparrow on Friday & Saturday (10/23-24). It would not be found on 10/25 or 10/26.
Richard Stevens:
Bryan Ehlmann and I returned to the Park County Trio of Reservoirs (Antero, Spinney Mountain, & Eleven Mile). Winds were quite strong at 14 mph, gusts to 23 mph; temperatures in the 30s. Our count today was:
Antero Reservoir
Surf Scoters (3)
Spinney Mountain Reservoir
White-winged Scoter
Surf Scoter (2)
Common Loon
Eleven Mile Reservoir
Black Scoter
Common Loon
A flock of Red Crossbills was found up Tumbling Creek Road (Park County).
We set up "listening stations" along Phantom Canyon Road and heard a Spotted Owl (different location, no way to know if it was the same one from last night).
Note: Sue Ehlmann and Rebecca Kosten drove up to Julesburg area. Roger Danka had seen a Sharp-tailed Sparrow on his land on Thursday (10/22). They all relocated the sparrow on Friday & Saturday (10/23-24). It would not be found on 10/25 or 10/26.
Gunnison Sage-Grouse and Owling!
October 23, 2011
Richard Stevens:
Bryan Ehlmann and I were up early this morning and drove Gunnison County Roads 38 & 38A. Two female Gunnison Sage-Grouse were found just north of the County Line (with Saguache).
Most of the day was spent stopped at three friend's ranches to catch up on what birds they have been seeing. One of my friends has Western Screech-Owls nesting on his property. Unfortunately, we could not find the owls today.
We scoped the east end of Blue Mesa (about the first 8-10 miles). One Common Loon and a California Gull were the highlights.
In the late afternoon, we hiked at the Miller Ranch Wildlife Area (Gunnison County). Four Gunnison Sage-Grouse were found. In winter, this is a good location to find them. On one trip two years ago, 11 birds were found hunkered down together.
We covered much of Monarch Pass physically and with "listening stations", however no owls were found. With so much undisturbed forest from Salida to Monarch Pass, there has to be owls nesting and living up there. Unfortunately, I have enjoyed little success over the years, in finding them.
The early morning hours were spent driving up Phantom Canyon Road (Fremont County). One Spotted Owl was heard (8 to 14 miles up the canyon; exact location will remain undisclosure to prevent disturbance to a rare owl).
Richard Stevens:
Bryan Ehlmann and I were up early this morning and drove Gunnison County Roads 38 & 38A. Two female Gunnison Sage-Grouse were found just north of the County Line (with Saguache).
Most of the day was spent stopped at three friend's ranches to catch up on what birds they have been seeing. One of my friends has Western Screech-Owls nesting on his property. Unfortunately, we could not find the owls today.
We scoped the east end of Blue Mesa (about the first 8-10 miles). One Common Loon and a California Gull were the highlights.
In the late afternoon, we hiked at the Miller Ranch Wildlife Area (Gunnison County). Four Gunnison Sage-Grouse were found. In winter, this is a good location to find them. On one trip two years ago, 11 birds were found hunkered down together.
We covered much of Monarch Pass physically and with "listening stations", however no owls were found. With so much undisturbed forest from Salida to Monarch Pass, there has to be owls nesting and living up there. Unfortunately, I have enjoyed little success over the years, in finding them.
The early morning hours were spent driving up Phantom Canyon Road (Fremont County). One Spotted Owl was heard (8 to 14 miles up the canyon; exact location will remain undisclosure to prevent disturbance to a rare owl).
Chaffee & Gunnison Counties
October 22, 2011
Richard Stevens:
Bryan Ehlmann and I birded around Chaffee County today. Weather was again quite cooperative. Winds were mild all day; high temperatures reached into the 60s.
We searched unsuccessfully for the Western Screech-Owls that nest in Buena Vista. We criss-crossed around Buena Vista three times during the day; without success. Western Screech-Owls were first found in the summer of 2007. While we relocated them in the summers of 2009 & 2010, our attempts in 2011 have all failed.
Pinyon Jays were found at the KOA Campgrounds below the Buena Vista Overlook. A second flock (14) was found along County Roads 301 & 300 on the way to Ruby Mountain. In the past, they have also been found at the Ruby Mountain parking area.
A small flock of 8 Bushtits were at the Buena Vista Overlook.
Lewis's Woodpeckers were found in Buena Vista (south of Brookdale Avenue and east of North Pleasant Avenue). In earlier weeks, nesting was again confirmed this summer.
We continued west over Cottonwood Pass to Taylor Park Reservoir (Gunnison County). A Black Scoter and male Barrow's Goldeneye were on the lake. The Barrow's Goldeneye could have been the one reported last month by Suzie Plooster?
After dark, we stopped at the many Campgrounds and picnic areas along Gunnison County Road 742. Northern Pygmy-Owls were found at two Campgrounds, Northern Saw-whet Owl at another.
We stopped to say "hi" to a friend. He had heard Flammulated Owls on his ranch up to 10/18. None responded to our recording tonight.
Richard Stevens:
Bryan Ehlmann and I birded around Chaffee County today. Weather was again quite cooperative. Winds were mild all day; high temperatures reached into the 60s.
We searched unsuccessfully for the Western Screech-Owls that nest in Buena Vista. We criss-crossed around Buena Vista three times during the day; without success. Western Screech-Owls were first found in the summer of 2007. While we relocated them in the summers of 2009 & 2010, our attempts in 2011 have all failed.
Pinyon Jays were found at the KOA Campgrounds below the Buena Vista Overlook. A second flock (14) was found along County Roads 301 & 300 on the way to Ruby Mountain. In the past, they have also been found at the Ruby Mountain parking area.
A small flock of 8 Bushtits were at the Buena Vista Overlook.
Lewis's Woodpeckers were found in Buena Vista (south of Brookdale Avenue and east of North Pleasant Avenue). In earlier weeks, nesting was again confirmed this summer.
We continued west over Cottonwood Pass to Taylor Park Reservoir (Gunnison County). A Black Scoter and male Barrow's Goldeneye were on the lake. The Barrow's Goldeneye could have been the one reported last month by Suzie Plooster?
After dark, we stopped at the many Campgrounds and picnic areas along Gunnison County Road 742. Northern Pygmy-Owls were found at two Campgrounds, Northern Saw-whet Owl at another.
We stopped to say "hi" to a friend. He had heard Flammulated Owls on his ranch up to 10/18. None responded to our recording tonight.
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