Goose Chase Around Denver

January 28 & 29, 2009

Richard Stevens:

While out doing chores this afternoon Rebecca and I passed by Cherry Creek Reservoir, Arapahoe County. Only three Snow Geese were found at Greenwood Village Park (southwest corner of Cherry Creek Reservoir).

Yesterday (1/28), we observed 1 Greater White-fronted Goose, 2 Ross's Geese, and 6 Snow Geese. If you search for the geese, there are undulations in the fields along the west side of the park. You have to walk 50 yards west to see the geese there.

At Greenwood Village Recreation Park (Denver County, 1/28) we found 1 Greater White-fronted Goose among 2000+ White-cheeked Geese.

Not much came to the Barr Lake (Adams) Visitor Center's western feeders. The usual half dozen White-crowned Sparrows and a couple of Song Sparrows. A dozen winter plumaged American Goldfinches visited the feeders on the east side of the building.

Cherry Creek Reservoir

January 27, 2009

While out doing chores we drove through Cherry Creek Reservoir (Arapahoe County). Most of the lake is ice and snow covered. The only gulls found were Ring-billed Gulls (about 24).

Several thousand White-cheeked Geese walked around the soccer and baseball fields at Greenwood Village Park (southwest corner of Cherry Creek Reservoir). A Greater White-fronted Goose, 2 Ross's Geese, and 6 Snow Geese were among them.

Clear Creek and Summit Counties

January 25 and 26, 2009

Richard Stevens:

Sunday, Rich Trissel and I drove around Summit County searching for Rosy Finches and other mountain birds.

Afterwards we spent about 3 hours searching unsuccessfully for White-tailed Ptarmigan on Loveland Pass (Clear Creek). Conditions were not good. Winds were 40+ mph and visibility was less than 20 yards most of our stay.

We headed back to Denver but ran into what would have been stop and go traffic for 32 miles. So instead, we decided to see how far up Guanella Pass (Clear Creek) we could get in a passenger car.

We got to within 12-15 feet of the Guanella Pass campgrounds. Our passenger car would go no farther on the slippery snow. We debated on whether to hike to the top of the pass, see Ptarmigan, and then return to Denver.

However since our car was facing the wrong direction, we fortunately decided to turn the car around instead (since we would be returning to Georgetown in the dark). We had to back up 2 to 2.5 miles before finding a turnaround and gave up our quest for Ptarmigan.

Once back at Georgetown traffic on I70 was still stopped so we got a room at the Motel 6! On the way to dinner we stopped at several businesses before we found someone to take us up to the road block near the campgrounds on Guanella Pass the next day.

By the way, it was Mike of Mad Mike's Sports Shop. Great guy, great sales on winter clothes.

Monday, we rented snowshoes and Mike took us up in 30 minutes to the road block. He ent back skiing at Loveland Pass, giving us 4 hours to search for Ptarmigan.

Conditions were beautiful with little wind and temperatures I found out later were 14 degrees warmer than Denver (which got up to 6 inches of snow in 12 degree temps).

It took about 2 hours to snow shoe to the top of Guanella Pass and another hour to get back down. Anyone wanting hints on where to find the Ptarmigan once up there just write me:
Birdertoo (at) hotmail.com

Return to Morgan County!

January 24, 2009

Richard Stevens:

Earlier in the week I visited 11 of the 43 walk-in hunting areas listed in Morgan County.

Today Gary Weston, Bryan Ehlmann and I returned to Morgan County. Besides visiting Jackson Reservoir and Brush Wildlife Area, we hit another 14 of the walk-in areas and re-visited the section where I found Snow Buntings earlier in the week.

My goal this week was to take a representative photo and GPS waypoints for as many of the walk-in hunting areas in Morgan County as possible. The walk-in areas require a special $20 pass that is only good during September 1st through the end of February.

Several of these areas in Weld County have ponds or lakes. None visited this week did. One did have a nice creek with just a little water.

Our first stop was Jackson Reservoir where we located the White-throated Sparrow and several other birds I found on Thursday. We had no luck searching for the Northern Goshawk or Bohemian Waxwing. Our stay did not last until dark and therefore we also missed the Short-eared Owl and Eastern Screech-Owl I found previously.

We hit the walk-in area north of CR AA and CR 28 first. A few Horned Larks were there but not nearly as many as Thursday. No Snow Buntings could be found. We then visited another 14 walk-in areas. Only about 200 Horned Larks were found. Two areas also had a dozen or so Lapland Longspurs.

I again tried to obtain access to Vancil Reservoir (south of CR AA & CR 28); again without success in contacting the landowner.

We ended our birding day with a quick stop at Brush Wildlife Area where I again found several Red-bellied Woodpeckers and the Eastern Screech-Owl!

Note: We started our day up in Weld County. I was not going to report the 2 Snow Buntings near Pawnee National Grasslands; however the report did get out.

We found 2 Snow Buntings by hiking the gravel road that heads west from CR 37 at 1.0 miles north of the USDA Office. We then continued west to Cow Creek, turned south and found a Short-eared Owl about 1/4-1/2 mile south along the creek.

On the way to Jackson Reservoir we found another Snow Bunting flyover at CR 122 and CR 45. Several flocks of Lapland Longspurs were seen along Weld County Road 105 and another along Morgan CR 4.

Morgan County Birding!!!

January 22 and 23, 2009

Richard Stevens:

I enjoyed one of the best winter birding trips considering that I did not see one duck. Most if not all reservoirs and lakes were frozen. The trip report and photos will be in February's "Colorado Field Notes".

To whet your appetite I enjoyed a five owl day at one location! It was to be topped by a six owl day the next!

I will put the report on this blog around the middle of February after CFN subscribers have read it.

Owl Search Jackson/Larimer Counties

January 20-21, 2009

Bryan Ehlmann:

Three of us returned to Jackson/Larimer Counties around Cameron Pass to search for owls. The weather has been darn good lately. Calm winds have helped in hearing and locating the owls.

Tuesday night we drove up and down Highway 14. We found 3 Boreal Owls and actually got to see one of them. The best locations are the north side of Hwy 14 at the upper parking lot for the Joe Wright Reservoir and the woods west of the restroom area at the top of Cameron Pass.

The owl that we saw was on the south side of Hwy 14 at 0.2 miles west of the Joe Wright Reservoir parking lot mentioned above.

We also cross country skied up Ruby Jewel Road for about a mile. Boreal Owls have been found nesting up this road from 0.5 miles to 1.0 miles east of Michigan Creek Road. This night they were quiet. In summer, Flammulated Owls have also been found nesting up this road.

Wednesday morning we searched for Greater Sage-Grouse up Jackson County Road 26. While plenty of tracks were seen, we could not locate any birds. We figured they were watching us from under the many sage bushes.

We entertained the idea of skiing down to the ghost town of Teller City. Another great owl and Three-toed Woodpecker area. Unfortunately snow blocked roads left us too far from the town for an attempt. We all decided that it might be worth a try later in the winter. It would be a long way, but we could camp overnight and make it a two day trip.

Two hours before sunset, we set out on snow shoes to hike along the Michigan Ditch for five miles. Richard discovered nesting Boreal Owls in this area about 4 years ago. Cross country skiing would be less strenuous and quicker, however the trail is rather steep at several places and beyond our expertise or skills as skiers.

The trek and challenge was worth the effort. Surprisingly we ran into little wind and the trip was very pleasant. The trail goes along the base of Mt. Rickentofen. It was quite a spectacular sight!

A word of caution, we all have taken a course in avalanche danger and conditions. We all carry avalanche beacons. It is not wise to go into this area without that knowledge and equipment! Conditions looked safe and there were no previous indications of avalanches along our route.

We arrived at our destination near dark and played recordings of Boreal Owl. To our surprise, two owls answered! One of them landed in a fir tree within 20 feet of us and allowed fantastic looks! It made our trip!

The trek out which is very much uphill was made much easier by our success!

Morgan County

January 19, 2009

Richard Stevens:

Brad Nelson, Randy Cross and I headed northeast today. Winds were 22+ mph with temperatures in the high 50s. Gusts were recorded at 38 mph.

Long-eared Owls can still be found at Jackson Reservoir (Morgan County). We only had to drive along Morgan County Road 4 about a mile before finding a flock of 60+ Lapland Longspurs. Unfortunately, they all appeared to be Laplands.

Nothing uncommon was found at Riverside Park in Fort Morgan or at any feeders at Log Lane Village. We did find a Wilson's Snipe at Highway 144 bridge over Bijou Creek.

Barr Lake (Adams) was quiet. We could not relocate the previously reported Barrow’s Goldeneye. Most of the White-cheeked Geese were too far out to positively identify.

A Rough-legged Hawk was found at Tower Road and 128th avenue.