Search for Owls on the Eastern Plains

November 29, 2007

Julian Rodriguez and I set out this morning for Jackson Reservoir (Morgan County). Our target bird was Long-eared Owl. Unfortunately, none turned up in their historical wintering location.

Lapland Longspurs were fairly easy to find along Morgan County Road 4 which turns into Weld County Road 105. We counted over 200+ in three flocks. We were pretty sure that there was one Chestnut-collared Longspur in a flock just south of the Weld County Line.

No Long-eared Owls at Crow Valley Campgrounds this afternoon. We searched the windbreaks around the Washington Work Center for Northern Saw-whet Owls; without success.

There was not much to see at Lower Latham Reservoir (Weld). Could not find any Peregrine Falcons today.

My birding day ended at sunset at Cherry Creek Reservoir (Arapahoe). At least two Bonaparte's Gulls flew around. No loons, scoters, or jaegers that I could find.

Mountain Birding

November 28, 2007

Julian Rodriguez and I headed up to Guanella Pass (Clear Creek County) in search of White-tailed Ptarmigan.

We made several stops along the way. First we drove around Silver Plume to see if any Rosy Finches were around town; none were. Then we searched for Evening Grosbeaks at their usual location in Georgetown; they were! A flock of 11 Red Crossbills were feeding at the Georgetown City Park. Again I audio taped the birds to compare their calls with my master recordings later.

Luck was with us at Guanella Pass. It only took about 20 minutes to find a dozen White-tailed Ptarmigan. The birds have been on the hill to the southeast of the upper parking area during my last four trips up there. Once in awhile, it is nice to not have to search for hours to see them.

We continued south from Guanella Pass to Grant, then east through Bailey to Pine Valley Ranch Park (Jefferson).

American Three-toed Woodpeckers were a little more difficult to find than the Ptarmigan today. We had no luck along Buck Gulch Trail and had to take the Strawberry Jack Trail up to the Parkview Trail. Just north of the intersection, a female American Three-toed Woodpecker was working a Ponderosa Pine.

Several flocks of Pygmy Nuthatches, 2 Red-breasted Nuthatches, and 1 White-breasted Nuthatch were observed along our trek. A couple of Hairy Woodpeckers were found along the Strawberry Jack Trail.

Once we returned to Pine Lake, we decided to search for an American Dipper along the creek. We struck out on them, but had the good fortune to hear a Northern Pygmy-Owl calling. The owl was on the hillside north of the Narrow Gauge Railroad down by the western gate!

We made one last stop, Mt. Falcon Park (Jefferson). A quick hike down to the Old Castle did not turn up any Blue Grouse today. Julian did pick up one last lifebird as a Townsend's Solitaire called constantly around the lower parking area.

Weather was interesting all day. We ran into snow several times. Fortunately, winds were mild even up on Guanella Pass.

Our worst problems were driving in the traffic after dark back in Denver.

Birding on the West Side of Denver

November 27, 2007

I searched for the Harris's Sparrow reported on Saturday at Bear Creek Lake Park (Jefferson County); without success. I would have searched for the Harris's Sparrow up Turkey Creek Road, but could not remember directions.

So I continued up Highway 285 and ended my birding day at Mt. Falcon Park (Jefferson). It the past Northern Pygmy-Owls have come out to hunt around dusk at the upper meadow. Unfortunately, none came out tonight.

I hiked over to the old castle and about 1000 yards further east in search of Dusky Grouse; again without success. All three nuthatches were found. I also ran into a flock of 9 Red Crossbills. I recorded their calls, but have to check my master recordings before deciding which race they belonged.

The pleasant day (temps in 50s, mild winds) did end with a colorful sunset over Denver to the east.

Birding East of Denver

November 26, 2007

Back driving around, we checked several private ranches before heading back to Denver.

Roger's neighbor (private ranch # 3) called. He had a large "red" sparrow visiting his feeders. We rushed over to find an eastern race Fox Sparrow! It has been a couple of years since I observed one in Colorado.

Back at Roger's (private ranch # 1) we again found 2 Harris's Sparrows and a White-throated Sparrow visiting his feeders.

An hour before sunset, we decided to head over to Jumbo Reservoir. A Short-eared Owl flew around the fields south of the southeast corner! We also checked the windbreaks at Little Jumbo Reservoir, but did not find any additional Short-eared Owls. No Long-eared Owls answered our playback recordings.

November 25, 2007

Back at Roger's Ranch, we walked around at 4:00am. Two Eastern Screech-Owls called in their usual location.

We returned to Jumbo Reservoir to try and photograph a Snow Bunting. None could be found today. The Long-tailed Duck was still out there.

We mainly rested today, too much driving this week. We sat and watched Roger's feeders. Unusual visitor's included 2 Red-breasted Nuthatches and a pair of Mountain Chickadees.

November 24, 2007

My second lifebird of 2007, Black tailed Gull at Sailorville!

November 23, 2007

We left Denver at 3:00am and searched for owls at Jackson Reservoir (Morgan) and Prewitt Reservoir (Logan/Washington). Owls were not cooperative this morning; we did not hear anything.

We met up with Bill Cryder and went over to Jumbo Reservoir (Logan/Sedgwick). The Long-tailed Duck was still there, swimming in the middle of the lake. No scoters, but we did find a couple of Greater White-fronted Goose north of the eastern campgrounds. Bill Cryder pointed out a Snow Bunting flying around the southeast corner. Unfortunately, it landed on private property and we could not take photos.

Afterwards, we went over to DePoorter Lake. It is usually a good place to find Northern Bobwhites. Again we did not have any luck. When I think about it, I have missed them here on my last four trips now. Perhaps West Nile Virus or hunting has reduced their numbers? Our trip was brightened by finding two Harris's Sparrows along the South Platte River. By the way, this area now requires the Habitat Stamp to visit (can be purchased for $10 at Wal-mart or Sporting Goods Stores).

November 22, 2007

Early in the morning, Roger Danka and I went searching for Rosy Finches in Summit County. We managed to find all three species and then headed over to Fawnbrook Inn (Boulder County) by way of Rollinsville.

No Rosy Finches made an appearance during our 2 hour stay. We did see the usual mountain species; Mountain Chickadee, Downy Woodpecker, Hairy Woodpecker, Pine Siskin, and 3 Evening Grosbeaks.

We stopped by this week's hotspot, Baseline Reservoir, on our way back to Denver. Added White-winged Scoter, Black Scoter, Long-tailed Duck, Barrow's Goldeneye, and Greater Scaup to our trip list.

Snow Buntings at Sterling Reservoir

November 21, 2007

Roger Danka and I again went out searching for owls before sunrise. We did not have any luck. Even the resident Eastern Screech-Owl east of Sedgwick Draw was quiet this morning.

We wandered west to Sterling Reservoir where we enjoyed more success. Two Snow Buntings flew around the northeastern corner! A Great Horned Owl hid quietly in the small wooded area. Great Horned Owls are more difficult to find these days. West Nile Virus? Human growth?

Our birding day ended early. We did stop briefly on the way home at Riverside Park in Fort Morgan (Morgan). No Greater White-fronted Geese around yet.

Sedgwick County Birding

November 20, 2007

Roger Danka and I birded around Sedgwick and the eastern edge of Logan Counties today.

We started at Sedgwick Draw and searched for Short-eared Owls; without success. Nearby Sedgwick Cemetery had only a pair of Townsend's Solitaires today.

At Jumbo Reservoir, we found the Long-tailed Duck reported by Larry Semo on 11/12. No scoters could be found.

We stopped at two private ranches in Sedgwick County. At one (previously reported as private ranch #3, we found 2 Long-eared Owls. The ranch usually has 2-10 Long-eared Owl winter (for the past 4 years anyway). The rancher has been reporting a male Purple Finch since 10/25. Roger has seen it on two occasions; I keep missing it.

We ended our birding day driving the roads in Sedgwick County. Though we did look unsuccessfully for Greater Prairie-Chickens at the Sedgwick County Roads 46 & 89; without success. We found a few small flocks of Lapland Longspurs (no Chestnut-collared or McCown's mixed in).

At Sand Draw Wildlife Area, we relocated 2 of the 7 Harris's Sparrows reported by Mark Peterson on 11/18. The thickets at the southwest corner parking area seem to be good for Harris's Sparrows in early winter. We walked around a little at the extreme eastern edge of the property looking for Field Sparrows; without success. A flock of 6 Red Crossbills were a somewhat uncommon find. They do seem to show up almost every fall/winter here.

Prewitt Reservoir

November 19, 2007

At first light I drove the DIA Owl Loop (Adams County) in search of owls. A Short-eared Owl flew along the windbreak northwest of Powhaton Road & 128th avenue. This was well before sunrise. It disappeared perhaps 10 minutes before sunrise.

I then drove around looking for longspurs, snow buntings, and etc.; without success. A couple of Red-tailed Hawks were along the new section of 128th avenue (east of Trussville Road).

I headed east and stopped briefly at Jackson Reservoir (Morgan County). Not much was found here. A flock of 9 Yellow-rumped Warblers fluttered about the campgrounds.

Prewitt Reservoir was slow also. I did not find any uncommon birds on the water. Few birds moved about the woods at the inlet area. Few birds were around the outlet canal. After dark, I did hear an Eastern Screech-Owl about 150 yards west of the eastern parking area (semi-campgrounds).