COLORADO, USA.
12 APRIL, 2001
TO
29 APRIL, 2001
J.F.COOPER & MRS. D.R.COOPER
ITINERARY.
All the following photographs were taken by myself except for the Mountain Plover
& Gunnison Sage Grouse
All the following photographs were taken by myself except for the Mountain Plover
& Gunnison Sage Grouse
12th April 2001. Arrived Denver Airport after a night’s delay in Chicago after Denver Airport was closed due to 20 inches of snow. Visited prairie dog grassland off Tower Road near Denver Airport. We then drove south to Springfield some 5 hours drive, stopping en-route at Nee Noshe Reservoirs.
Overnight Springfield Motel.
Flying into a snowy Denver Airport after a day delay due to the snow
13th April, 2001 Early morning visit to the Campo Lesser Prairie Chicken Lek on the Comanche National Grasslands. Then birding on the Comanche National Grasslands before moving to the Carrizo Canyon and onto the Cottonwood Canyon. Overnight Springfield Motel.
13th April, 2001 Early morning visit to the Campo Lesser Prairie Chicken Lek on the Comanche National Grasslands. Then birding on the Comanche National Grasslands before moving to the Carrizo Canyon and onto the Cottonwood Canyon. Overnight Springfield Motel.
View of Carizzo Canyon
Historic Indian art in a cave in Carrizo Canyon
14th April 2001 Early morning visit to the Campo Lesser Prairie Chicken Lek. We then drove to Bonny State Park before driving onto Yuma with an evening visit to the nearby Greater Prairie Chicken Lek some 14 miles south of Yuma. Overnight Harvest Motel, Yuma.
15th April 2001 Early morning visit to the Yuma Greater Prairie Chicken Lek and then general birding around Yuma. Drove out to the Pawnee National Grasslands and spent the rest of the day driving and birding on the grasslands and overnight at Fort Collins Holiday Inn.
16th April, 2001 Mountain drive from Fort Collins on route 14 West stopping many times birding including a visit to the National Park near Gould. Drove onto Walden (10,300 ft), with an evening visit to Greater Sage Grouse Lek at Coal Mont. To find this lek, go south-east from Walden on Highway 14 and from the junction of 14 at Walden you drive for 14.3 miles. You then turn right onto a dirt road opposite a sign with Evans Ranch on it. You travel along the dirt track until you come to a smaller dirt track on the right with a small pointer saying Sage Grouse and you follow this track until you arrive at the lookout. From the Highway 14 to the lookout is 1.6 miles. From the lookout you look straight along the track and the lek is either side of the track. If you stay in your vehicle, odd birds will come down to the parking lot and display right next to the car. Overnight North Park Motel in Walden.
National Park near Gould.
Alpine Flowers in the National Park near Walden.
17th April 2001 Early morning visit to the Greater Sage Grouse Lek at Coal Mont. Then visited Walden Reservoir and drove back to Gould to visit the bird feeders at the moose Visitors Centre H.Q. in the Colorado State Forest and also birded the nearby Koa Campsite. Drove to Steamboat Springs and walked
the River Trail. Overnight at the Rabbit Ears Motel, Steamboat Springs.
View looking from Walden
Walden Reservoir
Beaver Dam, Walden
Greater Sage Grouse lecking grounds at Walden
Views taken is Steamboat Springs National Forest.
18 April 2001 Drove to Hayden in the dark, for early morning visit to the Sharp Tailed Grouse Lek. To find these leks coming from Steamboat Springs on Route 40 to Hayden turn right just before the Coneco Garage on the right hand side in Hayden. On the side of this small road is a green sign - National Forest Access, California Park Road. The road splits and you take the right hand dirt road. The dirt road splits again by some farm buildings and a obvious large grey metal barn on the right and you take the left hand dirt road. From the Coneco Garage you travel 5.4 miles and you will come to a Cattle Grid with a small parking like area on the right. This is where we saw the Blue Grouse displaying both on the road, the parking like area and open field just over the cattle grid. A further 1.2 miles and the Sharp Tailed Grouse lek is on the left just the other side of the fence, which runs along along the road. It is not obvious and is best to drive a little way past the lek, turn the car around and come back, you can then look onto the small hill and the bird's lek on this side of the hill. There is a further lek on the same side of the road back towards Hayden over the cattle grid and between this cattle grid and the Blue Grouse site. It is again situated on a small hill and although the hill is close to the road the birds can only be seen from some distance looking fairly close to the cattle grid. We then drove back through the Yampa River Valley to Steamboat Springs. Afternoon visited Steamboat National Forest to Columbine. Overnight Rabbit Ears Motel, Steamboat Springs.
Local wild flowers
19th April 2001 Drove to Grand Junction via Route 131 and I70 birding in juniper forest en-route and the Grizzly Creek Rest Area. Checked out both the Evening Grosbeak and Western Screech Owl stakeouts at Grand Junction and then drove through the Black Canyon birding on route to Gunnison.
Evening visit to the Gunnison Sage Grouse Lek at Waunita. Overnight Water Wheel Inn Motel, Gunnison. This leck can be found by travelling East on Highway 50 from Gunnison. If you drive from the Best Western Motel situated on the East side of Gunnison on Highway 50 for 16.6 miles you will come to a dirt road on the left hand side opposite the small green road mileage post 176 and a sign pointing to Waituna Hot Springs. Take the dirt road on the left for 0.6 mile and park by the lookout (with hay bales). Look out to the right and the lek is the other side of the fence about half way out towards the hill. They are easily spooked and both times we saw the grouse, they left the lek and flew virtually over the cars and into the sage on the opposite side of the road.
Enroute to Grand Juntion
Grizzly Creek Canyon Rest area
George Town
View taken near Waituna
Views on the drive out to the Gunnison Sage Grouse site
Drive upto almost 12,000 feet to the Guanella Pass
Guanella Pass at 11,830 feet.
22nd April 2001 Early morning heavy snow. Visited the Canon City River Trail. Snow now stopped and we were able to drive up to the Royal Gorge Park. In the afternoon the weather was now fine and dry and we returned to the River Trail and spent the afternoon walking the trail. Overnight Motel 8 Canon City.
Royal Gorge
Royal Gorge Railway
Doreen on board
Suspension Bridge looking up
Royal Gorge Suspension Bridge
Doreen walking across before I drove across.
24th April 2001 Early morning visit to the Waituna Gunnison Sage Grouse Lek. We then drove to Salida and then onto routes 284 and 24 to George Town stopping briefly at Loveland Pass Basin Ski Lift bird-feeders. We then drove route 9 stopping at Kremmling Reservoir. Overnight Rabbit Ears Motel Steamboat Springs.
Spectacular drive to George Town
Sharp Tailed Grouse lecking grounds at Hayden
27th April 2001 Spent virtually all day in the Rocky Mountain Nat. Park visiting a number of different sites. Late afternoon visit to Estes Park Lake where we met Scott Rashid who took us up into the hills on the North side of Estes Park to a Northern Pygmy Owl stakeout but again we dipped. Overnight Tyrol Motel, Estes Park.
Views taken in the Rocky Mountains National Park.
View from Estes Park to Two Owls
Totum Pole near Estes Park
Our drive through the Black Canyon
The following checklist follows Sibley ‘The North American Bird Guide’.
Horned Grebe – Podiceps autitus
One seen on the 12th at Nee Noshe Reservoir and 2 seen on the 25th along the Auto Trail and 2 on the 26th at Walden Reservoir.
Eared Grebe – Podiceps nigricollis
Recorded in small numbers on five dates with a maximum of 6 on the 25th.
Eared Grebe on Walden Reservoir
Pied-Billed Grebe – Podilymbus podiceps
Just recorded on two dates with 2 on the 14th on Bonny State Park Lake and one on the 22nd on a lake at Canon City.Western Grebe – Aechmophorus accidentalis
Recorded on five dates with 56 on Kremmling Reservoir on the 24th and 30 on Walden Reservoir on the 26th.
Western Grebe on Walden Reservoir
Clark’s Grebe – Aechmophorus clarkii
Twenty-five seen on the 12th at Nee Noshe Reservoir and 3 on the 14th at Bonny State Park.American White Pelican – Pelecanus erythrorhynchos
Recorded on six dates with a maximum of 30 on the 12th.
Double-Crested Cormorant – Phalacrocorax auritus
Recorded on 11 dates with a maximum count of 100 on the 12th and the 14th.
Great Blue Heron – Ardea herodias
Recorded in small numbers on 10 dates.
White- Faced Ibis – Plegadis chihi
Recorded on four dates with 20 on the 22nd along the River Trail at Canon City, 5 seen on the 23rd, a fine flock of 220 on the 24th feeding on flood land and 6 on the 26th. A Peregrine attacked one of the flock on the 24th but it managed to escape.
White Faced Ibises along a flooded river valley en-route to George Town
Canada Goose – Branta canadensis
Very common and recorded in good numbers daily. A Richardson’s Canada Goose was found feeding with a flock of Snow & Ross’s Geese on the 12th in the fields at Nee Noshe Reservoir. It was noticeable smaller than the Snow Geese with small bill and darker looking breast.
Ross’s Goose – Chen rossii
At least 20 were identified in the flock of Snow Geese present in the fields near Nee Noshe Reservoir on the 12th. Fairly difficult to pick out at a distance but distinctive when closer when the small size, very small bill, small rounded head lacking the slope on the forehead and very short necked.
Snow Goose – Chen caerulescens
A flock of 400 were found feeding in the fields near Nee Noshe Reservoir on the 12th and 2 flew over Bonny State Park on the 14th.
Wood Duck – Aix sponsa
A drake was flushed along the River Trail at Canon City on the 22nd.
Mallard – Anas platyrhynchos
Very common and seen daily.
Gadwall – Anas strepera
Recorded on eight dates with a maximum of 70 on the 25th along the Auto Trail on the Arapafio National Wildlife Refuge.
Northern Pintail – Anas acuta
Recorded on six dates with a maximum of 20 on the 25th along the Auto Trail.
American Wigeon – Anas americana
Recorded in small numbers on 8 dates but no more than 20 on a day.
Northern Shoveler – Anas clypeata
Recorded on 6 dates with a maximum of 200 on the 12th at Nee Noshe Reservoirs.
Cinnamon Teal – Anas cyanoptera
This very attractive duck was recorded on 7 dates with a maximum of 25 on the 25th along the Auto Trail.
A pair of Cinnamon Teal along the Auto Trail
Blue Winged Teal – Anas discors
Only seen on 4 dates with no more than 6 on a day.
Green-Winged Teal – Anas crecca
Recorded on 7 dates but only in fairly small numbers.
Drake Green Winged Teal at Walden
Canvasback – Aythya valisineria
Twelve seen on the 14th in Bonny State Park, 20 on the 17th and 6 on the 26th on Walden Reservoir.Redhead – Aythya americana
Recorded on four dates with a maximum of 30 on the 26th on Walden Reservoir.
Ring-Necked Duck – Aythya collaris
Recorded on four dates with a maximum of 30 on the 26th on Walden Reservoir.
Lesser Scaup – Aythya affinis
Recorded on nine dates with a maximum of 200 on the 26th on Walden Reservoir.
Lesser Scaups at Bonny State Park
Common Goldeneye – Bucephala clangula
Ten seen on the 12th at Nee Noshe Reservoirs, with 3 on the 17th and 1 on the 26th on Walden Reservoir.
Barrow’s Goldeneye – Bucephala islandica
One drake and 2 duck were seen on Walden Reservoir on the 17th. It was interesting to compare the duck Barrow’s with the duck Common Goldeneye. The bill was noticeably smaller on the Barrows and with far more yellow making the bill quite bright compared with Common. The head had a different profile with a steep forehead. The bill for me was by far the best identification feature. The drake was a stunning adult and all were seen well with the scopes.
Bufflehead – Bucephala albeola
Recorded on four dates with a maximum of 20 on the 26th on Walden Reservoir.
Common Merganser (Goosander) – Mergus merganser
Recorded on the mountain rivers usually in pairs on six dates.
Ruddy Duck – Oxyura jamaicensis
Recorded on five dates with a maximum of 80 on the 26th on Walden Reservoir.
Turkey Vulture – Cathartes aura
Recorded virtually daily often in fair numbers although not seen at the high elevations.
Northern Harrier (Hen Harrier) – Circus cyaneus
Recorded on ten dates chiefly on the grasslands with a maximum of 8 on the 12th.
Sharp-Shinned Hawk – Accipiter striatus
Just two singles seen, the first on the 15th on the Pawnee National Grasslands and the second on the 18th in the Springboat Springs National Forest.
Cooper’s Hawk – Accipiter cooperii
Recorded on six dates with up to two on a day.
Swainson’s Hawk – Buteo swainsoni
Recorded on 14 dates with up to 6 on a day identified although many Hawks were seen from the moving car and not identified for certain. It was most common on the grasslands although it was also seen at higher elevations. Both dark and light colour phases were seen.
Adult light morph Swainson’s Hawk at Gunnison
Red-Tailed Hawk – Buteo jamaicensis
Recorded in fair numbers on 16 dates with a maximum of ten on a day but many Hawks were not identified from the moving car and therefore the maximum probably far exceeded this. A number of different colour phases were seen including one dark phase Harlan’s Red-Tailed Hawk in the Black Canyon near Estes Park. This individual was first identified as a Ferruginous Hawk as it had a very pale tail and lots of white on the underwing primaries but the upperwing was completely dark. It was seen on the 28th.Ferruginous Hawk – Buteo regalis
Eight individuals seen on four dates with 5 on the Comanche Grasslands on the 13th. An impressive Hawk generally with a pale tail and pale head and white patches on the upperwing primaries.
Rough-Legged Hawk – Buteo lagopus
Singles recorded on 8 dates with 3 on the 15th on the Pawnee Grasslands. Some excellent views obtained including one bird, which flew over our heads several times.
Rough Legged Hawk over the Pawnee Grasslands
Golden Eagle – Aquila chrysaetos
One seen on the 15th over the Pawnee Grasslands, three seen on the 16th on the drive through the mountains to Walden, one on the 20th and superb views of one on the 25th flying several times around the Greater Sage Grouse Lek near Walden.
Bald Eagle – Haliaeetus leucocephalus
A single adult sat on its nest and a pair stood by their nest along the Yampa River Valley near Hayden on the 18th.
Osprey – Pandion haliaetus
One seen on the 16th on the drive and 2 seen along the River Trail at Canon City on the 22nd.
Merlin – Falco columbarius
A single bird on the 15th on the Pawnee Grasslands.
American Kestrel – Falco sparverius
Good numbers seen almost daily with up to 15 on a day in the Grasslands.
American Kestrel near the Royal Gorge
Prairie Falcon – Falco mexicanus
One on the 14th in the Comanche Grasslands and 2 on the 15th in the Pawnee Grasslands. One on the 25th showed very well at the Greater Sage Grouse Lek near Walden.
Prairie Falcon on the Pawnee Grasslands
Peregrine – Falco peregrinusSingles recorded on three dates.
Scaled Quail – Callipepla squamata
Seven seen on the Comanche Grasslands near Campo on the 13th.
Ring-Necked Pheasant – Phasianus colchicus
Singles seen on two dates on the Comanche Grasslands.
Blue Grouse – Dendragapus obscurus
Two males and one female seen close to Hayden on the 18th. The two males were displaying one at close range and was showing its reddish throat pouch, the second was displaying in the next field with its tail fanned strutting about in the field and it had a large whitish tail band. Superb.
Distant pictures of a male Blue Grouse displaying at Hayden
White Tailed Ptarmigan – Lagopus leucurus
Two of these delightful birds were found still virtually in full winter plumage with snow on their backs at Guanella Pass on the 20th.
Guanella Pass home of the White Tailed Ptarmigan
White Tailed Ptarmigan at Guanella Pass
Sharp-Tailed Grouse – Tympanuchus phasianellus
Twenty-one of these Grouse were seen on their lek displaying during the early morning of the 18th near Hayden although the views were somewhat distant. A visit to another lek near Hayden on the 25th produced much nearer views of 18 birds right next to the road and we watched these for over an hour. I was able to photograph these.
Sharp Tailed Grouse lecking site at Hayden
Male & Females Sharp Tailed Grouse lecking at Hayden
Lesser Prairie-Chicken – Tympanuchus pallidicinctus
A very early morning visit to the lek at Campo on the Comanche Grasslands on the 13th produced superb views of 10 males in full display. A further visit to this lek on the 14th again produced excellent views of 7 males displaying and I was able to photograph them.
Lesser Prairie Chickens at lek at Campo, on the Comanche Grasslands.
An evening visit to on the 14th to a lek near Yuma produced 12 birds displaying and an early morning visit to this lek the following morning produced 20 birds. The main lek was some distance from the track but views through the telescope of 3 birds much nearer displaying was very enjoyable but only record photographs could be obtained.
Greater Prairie Chicken near Yuma
An evening visit to a lek near Gunnison on the 19th was negative so we were somewhat relieved to find 22 of this recently split species displaying during the very early morning on the 20th. After half an hour a Rough-Legged Buzzard flew in and landed on a post on the lek and this spooked all the Grouse, which flew off into the sage. A further visit was therefore made on the early morning of the 24th and this time 33 birds were displaying for much longer putting on a fine display but immediately the sun came above the hill, all the birds flew off the lek almost passing over the car.
Gunnison Sage Grouse Leck site
Gunnison Sage Grouse (taken by A.K.O)
Greater Sage-Grouse – Centrocercus urophasianus
An evening visit to a lek near Walden on the 16th produced amazing views of 56 birds displaying. One of the males as it was getting dark approached us to with 4 yards and displayed at us for 15 minutes, quite amazing. Early the following morning we had 80 birds at the lek of which up to 10 were displaying in the car parking lot and again stunning views were had. On the 18th 7 were seen displaying at a lek near Hayden and 2 were seen at this lek later in the morning on the 25th. Further visits were made to the Walden lek on the 25th when 55 were counted and on the 26th when 60 were seen and again exceptional views obtained. One of the main highlights of the trip.
Greater Sage Grouse on their lecking grounds at Walden.
Greater Sage Grouse lecking at Walden
Wild Turkey – Meleagris gallopavoJust 2 males seen on the 14th in Bonny State Park.
American Coot – Fulica americana
Recorded on eight dates with a maximum of 40 on the 12th.
Sandhill Crane – Grus canadensis
A flock of 75 of these graceful Cranes were found near Nee Noshe Reservoirs on the 12th and 25 were found along the Yampa River Valley on the 18th a number were in their rust-stained breeding plumage.
Sandhill Cranes along the Yampa River Valley
Semipalmated Plover – Charadrius smmipalmatus
Just a single bird seen on the 25th along the Auto Trail on the Arapafio National Wildlife Refuge.
Mountain Plover – Charadrius montanus
After much searching, two in full breeding plumage were found on the Comanche National Grasslands and gave excellent views. One of the birds was sat on a scrape and appeared to be incubating. A further 7 were seen on the 15th on the Pawnee Grasslands but the views were no where near as good due to the pollution haze, which was present on these grasslands, and the distance we were from the birds.
Mountain Plover (taken by A.K.O)
Killdeer – Charadrius vociferusThe common shorebird, recorded in small numbers on 11 dates and one was even seen in the snow at Steamboat National Forest on the 18th.
Killdeer in the Steamboat National Forest
American Avocet – Recurvirostra americana
Recorded on five dates with a maximum of 30 on the 26th at Walden Reservoir. Majority were in full breeding plumage.
American Avocet on Walden Reservoir
Black-Necked Stilt – Himantopus mexicanus
Just 3 seen at Walden Reservoir on the 26th.
Greater Yellowlegs – Tringa melanoleuca
Four seen on the 12th near Denver Airport with one on the 23rd near Canyon City.
Lesser Yellowlegs – Tringa flavipes
Just 2 seen on the 14th at Bonny State Park.
Solitary Sandpiper – Tringa solitaria
Excellent views obtained of a single bird along the River Trail at Canon City on the 22nd. I was even able to photograph it.
Solitary Sandpiper at Canon City
Willet – Catoptrophorus semipalmatus
Two of the ‘Western’ race were found on the 26th at Walden Reservoir.
Willet of the western race inoratus at Walden Reservoir
Long-Billed Curlew – Numenius americanusJust 2 were seen but others missed on the Comanche National Grasslands on the 13th.
Marbled Godwit – Limosa fedoa
Two in winter plumage were found resting on a frozen lake on the drive on the 24th.
Dowitcher Sp. – Limnodromus
Two in full breeding plumage were found feeding along the Auto Trail in the Arapafio National Wildlife Refuge on the 25th. Although not positively identified, I considered that they may be Short-Billed Dowitchers possibly of the ‘prairie’ race due to their almost unmarked underparts.
Wilson’s Snipe (Common) – Gallinago gallinago delicata
Odd birds recorded on five dates with 2 sat in the snow by the road edge near Steamboat Springs on the 25th allowing me to obtain some photographs.
Two Wilson’s Snipes taken against the light near Steamboat Springs
Bonaparte’s Gull – Larus philadelphia
Twenty seen distantly on the 12th on Nee Noshe Reservoirs and 2 on the 14th at Bonny State Park.
Franklin’s Gull – Larus pipixcan
This beautiful gull was recorded on five dates, all of which were in full summer plumage and all with a nice pinkish flush to the underparts. Maximum of 300, feeding in fields along the River Trail at Canon City on the 22nd.
Ring-Billed Gull – Larus delawarensis
Recorded on seven dates with a maximum of 50 on the 15th.
California Gull – Larus californicus
Only identified for certain at the breeding colony at Wealden Reservoir when up to 250 birds were seen on the breeding islands and nearby waters on the three visits to Walden Reservoir.
California Gulls at Walden Reservoir
(American) Herring Gull – Larus argentatus smithsonianus
Mourning Dove – Zenaida macroura
Common in the lowlands, but not seen in the mountains. Recorded on ten dates in total.
Collared Dove – Streptopelia decaocto
Just a single bird seen at Yuma on the 15th.
Long-Eared Owl – Asio otus
A single bird was seen in Bonny State Park on the 14th.
Short-Eared Owl – Asio flammeus
One showed very well as we were leaving Bonny State Park on the 14th.
Great Horned Owl – Bubo virginianus
A nest was found close to the road on the 14th near Yuma when two adults were seen on and an adult and three young still in the nest on the 15th. Two adults with one young out of the nest were found at Barr Lake on the 29th.
Record shot of an adult Great Horned Owl and Young near Yuma
Burrowing Owl – Athene cunicularia
Four were seen on the 12th in the prairie dog town near Denver Airport and a further 3 there on the 21st. Two were seen on the 13th on the Comanche Grasslands and one on the 15th on the Pawnee Grasslands.
Western Screech-Owl – Otus Kennicottii One seen at a stakeout at its nesting site at Grand Junction on the 19th.
Western Screech Owl at Grand Junction
White Throated Swift – Aeronautes saxatalis
Seventy, seen in Royal Gorge Park on the 22nd and four seen on the 23rd along the drive to Salida.
Belted Kingfisher – Ceryle alcyon
Up to 2 on a day recorded on the drives on seven days.
Lewis’s Woodpecker – Melanerpes lewis
Two of these unusual woodpeckers gave good long views on the 13th in Cottonwood Canyon.
Lewis's Woodpecker in Cottonwood Canyon
Red-Naped Sapsucker – Sphyrapicus nuchalis
This beautiful sapsucker was seen on four dates in the Aspen trees in the mountains. One on the 16th near Gould, one on the 17th at the Moose Visitors Centre with three showing very well here on the 26th and finally one showed nicely on the 27th in the Rocky Mountains National Park.
Red Naped Sapsucker in the Rocky Mountains National Park
Downy Woodpecker – Picoides pubescens
Just a single bird seen in Cottonwood Canyon on the 13th.
Female Downy Woodpecker at Cottonwood Canyon
Hairy Woodpecker – Piscoides villosus
One seen along the mountain drive near Fort Collins on the 16th.
Northern Flicker – Colaptes auratus
The red-shafted form was recorded on 11 dates with a maximum of 8 on the 14th.
Northern Flicker
Black Phoebe – Sayornis nigricans
One seen along the River Trail at Canon City on the 22nd.Eastern Phoebe – Sayornis phoebe
Six seen on the 13th in the Carrizo and Cottonwood Canyons were our only sightings.
Eastern Phoebe in Carrizo Canyon
Say’s Phoebe – Sayornis saya
Recorded on five dates with a maximum of 4 on the 13th.
Vermilion Flycatcher – Pyrocephalus rubinus
A superb adult male found in Cottonwood Canyon on the 13th.
Western Kingbird – Tyrannus verticalis
One seen near Denver Airport on the 28th, 2 at Barr Lake and 2 at Denver Airport on the 29th, these proved to be the last species seen on the trip.
Loggerhead Shrike – Lanius ludovicianus
Recorded on nine dates and chiefly on the grasslands or at lower elevations. Maximum of 6 on the 14th around the Comanche Grasslands.
Steller’s Jay – Cyanocitta stelleri
Recorded on nine dates chiefly in the mountains with a maximum of 15 on the 27th in the Rocky Mountain National Park. All belonged to the distinctive ‘macrolopha’ race.
Blue Jay – Cyanocitta cristata
Two seen on the 15th at Yuma and 3 on the 22nd at Canon City.
Western Scrub-Jay – Aphelocoma californica
Three seen in Cottonwood Canyon on the 13th, and 1 seen on the 22nd along the River Trail at Canon City. These belonged to the duller interior race ‘woodhouseii’.
Gray Jay – Perisoreus canadensis
Four seen on the 17th in the Colorado State Forest with one on the 18th in the Steamboat Springs National Forest. They gave excellent close views and all belonged to the Southern Rookies race ‘capitalis’.
Gray Jay in the Colorado State Forest
Clark’s Nutcracker – Nucifraga columbianaThree seen in juniper forest on the 19th along route 131 and one crossed the road on the 24th on the drive to George Town.
Clarks Nutcracker near George Town
American Magpie – Pica hudsonia
Very common, recorded daily. Now considered to be split from the European Black Billed Magpie.
American Black Billed Magpie
Common Raven – Corvus corax
Common especially in the mountains, but also seen at lower elevations. Maximum of 15 on the 27th in the Rocky Mountains National Park.
Chihuahuan Raven – Corvus cyptoleucus
Just 8 seen all on the 13th in the Comanche National Grasslands.
American Crow – Corvus brachyrhynchos
Common and widespread.
Horned Lark – Eremophila alpestris
Very common on the grasslands but also seen at higher elevations on plateau’s. Maximum of 300 on the 15th on the Pawnee National Grasslands.
Horned Lark in the frosty early morning, near Walden
Horned Lark at the Greater Sage Grouse lecking grounds at Walden
Northern Rough-Winged Swallow – Stelgidopteryx serripennis Singles seen on the 22nd along the River Trail at Canon City and on the 24th on the drive to Steamboat Springs.
Violet-Green Swallow – Tachycineta thalassina
Fifty seen on the 23rd on the drive to Salida and were probably passage migrants. One on the 24th with 8 on the 26th on the drive to Fort Collins.
Tree Swallow – Tachycineta bicolor
Recorded on seven dates with a maximum of 80 on the 22nd, which was probably a migrant flock over a lake in the snowstorm at Canon City.
Cliff Swallow – Petrochelidon pyrrhonota
Just 2 seen at Estes Park Lake on the 28th. The birds had returned to last year’s nests.
Barn Swallow – Hirundo rustica
Odd birds recorded on five dates.
Black-Capped Chickadee – Poecile atricapilla
Recorded on five dates chiefly in the mountains.
Black Capped Chickadee in the Colorado State Forest
Mountain Chickadee – Poecile gambeli
The common Chickadee in the mountains, Recorded on 8 dates with up to 15 on a day.
Mountain Chickadee
Red-Breasted Nuthatch – Sitta canadensisFour seen on the 18th in the Steamboat Springs National Forest, and one showed very well on the 28th, in the Black Canyon, allowing me to photograph it.
Red Breasted Nuthatch in the Black Canyon
White-Breasted Nuthatch – Sitta carolinensisJust a single bird seen on the 16th when we stopped on the drive to Fort Collins.
White Breasted Nuthatch along the drive to Fort Collins
Bewick’s Wren – Thryomanes bewickii
Two seen in Cottonwood Canyon on the 13th and one along the River Trail at Canon City on the 23rd.
Rock Wren – Salpinctes obsoletus
Ten were seen on the 13th in both Carrizo and Cottonwood Canyons.
Canyon Wren – Catherpes mexicanus
One seen briefly on the mountain drive from Fort Collins on the 16th.
American Dipper – Cinclus mexicanus
Seven were seen on the mountain drive on the 16th with one on the 19th.
American Dipper on the drive to Gould.
Golden Crowned Kinglet – Regulus satrapa
Just one seen on the 15th at Yuma.
Ruby Crowned Kinglet – Regulus calendula
Odd birds recorded on five dates with a maximum of 3 on the 27th.
Townsend’s Solitaire – Myadestes townsendi
Three seen on the 13th in Carrizo and Cottonwood Canyons, six on the 16th on the mountain drive on route 14 to Walden, one on the 18th at Steamboat Springs National Forest. Two on the 22nd along the River Trail at Canon City and one on the 27th near Estes Park.
Townsend Solitaire in the mountains near Walden
Mountain Bluebird – Sialia currucoides.Recorded on 11dates with a migrant flock of 40 seen on the way to Royal Gorge on the 22nd.
Mountain Bluebird near the Royal Gorge
American Robin – Turdus migratorius Very common and good numbers seen daily and many migrants seen. A flock of 250 feeding on a mountainside on the 16th along route 14 to Walden was an exciting sight.
Male American Robin at Springfield
Northern Mockingbird – Mimus polyglottos
Just a single bird seen on the 13th in Cottonwood Canyon.
European Starling – Sturnus vulgaris.
Very common, seen daily.
American Pipit – Anthus rubescens alticola
A party of seven was forced down on the mountains due to heavy snow on the 20th and briefly landed by George Town Lake. They were in full summer plumage and showed very pale lores and a delightful ‘peach’ colour underparts.
Cedar Waxwing – Bombycilla cedrorum
Two seen on the 14th at Bonny State Park and 13 on the 15th at Yuma.
Cedar Waxwing at Yuma
Orange-Crowned Warbler – Vermivora celata
Just a single bird seen on the 15th at Yuma.
Yellow Rumped Warbler – Dendroica coronata
Recorded on six dates chiefly males in full summer plumage. Both sub-species were seen ie Myrtle & Audubon’s. A mixed migrant flock was discovered in the heavy snow along the River Trail at Canon City on the 22nd, which included 15 Myrtle’s, and 25 Audubon’s they were very active and singing in the snow. The whole flock had gone by the next morning.
Yellow Rumped Warbler (Myrtle)
Common Yellowthroat – Geothlypis trichas
A female migrant was found skulking in some bushes by the edge of the lake at Estes Park on the 27th. The local birder informed us that it was the first sighting there for two years.
Spotted Towhee – Pipilo maculatus
One showed well on the 18th at Hayden.
Canyon Towhee – Pipilo fuscus
One was seen on the 13th in Cottonwood Canyon.
Chipping Sparrow – Spizella passerina
Six seen on the 22nd at the Royal Gorge with one on the 23rd along the River Trail at Canon City.
Chipping Sparrow at the Royal Gorge
Savannah Sparrow – Passerculus sandwichensis
Just 4 seen on the 23rd near Gunnison Airport.
Savannah Sparrow at Gunnison Airport
Vesper Sparrow – Pooecetes gramineusRecorded on eight dates with 40 seen at the Royal Gorge on the 22nd and 50 seen near Gunnison Airport on the 23rd.
Vesper Sparrow near Gunnison Airport
Lark Sparrow – Chondestes grammacusDRC had a single bird sat on top of the open van door at Campo on the 14th while JFC was sat in the hide.
Harris’s Sparrow – Zonotrichia querula
JFC finally connected at his third attempt in the early morning of the 23rd of the 2 birds, which had been wintering along the River Trail at Canon City. They were sluggish birds keeping fairly high up in the trees and they had now acquired the black faces and chins and bright pink bills.
Harris’s Sparrow at Canon City
White-Crowned Sparrow – Zonotrichia leucophrys
Small numbers recorded on four dates with a maximum of 6 on the 23rd.
Fox Sparrow – Passerella iliaca
A single bird was seen singing by DRC on the 17th behind the feeding station at the Moose Visitors Centre, in the Colorado State Forest. JFC caught up with this bird in the same spot on the 26th when he obtained an excellent view of it and was able to identify it as belonging to the race ‘schistacea’.
Song Sparrow – Melospiza melodia
Recorded on eight dates with a maximum of four on the 12th.
Dark Eyed Junco – Junco hyemalis
1. Oregon form – race ‘thurberi’ – Just one identified, on the 14th at Bonny State Park.
2. Pink-sided form – race ‘mearnsi’ – Recorded on five dates with a maximum of 20 on the 16th.
3. Grey headed form – race ‘caniceps’ – The common junco on the mountains. Recorded on ten dates with a maximum of 15 on the 26th at the Moose Visitors Centre near Gould.
4. Slate-coloured form –race ‘hyemalis’- One photographed at the Moose Visitors Centre near Gould on the 17th.
Pink Sided Junco (race mearnsi ) in Bonny State Park
Grey Headed Junco (race caniceps) in the Colorado State Forest
Slate Coloured Junco (race hyemalis) at the Moose Visitors Centre
McCown’s Longspur – Calcarius mccownii
After several hours of searching we finally located two adult males in full breeding plumage on the Pawnee National Grasslands on the 15th and obtained some nice views.Chestnut-Collared Longspur – Calcarius ornatus
Five males in full breeding plumage were found on the Pawnee National Grasslands on the 15th and two we were able to creep up on and obtained some excellent close views for some 20 minutes. Stunning.
Record shots of the Chestnut Collared Longspur on the Pawnee Grasslands
Western Meadowlark – Sturnella neglecta
Very common on the grasslands and also seen at higher elevations in suitable areas.
Brown-Headed Cowbird – Molothrus ater
Only identified on two dates but others must have been overlooked. A flock of 50 feeding along the road on the 14th was the maximum seen.
Yellow-Headed Blackbird – Xanthocephalus xanthocephalus
Recorded on just four dates with a maximum of 50 on the 26th at Walden.
Yellow Headed Blackbird at Walden
Red-Winged Blackbird – Agelaius phoeniceus
Very common and seen virtually everywhere.
Red winged Blackbird dispalaying
Only identified at Hayden with 1 on the 18th and 20 on the 25th but others were probably overlooked.
Common Grackle – Quiscalus quiscula
Very common and recorded virtually everywhere.
Great-Tailed Grackle – Quiscalus mexicanus
One identified on the 14th with two identified on the 15th at Yuma.
Evening Grosbeak – Coccothraustes vespertinus
Eight were seen at Grand Junction on the 19th and five were found at the feeding station at the Moose Visitors Centre near Gould on the 26th. Superb views were obtained.
Female Evening Grosbeak at Grand Junction
Male Evening Grosbeak in the apple blossom at Grand Junction
Pine Grosbeak – Pinicola enucleator
Up to 4 recorded on four dates including several stunning adult males at both the bird-feeding stations at the Moose Visitors Centre near Gould and Loveland Pass Basin Ski Lift Centre. The males were of the Interior West form.
Pine Grosbeaks at the Moose Visitors Centre feeding station
Female Pine Grosbeak with the Rosy-Finches at the George Town feeding station.
Fifteen seen at the bird feeding station at the Moose Visitors Centre on the 17th and 100 were seen at very close range at the Loveland feeding station on the 21st. Four Hepburns ‘littoralis’ were also present in this flock.
Grey Crowned Rosy Finch near George Town
Grey Crowned Rosy Finch (Hepburns race) which
shows more grey on the face and is larger in size
Adult Grey Crowned Rosy Finch
Brown-Capped Rosy Finch – Leucosticte australis
Twelve were seen at the feeders at the Moose Visitors Centre, near Gould on the 17th and 50 were seen at very close range at the Loveland feeding station on the 21st.
Brown Capped Rosy Finch near George Town
Brown Capped with Grey Crowned Rosy Finches at George Town
Eight were seen at the feeders at the Moose Visitors Centre near Gould on the 17th and 50 were seen at very close range at the Loveland feeding station on the 21st. Five adult males in full breeding plumage were present at the Moose Visitors Centre on the 26th.
Adult Black Rosy Finch with Brown Capped Rosy Finch near George Town
Adult Black Rosy Finch near George Town.
Rosy Finches
Rosy Finches feeding at the Loveland feeding station at George Town.
Cassin’s Finch – Carpodacus cassinii
A female type was seen at the Moose Visitors Centre on the 17th and five were seen here on the 26th including 2 splendid adult males.
Female & Male Cassin’s Finch at the Moose Visitors Centre
House Finch – Carpodacus cassinii
Pine Siskin – Carduelis pinus
Twelve were coming to the bird feeders around Yuma on the 15th.
American Goldfinch – Carduelis tristis
Just recorded on three dates with a maximum of 8 on the 14th at Yuma.
House Sparrow – Passer domesticus
Very common and widespread.
Mammals
Coyotei One seen on the 25th on the outskirts of Heyden.
Beaver One seen in the Rocky Mountains National Park. also dams seen around Hayden.
Beaver Lake (Beaver is just visible in the centre) in the Rocky Mountains National Park.
Pronghorn Antelopes near Hayden
Big Horn Sheep on the cliff face behind George Town
Elk 12 seen on the 16th in the Colorado National Forest with several on the 18th near Steamboat and 40 on the 27th in the Rocky Mountain National Park.
Elk in the Rocky Mountains National Park.
Moose Just one seen close to the road along Route 14 near Gould on the 16th.
Racoon Two seen crossing the road in the early morning on the drive to Heyden on the 25th.
Eastern Cottontail One seen at Gunnison on the 19th.
Mountain Cottontail One seen in the Rocky Mountain National Park on the 27th.
Black Tailed Jackrabbit One seen at the Greater Prairie Chicken Lek at Yuma on the 14th.
White Tailed Jackrabbit Small numbers recorded on the 16th, 19th and 24th.
Least Chipmunk Six seen in the Rocky Mountain National Park on the 27th.
Colorado Chipmunk Small numbers seen along route 131 on the 19th and upto 10 present at the Moose Visitors Centre on the 26th.
Colorado Chipmunk
Yellow Bellied Marmot Five seen on the 18th in the Yempa Valley and several seen on the 19th on the drive to Grand Junction.
Musk-Rat One seen on the 17th at Walden Reservoir, one on the 20th on George Town Lake and a couple on the 25th near Walden.
Wyoming Ground Squirrel Several seen on the drive on the 17th.
Golden Mantled Ground Squirrel One seen very well on the 26th at Hayden.
Golden Mantled Ground-Squirrel near Hayden
Golden Mantled Ground Squirrel in the Rocky Mountains National Park.
Golden Mantled Ground Squirrel in the Rocky Mountains National Park.
Thirteen Lined Ground Squirrel Ten seen on the 13th on the Commanche Grasslands with good numbers on the 15th on the Pawnee Grasslands.
Gunnison Prairie Dog Good numbers seen in the Gunnison area on four dates.
White Tailed Prairie Dog Large numbers recorded on the 19th, 25th, & 26th.
White Tailed Prairie Dog
Black Tailed Prairie Dog near Grand Junction
Fox Squirrel Recorded in small numbers on the 15th, 18th and 23rd.
Pine Squirrel Only seen on the 20th on the drive to George Town.
American Beaver One seen near its dam at Walden on the 26th and one seen in the Rock Mountain National Park on the 27th. A number of other dams also seen.
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