Barr Lake, Belmar Historic Park & Chatfield Reservoir

September 26, 2012

Richard Stevens:

Bryan Ehlmann and I enjoyed an interesting day of birding.  Owling was again scratched due to rain.

Our day started with a hike at Barr Lake State Park (Adams County).  Skies were overcast; temperatures in the middle 60s, good birding weather.

We hiked from the Visitor's Center to mile marker 3.5 and back.  Most of the shorebirds were too far away to identify.  We did not see any plovers or Buff-breasted Sandpipers, which should have stood out among the sandpipers.

The Plumbeous Vireo still fluttered about the Niedrach Boardwalk Trail (or maybe not the same one found on 9/24).  A Black-and-white Warbler was found in the taller willows just southwest of the Niedrach Trail.  A Common Yellowthroat "pished up" from the shorter willows.

Along the western side of the park, a pair of Townsend's Warblers was found at mile marker 2.8.  Highlight bird of the day was a Palm Warbler among 12-24 Yellow-rumped Warblers at mile marker 3.0!

We turned around at mile marker 3.5 as the trail between mile markers 4.0 & 6.0 (end of dam) has fewer trees and is farther from the riparian area.

A 30 minute search for the Bay-breasted Warbler or any uncommon birds back at the banding area (mile marker 8.7) did not turn up any rare birds.

A couple of House Wrens, a Western Wood-pewee, a Dusky Flycatcher and another unidentified "empidonax flycatcher" are still around.  No orioles were found.

This eight mile hike was one of my shorter hikes in the past couple of weeks.  Legs are getting tired.

Next, we drove to Belmar Historic Park (Jefferson) for another search for the Palm Warblers and Blackpoll Warblers.  One Palm Warbler was with a small flock of Yellow-rumped Warblers along the western side of Kountze Lake.  At least 4 Snowy Egrets remain.

We again found a couple of Wilson's Warblers, a MacGillivray's Warbler and Orange-crowned Warblers.  The Blackpoll Warblers, Townsend's Warbler and Ash-throated Flycatcher were not relocated.

Our finally stop was Chatfield Reservoir (Jefferson/Douglas).  We scoped the lake from the "cliffs" high above the southern side of the reservoir, west of Campgrounds.  The previously reported Arctic Tern stayed quite far from the shore.  We also found a Common Loon from our elevated vantage point.

Several Red-necked Phalarope were observed swimming around Plum Creek Delta.  A Plumbeous Vireo was long Plum Creek to the footbridge.

The riparian area south of the Plum Creek Delta footbridge was quite birdy.  The best bird was a Blackpoll Warbler.  Other birds included a Blue-gray Gnatcatcher, Yellow-rumped Warblers, 2 Orange-crowned Warblers, a Wilson's Warbler and a Western Wood-pewee.

By this time, traffic around Denver was terrible so we headed over to Deer Creek Park.  Unfortunately, it was raining when we arrived; that ended our birding day before a Northern Pygmy-Owl search.

Adams to Jackson County

September 24-25, 2012

Richard Stevens:

Bryan Ehlmann and I searched for owls around Barr Lake State Park (Adams County) before sunrise.  We did not have any luck and decided to take a quick look around the Niedrach Boardwalk Trail at Barr Lake.  Temperatures were in the 50s, winds mild and skies overcast.

A Plumbeous Vireo and House Wren were among the few birds moving around the boardwalk.  A Common Yellowthroat popped up from the willows just south of the boardwalk loop.

We then drove over to the boat ramp area and walked back to the Pioneer Trail.  A pair of Townsend's Warblers flew about the cottonwoods just south of the trailhead.  A decision to skip continuing to the banding area turned out not a good one (more later).

Instead, we hiked from the boat ramp to the stone house below the dam.  A Cassin's Vireo was found in the Russian Olive trees near mile marker 6.8.  A few Yellow-rumped Warblers were about the only additional birds found.

Next, we headed west to Belmar Historic Park where a Palm Warbler was reported yesterday.  The first bird found was a Townsend's Warbler just north of the covered footbridge.  A real surprise was a juvenile Ash-throated Flycatcher in the bushes near the footbridge.

In the next hour, we examined 36+ Yellow-rumped Warblers along the southern side of Kountze Lake without finding the Palm Warbler.  A MacGillivray's Warbler, Wilson's Warbler and Orange-crowned Warbler were found near the horse trail footbridge at the northwest corner of Kountze Lake.

We returned to Barr Lake to pick up Jacob Washburn and Ray Simmons for an owling trip.  A Bay-breasted Warbler had been reported at the banding station (about 200 yards west of our earlier hike) and the four of us looked for it unsuccessfully for about 45 minutes.

So we headed up to Pennock Pass (Larimer).  The weather up there was fantastic with cool temperatures and no wind.  The waxing 1/2 moon lit up the forest road and trees.  All were entertained by the night/forest sounds.  Trying to figure out which birds were calling was a good challenge.  On nights like this, birds can be quite busy filling the airwaves.

Eventually, we found 2 Flammulated Owls near Pennock Pass's Summit.

On hour before midnight, our group continued north and west to Cameron Pass.  The calm winds made our hike around the Crags Campgrounds and the Cameron Pass Summit pleasurable.  Again, birds were quite noisy.

Two Boreal Owls were heard south of the Campgrounds and another just west of the Pass's Summit.

Jacob and Ray decided to get some sleep while Bryan and I decided to drive into the Colorado State Forest.  I have found that the best times to find Boreal Owls is an hour after complete dark and again 2 hours before sunrise.

Bryan and I walked from the intersection of Michigan Creek and Ruby Jewell Roads for about a mile to the east.  On the return trip, a Boreal Owl was heard about 0.4 miles from the intersection.  When we reached the clearing about 0.1 miles from the intersection a Flammulated Owl was calling.   

By sunrise, both of us we tired and we went for some shuteye.

We woke up around noon to drizzling skies and 8+ mph winds.  Jacob and Ray had checked several hummingbird feeders around Gould and the KOA Campgrounds at the entrance to the Colorado State Forest.  A few Broad-tailed Hummingbirds and fewer Rufous Hummingbirds are still around.

At 2:00 pm, it started to snow.  While the landscape rapidly turning white was picturesque, the conditions were not encouraging for our planned Northern Saw-whet Owl search later tonight. 

A stop at the Colorado State Forest Visitor's Center added Pine Grosbeaks, Pine Siskins, Mountain Chickadees, a Wilson's Warbler, Clark's Nutcrackers, Gray Jays and a few Broad-tailed Hummingbirds to our day list.

Finally, we decided to call tonight's owling off and returned to Denver.  We did stop at our intended search area west of Loveland (a friend's ranch) and looked around for an hour.  Finding a Northern Saw-whet Owl hidden in a forest of trees (and while it is raining) is not a high percentage operation (none was found).

Search for Sprague's Pipits

September 20-23, 2012

Richard Stevens:

September 20, 2012

Bryan Ehlmann, Jacob Washburn, Ray Simmons and I started a trek in search of Sprague's Pipits.  Our early date is September 14, however most Sprague's Pipits are not found until the last week of September into the first couple of weeks of October.

Our expectations were not high.  Temperatures have been rather warm which we figured would keep the pipits farther north still.

On our trip to the northeast corner of Colorado, we decided to skip regular stop at Jackson Reservoir, instead stopping at less birded locations such as Brush Wildlife Area (Morgan County).

Our stop at Brush Wildlife Area was a great choice.  Birds were everywhere (along the creek, along the pond and over at the northern border by the South Platte River.

Our Yellow-rumped Warbler count was over 110 birds, mostly immature birds.  We found both White-breasted Nuthatches and Red-breasted Nuthatches.  Red-breasted appear to be in high numbers on the eastern plains this fall.  Two Brown Creepers were also found.

Best birds included a Palm Warbler on the eastern side of the pond.  Townsend's Warblers flew around the taller cottonwoods along the creek (especially the western end of the property).

A Red-eyed Vireo was in the cottonwoods along the Platte River.  A Red-bellied Woodpecker called from the same area however never allowed us a look to determine sex.

A White-throated Sparrow was found east of the parking area. 

Misses: the resident Eastern Screech-Owls ignored our recordings today.

Brush Ponds Wildlife Area was just the opposite.  Few birds were found and we moved on to Prewitt Reservoir (Logan/Washington).

We did not spend a lot of time (one can take the whole day to cover this huge property).  We walked below the dam and east of the manager's home/office.

Highlights included a Northern Parula, Tennessee Warbler, Northern Waterthrush and 2+ Townsend's Warblers. 

We walked around DePoorter Lake (Sedgwick) in the late afternoon.  A Field Sparrow was found on the hill southwest of the parking area. 

A Magnolia Warbler was found fluttering about the old dump.

Misses: no Northern Bobwhites or Harris's Sparrows were encountered today.

Our energizing birding day ended at the Julesburg Wayside Rest Stop.  At the eastern side of the Rest Stop, we enticed two Eastern Screech-Owls to answer our recordings (this was Sedgwick County)!

We walked Roger Danka's ranch around midnight and heard a couple of additional Eastern Screech-Owls!

September 21, 2012

Bryan, Jacob, Ray and I drove the Sedgwick County Roads in search of pipits, especially Sprague's Pipit.  During the morning, we parked at half a dozen locations and walked the roads where Sprague's Pipits have been found in the past.

Any Pipits were quite scarce.  In the end, we only found 1 or 2 Sprague's Pipits.  This was along Sedgwick County Road 59, between CR 30 & 26.  Sedgwick County Road 61 was a bust (usually the best road to find Sprague's Pipits).

We came across quite a few longspurs.  The majority were McCown's with half a dozen Chestnut-collared Longspurs in the mix.  Even Raptors were numerous.  Swainson's Hawks numbered over 38, Red-tailed Hawks 21, American Kestrels 9 and 1 Prairie Falcon.

A stop at Mark's Butte was essential.  Greater Prairie-Chickens have been seen here on more than five occasions in the past 10 years.  Unfortunately none was found today.

Next, we headed to Sand Draw Wildlife Area (Sedgwick) and several private ranches of my friends.

Sand Draw was fantastic and delayed further pipit searches.  The windbreak along the western side had a Philadelphia Vireo, Cassin's Vireo, Tennessee Warbler, and 2+ Townsend's Warblers.

Two Field Sparrows were along the eastern fence line.  A Loggerhead Shrike and young Blue Grosbeak also were a surprise.

Misses: no owls.  While I have found Eastern Screech-Owls here (quite rare), Barn Owls were more likely; none was found today.

We "got" our Barn Owl for the day at a nearby private ranch (Sedgwick).  Two watering holes on private ranches were checked for Eastern Meadowlarks; none was found.

September 22, 2012

Our target birds today were Sprague's Pipits and Eastern Meadowlarks.  Pipits were few as we expected; no Eastern Meadowlarks were found at previous years' locations.

I was determined to make my annual fall hike of the southern sections of Tamarack Ranch Wildlife Area (Logan).  Jacob Washburn joined me for a rather long day hike on the sandy hills.  Be sure to take plenty of water when attempting this.  One way was approximately 6.8 miles (with zigzags, our round trip was more than a 14 mile hike).

Our early start before sunrise allowed us to chalk off a few miles before the sun warmed the plains.  Sparrows were quite numerous.  We eventually ran into two Sprague's Pipits, dozens of American Pipits and a Greater Prairie-Chicken.

Sprague's Pipit
(40.82148N 102.79205W and 40.83487N 102.74318W)
Greater Prairie-Chicken
(40.84720N 102.70573W)

Hundreds of Vesper Sparrows (300+) topped the count list.  Jacob and I also ran into 100+ Lark Sparrows, 51 Chipping, 21 Brewer's, 16 Cassin's (that we could properly ID), 2 Clay-colored, and 1 Field Sparrow.

A flock of 5 Lark Buntings added the state bird to our day list.

While Jacob and I "leisurely" wandered the sand hills on foot, Bryan Ehlmann and Ray Simmons drove the Sedgwick county roads to the east.  They stopped at several of the WIA properties that I have conducted point counts in past years.

Eventually Bryan and Ray found 1 Sprague's Pipit (40.83910N 102.55757W) and several dozen American Pipits out on the sand hills.

They reported dozens of longspurs, mostly McCown's, more than a dozen Chestnut-collared and 2 Lapland Longspurs.  Their sparrow (species) count was similar to ours; numbers were less as they drove the county roads.

In the afternoon, we all headed to Jumbo Reservoir (Logan/Sedgwick).  It was a fantastic stop.

Along the shore in the southeast corner, we found 2 American Golden-Plovers, 2 Black-bellied Plovers, a Pectoral Sandpiper, Baird's Sandpipers, Western Sandpipers, Semipalmated Sandpipers and 2 Least Sandpipers.

The highlight of the stop however was a female Cape May Warbler at the southwest corner of the Campgrounds.  She was with 7-8 Yellow-rumped Warblers and an Orange-crowned Warbler.

We walked the northern woods and found a Tennessee Warbler and Blackpoll Warbler.  No Eastern Screech-Owls were tempted to respond to our recordings.

We enjoyed a great barbecue at Roger Danka's ranch.  The long day of hiking peaked our hunger.  Cholesterol levels soared tonight. 

September 23, 2012

The four of us started our day with a return to Jumbo Reservoir (Logan/Sedgwick).  Unfortunately, the Cape May Warbler appeared to have moved on from the Campgrounds.  We did find a Tennessee Warbler at the Campgrounds.

We only took the time to check the southeast corner of the reservoir.  Most of the shorebirds were somewhere else.  The pair of American Golden-Plovers and a few Western Sandpipers were all that were left here.

After yesterday's trek, I give Jacob credit for willing to do it again today.  While our hike today was only about 7 miles or so, temperatures were warmer.  Higher winds blew the hot air and sand around.  Hiking on the sandy hills of the southern sections of Tamarack Ranch Wildlife Area (Logan) can be quite strenuous. 

Again we encountered hundreds sparrows, most were Vesper Sparrows (also at least one Brewer's, Clay-colored, Lark, Chipping, no Field Sparrows).

A Greater Prairie-Chicken wandered around the windmill near (40.79184N 102.80389W).  A great start to our day.

We identified one Sprague's Pipit (40.79291N 102.87218W)

Bryan and Ray continued to drive the Logan and Sedgwick County Roads.  They even ventured into Phillips County without finding any Sprague's Pipits.  They did report high numbers of longspurs (three species, with only 2 Lapland Longspurs identified).

In the early afternoon, they picked us up and we abandoned our Sprague's Pipit search until next week.  A brief stop at Sand Draw Wildlife Area (Sedgwick) found only the Philadelphia Vireo and Tennessee Warbler (first seen 9/21).  We detoured south to Haxtun and Holyoke on the drive back to Denver.

Afternoon appears not to be the best time to bird Haxtun and Holyoke.  Steve Mlodinow had reported some quite uncommon birds yesterday.  We did not experience the same fortune.  High winds from the northwest may have aided the birds in moving south?


Haxtun City Park was slow.   A juvenile Broad-winged Hawk was the only interesting bird.

Holyoke was slow also.  We found none of the interesting birds reported yesterday at the Cemetery, Justice Hall and High School.  Our only uncommon bird was a Red-eyed Vireo at the Holyoke City Park.

We rushed to get to Last Chance Rest Stop (Washington) before sunset.  Perhaps our late arrival was the cause of our low bird count.  Only an Ovenbird and a Townsend's Warbler remained of the Nashville Warbler, Swamp & White-throated Sparrows reported yesterday.  We all had hoped to add a Swamp Sparrow to our Washington Bird Lists.

Cherry Creek State Park and DIA Owl Loop

Sue Ehlmann:
Email sent to the "cobirders" mailing group:

Hello cobirders,

Arapahoe County
Richard Stevens, Bryan and I stopped at Cherry Creek State Park. There were no Townsend's Warblers found at the Smoky Hill Group Picnic Area. We did see a young American Redstart, a Cassin's Vireo and 21 Yellow-rumped Warblers. The warblers seem to prefer the locust trees while the vireo the cottonwoods.

Later we relocated Burrowing Owls at E470 and 6th avenue and along Gun Club Road halfway between Colfax and 6th avenue.

No Short-eared Owls showed up at dusk along the DIA Owl Loop.

Good Birding!

Directions to birding spots on CoBus website:
http://coloradobirdingsociety.net16.net

Sue Ehlmann, CoBus & RMORC Project Director
Brighton, CO
Contact CoBus/Report Interesting Birds: 303-324-7994
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Washington Park, Rocky Mountain Arsenal & Barr Lake

September 18, 2012

Richard Stevens:

Sue Ehlmann dropped us off at Buckley Road & 88th avenue and Bryan and I walked the four miles south to 56th avenue (outside of east end of Rocky Mountain Arsenal, Adams County).

Eventually we found 5 Burrowing Owls.  One of which was in Denver County just north of the clouds along Pena Blvd.  Using clouds as a waypoint?  We speculate these three clouds are quite expensive works of art and do not move.  Three of the Burrowing Owls were inside the arsenal near the number 111 on the fence (about 3/4 mile north of the Eagle bunker).

Other birds included 6 Say's Phoebes, 7 Rock Wrens, 38+ Vesper Sparrows, and a Wilson's Warbler (at Buckley and the creek, 0.5 miles north of 56th avenue).  A first year Bullock's Oriole was also near the creek.

Our only Western Kingbird sighting was at the old Eagle Watch Bunker parking area.  Hawks included 10 Red-tailed, 2 Ferruginous, and 2 Swainson's Hawks.  A male American Kestrel was the only falcon observed.

The best birding was along the creek from Buckley Road to Pena Blvd.  The fence is broken and there is no indication of "private or no trespassing".

Along the creek, we encountered 1 Cassin's Vireo, 1 Plumbeous Vireo, 3 Townsend's Warblers, 5 Yellow-throated Warblers, 1 Orange-crowned Warbler, a Hermit Thrush and one "empidonax flycatcher".

Four Burrowing Owls found along the DIA Owl Loop (3.4 miles east of Tower & 96th avenue), no Short-eared Owls.

Earlier in the day, I sent the following message to the "cobirders" mail listserve:

"Bryan Ehlmann and I found a flock of birds in the Honeylocust trees when we stopped at the northeast corner of Glenmere Lake at Washington Park. Trees were north of road, west of bike/walking road.

The birds stayed high in trees and among leaves. Flock included 4 Townsend's, 2 Yellow rumped, and Chestnut sided Warblers (this was at 2:00 pm).

Earlier at Barr Lake:
Townsend's Warblers north of banding area
Blackpoll Warbler at Pioneer Trail"

Richard Stevens; Director, Colorado Birding Society
Denver, Colorado
Contact CoBus/Report Interesting Birds: 303-324-7994
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Bryan and I had hiked the Barr Lake Trail from the boat ramp (mile marker 7.6) to the Niedrach Trail (0.5) and back.  Birding was quite slow.  Winds 6+ mph; temperatures in the 60s.

Barr Lake and the DIA Owl Loop

September 17, 2012

Richard Stevens:

Bryan Ehlmann and I went over to Barr Lake (Adams County).  We scoped the lake from the boat ramp, found no uncommon waterfowl or gulls.

Burrowing Owls were again found along Gun Club Road (halfway between 6th avenue and Colfax) and at the northeast corner of E470 and 6th avenue.

A Great Horned Owl called northeast of the parking area for the Coal Creek Open Space.

No Short-eared Owls appeared tonight along the DIA Owl Loop.  We did see four Burrowing Owls at 3.4 miles east of Tower Road & 96th avenue.

Cherry Creek Reservoir and the DIA Owl Loop

September 16, 2012

Richard Stevens:

After spending most of the day recovering from our eastern trip, Bryan & Sue Ehlmann and I drove over to Cherry Creek State Park (Arapahoe County) to checkout the warbler fallout reported a couple of days ago.

We walked south of the Smoky Hill Picnic area. Only three Townsend's Warblers were found. They appeared to favor the locust trees.

The Cassin's Vireo stayed in the locust trees east of the drinking fountain.

Five Yellow rumped Warblers flew about the Pine Trees east of the restroom. We could not make any of them Pine Warblers.

We scoped the lake just long enough to find one Sabine's Gull.

Bryan & Sue Ehlmann and I took a circuitous route home from Cherry Creek Reservoir. We stopped at the 470 Toll Road and 6th avenue. Four Burrowing Owls were below the road at the northeast corner. I understand they picked up a dead Burrowing Owl here last week. In all my passes, I never found more than two. Could this be a minor "staging place" for southern migration? We found another two Burrowing Owls along Gun Club Road halfway between 6th avenue and Colfax Avenue. Both areas are in Arapahoe County.

We drove the DIA Owl Loop found another five Burrowing Owls at 3.4 miles east of Tower Road and 96th Avenue (Adams County). No Short-eared Owls appeared.