November 11-13, 2009
Richard Stevens:
November 11
At Sunrise, we visited feeders in Clear Creek and Summit County.
Darrell Schiffman and I headed to the foothills and mountains in search of some uncommon birds. Our attempts were well rewarded as our morning list included:
Three species of Rosy Finches (not many, but 1 Black Rosy, 4 Brown-capped, 7 Gray-crowned). We missed a Hepburn's, but felt fortunate to find at least one of each species this early in the season!
Four Pine Grosbeaks and 20 Evening Grosbeaks visited one feeder. Other visitors included Clark's Nutcrackers, Gray Jays, Steller's Jays, Mountain Chickadees, Black-capped Chickadees, White-breasted, Red-breasted, and Pygmy Nuthatches, Pine Siskins, Hairy Woodpeckers, and a Downy Woodpecker.
The highlight for me was a Northern Shrike staking out the feeders. He had his own personal "feeding bar". The bird was at 9621 feet elevation! I cannot remember any higher elevation sightings of a Northern Shrike (however, will look into it).
A quick visit to the Blue River Water Treatment Plant (Summit County) found an adult male, immature male, and four female Barrow's Goldeneyes.
Next, we spent 3 hours searching unsuccessfully for White-tailed Ptarmigan on Loveland Pass (Clear Creek County).
My approach which has been success in the past is first to scope the east hill and valley east of Highway 9. Especially looking around the ragged rocks below the summit has produced sightings in the past.
Next, we walk about 0.1 miles south to the first pullover on the east side of Hwy 9. Then we scope the hill on the west side of Hwy 9 (again, this has been quite successful).
As a final resort, we have had to make the strenuous climb up the west side of the summit. This trail has produced Ptarmigan sightings but usually only after a mile climb. At about one mile there is a flattish area on the south side of the trail (north side is a severe drop-off).
Scope the hillside to the south of the flattish area. If necessary, walk south as the "flattish area" has a dip where Ptarmigan can hide from view from the western trail.
Darrell and I turned around and headed to Routt County where I have found Sharp-tailed Grouse during the day. I was surprised by the lack of snow both in Routt County as well as back at Loveland Pass. In both cases, I believe there was not enough snow to draw the grouse/ptarmigan from their summer habitats.
We missed on the Sharp-tailed Grouse and headed back to Rabbit Ears Pass (Grand). An American Three-toed Woodpecker flew across our view as I played a Three-toed Woodpecker recording. This was up the road to the Maintenance Shed. We missed finding any Red Crossbills or White-winged Crossbills and drove back south.
With a couple of hours of daylight remaining, we visited Walden Reservoir (Jackson) which had no birds. A few birds were observed at Lake John Wildlife Area. A pair of Greater Scaup swam about 40 yards off the northern shore. A pair of Pied-billed Grebes, one Western Grebe, and four American Coots were also on the lake.
We ended our daylight birding day west of Coalmont. While we drove up Jackson County Road 26, north from Highway 14, we scattered 7 Greater Sage-Grouse. They flew across the road and landed about 30 yards south of CR 26! Finding them in non-lekking season is quite a prize!
In spite of winds of 20+mph, gusts to 40+mph, we were able to hear Boreal Owls at two locations west of Cameron Pass. Quite lucky, as their call is quite soft and low.
November 12
We returned late last night to Denver and started our birding day again at 5:00 am. Mostly this was to miss Denver's rush hour traffic (sunrise was not until 6:38 am).
At civil twilight, we drove through Castlewood Canyon State Park (Douglas) looking for a Mountain Bluebird which would be a lifebird for Darrell. One was never found. The hillside west of the Winkler Ranch entrance had four American Tree Sparrows, two Song Sparrows, a Spotted Towhee, and a Northern Shrike.
We waited for only about 10 minutes at the slanted Ponderosa Pine tree east of the road to Louviers before the Lewis's Woodpecker flew to the tree. The second Lewis's Woodpecker never came by while we watched the first one for 15 minutes.
From there we continued west up Highway 285 to Guanella Pass. Last summer's huge rockslide has closed down access to Guanella Pass from Georgetown (probably through the end of next summer). The only access is from the Grant end of Guanella Pass.
Again, we were surprised by the lack of snow. Only a few patches remained on the hill southeast of the summit. However, these small patches had hundreds of White-tailed Ptarmigan tracks and scat. Unfortunately, our 3-4 hour search did not turn up any Ptarmigan. We covered the southeast hill quite well, no Ptarmigan.
Our birding day ended at Standley Lake (Jefferson) searching for the previously reported Yellow-billed Loon. While it was not found, five Common Loons were observed swimming around the large lake.
November 13
Again we started early and arrived at Reynolds Park (Jefferson) an hour before sunrise. About 30 minutes after sunrise (7:31 am), we heard a Northern Pygmy-Owl east of the Oxen Draw trail and south of the Elkhorn trail. Unfortunately, we did not get looks of the bird.
Next, we hiked the Narrow Gauge trail at Pine Valley Ranch Park (Jefferson). An American Three-toed Woodpecker and several Hairy Woodpeckers were seen on the hill south of Pine Lake.
Tired legs convinced us to search for Northern Pygmy-Owls along the Narrow Gauge trail instead of hiking up Buck Gulch trail. Again, no Pygmy-Owls were encountered.
The highlight of the day was a Northern Mockingbird singing in the tall fir trees at the southeast end of the second footbridge west of the parking area. Quite an uncommon find this late in the year and at 7326 feet elevation.
Afterwards we drove back to Castlewood Canyon State Park for another shot at Mountain Bluebirds (none was ever found).
Along the way, we detoured to Daniels Park (Douglas) which is another spot to find Mountain Bluebirds in winter. None was found today, however a Prairie Falcon perched in a pine tree only 10 yards off the road and allowed good looks.
No Mountain Bluebirds at Castlewood Canyon State Park but we did see a low flying, circling Golden Eagle just outside the northern entrance!
After Darrel left for the airport, I drove through Cherry Creek Reservoir (Arapahoe). Up to 7 Common Loons were out on the lake. Winds had picked up and temperatures dropped quite rapidly.
A Mew Gull was picked out of hundreds of Ring-billed Gulls standing on the swim beach. It took a while, look for darker mantle and then look at its bill.
Started snowing around sunset (4:38 pm).
Richard Stevens:
November 11
At Sunrise, we visited feeders in Clear Creek and Summit County.
Darrell Schiffman and I headed to the foothills and mountains in search of some uncommon birds. Our attempts were well rewarded as our morning list included:
Three species of Rosy Finches (not many, but 1 Black Rosy, 4 Brown-capped, 7 Gray-crowned). We missed a Hepburn's, but felt fortunate to find at least one of each species this early in the season!
Four Pine Grosbeaks and 20 Evening Grosbeaks visited one feeder. Other visitors included Clark's Nutcrackers, Gray Jays, Steller's Jays, Mountain Chickadees, Black-capped Chickadees, White-breasted, Red-breasted, and Pygmy Nuthatches, Pine Siskins, Hairy Woodpeckers, and a Downy Woodpecker.
The highlight for me was a Northern Shrike staking out the feeders. He had his own personal "feeding bar". The bird was at 9621 feet elevation! I cannot remember any higher elevation sightings of a Northern Shrike (however, will look into it).
A quick visit to the Blue River Water Treatment Plant (Summit County) found an adult male, immature male, and four female Barrow's Goldeneyes.
Next, we spent 3 hours searching unsuccessfully for White-tailed Ptarmigan on Loveland Pass (Clear Creek County).
My approach which has been success in the past is first to scope the east hill and valley east of Highway 9. Especially looking around the ragged rocks below the summit has produced sightings in the past.
Next, we walk about 0.1 miles south to the first pullover on the east side of Hwy 9. Then we scope the hill on the west side of Hwy 9 (again, this has been quite successful).
As a final resort, we have had to make the strenuous climb up the west side of the summit. This trail has produced Ptarmigan sightings but usually only after a mile climb. At about one mile there is a flattish area on the south side of the trail (north side is a severe drop-off).
Scope the hillside to the south of the flattish area. If necessary, walk south as the "flattish area" has a dip where Ptarmigan can hide from view from the western trail.
Darrell and I turned around and headed to Routt County where I have found Sharp-tailed Grouse during the day. I was surprised by the lack of snow both in Routt County as well as back at Loveland Pass. In both cases, I believe there was not enough snow to draw the grouse/ptarmigan from their summer habitats.
We missed on the Sharp-tailed Grouse and headed back to Rabbit Ears Pass (Grand). An American Three-toed Woodpecker flew across our view as I played a Three-toed Woodpecker recording. This was up the road to the Maintenance Shed. We missed finding any Red Crossbills or White-winged Crossbills and drove back south.
With a couple of hours of daylight remaining, we visited Walden Reservoir (Jackson) which had no birds. A few birds were observed at Lake John Wildlife Area. A pair of Greater Scaup swam about 40 yards off the northern shore. A pair of Pied-billed Grebes, one Western Grebe, and four American Coots were also on the lake.
We ended our daylight birding day west of Coalmont. While we drove up Jackson County Road 26, north from Highway 14, we scattered 7 Greater Sage-Grouse. They flew across the road and landed about 30 yards south of CR 26! Finding them in non-lekking season is quite a prize!
In spite of winds of 20+mph, gusts to 40+mph, we were able to hear Boreal Owls at two locations west of Cameron Pass. Quite lucky, as their call is quite soft and low.
November 12
We returned late last night to Denver and started our birding day again at 5:00 am. Mostly this was to miss Denver's rush hour traffic (sunrise was not until 6:38 am).
At civil twilight, we drove through Castlewood Canyon State Park (Douglas) looking for a Mountain Bluebird which would be a lifebird for Darrell. One was never found. The hillside west of the Winkler Ranch entrance had four American Tree Sparrows, two Song Sparrows, a Spotted Towhee, and a Northern Shrike.
We waited for only about 10 minutes at the slanted Ponderosa Pine tree east of the road to Louviers before the Lewis's Woodpecker flew to the tree. The second Lewis's Woodpecker never came by while we watched the first one for 15 minutes.
From there we continued west up Highway 285 to Guanella Pass. Last summer's huge rockslide has closed down access to Guanella Pass from Georgetown (probably through the end of next summer). The only access is from the Grant end of Guanella Pass.
Again, we were surprised by the lack of snow. Only a few patches remained on the hill southeast of the summit. However, these small patches had hundreds of White-tailed Ptarmigan tracks and scat. Unfortunately, our 3-4 hour search did not turn up any Ptarmigan. We covered the southeast hill quite well, no Ptarmigan.
Our birding day ended at Standley Lake (Jefferson) searching for the previously reported Yellow-billed Loon. While it was not found, five Common Loons were observed swimming around the large lake.
November 13
Again we started early and arrived at Reynolds Park (Jefferson) an hour before sunrise. About 30 minutes after sunrise (7:31 am), we heard a Northern Pygmy-Owl east of the Oxen Draw trail and south of the Elkhorn trail. Unfortunately, we did not get looks of the bird.
Next, we hiked the Narrow Gauge trail at Pine Valley Ranch Park (Jefferson). An American Three-toed Woodpecker and several Hairy Woodpeckers were seen on the hill south of Pine Lake.
Tired legs convinced us to search for Northern Pygmy-Owls along the Narrow Gauge trail instead of hiking up Buck Gulch trail. Again, no Pygmy-Owls were encountered.
The highlight of the day was a Northern Mockingbird singing in the tall fir trees at the southeast end of the second footbridge west of the parking area. Quite an uncommon find this late in the year and at 7326 feet elevation.
Afterwards we drove back to Castlewood Canyon State Park for another shot at Mountain Bluebirds (none was ever found).
Along the way, we detoured to Daniels Park (Douglas) which is another spot to find Mountain Bluebirds in winter. None was found today, however a Prairie Falcon perched in a pine tree only 10 yards off the road and allowed good looks.
No Mountain Bluebirds at Castlewood Canyon State Park but we did see a low flying, circling Golden Eagle just outside the northern entrance!
After Darrel left for the airport, I drove through Cherry Creek Reservoir (Arapahoe). Up to 7 Common Loons were out on the lake. Winds had picked up and temperatures dropped quite rapidly.
A Mew Gull was picked out of hundreds of Ring-billed Gulls standing on the swim beach. It took a while, look for darker mantle and then look at its bill.
Started snowing around sunset (4:38 pm).
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