Arapahoe County Birding

May 23, 2015

Richard Stevens:

The 4.6 mile hike at Quincy Reservoir (Arapahoe County) would stretch my legs today.  The 2.3 miles to the turn around and then back might be considered "flat", however, the rolling hills require a good effort to make this hike.

I mentioned that to a ranger who stopped to see what I had found.  He thought the hike was quite flat; however, he was riding an ATV two miles from the trailhead.

My success was not as productive as Jerry Petrosky's experience of 5/20.  Western Wood-pewees continued to out number as species.  A Northern Waterthrush 120 yards south and east of the first trash bin from the trailhead was that far from the one that Jerry reported.

A Red-eyed Vireo was in the tall cottonwoods directly south of the cream colored house with twenty+ solar panels on its roof.

A Veery was just west of the second trash bin (next to a bench).  If the same one as Jerry's, it had moved 80 yards to the west.

The only other uncommon bird was a Dusky Flycatcher on the south side of the lake (just west of the 1.5 Km marker).

No Great-tailed Grackles, Bobolink or warblers (other than Yellow Warblers) found today.  The willow/Russian Olive tree grove had not birds today.  Ninety six American Crows roosted near the grove today.

Before the Quincy Reservoir trip, I stopped at Cherry Creek Reservoir (Arapahoe) where a Chestnut-sided Warbler was reported.  When I arrived at 1:00 pm, a rainstorm with strong winds hit the Park.  The wind was blowing out of the south; I figured any birds were blown to the northwest corner of the Lake Loop.

The trees in this corner are down a small hill and somewhat protected from the winds.  Sure enough, I found seven Yellow Warblers, four Western Wood-pewees, two Warbling Vireos and the Chestnut-sided Warbler.

After my trip to Quincy Reservoir, I returned hoping to get a photo of the Chestnut-sided Warbler in calmer winds (earlier it stayed quite high in the cottonwoods).  Unfortunately, no one could relocate the bird.  A friend reported seeing it behind the rowing club building at 2:30 pm.

Birding was between 10 minute rain storms.  I also hiked part way up the Lake Loop drainage toward Bellevue, only got halfway before another downpour and turned around.

A Red-eyed Vireo was about 100 yards south/up hill of Lake View Drive.

It started to get dark before the last downpour stopped; I went home.

Eastern Plains Trip

May 20-22, 2015

Richard Stevens:

May 20-23, 2015

Bryan Ehlmann and I made a short three day trip to explore the eastern plains for migrating birds.  As had been the case for a couple of weeks now, birding was done between brief rainstorms.

May 20

Our trip started out quite well when we stopped at Flagler Reservoir (Kit Carson County). 

We walked around the dam area to the southeastern end and eventually found a Hooded Warbler, Northern Waterthrush, Great Crested Flycatcher, Least Flycatcher and two Dusky Flycatchers, and Olive-sided Flycatcher.  A male Chestnut-sided Warbler at the northeastern corner was definitely the highlight.

A stop at Fairview Cemetery in Burlington (Kit Carson) was a great choice.  A Gray-cheeked Thrush was discovered in the thicker bushes.

We arrived at Bonny Reservoir/Hale Ponds in late afternoon.  A couple of Red-bellied Woodpeckers flew around the cottonwoods as we set up camp.  An Eastern Screech-Owl called about 20 minutes after sunset.

We walked around Hale Ponds near the end of Civil Twilight with Whip-poor-wills in mind.  None was found; however, a Common Poorwill responded to our recordings.

May 21

Our long day started about an hour before sunrise.  Eventually we walked from highway 385 to the Kansas border and back.  We took our time and enjoyed the pleasant day of bird songs and sightings.  According to our GPS, with zig zags and all, we hiked 29.4 miles in total.  We both agreed it was a great day!  Bryan may be the only birder I know that would have done such a one day trek with me!  Thanks much buddy!

Bonny Reservoir is no longer a reservoir.  The area is now called the South Republican Wildlife Area. Colorado gave most of Bonny's water to Kansas (lost lawsuit).  Our trek took us along the southern side of the Republican River to Kansas and then back along the northern side. 

Highlights in the order we found them along our fifteen hour "walk" follow.  Later we found that a big miss for the day was a Bell's Vireo found by unseen birder Van Remsen.

Three Eastern Screech-Owls responded to recordings before sunrise (hwy 385 to Hopper Ponds).

Flocks of sparrows we encountered along Yuma County Road 2.  We checked the thin row of trees where Bell's Vireos had been recorded in past years; without success.  Hopper Ponds also had many sparrows.  A Great Crested Flycatcher was the only uncommon bird.

Our first highlight of the day was a male Prairie Warbler.  He was 30 yards into the woods northeast of where CR 2 turns from east to south.  A Blackpoll Warbler was another 30 yards or so toward the Republican River.

Several Red-bellied Woodpeckers and a male Baltimore Oriole were found from there to the old Wagon Wheel picnic area.  One or two Long-eared Owls were also in the area.

An Eastern Phoebe hawked insects at the old Wagon Wheel Campgrounds.  Our fourth Eastern Screech-Owl of the morning was here also.

No Northern Saw-whet Owls were found between the Bonny Dam and Hale.  At Hale (referred to as Hale Crossing by some birders) we added another Great Crested Flycatcher and Broad-winged Hawk to our day list.  We checked the tall Cottonwoods northeast of Hale for Cuckoos (both Yellow billed & Black-billed have nested here in past years).

The best bird at Hale Ponds was an calling Alder Flycatcher (highlight of our day).  Between Hale and Kansas we also encountered a calling Yellow-billed Cuckoo (would have been missed if he had not called), Mourning Warbler (willows along Republican River), Ovenbird, Northern Waterthrush (also in the willows), Magnolia Warbler & American Redstart (Cottonwoods just west of Kansas), Olive-sided Flycatcher,  male Baltimore Oriole, three Red-bellied Woodpeckers, seven Eastern Bluebirds, many flycatchers and wood-pewees.

Once back at the Bonny Reservoir dam, we hiked the north side of the Republican.  A Barn Owl was in the cottonwoods as we dropped down from the north end of the dam.

Two additional Long-eared Owls were in the windbreak east of the old Foster's Grove Campgrounds.  The Campgrounds themselves had many birds including two Northern Cardinals, an Eastern Phoebe, two Baltimore Orioles, and quite surprising, a Lewis's Woodpecker.

A flock of twenty Wild Turkey wandered just west of Foster's Grove.  Our third Great Crested Flycatcher called from the tall cottonwoods between F.G. and hwy 385.

Too many birds to mention, it was quite an enjoyable trek.  Both of us were exhausted when we reached our jeep.  We had no problem falling to sleep.

May 22

I wrote up to an Eastern Screech-Owl called at 4:30 am (Hale Ponds).  At dawn, a Yellow-billed Cuckoo called northwest of the western Hale Pond (not same area as yesterday's cuckoo).

Our tired legs convinced us to return to Denver by way of I70 and not follow our original plans to head north to Wray.  Predicted thunderstorms had much to do with this decision.

The area is now called the South Republican Wildlife Area.

A two hour stop at Flagler Reservoir (Kit Carson) found a Hooded Warbler, Northern Waterthrush (5/20), Great Crested Flycatcher (5/20), Least Flycatcher (5/20), Dusky Flycatcher (5/20) and a Nashville Warbler.

After dropping Bryan at home, I decided to stretch my legs at Barr Lake (Adams County).  My hike was cut short at one hour when it rained again.

Before the rain, I walked from the Visitor's Center footbridge to the banding station and back to the west side of the Niedrach Trail.  A Northern Waterthrush was under the logs just north of the fixed scope, north of the footbridge (mile 9.0 or 0.0).  A Red-eyed Vireo wandered around at mile 8.8.

The real surprise was a Gray-cheeked Thrush under the row of cottonwoods at the southeast corner of the Niedrach boardwalk loop.  Many birds, although no uncommon, were at the Loop: Yellow-rumped Warblers, Warbling Vireos (2), Bullock's Orioles (4), Red-winged Blackbirds.

Return to Elbert County and Cherry Creek Reservoir

May 19, 2015

Richard Stevens:

Bryan Ehlmann had an unremarkable day in eastern and southeastern Elbert County.  It was when we passed through Cherry Creek State Park (Arapahoe) when our day became quite exciting.

Hundreds of sparrows were fluttering about the Lake Loop.  A pair of Mallards swimming up and down the paved path (Lake Loop road to eastern side of the reservoir) was quite amusing.  Overnight rains turned much of the park into water soaked wetlands.

As we walked the eastern side of the Lake Loop, a loose flock of birds at the southeast corner caught our eyes.  Five Yellow Warblers, two Western Tanagers and a vireo worked the tall cottonwoods along the drainage.  The yellow spectacles, bright yellow throat and white belly belonged to a Yellow-throated Vireo!

It has been years since water has flowed in the small willow lined drainage.  Four Black-capped Chickadees, a Lazuli Bunting, three additional Yellow Warblers and two Blue-gray Gnatcatchers popped up from the thick willows 10-20 yards north of Lakeview Drive (the main road through the Park).

Every 10 yards or so farther south, dozens additional birds emerged from the willows.  A Blackpoll Warbler and Clay-colored Sparrow flew up to the last thin cottonwood just north of Lakeview Drive.

So many birds came out of the willows; we could not stop continuing south across the road.  From Lakeview Road to Bellevue Avenue (perhaps 0.6 miles hike) we observed dozens of Western Kingbirds, one Cassin's Kingbird, a dozen Western Wood-pewees, another seven Western Tanagers, two Clay-colored Sparrows, seven Brewer's Sparrows, and another four Blue-gray Gnatcatchers.

The uncommon birds encountered made the uphill hike quite memorable.  In order of appearance:

Shortly after crossing Lakeview, a little gray bird jumped from the stream to the willows.  A Bell's Vireo preened and dried off and allowed us over two minutes viewing!  The distinct two wingbars, white eyebrow and broken eye ring, long gray tail separated it from Blue-gray Gnatcatchers with black tails and Gray Flycatcher with complete eye ring, no eyebrow.

About 15 yards south, at first glance we thought another Blue-gray Gnatcatcher.  The gray bird lacked the black tail, white outer tail feathers of a Blue-gray Gnatcatcher, only had one distinct wing bar and a complete white eye ring.  It was a Gray Flycatcher.

Continuing south another 20 yards, several White-crowned Sparrows popped up.  A Northern Waterthrush followed them to the lower branches of a cottonwood tree.

As we continued south, where there is a large break in the thick willows, sparse cottonwood area of the riparian area to Russian olive trees and cattails, we thought a male Bobolink had flown up and dropped back into the taller wet grasses.  We dismissed it with only a few seconds look and continued along the eastern side of the Russian olive trees.

A Plumbeous Vireo, eight Yellow-rumped Warblers, three Yellow Warblers, a Spotted Towhee, Brown Thrasher, and Warbling Vireo were found before reaching Bellevue Avenue.

Our hike continued back north along the west side of the drainage.  When we reached the large break again, a male Bobolink popped out of the grasses and perched on a miner's candle plant.

The only "new" bird observed on the hike back to our car was a Tennessee Warbler moving about with six to eight Yellow-rumped Warblers in one of the taller cottonwoods just south of Lakeview.

Several birds were left as "unidentified".  Two "empidonax" flycatchers were neither a Dusky Flycatcher, Least Flycatcher, nor Cordilleran Flycatcher.  Beyond that, we could not decide.

One Wood-Pewee looked quite different from the others.  Eleven Wood-Pewees had darkish bills and dull wingbars.  One Wood-Pewee had quite thick white wingbars and conspicuous orangish bill; an Eastern Wood-Pewee?  It never made a sound in the 10 minutes we watch it.

Night Owling Boulder County

May 17, 2015

Richard Stevens:

Bryan Ehlmann and I enjoyed a four owl all night hike in Boulder County.  We walked along quite muddy trails along Boulder Creek and up Skunk Canyon by way of the Mesa South Trail system.

The major problem is where to park?  I believe the parking area at Mesa Trailhead is day use only (could be wrong)?  We have been this hike at least twice a year for the past six years.  Arrangements to park at a private driveway allow us access without trespassing.

An Eastern Screech-Owl was found as we hiked west toward the Mesa South Trailhead.  In order of discovery, we eventually found a Northern Pygmy-Owl and Flammulated Owl on the trip up and a Northern Saw-whet Owl on the return trip.

Except for slippery trails and muddy shoes, the trip was quite enjoyable.  We returned to our car just before sunrise.

After a few hours of sleep, I hiked several miles at Barr Lake (Adams).  The Barn Owl was back at the nesting box near the banding station.  Only a couple of Bullock's Orioles have returned to their nesting territories.  House Wrens and Western Wood-pewees were the most numerous birds.

An Olive-sided Flycatcher hawked insects as I walked down the Pioneer Trail.  The female Osprey (I assume) is on the nesting platform, while the male (I assume) was standing sentinel in a dead cottonwood south of the platform.

Several wet Burrowing Owls were observed along the DIA Owl Loop (Adams).  No Short-eared Owls appeared tonight.

Elbert and Douglas Counties

May 16, 2015

Richard Stevens:

Terry Michaels and I birded most of the day in Elbert County.  We found some interesting birds, most unlikely to be relocated.  Our day list in Elbert County included American Redstart, Eastern Phoebe, Gray-cheeked Thrush & Long-billed Curlew.

The Gray-cheeked Thrush at Box Elder Creek at County Line Road (just west of CR 29) could possibly be relocated.  Bring a scope; the thrush was under the willows about 30 yards south of County Line Road.

Some birds that can be found again were along Castlewood Canyon Road in Douglas.  At the Winkler Ranch we found five male and two female Bobolink, four pairs of nesting Western Bluebirds, two pairs of nesting Mountain Bluebirds (in bluebird boxes), ten Wild Turkey (along road when it runs east to west and one or two Lewis's Woodpeckers (look for snags along road).

We hiked Cherry Creek from the old homestead to the parking area for the Falls.  An Ovenbird & Least Flycatcher were the highlight.  Turkey Vultures and a Golden Eagle circled overhead.

No Northern Saw-whet Owls could be found this evening.

Aurora Sports Park and Rocky Mountain Arsenal

May 15, 2015

Richard Stevens:

I decided to hike a loop through Aurora Sports Park this morning.  The park has erratic hours, beware when entering the park.  The supervisor of the park told me that even if the entrance gate is close, I could drive in through the exit gate.

This gate is locked at 6:00 pm each evening.  Several times in the past, I birded the park this way.  Many people park outside the gate and walk in.  This would only add 0.3 miles to a hike and probably is safer.

A few days ago, I was locked in the Cherry Creek Reservoir Shooting Range when the manager decided to close early (4:00 pm instead of the listed 7:00 pm).  With this in mind, I parked outside the gates of Aurora Sports Park this morning.

I hiked the eastern side of the riparian area along Sand Creek 1.3 miles to the end of the park, and then returned along the western side of Sand Creek through the woods.  Bring waterproof boots, it was quite wet.

The woods were quite birdy today; although most were common birds, many American Robins, House Wrens and Red-winged Blackbirds.  Half a dozen House Wrens were scattered in the bushes along the Creek.

Several flocks of Yellow-rumped Warblers were scattered along the trek.  A female Tennessee Warbler and an Orange-crowned Warbler were among one flock.  A Cassin's Vireo was loosely associated with a second flock (300 yards south of the bend in Sand Creek (flows north then turns west).

The only thrush along the route turned out to be a Hermit.  A Yellow-breasted Chat was near the western end of the park.

After receiving a text message about a Townsend's Warbler in downtown Denver (18th & Grant), I drove down and walked around the small greenway plaza.  Unfortunately, the Townsend's Warbler was not found.

On the way home, I stopped at Rocky Mountain Arsenal (Adams County).  Nothing uncommon was on Lake Ladora; however, a Plumbeous Vireo fluttered about the riparian area at the southwest corner.

My plan to hike the 4 mile round trip to the Rod and Gun Club Pond was canceled when Rocky Mountain Arsenal was hit with a downpour of rain and quarter sized hail.  That ended my birding day.

Welchester Park to Cherry Creek Reservoir

May 14, 2015

Richard Stevens:

My birding day started in late morning at Welchester Tree Park (Jefferson County).  The woods in the northeast corner are quite thick.  A previously reported Blue-winged Warbler moves along the creek from the northeast corner and the private property to the east.

It helped much that the Blue-winged Warbler has a loud song.  Even after hearing the bird sing, it took a few minutes to locate it deep in the cottonwood trees!

On the trip back to my car, House Wrens, House Finches, a Plumbeous Vireo, a male Western Tanager and a Black-headed Grosbeak were encountered.

I also saw another vireo, twice for 3-5 seconds each time.  I would have called it a Yellow-throated Vireo with better looks.  Hopefully, someone will see the bird and confirm the sighting.

Rebecca Kosten was at a friend's home near Washington Park (Denver).  They saw a Palm Warbler in the front yard.  Later they watched it fly across the street to Washington Park.  After picking Rebecca up, we walked around the southern end of the park for about an hour.  No Palm Warbler was found.

We then drove to Cherry Creek Reservoir (Arapahoe) and walked around for about two hours in the search of the Scissor-tailed Flycatcher which has been around for a week or so.  Our hike was around 4.2 miles from the Bellevue Wetlands Pond to East Caley Avenue and back.

No Scissor-tailed Flycatcher was found.  A small flat-headed sparrow caused us pause along the shooting range fence near Bellevue & Peoria.  Eventually we got enough views to identify it as a Grasshopper Sparrow.

Many Chipping Sparrows, a few Vesper Sparrows and a couple of Brewer's Sparrows were scattered on the grasslands south of the shooting range.  A Plumbeous Vireo was in the trees around the pond east of the Heron Pond along Peoria Street.

A male Lazuli Bunting, two Wilson's Warblers and a Yellow-breasted Chat added color to the green riparian area at the southern footbridge over Cherry Creek.

We ended our birding day at the Cherry Creek Reservoir swim beach.  A lone Least Sandpiper was the only shorebird.  Many Chipping Sparrows and Yellow-rumped Warblers flew around from the swim beach to the smoky hill picnic area.

What we first thought was an Orange-crowned Warbler, was identified as a female Tennessee Warbler in the locust trees west of the picnic pavilion.  Its white undertail coverts separated it from the Orange-crowned Warbler with yellowish undertail coverts.