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2001: a chicken odyssey
Day 9 Saturday 4/21/01

First page number refers to the ABA Birders Guide to Colorado
The page number at the end of the notation refer to DeLorme Colorado Atlas and Gazetteer

Day 9 ~ Saturday April 21st
This morning, Gunnison Sage Grouse. From here we head east towards the Pueblo area, where we hope to locate our eleventh 'chicken' the Scaled Quail. This morning we begin in the San Luis Valley, where extensive wetlands dot the valley floor. We'll search for Sage Sparrow and Bendire's Thrasher, visit Russell Lakes for Cliff Swallow and expect to see Sandhill Cranes and Roseate Spoonbills at Monte Vista NWR
Overnight: Pueblo West

Gunnison off Wood Gulch Road, which is approximately two miles WEST of the Juanita Hot Springs road where the lek is. These were female birds, about l/4 to l/2 mile down this dirt road, after where it turns, just past a farmstead. They were in the shrubby, riparian willow carrs foraging on the grassy hummocks along beside Highway 50. If they're in the same spot, you will need to scope them across the field, looking south. Wood Gulch Road is probably about l8--20 miles EAST of Gunnison, right off Highway 50. You would turn NORTH, or left, coming from Gunnison. I've also seen them 8 or 9 miles east of Gunnison along Highway ll4 that goes to Saguache. Just drive 5 or 6 miles in, after turning off 50, to where the creek comes close to the road somewhere. I've seen female birds here in August. The ones on Wood Gulch road I saw over Labor Day weekend one year. (P.69) 4/8 -The Gunnison Sage-Grouse lek that I visited is a half mile north of U.S. Hwy. 50 on the county road to Wuanita Hot Springs. This county road is just west of Doyleville, which is between Monarch Pass and Gunnison. The observation site is on the shoulder of the road and is marked with a DOW sign and hay bales. Use a scope to view the lek, a little distance east of the road. Rules are posted on sign. (P.69)

2nd Gunnison's Lek 4/9- Adrian, This was the lek at Parlin. Turn left (Soust) on Rd 43 in Parlin .Go .25 miles, beare left, and cont.1.5 miles. Turn left (East) and go .3 miles. There are old wooden posts and a gravel parking are on the left. The birds were to the left about 200yds out. We went to this lek first and then Wuanita Sprgs. By 7:30 the birds were off the Wuanita lek but probably helped by the eagle. Hope this helps. Jerry

Route 92 north of Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park - Blue Grouse (drive the road)

San Luis Valley (P.201) SAGE SPARROW and SAGE THRASHER south of Fort Garland (P.91)

Monte Vista In Monte Vista, the EURASIAN COLLARED DOVES are easily seen in the alley between Dunham and Morris Streets, between 2nd and 3rd street. Many feeders align this alley and its got a lot of action lately. Also watch for 4 RED CROSSBILLS there as well, and an occasional BLUE JAY. (P.80)

Monte Vista National Wildlife Refuge (P.203) + Whooping Crane (up to 2) first 2/22) last 3/10 (Last observed on auto-tour route; also observed 0.5 south of Headquarters) Sandhill Crane, Western Willet and Roseate Spoonbill (P.90)

San Luis (Mosca) Reservoir Sage Thrasher (P.81) N. of Del Norte BENDIRE'S THRASHER (P.205), Sage Thrasher's also in the area in lower swales (P.79)

Russell Lake (P.204) Cliff Swallow Check the farm ponds & pot holes for Brewers Blackbird, Vesper Sparrow, Cinnamon Teal, Redheads, Swainson's Hawk, Harriers (P.80)

Dinner: Steak House. Rte 50 east to just before I-25, go North on frontage rd. ¾ mile up on left

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