A Last Trip to Banner Lakes Wildlife Area

March 30, 2015

Richard Stevens:

Another fantastic day in Colorado.  Temperatures reached the high 60s; winds were mild (less than 6 mph).

Peter Pereira and searched for owls at Banner Lakes Wildlife Area (Adams County).  Eventually we found two Long-eared Owls (western windbreak, ponds 5 through 8).  Unfortunately, we did not find the previously reported three Barn Owls.

Before Peter showed up, I walked the windbreak west of Ponds 4 to 3.  Several Blue Jays called from the thick trees.  A Cooper's Hawk was south of Pond 3.

A Golden-crowned Sparrow was with a flock of four to six White-crowned Sparrows under the trees at the mid point of Pond 3.

On the way home, we drove the DIA Owl Loop.  Ten Burrowing Owls were scattered over three locations.  The Short-eared Owl that was observed the last two days along third Creek, east of Quency Street was not out today.  This location is sometimes described as 3.4 miles east of Tower Road & 96th Avenue.

NOTE: Tomorrow (3/31) is last open day for Banner Lakes Wildlife Area north of Hwy 52 until July 16.

Four Owl Day in Adams County

March 29, 2015

Richard Stevens:

Soon I will be driving another 2400 miles on a Grouse Tour (in seven days).  I chose Barr Lake (Adams) to stretch my legs and get them really for the long drives.

Weather was superb, in the middle 70s with winds 5 mph.  Started in the afternoon, it turned out to be quite interesting with a four owl afternoon (four species).

The Barn Owl was back in the owl box near the Barr Lake banding station.  An Osprey stood on the nesting platform near the Pioneer Trail.  Great Horned Owls were sitting in nests (see map at Barr Lake Visitor's Center).

No uncommon sparrows were found around the Niedrach Boardwalk Trail.  Two rather late migrating American Tree Sparrows were in the taller bushes in the center of the loop.

My target bird(s) were swallows.  None was found anywhere along my trek. Still no swallows, flycatchers, orioles, warblers, are around.

Then I decided to drive the DIA Owl Loop.  Twelve Burrowing Owls were observed scattered over three locations.  Two of the locations are: Trussville Street and 114th avenue and the prairie dog town at 3.4 miles east of Tower Road and 96th Avenue.  The third location will be left hidden as the owls were quite close to a road.

Yesterday's Short-eared Owl was again along third Creek, east of Quency Street. It was closer today, hidden quite well in the first tree east of Quency Street.

A Rewarding Drive Around the DIA Owl Loop

March 28, 2015

Richard Stevens:

Email sent to "cobirders" listserve:

Hello cobirders,

Another March day in Colorado, although it is getting too hot at near 80 degrees.  Winds 12+ mph.

While doing chores I drove the DIA Owl Loop (Adams County).  Two Burrowing Owls still at 114th and Trussville although they have moved farther from the road (good for them).  Another four Burrowing Owls are at the prairie dog village at 3.4 miles east of 96th avenue and Tower Road.  This area is at 3rd Creek and road (Quency or Cargo, differs upon which map you are reading).

Bill Hutchinson pointed out a Short-eared Owl perched in a tree along 3rd Creek and east side of Quency at 2:00 pm.  Probably be there until sunset.

That is all the time I had.

Continued Good Birding!

Jefferson County Dusky Grouse and Williamson's Sapsuckers

March 27, 2015

Richard Stevens:

I took a chance that the long drive to Lookout Mountain Nature Center would be worthwhile.  When I arrived, several birders were watching one of the two Dusky Grouse at the southern end of the parking area.  She stayed somewhat hidden in an evergreen tree.

A walk around the Boettcher Museum added a male Williamson's Sapsucker to my day list.

Genesee Mountain Park also Jefferson County was nearby.  I hiked from the group picnic area parking area to the top of the park/mountain (an easy 0.8 mile walk).

A male Williamson's Sapsucker flew to his favorite drumming pole on the west side of the group picnic building.  Another male flew around the snags near the flagpole at the top of the mountain.  I played a Williamson's Sapsucker recording and a female Williamson's Sapsucker flew down from the north.  On the trip back to my car, a second female Williamson's Sapsucker was observed working the trees south of the road at the group picnic area!

Another drive along the DIA Owl Loop found two pairs of Burrowing Owls (Trussville & 114th and Third Creek and Quency Street).  No Short-eared Owls or swallows appeared this afternoon.

Repeat of Yesterday's DIA Owl Loop

March 26, 2015

Richard Stevens:

The weather cleared up after yesterday's snowstorm.  A drive along the DIA Owl Loop (Adams County) found four Burrowing Owls, one pair each at two locations.

A walk around the Niedrach Trail at Barr Lake (Adams) found few birds.  Great Horned Owls are sitting on two nests (map at Visitor's Center).

DIA Owl Loop After a Snowstorm

March 25, 2015

Richard Stevens:

After the snow stopped, I drove the DIA Owl Loop (Adams County).  A second (possible female) Burrowing Owl joined the possible male that has been around for several weeks at Trussville Street and 114th avenue.  Photos on the Colorado Birding Society's website at:
http://coloradobirdingsociety.net16.net

A walk around Barr Lake found few land birds.  Most gulls and waterfowl were too far away to identify any uncommon birds.

Owling Around Arapahoe, Douglas & Adams Counties On a Spring Day

March 24, 2015

Richard Stevens:

I enjoyed this superb spring day with some fantabulous birding.  Temperatures reached 66 degrees; winds were calm early.  After 2:00 pm, temperatures dropped and winds rose to 14 mph.

My second trip to Plum Creek Delta in Chatfield State Park (Jefferson/Douglas County) was successful.  Thanks to Peter Pereira, I found the three Rusty Blackbirds walking along the sand shore east of the marina sand spit area.  They were just west of the east end of the sandy shore.

I walked over to the Plum Creek Delta footbridge and continued upstream/south along the Creek.  The Winter Wren was heard calling from the west side of Plum Creek (in Douglas County).

Several stops were made between Chatfield Reservoir and the DIA Owl Loop (Adams County). 

Before the day was over, I was able to find three Eastern Screech-Owls in three locations.

At Barr Lake (Adams), I walked the Niedrach Trail Loop.  Several Song Sparrows were in the center of the loop.  One sparrow kept my attention for a good 30 minutes.  I finally grabbed a long enough look to identify it as a Lincoln's Sparrow.

My birding day ended with a drive around the DIA Owl Loop.  Two Burrowing Owls stood together on a prairie dog mound at 114th avenue and Trussville Street. 

I hoped to relocate the two Burrowing Owls previously found at the prairie dog village at 3.4 miles east of Tower Road and 96th avenue.  Unfortunately, someone is now running cattle there.  Only a few prairie dogs and no Burrowing Owls were out.  It remains to be seen if the cattle will influence Burrowing Owl nesting here this summer.

Regrettably, no Short-eared Owls were found at sunset as I drove Gun Club Road, Queensburg Street and Trussville.