Friday, April 17, 2009
Wednesday, April 15, 2009
Arapahoe County Burrowing Owls
April 14, 2009
Richard Stevens:
I looked at my email and telephone calls too late to drive up to Loveland to search this morning for the probable Black Vulture. Instead I drove over to Aurora and 6th avenue and found and photographed the Arapahoe County Burrowing Owls reported yesterday by Jamie Mullin.
In the afternoon, Rebecca Kosten and I decided to walk around the Rocky Mountain Arsenal (Adams County). We hoped to find a scoter on Lake Lenore or a late American Tree Sparrow fluttering about the surrounding bushes.
There were no scoters on Lake Lenore, but we did find a Greater Scaup among a dozen Ruddy Ducks in breeding plumage, dozens of Lesser Scaup, and several dozen Common Goldeneye.
Anemometer readings were 16 mph with gusts to 24 mph. This kept the number of sparrows seen down to 2 Song Sparrows and 5 White-crowned Sparrows.
We returned to the thickets where last month I found a Long-eared Owl; it was not around today. An adult Bald Eagle and 3 Red-tailed Hawks were our total rapture count. A pair of Barn Swallows added some interest to our 2.6 mile hike.
Richard Stevens:
I looked at my email and telephone calls too late to drive up to Loveland to search this morning for the probable Black Vulture. Instead I drove over to Aurora and 6th avenue and found and photographed the Arapahoe County Burrowing Owls reported yesterday by Jamie Mullin.
In the afternoon, Rebecca Kosten and I decided to walk around the Rocky Mountain Arsenal (Adams County). We hoped to find a scoter on Lake Lenore or a late American Tree Sparrow fluttering about the surrounding bushes.
There were no scoters on Lake Lenore, but we did find a Greater Scaup among a dozen Ruddy Ducks in breeding plumage, dozens of Lesser Scaup, and several dozen Common Goldeneye.
Anemometer readings were 16 mph with gusts to 24 mph. This kept the number of sparrows seen down to 2 Song Sparrows and 5 White-crowned Sparrows.
We returned to the thickets where last month I found a Long-eared Owl; it was not around today. An adult Bald Eagle and 3 Red-tailed Hawks were our total rapture count. A pair of Barn Swallows added some interest to our 2.6 mile hike.
Monday, April 13, 2009
Search for Owls, Gulls, & Scoters, Boulder County
April 13, 2009
Richard Stevens:
Stan Roth, Henry Nagy and I drove up to Boulder County at around 2:00am this morning. Our target birds were Long-eared and Flammulated Owls.
We found (heard) 1 or 2 Long-eared Owls at their traditional nesting site (do not ask for directions). We struck out on Flammulated Owls at several sites suggested by Steve Jones. It is a little early for them to return from their wintering grounds. However, I do have three Boulder County Flammulated Owl records before April 10th (in the past 20 years, one even in March).
The Mew Gull was not at Walden Ponds at around Noon. The only gulls were two Ring-billed Gulls. A Greater Yellowlegs walked the gravelly mudflats. The two White-winged Scoters on Baseline Reservoir were easy to see as they dove for food along the eastern dam.
We checked several bodies of water for the Mew Gull; without success. Those included: Valmont Reservoir, Prince Lake #2 & #1, Erie Reservoir, Jim Hamm Park, & Union Reservoir.
After dropping Henry off in Denver, I birded Barr Lake (Adams). I walked along the eastern dam. Plenty of ducks and geese were out on the water; the previously reported Common Loon was not found among them. The most uncommon duck was a lone male Ruddy Duck among many Gadwall, Lesser Scaup and Northern Shovelers. No Greater Scaup were picked out of the crowd.
I then parked off 144th Avenue and walked from mile marker 5.0 to 3.0 and back in search of Great-tailed Grackles and Yellow-headed Blackbirds; neither were found. A Common Loon was off mile marker 5.0. No Clark's Grebes were picked out of the dozen of so Western Grebes.
Three Great-tailed Grackles flew west across Picadilly Road from the southern end of the Tree Nursery at 152nd and Picadilly Road (observed on previous visits also).
My birding day ended along the DIA Owl Loop hoping a Short-eared Owl would fly out of the airport when there was enough daylight to see it; none did.
Burrowing Owls were again observed at two sites: 3.4 miles east of Tower Road and 96th Avenue and along Tower Road, 0.4 miles north of 56th Avenue. One finally appeared at the third site: 128th Avenue & Powhaton Road.
Richard Stevens:
Stan Roth, Henry Nagy and I drove up to Boulder County at around 2:00am this morning. Our target birds were Long-eared and Flammulated Owls.
We found (heard) 1 or 2 Long-eared Owls at their traditional nesting site (do not ask for directions). We struck out on Flammulated Owls at several sites suggested by Steve Jones. It is a little early for them to return from their wintering grounds. However, I do have three Boulder County Flammulated Owl records before April 10th (in the past 20 years, one even in March).
The Mew Gull was not at Walden Ponds at around Noon. The only gulls were two Ring-billed Gulls. A Greater Yellowlegs walked the gravelly mudflats. The two White-winged Scoters on Baseline Reservoir were easy to see as they dove for food along the eastern dam.
We checked several bodies of water for the Mew Gull; without success. Those included: Valmont Reservoir, Prince Lake #2 & #1, Erie Reservoir, Jim Hamm Park, & Union Reservoir.
After dropping Henry off in Denver, I birded Barr Lake (Adams). I walked along the eastern dam. Plenty of ducks and geese were out on the water; the previously reported Common Loon was not found among them. The most uncommon duck was a lone male Ruddy Duck among many Gadwall, Lesser Scaup and Northern Shovelers. No Greater Scaup were picked out of the crowd.
I then parked off 144th Avenue and walked from mile marker 5.0 to 3.0 and back in search of Great-tailed Grackles and Yellow-headed Blackbirds; neither were found. A Common Loon was off mile marker 5.0. No Clark's Grebes were picked out of the dozen of so Western Grebes.
Three Great-tailed Grackles flew west across Picadilly Road from the southern end of the Tree Nursery at 152nd and Picadilly Road (observed on previous visits also).
My birding day ended along the DIA Owl Loop hoping a Short-eared Owl would fly out of the airport when there was enough daylight to see it; none did.
Burrowing Owls were again observed at two sites: 3.4 miles east of Tower Road and 96th Avenue and along Tower Road, 0.4 miles north of 56th Avenue. One finally appeared at the third site: 128th Avenue & Powhaton Road.
Sunday, April 12, 2009
A Rainy Easter Day of Birding
April 12, 2009
Richard Stevens:
Henry Nagy, Bryan Ehlmann, and I ventured into the mountains on Easter morning. We visited a friend's home (Summit County) where he had been seeing a White-throated Sparrow since 4/7. The sparrow was quite cooperative and visited the feeders several times.
Afterwards we stopped at Loveland Pass (Clear Creek) and again were quite fortunate. We spotted 2 White-tailed Ptarmigan walking around south of the ragged rocky ridge below the east side Summit parking area off highway 6.
Our next stop was Genesee Mountain Park (Jefferson) to see if we could find any Williamson's Sapsuckers; without success (access is still seasonally limited).
At Wheat Ridge Greenbelt fortune again shined on us as it only took 10 minutes to relocate the Harris's Sparrow reported yesterday by Hugh Kingery. The wet Harris's Sparrow walked below the bushes southwest of the gravel path and north of the paved path about 200 feet west of the Prospect Park western parking area.
When the others departed, I walked down to the eastern end of the park searching for Eastern Screech-Owls; without success.
I then drove down to Marston Reservoir (Denver). Two adult Lesser Black-backed Gulls were with a dozen California Gulls and many Ring-billed Gulls on the mudflats at the northwest corner of the reservoir. Many of the gulls disappeared down a small ridge/ditch and at times could not be seen. Patience might be needed to relocate this birds.
My final stop was Cherry Creek Reservoir (Arapahoe). It poured down rain most of my time there. I did hike over to the eastern sand spit to get better looks (and a few photos) of the 14 California Gulls there.
Two Baird's Sandpipers and two Killdeer ran along the shore. Yesterday's, Caspian Tern and Lesser Black-backed Gulls were not relocated.
Richard Stevens:
Henry Nagy, Bryan Ehlmann, and I ventured into the mountains on Easter morning. We visited a friend's home (Summit County) where he had been seeing a White-throated Sparrow since 4/7. The sparrow was quite cooperative and visited the feeders several times.
Afterwards we stopped at Loveland Pass (Clear Creek) and again were quite fortunate. We spotted 2 White-tailed Ptarmigan walking around south of the ragged rocky ridge below the east side Summit parking area off highway 6.
Our next stop was Genesee Mountain Park (Jefferson) to see if we could find any Williamson's Sapsuckers; without success (access is still seasonally limited).
At Wheat Ridge Greenbelt fortune again shined on us as it only took 10 minutes to relocate the Harris's Sparrow reported yesterday by Hugh Kingery. The wet Harris's Sparrow walked below the bushes southwest of the gravel path and north of the paved path about 200 feet west of the Prospect Park western parking area.
When the others departed, I walked down to the eastern end of the park searching for Eastern Screech-Owls; without success.
I then drove down to Marston Reservoir (Denver). Two adult Lesser Black-backed Gulls were with a dozen California Gulls and many Ring-billed Gulls on the mudflats at the northwest corner of the reservoir. Many of the gulls disappeared down a small ridge/ditch and at times could not be seen. Patience might be needed to relocate this birds.
My final stop was Cherry Creek Reservoir (Arapahoe). It poured down rain most of my time there. I did hike over to the eastern sand spit to get better looks (and a few photos) of the 14 California Gulls there.
Two Baird's Sandpipers and two Killdeer ran along the shore. Yesterday's, Caspian Tern and Lesser Black-backed Gulls were not relocated.
Saturday, April 11, 2009
Chatfield & Cherry Creek Reservoirs
April 11, 2009
Richard Stevens:
After hearing about the Sage Sparrow at Walden Ponds this week, I decided to search at Chatfield Reservoir (Jefferson County). They have shown up at Chatfield in past years during the last week of March and first two weeks of April. Unfortunately, none did today.
A Peregrine Falcon flew along the dam (from north to south) as I looked around the southeast sand spit. South at the Discovery Pavilion area, two Barn Swallows and 4 Tree Swallows flew around.
At Cherry Creek Reservoir (Arapahoe) there were only 25 gulls (all Ring-billed) at the eastern sand spit. Anemometer readings were 28 mph with gusts to 36. The highlight was a Caspian Tern trying to fly from east to west into the strong winds (observed from the handicapped fisherperson dock). Not much else was found in the strong winds. Topped off a great day that started with owling at Cameron Pass!
Burrowing Owls were out at both sites (3.4 miles east of Tower Road & 96th Avenue and along Tower Road at 0.4 miles north of 56th Avenue).
Richard Stevens:
After hearing about the Sage Sparrow at Walden Ponds this week, I decided to search at Chatfield Reservoir (Jefferson County). They have shown up at Chatfield in past years during the last week of March and first two weeks of April. Unfortunately, none did today.
A Peregrine Falcon flew along the dam (from north to south) as I looked around the southeast sand spit. South at the Discovery Pavilion area, two Barn Swallows and 4 Tree Swallows flew around.
At Cherry Creek Reservoir (Arapahoe) there were only 25 gulls (all Ring-billed) at the eastern sand spit. Anemometer readings were 28 mph with gusts to 36. The highlight was a Caspian Tern trying to fly from east to west into the strong winds (observed from the handicapped fisherperson dock). Not much else was found in the strong winds. Topped off a great day that started with owling at Cameron Pass!
Burrowing Owls were out at both sites (3.4 miles east of Tower Road & 96th Avenue and along Tower Road at 0.4 miles north of 56th Avenue).
Search for Owls, Cameron and Pennock Passes
April 10-11, 2009
Richard Stevens:
After dark, Henry Nagy and I drove up to Cameron Pass to search for Boreal Owls. I was more interested in Flammulated Owls while both were lifebirds for Henry.
The lack of wind was surprising. I have not found a good way to estimate (guess) what the winds will be doing up at Cameron Pass while I am in Denver. The only yard stick I have is that if it is windy on the plains, then sometimes and only sometimes, the winds at 10,276 feet may be calmer. This was the case this night.
We stopped and listened for Boreal Owls every 0.2 miles for 1.5 miles either side of the summit. This night we were quite fortunate as three owls were heard. I was even able to get one of the owls briefly in my spotlight. Write me through the Colorado Birding Society if you would like hints on how to locate these fascinating birds.
Afterwards (by now it was 1:00am) we drove up to Pennock Pass by way of Prairie Stove Road. The road is still blocked by snow at the turn east (Larimer CR 44H) toward the pass. This is usually the case into the middle of May and sometimes into June.
I do have an early date of 3/16 in 2004 and one other date before May of April 21 of 2006. The median of first dates of reports is May 17th. I have always thought this quest warrants a snow shoe or cross country ski trip up in late April or early May for further study. One problem is that the trip is 7.4 miles one way and would end in the dark. Got to find someone interested in the trek!
On the way back down to Highway 14, we stopped every 0.2 miles for the first four miles and listened for Flammulated Owls. None were heard this night and not necessarily expected. Finding an early date for Flammulated Owls returning to Colorado is quite difficult. Access to many of their nesting locations is always limited by our winter snow fall.
Richard Stevens:
After dark, Henry Nagy and I drove up to Cameron Pass to search for Boreal Owls. I was more interested in Flammulated Owls while both were lifebirds for Henry.
The lack of wind was surprising. I have not found a good way to estimate (guess) what the winds will be doing up at Cameron Pass while I am in Denver. The only yard stick I have is that if it is windy on the plains, then sometimes and only sometimes, the winds at 10,276 feet may be calmer. This was the case this night.
We stopped and listened for Boreal Owls every 0.2 miles for 1.5 miles either side of the summit. This night we were quite fortunate as three owls were heard. I was even able to get one of the owls briefly in my spotlight. Write me through the Colorado Birding Society if you would like hints on how to locate these fascinating birds.
Afterwards (by now it was 1:00am) we drove up to Pennock Pass by way of Prairie Stove Road. The road is still blocked by snow at the turn east (Larimer CR 44H) toward the pass. This is usually the case into the middle of May and sometimes into June.
I do have an early date of 3/16 in 2004 and one other date before May of April 21 of 2006. The median of first dates of reports is May 17th. I have always thought this quest warrants a snow shoe or cross country ski trip up in late April or early May for further study. One problem is that the trip is 7.4 miles one way and would end in the dark. Got to find someone interested in the trek!
On the way back down to Highway 14, we stopped every 0.2 miles for the first four miles and listened for Flammulated Owls. None were heard this night and not necessarily expected. Finding an early date for Flammulated Owls returning to Colorado is quite difficult. Access to many of their nesting locations is always limited by our winter snow fall.
Birding Around Denver on Friday
April 10, 2009
Bryan Ehlmann;
Sue and I visited Prospect Park, Jefferson County to search for yesterday's Greater Scaup on Tabor Lake. Unfortunately all we could find to photograph were 3 male and a female Lesser Scaups. We did enjoy watching the many nesting Double-crested Cormorants. There appears to be two pairs of Great Blue Herons that are also attempting to nest. Bass Lake, Tabor Lake and Prospect Lake were all checked for Greater Scaup; without success.
Afterwards we drove by the pond at Buckley Road and 132nd Avenue, Adams County. One of the ten Great-tailed Grackles reported by Hyde on April 3rd was at the southeast corner of the cattails. We checked for additional grackles in the campgrounds to the northeast but didn't find any.
Along the DIA Owl loop we found 5 Burrowing Owls at the site, 3.4 miles east of Tower Road and 96th avenue and 1 Burrowing Owl at the site along Tower Road, 0.4 miles north of 56th avenue. Anyone looking for Eurasian collared-Dove these days? There were plenty at Tower Road just north of Colfax Avenue.
Bryan Ehlmann;
Sue and I visited Prospect Park, Jefferson County to search for yesterday's Greater Scaup on Tabor Lake. Unfortunately all we could find to photograph were 3 male and a female Lesser Scaups. We did enjoy watching the many nesting Double-crested Cormorants. There appears to be two pairs of Great Blue Herons that are also attempting to nest. Bass Lake, Tabor Lake and Prospect Lake were all checked for Greater Scaup; without success.
Afterwards we drove by the pond at Buckley Road and 132nd Avenue, Adams County. One of the ten Great-tailed Grackles reported by Hyde on April 3rd was at the southeast corner of the cattails. We checked for additional grackles in the campgrounds to the northeast but didn't find any.
Along the DIA Owl loop we found 5 Burrowing Owls at the site, 3.4 miles east of Tower Road and 96th avenue and 1 Burrowing Owl at the site along Tower Road, 0.4 miles north of 56th avenue. Anyone looking for Eurasian collared-Dove these days? There were plenty at Tower Road just north of Colfax Avenue.
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