Douglas and Arapahoe Counties

November 4, 2011

Richard Stevens:

This afternoon I stopped by Cherry Creek Reservoir (Arapahoe County). When I arrived, the Red-necked Grebe was swimming off the picnic area southeast of the swim beach. Thanks Bob Righter!

The Mew Gull (Beltz, 10/3) was not found off the southeastern sand spit. Next, I stopped at the Bird Observation Platform, Prairie Loop. The mudflats have temporarily disappeared due to the rising water from snowmelt.

I could not conjure up any sparrows. Many times in November, the cattails will catch a Swamp Sparrow. No Song Sparrows were around either.

Two Common Loons and a Pacific Loon could be seen from there. The loons were diving much and it took quite awhile to identify the Pacific Loon. No Red-throated Loon was found.

The Mew Gull was not found at the southwest marina either. However, hundreds of gulls were flying around the center of the lake. They could not all be identified.

This morning about 2 hours before sunrise, John Westin and I drove Sugar Creek Road (off Hwy 67). One Northern Pygmy-Owl was heard and seen about 0.4 miles off Hwy 67.

Later, we watched the woods northeast of Highway 67 and Rampart Range Road. One male American Three-toed Woodpecker flew within 10 yards of hwy 67.

Some Mountain Birding in Clear Creek & Summit Counties

November 3, 2011

Richard Stevens:

Today, British birder John Westin and I explored the snowy mountains west of Denver.

We were able to find 3 species of Rosy Finches in Summit County. Recent snowstorms appeared to have "pushed" them down in search of food to lower elevations.

Two Barrow's Goldeneyes were at the Blue River Water Treatment Plant (Summit). These numbers should increase any day now (additional snowstorms forecasted for Saturday).

Fortune was with us! It only took 20 minutes to find a White-tailed Ptarmigan in all its grandeur. The white plumage in winter is magnificent The bird was below the eastern side of the Loveland Pass Summit (Clear Creek)!

An hour search (more or less) at Georgetown did not produce the Rufous collared Sparrow. It was not expected (last reported 9/7/2011).

We had time on our hands and drove east and south to Pine Valley Ranch Park (Jefferson). American Three-toed Woodpeckers were not as cooperative as the Ptarmigan. None was found today. Neither were Northern Pygmy-Owls, they did not appear during our visit nor respond to recordings near dusk.

Birding Denver After a Snowstorm

November 2, 2011

Richard Stevens:

Bryan Ehlmann and I drove into the snowstorm in search of Murrelets Tuesday morning. Early November snowstorms seemed to be when they show up in Colorado. We found none at Chatfield Reservoir (Jefferson/Douglas County) or Bear Creek Lake Park (Jefferson).

We saw two Common Loons on Chatfield Reservoir during our first visit. After searching unsuccessfully for Northern Pygmy-Owls up Deer Creek Canyon (Jefferson) we returned to Chatfield Reservoir where we counted three Common Loons and saw the Mew Gull!

Nearby Platte Reservoir and McLellan Reservoir did not have any uncommon birds. We found two Common Loons and a Pacific Loon at Marston Reservoir. Again, nothing uncommon was found on nearby Bowles Lake & Bowles Reservoir #1.

We stopped at the S. Platte River at Florida Avenue (Barrow's Goldeneyes and Long-tailed Ducks seen here the last couple of years), however found no uncommon birds.

In the afternoon, we hiked the South Platte River from 88th avenue to hwy 224 and back. A male Barrow's Goldeneye was on the Platte River below the green and white tower. A pair of Barrow's Goldeneyes was on Tani Reservoir (southeast of the tower).

The wintering birds along the S. Platte are easier to find once the nearby lakes have frozen. We were looking for "early dates" on several species (which did not happen, no scoters or Long-tailed Ducks today; early date for Barrow's Goldeneyes in the area is 10/30).

We watched Barr Lake (Adams) at sunset. The Common Loon was still at the 4.5 mile marker. After sunset, a swan flew in, however landed too far away for us to identify. Several Great-tailed Grackles were still around the Picadilly Tree Nursery (at 152nd avenue & Picadilly Road, northeast of Barr Lake).

A Winding Route Back to Denver

November 1, 2011

Richard Stevens:

We had to abbreviate our birding today. We wanted to return to Denver before the foreshadowed snowstorm hit (forecast up to 7 inches of snow; Tuesday night into Wednesday morning, we received 9 inches at home).

A stopover at Prewitt Reservoir (Logan/Washington) discovered a Dunlin among Long-billed Dowitchers, Greater Yellowlegs, 1 Lesser Yellowlegs and some peeps at the inlet area.

A Bonaparte's Gull flew by as we observed a Common Loon from the old boat ramp.

At Jackson Reservoir (Morgan), we found 2 additional Bonaparte's Gulls and 2 Red-necked Phalaropes off by themselves (observed from the dam, at the southern parking area).

It was still fairly decent out so, we detoured to Pawnee National Grasslands and Crow Valley Campgrounds.

Several small flocks of Lapland Longspurs (total 21+ birds) were observed along Weld County Road 105 (just north of where Morgan County Road 4 changes counties and names).

We walked around the Washington Work Center searching for Northern Saw-whet Owls in the thick firs; without success.

A Long-eared Owl was in the fir at the southwest corner of the Campgrounds. The female Red-bellied Woodpecker was still around the group camping area.

Our plan was to drive north to Wellington Wildlife Area (Weld) and wait for Short-eared Owls to fly around at dusk (or Lower Latham Reservoir). It was altered when we watched the heavy clouds rapidly roll in from the northwest.

Tamarack Ranch Wildlife Area and Some More Walk-In-Areas

October 31, 2011

Richard Stevens:

The CoBus group started the day at Tamarack Ranch Wildlife Area (Logan County). Two Eastern Screech-Owls were heard before civil twilight along the north side. We then drove to the southern section (north of CR 46 & 89) in search of Short-eared Owls and Greater Prairie-Chickens; neither was found.

Back at Tamarack Ranch WLA, our next stop was quite enjoyable. A fall plumaged Black-throated Green Warbler and Northern Cardinal flew around the east side of Tamarack Pond. A Spotted Towhee and many White-crowned Sparrows were also here.

Field Sparrows were found at section 7 East. Red-bellied Woodpeckers were seen at the East and West sections (as we stood on the Highway 55 Bridge over the S. Platte River.

We walked several miles of the Platte River hoping for an American Woodcock; hopes were not fulfilled.

Then we headed south into Sedgwick & Phillips Counties. We again visited 5 "Walk-In-Areas" in search of Sprague's Pipits. Again, none was found and it looks like the late date of 11/22 is safe for another year.

An hour walk around Sand Draw Wildlife Area (Sedgwick) found a Harris's Sparrow and 2 Field Sparrows. We found a male Red-bellied Woodpecker at the Pony Express Wildlife Area (Sedgwick).

It was a beautiful fall day in spite of our misses.

Logan/Sedgwick Counties (Jumbo Reservoir)

October 30, 2011

Richard Stevens:

The CoBus group hiked around Jumbo Reservoir and Red Lion Wildlife Area (Logan/Sedgwick Counties) today.

An Eastern Screech-Owl was heard at the north end of Jumbo Reservoir. A Short-eared Owl was seen flying in the field below the south end of Jumbo (we stood at Sedgwick County Roads 26 & 3).

Several Gulls flew around the southeast corner. These included a Thayer's Gull and 2 Bonaparte's Gulls.

A Pacific Loon, Common Loon and Black Scoter swam in the distance. No shorebirds could be found (well, except a few Killdeer).

Red Lion Wildlife Area (Little Jumbo Reservoir) provided the highlight of the day. Two Common Redpolls flew along the east side of the reservoir.

We then visited three "Walk-In-Areas" in Sedgwick County and two in Logan County. Our goal was to get a new late date for Sprague's Pipits in Colorado. None was found and 10/22 date was safe.

We found 2 Long-eared Owls at one private ranch and 2 Eastern Screech-Owls at another.

More Sedgwick County Birding!

Richard Stevens:

Been without internet access for awhile now. Catching up on some interesting birding times the past nine days.

October 29, 2011

The CoBus group returned to Ovid this morning. Winds measured 6-8 mph, gusts to 12 mph; temperatures did not reach 60 degrees.

Again, the Sharp tailed Sparrow could not be found. Perhaps our last try for the bird; or maybe not.

A Purple Finch was again found in the southern section of Ovid Woods. It flew west and was relocated later along 3rd street and again along 5th street. We could not pin down an exact location where he spends most of his time.

While searching for the Purple Finch, we observed flashes of red along the S. Platte River south of Ovid (basically, part of Julesburg Wildlife Area). Unfortunately, the male Northern Cardinal stayed on private property (no photos acquired).

A hike along the eastern section of the Julesburg Wildlife Area added a Harris's Sparrow and Red-bellied Woodpecker to our day list.

A White-throated Sparrow was again seen at the Ovid Sewage Pond area.

No owls found tonight.