Long Day In Clear Creek & Park County

May 1, 2017

Richard Stevens:

Jacob Washburn, Ray Simmons and I left on a fantastic adventure this morning.  We enjoyed a break in the weather and visited Guanella Pass (Clear Creek County) between snowstorms (yesterday and tomorrow).  Skies were partly cloudy at the Summit.  Temperatures in the low 40s; winds were 26 mph with gusts to 51 mph.  Fortunately, winds were slower once we returned below tree line.

Note: roads are treacherous, recent snow made a 4-wheel jeep a must for us to get close enough for a long hike to the top.

It was a four+ mile round trip to the Summit of Guanella Pass (Clear Creek) (by way of Grant).  The trek was well worthwhile when we observed thirty one White-tailed Ptarmigan below the east side of Rosalie Peak.

Afterwards we went to the Campgrounds and scoped the area with binoculars.  One American Three-toed Woodpecker, two pairs of Pine Grosbeaks and a flock of eight Red Crossbills were found.

Another American Three-toed Woodpecker was later found in the pines along Guanella Pass Road, just south of the turnoff to Duck Lake.

After dropping down off the pass we set up several of our "owl listening stations" at the campgrounds along the Pass Road.  This is a great time of year to find owls as they are calling in search of mates.

We then hiked toward Handcart and Heil Valley Campgrounds.  Another American Three-toed Woodpecker was encountered along Park County Road 60.  No owls were found here; we had better fortune back on Guanella Pass Road (Park CR 62)

Eventually we found three Northern Saw-whet Owls (two at Whiteside Campgrounds and one just north of Grant) and two Northern Pygmy-Owls (Geneva Park & Burning Bear Campgrounds).

Our target was a Flammulated Owl; none was found.  They are most likely back in Colorado.  Regrettably, most roads leading to their territories are closed due to snow.

We detoured to Kenosha Pass (Park), however, did not find any owls.  Flammulated Owls have been found in the area; however usually several miles from highway 285.  Access was snow covered.

Our final stop of the long day/evening/night was Reynolds Park (Jefferson).  We heard a Northern Saw-whet Owl south of the parking area.  Later found a Northern Pygmy-Owl along Songbird Trail.

Cherry Creek Reservoir & First Creek Trail

April 30, 2017

Richard Stevens:

Picked my mom up for breakfast and we stopped at Cherry Creek Reservoir (Arapahoe) on the way to the restaurant.  The wild plum bushes near the upper parking area for the Cherry Creek Reservoir northeastern boat ramp still had some snow on them.

Temperatures were around 42 degrees; winds were 9 mph with gusts to 14 mph.  The Northern Parula did not appear during our 30-minute stay.

Few of yesterday's birds were found today.  The dozens of American Pipits have disappeared.  The Bonaparte's Gulls, Franklin's Gull and terns were a no show also.

We returned to watching the wild plum bushes for another 20 minutes before giving up and going to a late breakfast.

After breakfast we gave the wild plum bushes a third watch.  This time, I left mom to watch for the Northern Parula and I walked to the Pelican Point sand spit. 

The many shorebirds at the point included eight Willets, two American Avocets and a Stilt Sandpiper.  The Northern Parula did not appear; perhaps it has moved on to warmer places?

I scoped the swim beach before leaving.  Another five Willets wandered up and down the beach.

In the afternoon, Rebecca and I headed to the First Creek Trail (Denver).  A birding group had reported 50 species including Barn Owls and a Northern Mockingbird in five hours this morning.

We usually do not count total species; however today we tried to top the 50 bird species in our two hour hike.  On the hike outward, we were stuck on 29 species along the First Creek Trail.  On the return trip, two Chipping Sparrows flew by and ended our total at 30. 

However, we did not count the four species of birds seen on a detour along Buckley Road (Burrowing Owls, Great Horned Owl, Prairie Falcon and Grasshopper Sparrow).  First Creek Trail highlights included a Virginia Rail and Hermit Thrush.

Thirty species was not bad considering that anemometer readings were now 14-15 mph with gusts to 27 mph.  Misses included: Barn Owl, Northern Mockingbird & the Western Wood-pewee reported a few days ago.

We picked a restaurant for dinner so as to past Cherry Creek Reservoir.  We arrived at 6:29 pm and at 6:31 pm the Northern Parula popped out of the bushes!  He would return deep in the bushes, however briefly come out of cover on three occasions in the next ten minutes.

As we left the park, the two Bonaparte's Gulls and adult Franklin's Gull were observed standing on the poles lining the southwest marina.

Cherry Creek & Chatfield Reservoirs In a Snowstorm

April 29, 2017

Richard Stevens:

A spring snowstorm finally hit the Front Range.  It started snowing late Friday and persisted through nearly all of Saturday.  Temperatures today only attained 29 degrees.  Winds were strong at times; anemometer readings were 13-14 mph with gusts to 26 mph.

As luck would have it, temperatures have been warm recently and any snow landing on the warm roads melted.  Streets were just wet, easily drivable.

I motored over to Cherry Creek Reservoir (Arapahoe) to see if the Northern Parula made it through the night.  The wild plum near the upper parking area for the northeastern Cherry Creek Reservoir boat ramp was covered with snow.

The Northern Parula did not come out during the hour I watched.  In fact, no birds emerged from the bushes.

Fog hung over the lake and visibility was low.  I walked down the Pelican Point shore to the sand spit.  The only shorebirds were two American Avocets.  Robins were the majority bird.  The juvenile Bonaparte's Gull "hung out' on the point with a small group of Ring-billed Gulls.

The adult Bonaparte's Gull and adult Franklin's Gull again wandered the beach below the West Shades Picnic Area.  No terns were found.

Note: yesterday I took photos of the three medium sized terns flying around the southwest marina.  Examining them today, I found one Common Tern and two Forster's Terns.  I find separating the two can be difficult; photographing them for later examination is highly beneficial.

Then I proceeded to Chatfield Reservoir (Jefferson/Douglas).  Most front range Sagebrush Sparrow sightings are just after a snowstorm; I hoped was one was blown in last night.

When I arrived, half a foot or more snow covered the park.  No Sagebrush Sparrows were found.  In the past, I have found them when just a dusting of snow covered the marina sand spit.  The snow was too deep for any sparrows to walk around today.

I scoped the South Platte River from Kingfisher Bridge.  One Eastern Phoebe and one Least Flycatcher were 30 yards or so upstream from the bridge.  The phoebe was in Jefferson County, the Least Flycatcher in Douglas County.

Nothing uncommon could be seen from the west side of Marston Reservoir (Denver).  I gave up on birding and went to dinner.

Cherry Creek Reservoir, Arapahoe County

April 28, 2017

Richard Stevens:

Rebecca & I drove the DIA Owl Loop (Adams/Denver) about an hour before sunrise.  We were treated to a Short-eared Owl flying along Gun Club Road just before the emblazoned sunrise.

After dropping Rebecca off, I drove over to Cherry Creek Reservoir (Arapahoe) to see if the Northern Parula and stayed around.  He was fluttering about the wild plum gleaning unnamed bugs off the flowers.

My plan was to drive the eastern Arapahoe County Roads in search of migrants.  While picking up an unhealthy although tasty breakfast at Burger King, I received a text message about a Red-necked Phalarope and Eastern Phoebe at Cherry Creek Reservoir.   Besides, the gravel roads turn to mush when it rains.

Directions were vague, something about the fishing trail to the Wetland Preserve.  Unfortunately, this could refer to four or five trails.  I decided to walk the shore at Pelican Point (location of the Northern Parula).

Thirty two Yellow Warblers, mixed sexes and races flew around the cottonwoods that lined the shore.  Several House Wrens noisily called from the underbrush.  A lone Chipping Sparrow popped out of the bushes several times to get a drink of water.

I scoped the southeastern end of the lake from the sand spit.  No Red-necked Phalarope was found.  It was not a surprise; trying to pick out a skinny bird just a little bigger than a House Sparrow on the waves is a difficult task.

Many swallows mostly Barn but also Tree, Cliff, Violet-green and Barn hawked bugs low off the lake.  I was reminded that while insects are bugs, not all bugs are insects.  I think that is correct?  Anyway, the swallows were catching little bugs.

The predicted rain and snowstorm was slowly rolling in from the west.  I decided to skip driving the gravel Arapahoe County Roads and spent the afternoon at Cherry Creek Reservoir.

Three additional "fishing" trails were walked down to the lake.  No Eastern Phoebe was found.  Winds picked up and waves grew higher.  The Red-necked Phalarope was not found either.

A flock of fifty or so Chipping Sparrows was found at the bird platform area of the Prairie Loop.  I captured some nice photos of a Snowy Egret standing on a fallen log where Cottonwood Creek crosses the now fallen down Prairie Loop footbridge. 

A Marsh Wren responded nicely to a recording.  He allowed nice looks but disappeared before I could boot up my camera.  I walked Cottonwood Creek south to the main road (Lake View Road) in search of the Swamp Sparrow I had found back on April 1st; without success.

Few birds were swimming on the Lake.  Numbers appear to be way down from past springs.  A few American Coots and American White Pelicans were just off the Lake Loop.

A shorebird walked the shore at the West Shades Picnic area.  It was too small to identify from the parking area and I walked down to the beach.  A lone Baird's Sandpiper walked among half a dozen gulls.

An adult Franklin's Gull in breeding plumage and two Bonaparte's Gulls in basic plumage were picking food off the sandy shore.

While trying to photograph the gulls a midsized "Gull" flew past.  I thought the dark headed bird was another Franklin's Gull until I noticed the orange bill.  It was an adult Caspian Tern.

When I reached to southwest marina, two smaller terns were flying overhead.  I sat on a bench and took dozens photos of the flying terns.  Distinguishing between Common and Forster's Terns is a little tricky.

The adult terns did appear to be "quite frosty".  Their silvery primaries did contrast with the rest of the upperparts.  I call them Forster's Terns.  Later the photos confirmed my suspicions.

Driving around to the northern side of the reservoir, I detoured to the ranger's office.  A lone male hummingbird flew between the office and the homes to the east.  It was a male Black-chinned Hummingbird!   Whether it was the same one that has returned for seven years, could not be determined.  Still nice to see one in the Park.

No shorebirds were on the swim beach today.  Few birds were seen off the dam tower parking area.  About thirty-six Western Grebes were not too far off shore.  Some with heads in their backs were trying to rest on the rising waves.

A drive around the Campgrounds did not add any birds to my list today.

Cherry Creek Reservoir & the DIA Owl Loop

April 27, 2017

Richard Stevens:

Temperatures were only reached 52 degrees in the afternoon.  Winds were 8-9 mph with gusts to 20 mph.

In the afternoon, we stopped at Cherry Creek Reservoir (Arapahoe County).  To our surprise, the Northern Parula was fluttering about the wild plum near the upper parking area for the northeastern boat ramp.

Several White-crowned Sparrows and Black-capped Chickadees were also gleaning bugs off the bushes.

Several of us started for Pine Valley Ranch Park (Jefferson) to search for American Three-toed Woodpeckers.  Pouring rain changed our plans.  I returned to Cherry Creek Reservoir and captured a few photographs of the Northern Parula.  The rain started to arrive.

see Colorado Birding Society's website photo library:
http://coloradobirdingsociety.net

Four Willets and fourteen American Avocets wandered down the swim beach.  Two Bonaparte's Gulls flew below the dam.

Burrowing Owls were found along the DIA Owl Loop on the trip home.  They continue at Trussville Road & 114th avenue & W. Cargo Road & Third Creek.

No Short-eared Owls appeared this evening.

Successful Grouse Trip

April 21-27, 2017

Richard Stevens:

The four of us enjoyed a fantastic grouse trip.  Weather was a mixture of sun, wind, rain and snow, as is typical for Colorado springtime.  Fortunately, we missed most of the inclement weather with a well chosen route.  Our trip was cut one day short because of an incoming snowstorm.

April 21

Our troop arrived early in the morning and we set out for the eastern plains.  Rain and snow was predicted for the mountains that guided our route.

We missed the Carolina Wren in Burlington (Kit Carson) and the one at Bonny Reservoir Wildlife Area (Yuma).  Bonny Reservoir did yield a Long-eared Owl, eleven Wild Turkeys, a Red-bellied Woodpecker and Eastern Phoebe.

Our car was parked along Yuma County Road 45 a half hour before sunset.  Eventually five Greater Prairie-Chickens flew to the lek.  Their cackling display is hilarious entertaining!

A quick detour back at Bonny Reservoir added an Eastern Screech-Owl to our trip list.  The owl was north of the eastern Hale Pond.

April 22

We spent the night in Burlington and headed to Lamar by way of the eastern county roads.  No Mountain Plover was found in the rolling wild grass fields.  (I have gps waypoints of previously nesting areas).

Lamar Community College (Prowers) was slow.  If the Carolina Wren that wintered there is still around, we could not find it.  A male Northern Cardinal and Red-bellied Woodpecker were the highlights.

Fairmount Cemetery was also slow.  Not even the resident Great Horned Owl could be found.

Two Buttes Reservoir (Baca) twenty miles south of Lamar on the other hand was quite birdy.  The highlight was a red form of Fox Sparrow in its fresh bright plumage!

An Eastern Phoebe, Wild Turkeys and Brown Thrasher (perhaps early), Ladder-backed Woodpecker and Turkey Vulture were also found.  Misses included the resident Barn Owls and Greater Roadrunner.

We stretched our legs at one of my favorite sparrow fields.  The gravel road leading north from the entrance to the old Campo Lesser Prairie-Chicken lek is an excellent location to find Cassin's Sparrows.  Many nest along the Lek Road, some leak over to the north side of Baca CR G.

Today we found two Cassin's Sparrows, two Vesper Sparrows, a Brewer's Sparrow, Clay-colored Sparrow and many White-crowned Sparrows.

An hour before sunset, our car was parked near a Lesser Prairie-Chicken lek on private land.  Only three Lesser Prairie-Chickens visit this location.  However, Lesser Prairie-Chickens are difficult to find anywhere in Colorado; we were quite happy with the few.

Our camp was set up in Cottonwood Canyon (Baca) at the informal Campgrounds along Carrizo Creek.  Two Western Screech-Owls called early in the night!

April 23

In the morning, we explored Cottonwood Canyon (Baca).  Two Eastern Phoebes have already returned to their nesting site.  Rufous-crowned Sparrows were found along the rocky hillside 1.7 miles east of our campsite.

On the drive over, we encountered resident birds, Chihuahuan Ravens, Canyon Towhees, Greater Roadrunner and Wild Turkeys.  The resident Barn Owl could not be found.  No warblers or vireos have arrived yet.

One of my favorite spots to bird is the draw about half a mile west of the Campgrounds.  Today we found a Long-eared Owl (called) and Ash-throated Flycatcher.

It was time to move on; we stopped at two gps waypoints where Hepatic Tanagers have nested in past years.  It is early to expect them; however, we looked anyway.

Our next stop was quite far as we drove to the San Luis Hills and John James Canyon (Conejos).  This isolated area provides amble space for some interesting birds.  We hiked about a mile up the canyon and found along the way: two Sagebrush Sparrows, a Black-throated Gray Warbler (early in the season), Black-throated Sparrow (about average arrival time) and two Sage Thrashers.

Four Pinyon Jays flew by on the trek back to our vehicle.

We hoped for a Short-eared Owl to appear, none did.  A stop to listen for Boreal Owls on Wolf Creek Pass did not find any. 

It was a long day of driving as we spent the night in Cortez (Montezuma).

April 24

Usually grouse trips do not find many if any passerines (especially warblers or vireos).  The trips are early in the season and besides there is little time for searching.

However, we had heard about the Lucy's Warbler sightings in Yellow Jacket Canyon (Montezuma) and made it a target bird for our trip.

Yellow Jacket Canyon did not disappoint.  Eventually all had good looks at two Lucy's Warblers.  They can be quite elusive, usually feeding high in the trees.

Other birds recorded included a Black-throated Gray Warbler, Gray Flycatcher (first of the season for me), Chukar (strange location), Canyon Towhee, Blue-gray Gnatcatcher, Gambel's Quail (more likely Chicken-like Bird) and Ash-throated Flycatcher.

Misses: Summer Tanager, Black-headed Grosbeaks, and Virginia's Warblers.

Our route had us heading north to the Black Canyon of Gunnison National Park (Montrose).  One stop was made along the way.  It was a good one.  A Grace's Warbler fluttered about Haviland Lake (La Plata).  A pair of Williamson's Sapsuckers was also seen.

We arrived at the Black Canyon of Gunnison National Park an hour before dark.  Unfortunately, the south rim road is still closed at the Visitor's Center.  We drove back and forth to the entrance and eventually observed a male Dusky Grouse come out of the thickets just east of the Campgrounds.  He looked around, however did not display and returned five minutes later into the brush.

Later a Northern Pygmy-Owl responded to a recording played at the Campgrounds!

April 25

Early in the morning, we sat at the Waunita Hot Springs Lek (Gunnison).  Only five Gunnison Sage-Grouse came to the lek this morning.

Later we made a detour to Crested Butte. The drive around town found 40+ Rosy Finches (three species) along Hunter Hill Road (previously reported site).

We headed toward Delta (Delta) with a quick detour up Escalante Canyon.  Two Black Phoebes were found along the creek and not far from Pinnacle Rock.  A pair has nested in the area since at least 2005.

On the drive back to Delta, would not you know it?  Two Chukar were observed crossing the road just east of the old goat farm.  Nice to see them, however, I spent many a day and dozens of hours looking for them in the canyon.  Figures I would find them when not looking for them (picked up Chukar at Yellow Jacket yesterday).

Two Lewis's Woodpeckers were relocated along Meyers Road near Fruitgrower's Reservoir (Delta).  No shorebirds were found at the reservoir.  One Sandhill Crane was added to our trip list.

We then drove the Grand Mesa from the southern (Delta County) end.  Eventually we found three Boreal Owls along the pullovers.  All three were in Mesa County.

We briefly stopped at the Powderhorn Ski Area.  The resident Northern Pygmy-Owl was not found this evening.  We did find a Northern Saw-whet Owl farther north.  It has been loyal to this particular nesting location since I found it six years ago.

April 26

A decision was made to skip a day of birding around Grand Junction (Mesa).  Fortunately we had already found our target birds in the area (one exception, Sagebrush Sparrow).  A pending snowstorm forced us to continue to Craig. 

It was a good decision; we missed the storm by just one day.

Thirty minutes before sunrise we sat near the 2nd cattle guard up the 80 Route road.  The male Dusky Grouse that has guarded the area for many years was quite punctual.  Shortly after sunrise he appeared a displayed.  Having little success, he walked back down the road and disappeared in the willows.

The air was filled with bird sounds.  This included Sharp-tailed Grouse and Greater Sage-Grouse.  We scoped the fields to the north and observed both species.  It is always a treat to see the three species down the same road and especially from the same spot!

They were too far away for photos; we hoped for closer views later.  We rapidly headed to the Twenty Road Leks south of Hayden.  Three Sharp-tailed Grouse were on their lek and quite close to the road.  My companions took some nice photos.

Heading back north after the grouse show, several dozen Sandhill Cranes were found along the road to the airport.

We continued west to Oxbow State Trust Lands (Moffat).  The area is closed in Spring; however, most of the target birds can be seen through a scope.  Our target bird were found: two Sagebrush Sparrows, three Sage Thrashers and a Black-throated Sparrow.  Four Pinyon Jays flew by during our stay.  A Loggerhead Shrike hunted from the fence not far from the parking area.

Turning back east with a planned stop at the Greater Sage-Grouse Lek in Jackson County, we stopped for lunch in Steamboat Springs.  A drive around town did not locate any of the Bohemian Waxwings reported last month.

A stop at the maintenance road on Rabbit Ears Pass (Grand County) found a flock of fourteen Red Crossbills.  No White-winged Crossbills were among them, as sometimes happens.

The resident female American Three-toed Woodpecker flew to the single pine tree north of the road.  Shortly after, she returned to the pine tree forest lining the south side of the road.

Thirty seven Greater Sage-Grouse about 2/3 males visited the Jackson County Road 26b Lek this evening.  A few photos were taken.  Traditionally the grouse show up after it is too dark for photos; mornings offer better opportunities for that.

Three Boreal Owls were heard along highway 14, west of Cameron Pass.  It helps to know where their territories are located!

April 27

We spent a short night in Fort Collins and headed to the Pawnee National Grasslands (Weld) an hour before sunrise.  The day was to be short, two of my birding friends had to catch flights out of Denver in the afternoon. 

We did not have to walk into the field at Highway 85 and CR 114.  While we stood at the parking area, two Chestnut-collared Longspurs were observed performing their mating flight.

We drove then Weld County Road 134 and found six Sharp-tailed Grouse between CR 111 & CR 115.  The question of whether they are "countable" birds in still up in the air.  The birds are reintroduced Sharp-tailed Grouse of the Plains subspecies.  In my opinion, they will soon be countable because of the changes in the     ABA rules.

Dropping down south to CR 100 and CR 390, two Mountain Plovers and Burrowing Owls were relocated before we reached CR 89.

On the way back to Denver, we took the time to detour over to Jackson Reservoir (Morgan).  A Long-eared Owl was found in least than ten minutes and we rushed to DIA airport.

Brad and I dropped our friends off and decided to try for American Three-toed Woodpeckers at Reynolds Park.  We stopped at Cherry Creek Reservoir on the way and quickly observed the Northern Parula.  Then the rains came.

Barr Lake and Westerly Creek Park

April 20, 2017

Richard Stevens:

Temperatures reached 63 degrees today.  Winds were 9-10 mph with gusts to 23 mph (late afternoon).  Rain started around 3:30 pm.

I also did not find the reported Red-shouldered Hawk at Barr Lake (Adams County).  I walked from the boat ramp to a mile west of the Visitor's Center footbridge.

A minor migration of birds had occurred since my visit on Monday, 4/18.  Hundreds of sparrows fluttered about along the edges of the riparian area.  My sparrow count was represented by Savannah (2), Brewer's (2), Clay-colored (1), Lincoln's (2), White-crowned (dozens) and Song (at least 4).

The pair of Osprey was again on the nesting platform at mile 8.6.  Barn Owls continued along the trek.  A Swainson's Hawk and Northern Harrier were my only hawks.

My choice to drive down to the State Capitol on business was not a good one.  The traffic was a mess due to the 4-20 mess.

On the trip home, I stopped at Westerly Creek Park (Denver).  My migrants were around this afternoon.  Added to my Park list were one Chipping Sparrow, one Green-tailed Towhee, one Spotted Towhee, two Ruby-crowned Kinglets, a dozen American Goldfinches, two Brewer's Sparrows and a Lincoln's Sparrow.  All of these birds visited the water at the retention pond east of 23rd Street.

Half a dozen White-crowned Sparrows walked underneath the flowering tree south of the retention pond.  The Harris's Sparrow was not found.  However, my stay was only a little over an hour and centered on the retention pond and bushy area to the south.  The Harris's Sparrow may still be around.

Three Burrowing Owls were again staying around the prairie dog town at West Cargo Road and Third Creek.  When it started to rain, I decided to leave and not stay around until sunset to look for Short-eared Owls.