Thursday, November 3, 2011

A Winding Route Back to Denver

November 1, 2011

Richard Stevens:

We had to abbreviate our birding today. We wanted to return to Denver before the foreshadowed snowstorm hit (forecast up to 7 inches of snow; Tuesday night into Wednesday morning, we received 9 inches at home).

A stopover at Prewitt Reservoir (Logan/Washington) discovered a Dunlin among Long-billed Dowitchers, Greater Yellowlegs, 1 Lesser Yellowlegs and some peeps at the inlet area.

A Bonaparte's Gull flew by as we observed a Common Loon from the old boat ramp.

At Jackson Reservoir (Morgan), we found 2 additional Bonaparte's Gulls and 2 Red-necked Phalaropes off by themselves (observed from the dam, at the southern parking area).

It was still fairly decent out so, we detoured to Pawnee National Grasslands and Crow Valley Campgrounds.

Several small flocks of Lapland Longspurs (total 21+ birds) were observed along Weld County Road 105 (just north of where Morgan County Road 4 changes counties and names).

We walked around the Washington Work Center searching for Northern Saw-whet Owls in the thick firs; without success.

A Long-eared Owl was in the fir at the southwest corner of the Campgrounds. The female Red-bellied Woodpecker was still around the group camping area.

Our plan was to drive north to Wellington Wildlife Area (Weld) and wait for Short-eared Owls to fly around at dusk (or Lower Latham Reservoir). It was altered when we watched the heavy clouds rapidly roll in from the northwest.

No comments: