Friday, April 10, 2009
Windy Day Around Colorado
From: Gary Weston
Date: Sat, 4 Apr 2009 15:56:57 -0600
Someone had to do it. So I went to Cherry Creek State Park Arapahoe County in winds of 34+ mph and gusts to 52 mph. Of course I found few gulls and yesterday's Lesser Black-backed Gull was not for me to find.
Richard Stevens and all report missing White-tailed Ptarmigan on Loveland Pass Clear Creek County this morning. Winds described as so strong it was difficult to stand. Scopes were useless.
Date: Sat, 4 Apr 2009 15:56:57 -0600
Someone had to do it. So I went to Cherry Creek State Park Arapahoe County in winds of 34+ mph and gusts to 52 mph. Of course I found few gulls and yesterday's Lesser Black-backed Gull was not for me to find.
Richard Stevens and all report missing White-tailed Ptarmigan on Loveland Pass Clear Creek County this morning. Winds described as so strong it was difficult to stand. Scopes were useless.
Around Denver April 3rd
April 3, 2009
Richard Stevens:
While out purchasing supplies for a grouse trip that is supposed to start tomorrow, I drove over to Buckley Road and 132nd Avenue. Two of the ten Great-tailed Grackle reported earlier were still around the pond there. They eventually flew to the campgrounds at the southeast corner of Buckley Road and 136th Avenue.
Along the DIA Owl Loop we saw 4 Burrowing Owls at the site 3.4 miles east of Tower Road and 96th Avenue. Another 2 Burrowing Owls were at the site along Tower Road at 0.4 miles north of 56th Avenue. A Rough-legged Hawk stood in the middle of the Prairie Dog Village at site one above.
There were about 200+ Ring-billed Gulls and 2 adult Franklin's Gulls (alternate plumage) in the cultivated field north of the Landfill at Tower Road and 88th Avenue.
We arrived at Cherry Creek Reservoir (Arapahoe) around 5:30 pm. There were only a few gulls at the reservoir. At the eastern sand spit we counted 9 California Gulls, 17 Ring-billed Gulls, and 1 adult Lesser Black-backed Gull. When a photographer walked down to take photos we and the gulls departed.
There were no gulls at all at the southwest marina. Seven Ring-billed Gulls were along the shore below the picnic area (tables with overhangs that look like Gull wings). Where are the gulls this spring? Aurora Reservoir must have many?
Richard Stevens:
While out purchasing supplies for a grouse trip that is supposed to start tomorrow, I drove over to Buckley Road and 132nd Avenue. Two of the ten Great-tailed Grackle reported earlier were still around the pond there. They eventually flew to the campgrounds at the southeast corner of Buckley Road and 136th Avenue.
Along the DIA Owl Loop we saw 4 Burrowing Owls at the site 3.4 miles east of Tower Road and 96th Avenue. Another 2 Burrowing Owls were at the site along Tower Road at 0.4 miles north of 56th Avenue. A Rough-legged Hawk stood in the middle of the Prairie Dog Village at site one above.
There were about 200+ Ring-billed Gulls and 2 adult Franklin's Gulls (alternate plumage) in the cultivated field north of the Landfill at Tower Road and 88th Avenue.
We arrived at Cherry Creek Reservoir (Arapahoe) around 5:30 pm. There were only a few gulls at the reservoir. At the eastern sand spit we counted 9 California Gulls, 17 Ring-billed Gulls, and 1 adult Lesser Black-backed Gull. When a photographer walked down to take photos we and the gulls departed.
There were no gulls at all at the southwest marina. Seven Ring-billed Gulls were along the shore below the picnic area (tables with overhangs that look like Gull wings). Where are the gulls this spring? Aurora Reservoir must have many?
Northern and Eastern Plains
March 29-April 2, 2009
Richard Stevens:
March 29, 2009
Bryan Ehlmann and I ventured up to Pawnee National Grasslands (Weld County) . Our search for Mountain Plovers was quite successful.
We found a lone Mountain Plover along the west side of Highway 392 at 2.0 miles south of Weld County Road 67. Another Mountain Plover was found in the field behind the Briggsdale School. No Common Redpolls, but the Mountain Plover was a nice consolation. Another 2 Mountain Plovers were at a friend's ranch along Highway 14 east of Briggsdale. No Mountain Plover were found at Highway 14 and Weld County Road 51, but we did briefly see one bird in the field north of Weld County Road 94 between CR 63 and 61 (traditional nesting location).
Our search for longspurs was not as successful. One Prairie Falcon, 4 Red-tailed Hawks, 1 Ferruginous Hawk, 9 American Kestrels, 2 Rough-legged Hawks and 1 Golden Eagle were spotted.
March 30, 2009
Bryan Ehlmann and I birded around Logan County this morning. An Eastern Screech-Owl was heard at its usual location in the eastern sections of Tamarack Ranch Wildlife Area.
We only found a few Gull species at Jumbo Reservoir (Herring, California, & Ring-billed Gull). There was no sign of last week's Black-legged Kittiwake. The male Barrow's Goldeneye found last week was still around.
Earlier in the morning we had stopped at Prewitt Reservoir (Logan/Washington). We relocated Eastern Screech-Owls both at the western end of the property and east of the ranger's home/office.
March 31, 2009
Bryan Ehlmann, Roger Danka, and I spent most of the day searching for Eastern Meadowlarks, longspurs, and owls in Logan & Sedgwick Counties; mostly without success.
We did relocate the 2 Eastern Screech-Owls on Roger's ranch (Sedgwick). A search for Greater Prairie-Chickens or Sharp-tailed Grouse on the southern sections of Tamarack Ranch Wildlife Area were also unsuccessful. No Short-eared or Long-eared Owls came out at dusk at Jumbo Reservoir/Red Lion Wildlife Area.
April 1, 2009
At first light, Bryan Ehlmann & I found 11 Greater Prairie-Chickens visiting a lek south of Yuma (Yuma County). Afterwards we rushed to a second ranch and found another 9 Greater Prairie-Chickens still displaying.
After sunset we visit several friends of ours in Wray and added five Northern Cardinals (three different yards) to our trip list. An eastern Fox Sparrow was visiting what we refer to as private yard #2.
A stop at the Wray Fishing Unit found their resident Barn Owl! We could not relocate the male Northern Cardinal that has been around for months now.
We ended our birding day at Bonny Reservoir & Hale Ponds. Bonny Reservoir added Red-bellied Woodpeckers, Eastern Bluebirds, and an Eastern Phoebe to our trip list; Hale Ponds added additional Red-bellied Woodpeckers.
April 2, 2009
Before sunrise, Bryan Ehlmann and I hiked the Republican River from Yuma County Road LL.5 to Kansas and back. Along the trek we heard 3 Eastern Screech-Owls!
We had to get up quite early so as to be at another friend's ranch 30 minutes before sunrise. Here we found 10+ males and 3 female Greater Prairie-Chickens in Kit Carson. Our fifth Greater Prairie-Chicken lek of the spring (Yuma & Kit Carson Counties; counting all the birds along Yuma CR 45 as one lek; though I believe there are actually at least 3 leks along the road).
Not much was "happening" at Flagler Reservoir when we made a quick stop on our way back to Denver.
Richard Stevens:
March 29, 2009
Bryan Ehlmann and I ventured up to Pawnee National Grasslands (Weld County) . Our search for Mountain Plovers was quite successful.
We found a lone Mountain Plover along the west side of Highway 392 at 2.0 miles south of Weld County Road 67. Another Mountain Plover was found in the field behind the Briggsdale School. No Common Redpolls, but the Mountain Plover was a nice consolation. Another 2 Mountain Plovers were at a friend's ranch along Highway 14 east of Briggsdale. No Mountain Plover were found at Highway 14 and Weld County Road 51, but we did briefly see one bird in the field north of Weld County Road 94 between CR 63 and 61 (traditional nesting location).
Our search for longspurs was not as successful. One Prairie Falcon, 4 Red-tailed Hawks, 1 Ferruginous Hawk, 9 American Kestrels, 2 Rough-legged Hawks and 1 Golden Eagle were spotted.
March 30, 2009
Bryan Ehlmann and I birded around Logan County this morning. An Eastern Screech-Owl was heard at its usual location in the eastern sections of Tamarack Ranch Wildlife Area.
We only found a few Gull species at Jumbo Reservoir (Herring, California, & Ring-billed Gull). There was no sign of last week's Black-legged Kittiwake. The male Barrow's Goldeneye found last week was still around.
Earlier in the morning we had stopped at Prewitt Reservoir (Logan/Washington). We relocated Eastern Screech-Owls both at the western end of the property and east of the ranger's home/office.
March 31, 2009
Bryan Ehlmann, Roger Danka, and I spent most of the day searching for Eastern Meadowlarks, longspurs, and owls in Logan & Sedgwick Counties; mostly without success.
We did relocate the 2 Eastern Screech-Owls on Roger's ranch (Sedgwick). A search for Greater Prairie-Chickens or Sharp-tailed Grouse on the southern sections of Tamarack Ranch Wildlife Area were also unsuccessful. No Short-eared or Long-eared Owls came out at dusk at Jumbo Reservoir/Red Lion Wildlife Area.
April 1, 2009
At first light, Bryan Ehlmann & I found 11 Greater Prairie-Chickens visiting a lek south of Yuma (Yuma County). Afterwards we rushed to a second ranch and found another 9 Greater Prairie-Chickens still displaying.
After sunset we visit several friends of ours in Wray and added five Northern Cardinals (three different yards) to our trip list. An eastern Fox Sparrow was visiting what we refer to as private yard #2.
A stop at the Wray Fishing Unit found their resident Barn Owl! We could not relocate the male Northern Cardinal that has been around for months now.
We ended our birding day at Bonny Reservoir & Hale Ponds. Bonny Reservoir added Red-bellied Woodpeckers, Eastern Bluebirds, and an Eastern Phoebe to our trip list; Hale Ponds added additional Red-bellied Woodpeckers.
April 2, 2009
Before sunrise, Bryan Ehlmann and I hiked the Republican River from Yuma County Road LL.5 to Kansas and back. Along the trek we heard 3 Eastern Screech-Owls!
We had to get up quite early so as to be at another friend's ranch 30 minutes before sunrise. Here we found 10+ males and 3 female Greater Prairie-Chickens in Kit Carson. Our fifth Greater Prairie-Chicken lek of the spring (Yuma & Kit Carson Counties; counting all the birds along Yuma CR 45 as one lek; though I believe there are actually at least 3 leks along the road).
Not much was "happening" at Flagler Reservoir when we made a quick stop on our way back to Denver.
Saturday, March 28, 2009
Return to Barr Lake and DIA Owl Loop
March 28, 2009
Richard Stevens:
I returned to Barr Lake State Park to see if the Vermilion Flycatcher had made it through the Blizzard. At least a half dozen birders plus myself could not relocate the flycatcher.
I also stopped at five homes south of the park to see if any people (friends) had seen a "little red bird"; no one had.
In Barr Lake Estates, a Harris's Sparrow was found at feeders at a private yard. The landowners did not want dozens of birders coming by, but did allow me to phone Bryan & Sue Ehlmann. They drove over from Brighton and witnessed the sighting!
Later Cherry Creek Reservoir (Arapahoe) was again checked for American Tree Sparrows. None were found. A pair of Mountain Bluebirds wandered around the Lake Loop.
Along the DIA Owl Loop we saw a Ferruginous Hawk standing on Trussville Road (just south of 128th Avenue). Also observed were one Rough-legged Hawk, one dark morph Red-tailed Hawk, 2 Red-tailed Hawks, and a Prairie Falcon.
Burrowing Owls were again seen at the 3.4 miles east of Tower Road and 96th Avenue site and the site along Tower Road at 0.4 miles north of 56th Avenue.
Richard Stevens:
I returned to Barr Lake State Park to see if the Vermilion Flycatcher had made it through the Blizzard. At least a half dozen birders plus myself could not relocate the flycatcher.
I also stopped at five homes south of the park to see if any people (friends) had seen a "little red bird"; no one had.
In Barr Lake Estates, a Harris's Sparrow was found at feeders at a private yard. The landowners did not want dozens of birders coming by, but did allow me to phone Bryan & Sue Ehlmann. They drove over from Brighton and witnessed the sighting!
Later Cherry Creek Reservoir (Arapahoe) was again checked for American Tree Sparrows. None were found. A pair of Mountain Bluebirds wandered around the Lake Loop.
Along the DIA Owl Loop we saw a Ferruginous Hawk standing on Trussville Road (just south of 128th Avenue). Also observed were one Rough-legged Hawk, one dark morph Red-tailed Hawk, 2 Red-tailed Hawks, and a Prairie Falcon.
Burrowing Owls were again seen at the 3.4 miles east of Tower Road and 96th Avenue site and the site along Tower Road at 0.4 miles north of 56th Avenue.
Vermilion Flycatcher at Barr Lake State Park
March 25, 2009
Richard Stevens:
I had promised my feet that they would not have be in hiking boots today. As happens quite often I broke the promise when I heard about the Vermilion Flycatcher at Barr Lake State Park (Adams County).
We hurried over and watched the red and brown male Vermilion Flycatcher for a good 30 minutes. Afterwards I searched around the Visitor Center and Boat Ramp (mile marker 7.5) for American Tree Sparrow; again without success.
It was a good thing that we hurried over to Barr Lake to see the Vermilion Flycatcher. Denver was hit by a blizzard the next day. I returned briefly on March 26th and searched an hour for the Vermilion Flycatcher. Visibility was down to 20 feet and the Vermilion Flycatcher was not found. March 27th I decided to not leave the house and to leave the snowy roads to others.
Richard Stevens:
I had promised my feet that they would not have be in hiking boots today. As happens quite often I broke the promise when I heard about the Vermilion Flycatcher at Barr Lake State Park (Adams County).
We hurried over and watched the red and brown male Vermilion Flycatcher for a good 30 minutes. Afterwards I searched around the Visitor Center and Boat Ramp (mile marker 7.5) for American Tree Sparrow; again without success.
It was a good thing that we hurried over to Barr Lake to see the Vermilion Flycatcher. Denver was hit by a blizzard the next day. I returned briefly on March 26th and searched an hour for the Vermilion Flycatcher. Visibility was down to 20 feet and the Vermilion Flycatcher was not found. March 27th I decided to not leave the house and to leave the snowy roads to others.
Reynolds Park
March 24, 2009
Richard Stevens:
Our target birds today were Northern Pygmy-Owls and Dusky Grouse. We returned to Reynolds Park and hiked to the top of Eagle's View.
A Dusky Grouse flew by at the clearing 500 yards uphill from the intersection of the three trails (Oxen Draw, Raven's Roost & Eagle's View). Another male Dusky Grouse was booming near the top of Eagle's View (near the old park boundary marked by a rock cairn and small dollar sized silver plate in the ground).
One American Three-toed Woodpecker was found just downhill (north) of the three trail intersection. Another was drumming along Eagle's View at 600 yards uphill of the intersection.
We returned to the DIA Owl Loop and found Burrowing Owls at two locations. One each Burrowing Owl were observed at the 3.4 miles east of Tower Road and 96th Avenue and along Tower Road at 0.4 miles north of 56th Avenue.
This time a Ferruginous Hawk was observed over the prairie dog village located 3.4 miles east of Tower Road and 96th Avenue.
Richard Stevens:
Our target birds today were Northern Pygmy-Owls and Dusky Grouse. We returned to Reynolds Park and hiked to the top of Eagle's View.
A Dusky Grouse flew by at the clearing 500 yards uphill from the intersection of the three trails (Oxen Draw, Raven's Roost & Eagle's View). Another male Dusky Grouse was booming near the top of Eagle's View (near the old park boundary marked by a rock cairn and small dollar sized silver plate in the ground).
One American Three-toed Woodpecker was found just downhill (north) of the three trail intersection. Another was drumming along Eagle's View at 600 yards uphill of the intersection.
We returned to the DIA Owl Loop and found Burrowing Owls at two locations. One each Burrowing Owl were observed at the 3.4 miles east of Tower Road and 96th Avenue and along Tower Road at 0.4 miles north of 56th Avenue.
This time a Ferruginous Hawk was observed over the prairie dog village located 3.4 miles east of Tower Road and 96th Avenue.
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