Trip Report by Connie Goldman

It had been a year in the making. A conversation about other groups that had taken Colorado “chicken trips,” had led to a consensus that it would be a good idea for us. There were the “chickens” endemic to the area, and Colorado’s diversity of habitat promised a number of other attractive birds. But we dreaded the “crunch” of time experienced by many formal tours. The combination of long distances between prime trip destinations and very early mornings necessary in order to view leks, could make for extremely long travel days. We would extend the traditional trip somewhat to try and ease our travels a bit. To instill the spirit of Colorado into our trip preparations, we read James Michener’s “Centennial” and watched episodes of its made-for-TV series. This was a fun way to delve into aspects of Colorado history and politics. We had met with other birders willing to share advice based upon their own Colorado experiences; we had tracked listservs and communicated with locals about birding spots. Travel arrangements were made, the birds were researched. Now, we six birding friends were ready to go!

Day 1 - Monday April 7, 2008
Our group, having travelled together in the past, kicked into gear for travel day #1. As for past trips, Karl Lukens drove up from Cape May, NJ, and stayed the night before at the home of Bert Filemyr in Meadowbrook PA. Connie Goldman drove down from Churchville, PA to meet them there at 4:45am; the three drove to pick up Jane Henderson and husband Bob Cohen at their home in Flourtown, PA and all five were then off to remote airport parking. Splitting the multi-day parking fee five ways would make it a minor expense for each of us. Shuttle transfer to the airport, security and flight check-in all went smoothly and we were at our departure gate well in advance of our 8am flight. Ann Scott had been dropped off at the airport separately by her husband, who drove down with her from Telford, PA. Ann was at the gate already when we arrived. Our entire group assembled, Connie took the opportunity to announce a surprise. She handed out to each friend a ballcap, embroidered with prairie chickens and mountains, designed especially for this trip!

Our flight went according to schedule and we arrived in Denver by late morning. We saw flats to the east contrasting with the distant Rocky Mountains to the west – we were in Colorado! Birding immediately ensued, as we donned binoculars and began watching grassy areas around the airport. As we took the shuttle toward our rental car location, we ticked off some common species along our route. While coping with some delay caused by a line of other vehicle renters, we watched our first red-shafted Northern Flickers fly over the building. Seeing this western variety of the familiar woodpecker only peaked our excitement about the western species of birds to come.
We were in possession of a vehicle by noon, and our loadmasters, Bob and Karl, were challenged to fit all of our luggage into the back. They did it! Off we went toward Boulder, spotting birds as we went. Western Meadowlark was seen along the roadside, and we passed our first prairie dog town on the way to our lunch stop. Wet areas and small ponds dotted the roadside, and we spotted Ruddy Ducks, Mallards, Common Mergansers and Red-winged Blackbirds.

A riparian area adjacent to the 75th Street Bridge in Boulder was reported to have American Dipper, an important trip target bird. And it did! The little brown and grey bird bobbed up and down on a rock, and dipped into the running stream, popping back up in characteristic fashion. A dipper nest up under the bridge was also interesting to see. A number of us had started the first hour of our trip by getting a life bird sighting! Robins, Red-winged Blackbirds and Black-capped Chickadees were among the local songbirds in the Cottonwoods there.

A private home in Longmont, CO had had reports of a vagrant Varied Thrush at its feeding station. We had received permission to watch the feeders, so pulled into the drive and got out. Near the pond in front were House Sparrows, and, high in a tree, a Western Meadowlark. Beside the house were White-crowned Sparrows and the rest of the House Sparrow flock, flying into and away from the feeders. As we watched, a young mother holding her beautiful baby came to the door. She invited us to watch from inside, explaining that we might be able to see better from there if the bird arrived. With that, she took us into the kitchen and invited us to watch from the sliding door and on the deck out back. We watched for awhile, sighting Western Bluebirds, House Finches, and, in the distance, two Bald Eagles! But no thrush visited, and time had come for us to move on. We thanked this Boulder resident, and enjoyed the aroma of her soup stock simmering on the stove as we left.

Next we began our ascent to higher elevation locations. We drove up the mountainside, noticing the changeover of landscape to sparse small pines, ever increasing to taller trees and more dense stands of snow-covered evergreens. In Allenspark, CO, the Fawn Brook Inn maintains a very busy feeding station. More lifers were in store for some of us, as we saw all three species of Rosy-finch! The “hepburn’s” subspecies of Grey-crowned was also seen. Oregon, Pink-sided and Grey-headed Juncos came and went. Red-breasted, White-breasted and Pygmy Nuthatches visited the feeders. Pine Siskins and Cassin’s Finches were there to see. We enjoyed all this bird activity as well as the snow-covered Colorado aspen and pine trees.

A short distance from Fawnbrook was another private feeding station. Here we caught views of raucous Steller’s Jays and Black-billed Magpies, vying for best positions at the feeders. A Clark’s Nutcracker also showed up here and became the star of the show at that spot.

We had had a fulfilling day of travel and birding. We reached our hotel in Georgetown, held a congratulatory happy hour in our hotel rooms and compiled our bird list for the day. Dinner was at a local bar restaurant, where we met a fan of the Philadelphia Phillies, witnessed a customer being escorted out (and even then, he seemed unable to leave), and put money in a jukebox that then refused to play our Creedence Clearwater selections. (You had to be there…..)

Day 2 – Tuesday, April 8, 2008
We woke on this morning not to a bird, but a mammal sighting from just outside our hotel rooms. Bighorn Sheep could be seen practically straight up the mountainside across the road! They stood and confidently walked about on what seemed to us very precarious narrow footholds among the rocks. Their huge swept-back horns made quite a majestic impression.
We enjoyed a ride through historic Georgetown and drove up Guanella Pass to the point at which it was closed for the winter. Here we enjoyed mountain views, gained an appreciation for some of the history of the area and did some morning birding. Juncos and Mountain Chickadees were active, and Common Ravens glided overhead.

A major target of our day was to be the White-tailed Ptarmigan. We drove high up in the mountains onto Loveland Pass to seek this species. Mountain scenery grew ever more breathtaking as we approached the 11,990 ft. mountain pass. We were now beyond the tree line, in alpine tundra habitat. The ptarmigan had been reported recently in a couple different locations among the short shrubbery alongside the pass. Conditions were very windy, challenging our efforts to maintain steady tripods and bins. We scanned any shrub or vegetation sticking out above the snow cover, and investigated every suspicious white mound for evidence of the bird, but were unable to find a ptarmigan. Knowing we might have another opportunity later in the trip to return and try again, we reluctantly abandoned our search and moved down to other locations.

In Silverthorne, CO we birded the Blue River Water Treatment Plant. Among the ducks swimming on the impoundments were Gadwall, American Wigeon, and our first Cinnamon Teal of the trip. A pair of Osprey were seen setting up household on a nest platform nearby.
Next we went to a local feeding station at a home on Elk Thistle Run. This busy private feeder hosted numerous species including many Rosy-finches, Cassin’s Finches, and Pine Grosbeaks. Stellar’s Jays and Black-billed Magpies visited the area; woodpeckers and nuthatches were in the mix, too. We delighted in the variety of western feeder birds.

In Buena Vista we birded Ice Lake, where groups of American White Pelicans flew overhead and a large flock swam on the water. A graceful Clark’s Grebe swam on the lake. Pied-billed Grebe and various ducks were present. Ring-billed Gulls, Double-crested Cormorants and Great Blue Heron were also seen here. We found Snowy Egret, and Greater Yellowlegs in the area. A Sage Thrasher popped up through a desert shrub to give us good looks. A male Northern Harrier came down onto a field along the roadside nearby, making a stunning appearance.

We drove the highway toward the south, noting American Kestrels perched on wires at frequent intervals along our route. As the road crossed a brook, we spotted a goldeneye duck and got out to look. It was a Barrow’s Goldeneye! American Dipper was using this habitat also, giving us another chance to enjoy this fun species.

At the Collegiate Peaks Overlook, we birded the scrubby habitat of low pines and cedar for Pinyon Jay, but had no success with this. The dramatic scenery provided us with a consolation prize of great photo ops.

We arrived in the Gunnison area and drove to the Gunnison Sage Grouse lek area for a sneak preview. Western Meadowlarks, Western Bluebirds and finches foraged in the grassy areas, while Mallards and Green-winged Teal paddled in wetter spots. No grouse were present at this time, calculating from reports, we zeroed in on potential lek areas out between low sagebrush plants. We planned to position ourselves optimally when we returned in the morning.

After checking in to our Gunnison lodging, we had happy hour and completed our checklist. After dinner at a local restaurant we settled in for the night – it would be an early morning on Wednesday, as we’d need to be at the lek well before sunrise.

Day 3 – Wednesday, April 9, 2008
We were awake and out at 4:30am, knowing we’d return for breakfast at our hotel after our grouse viewing experience. In pitch darkness, we pulled up in our vehicle and positioned ourselves for optimal views. As we had opted not to enter the public blind, we would be required to remain in our vehicle and watch the birds from there. Eventually, out of the darkness, the forms of Gunnison Sage Grouse males became visible out on the lek area. More and more chickens congregated. We began to see the males strutting and spreading their tails into broad spiky fans. They lifted their filoplumes, puffed up their air sacs, “dueled” with each other, trying in general to impress females. We watched numerous females walk, feed and rest in apparent disinterest around them. We marveled at the complexity of the ritual and the amount of energy put into this mating display. Over 35 birds were counted. At one point a Bald Eagle was spotted, and we watched as it fed on prey from a post in the distance. Was its meal a grouse? A number of sage grouse had flown off around this time and we watched as they flew across the road ahead of us. The ceremony continued below with the remaining birds, however. Some time later, a Golden Eagle was spotted sweeping the area, and the rest of the grouse were seen flying away from the lek area. We had gotten good looks at this species of special conservation interest. We felt fortunate to have witnessed the behavior of the grouse whose future is perhaps still uncertain.

Back at the hotel, we ate breakfast and packed up for the next leg of our trip. We headed west and north through the Curecanti National Recreation Area, featuring the Blue Mesa Reservoir. A winding riverbed on one side contrasted with wide open flat grassy areas on the other. The variation in habitat rewarded us with numerous bird sightings.

Our next stop was at the Fruit Growers Reservoir an amazing lake and inland marsh teeming with birds. Ducks included Ring-necked, Shoveler, Lesser Scaup Ruddy Ducks and others. Groups of Sandhill Cranes congregated in the wet fields alongside the lake. Swallows, including Tree, Northern Rough-winged and Cliff Swallow flew in large numbers overhead. Yellow-headed Blackbirds joined the Red-winged blackbirds there. White-faced Ibis and Avocets stood in a muddy edge. A raptor in a snag some distance away looked interesting. Its muted rusty wing patch and overall dark appearance challenged us at first. After some analysis and field guide checking, we were able to positively ID the bird as a dark morph Ferruginous Hawk.

Turning a bend nearby brought us to a spot reported to hold Lewis’s Woodpeckers. This was an agricultural area, with a few farmhouse residences and huge cottonwood trees along the road. Sure enough, we soon spotted one, and then numerous woodpeckers, flying about the trees or hiking up trunks or branches. This was a life bird for a number of us, so congratulations ensued. We observed the birds’ interesting crow-like flight and noted their flycatcher-like behavior as they caught insects in flight. Even in the grey light of this cloudy day, their colors of glossy green, grey and rose were impressive.

Confluence Lake is surrounded by a community park in Delta, CO – we pulled in to bird the from the lakeside, and found a Western Grebe, Earred Grebe and Greater White-fronted Goose. A Bald Eagle was also sighted in the skies over the lake.

Next we headed toward Grand Junction, stopping at spots along Rte #141. In one area, rocky canyon walls rose straight up beside the road. We found Canyon Wren happily flitting and singing among the rock ledges here. In areas of pinyon pine and rocky mountain Juniper, we looked for Pinyon Jay and Juniper Titmouse. We had stopped numerous times without success when we came to private habitat, fenced off beyond a gravel drive. As we birded from the driveway, the owner happened to come in. After greeting us and finding out what we were doing, he invited us to visit his mother, who had feeders hosting “dozens of jays.” With that we were off to the home of Mary, who graciously invited us, complete strangers, into her home! She offered us window seating to watch her busy feeding station and told us of the variety of birds she enjoyed at her feeders. Mary explained that she had numerous “pinyon squalkers” at her feeder and that they had been there that morning. We gratefully waited and watched, hoping the jays would return for a late afternoon meal. While we did see Cassin’s Finches, Pine Siskins and numerous juncos, no Pinyon Jay showed. Grey skies, drizzle and light snow had developed. Though we found Mary’s offer to stay as long as we needed quite tempting, we had to move on toward our lodging for the night without our desired sighting. We are very grateful to her for her wonderful hospitality.

We settled into our lodging at Grand Junction, had happy hour and compiled our list. Dinner at a local restaurant ended our day.

Day 4 – Thursday, April 10, 2008
Cameo Canyon demanded our attention for some hours on this morning. We admired the rugged western landscape of the canyon as we drove in. We were looking for Chukar, a species that some of us desired as a life bird. We had reports that included the specific rock ledge in the area that the birds had been seen on or near recently, and we felt confident that we would soon be enjoying looks at this species. No luck! Though we searched high and low through the length of the canyon, we could not come up with this bird. We separated into smaller groups and went in different directions, we climbed on rocks and walked up trails. We became so familiar with some of the rocks we were repeatedly looking at that we gave some of them names - names like “rock-that-resembles-chukar” and “rock-where-the-chukar-should-be.” This was our only trip habitat likely to hold Chukar. But, after hours of birding, we had to admit defeat and move on. We enjoyed lots of Mountain Bluebirds, as well as Say’s Phoebes and White-crowned Sparrows on the way out. As we passed lakes or wet areas, we birded for waterfowl and tallied more ducks and Osprey. We spotted Franklin’s Gulls. We birded along the roads through pinyon pine habitat en route to our next destination. In an expansive field, a Golden Eagle came down to the ground with prey as we watched. The bird was close enough for us to appreciate the golden head feathers moving in the breeze. The eagle moved and turned in different directions seemingly attempting to get the prey into optimal feeding position. As different groups of feathers fluffed, we were able to appreciate the eagle’s broad banded tail, its wings, and the general size and power of the bird. We counted this an awesome encounter.

Stopping at a reservoir we were greeted by a virtual throng of Mountain Bluebirds foraging on the ground. They were seemingly unimpressed by the proximity of our vehicle and came closer and closer as our photographs of them were being snapped.
As we drove we had sightings of Sharp-shinned and Cooper’s Hawks. Flickers crossed our path and Say’s Phoebes bobbed their tails on fences along the road. We saw more Sandhill Cranes in fields. Eurasian Collared-doves, Mourning Doves and American Kestrels perched on wires here and there. Birds seemed to be everywhere!

Reaching Steamboat Springs in the afternoon, we cruised the area of the traditional 20-mile Road Sharp-tailed Grouse lek. As we moved down the road, Bob called out “stop!” Bert asked what kind of bird Bob thought he saw. “It looked like a chicken” was the reply. Our vehicle made an immediate u-turn. Sure enough, close to the road tucked in next to a small shrub was a Sharp-tailed Grouse! As we looked, more and more individuals were noticed, until we had tallied about 7 birds. Though this was not an evening lek, we enjoyed our close encounter with a number of individuals, and some of us ticked off another life bird!

We entered the town of Steamboat Springs, checked in to our hotel, had happy hour and compiled our bird list for the day. Dinner at a nearby restaurant was a fun ending for the day.

Day 5 – Friday, April 11, 2008
Early on this morning we headed for the home of Ron, a local resident, to see a Sharp-tailed Grouse lek there. Invited inside prior to viewing the lek, we were treated to a special experience, learning how the home had been built by this retiree and his wife. It was no less than astounding in appearance. Fine touches in the home and its trimmings spoke of the high level of industry and pride the two had put in to creating their home. To boot, Sharp-tailed Grouse showed up at the feeding station immediately outside the dining area window! We watched in close proximity from indoors and went outside behind the barn to witness the larger group of birds on the lek. Grouse scooted across the ground, ritualistically bowed their wings, and “faced off” with each other in the ceremonial display. Their movements mimicked those of mechanical wind-up toys, adding comedy to the amazing scene. We enjoyed the lek for a time before heading back inside for warmth and happy goodbyes to our host. We had been taken in again as strangers, had been offered coffee and given a share in this family’s view of an aspect of nature. We left feeling very gratified by the hospitality of this Colorado resident.

In a very short time, we experienced Colorado hospitality again! A short distance away in Steamboat Springs, residents Jan and Vick had been hosts to a surprising Varied Thrush at their bird feeding station. They, too, invited us inside and offered us treats to eat as we watched from their home to see if the bird would show again. As we learned from them how the thrush had been discovered and positively ID’s with the help of a local birder, Evening Grosbeaks filled the trees outside the window. Juncos fed on the ground and in shrubs, and a Northern Flicker and Downy Woodpecker visited the suet. Jan spread more seed on a railing and soon Pine Grosbeaks and Evening Grosbeaks formed a chorus line there on the balcony in front of us. After about 45 minutes, the Varied Thrush showed up! Photos were snapped and we observed the characteristic field marks of a female bird of the species. After enjoying the bird for a time, we thanked the couple. Vick accompanied us to our vehicle and guided us safely out of our parking spot, and we were off down the road.

Jan and Vick had mentioned the usual presence of American Dippers at the 13th St Bridge in town. We checked out this area before leaving Steamboat Springs and sure enough found dippers there, including what appeared to be a nest up under the bridge. We also sighted two Belted Kingfishers along the river here. We smelled the pungent sulfur of the area and observed an example of a sulfur spring.

We headed away and drove over Rabbit Ears Pass. As we drove higher and higher, the weather changed. A light snow had blanketed town, but soon we were surrounded by aspen-pine winter woodlands. Before long, we watched as lower elevation on the other side brought us down somewhat to sagebrush habitat again. In a scrubby area, a raptor perched atop a pole. It’s pale coloration, squared off mustache and bulky size led us to realize it was an awesome Prairie Falcon. We watched for it to fly and demonstrate its dark axillaries, but the bird was obviously comfortable and planning to stay put for a time.

Our lodging would be in Walden, where we’d position ourselves to see Greater Sage Grouse on lek in the area. Arriving in that town in the afternoon, we drove through neighborhoods there and found impressive groups of yellow-headed blackbirds.

We checked into our hotel earlier than usual, then went out to check the Coalmont lek at dusk. The birds had been reported to lek in the evening; seeing them do so could give us more options for birding the next day. We drove the roads around the lek area, parked, watched and waited. Pronghorns roamed the expansive fields, and we took advantage of the opportunity to observe these handsome wild western creatures. The herd ran across the road ahead of us, jumped fences and spread across the vast flats. But we saw no grouse in spite of a long watch and viewing from various vantage points. We watched weather formations under distant clouds in this area of “big sky,” marveling at the diverse scenery of Colorado. Finally in near darkness we decided we would not see the grouse today. As we drove away, a night bird flew past our vehicle – a Short-Earred Owl! This sighting lifted our spirits and added a final moment of excitement to our day. We returned to our hotel for a late dinner, completed our day’s bird list at dinner, and settled in for the night, hoping we’d have better luck when we returned to the lek in the morning.

Day 6 – Saturday, April 12, 2008
Early on this morning we returned to the Coalmont lek area. While at first birdless as we slowly drove the road, we eventually spotted a single grouse sitting beside sagebrush. Then additional birds showed themselves in twos and threes. While we suspected that the actual lek was likely off some distance from the road, we were able to get close looks at both male and female Greater Sage Grouse. We saw one or two males display and confront one another. We appreciated this sizeable species and admired the birds as they fanned their tails and puffed their air sacs ceremoniously. Some of the birds walked out onto the road ahead of us and a couple of the birds were seen in flight. We had observed another very interesting Colorado bird, another lifer for some in our group.

From the snowy flats of Coalmont, we now headed east toward the warmer prairie. Snow disappeared from the landscape and temperatures rose. Water impoundments along the way held Green-winged Teal, Great Blue Heron, Northern Shoveler and Canada Goose. An occasional Turkey Vulture flew above. Roadside communication poles were the favorite perches of local raptors, and among them we found Ferruginous Hawk. At our first stop in the Pawnee National Grasslands, the tendency toward windiness in this area was demonstrated to us. We set up scopes only to have them shake almost uncontrollably. Our coats were blown against us and we had trouble hearing each other as the wind carried voices away. Out in the grass we saw a Long-billed Curlew, a few Mountain Plovers, and numerous Killdeer, all managing their existence here in spite of the weather. We tried to bird a couple more areas and decided we were better off remaining in the vehicle, using it as a wind shield. At one crossroads, we pulled into a lot with sparse scrub and found numerous very close Mountain Plover. Smaller birds working among the grasses proved to be McCown’s Longspur. We found them there in numbers, and got good looks – the lifers were really adding up!

In the Murphy’s Pasture area, we drove the road and appreciated the vast nature of the prairie. In all directions, for as far as could be seen, was nothing but prairie grass. Only the road and meager fencing reminded us of human influence. We enjoyed more sightings of McCown’s Longspurs here, one individual bathing in a wet ditch in the road. We were unable to find Chestnut Collared Longspurs in the area.

Our night’s destination was Wray, Co., where we had arranged places at the community’s official Greater Prairie Chicken orientation and dinner that evening. We arrived in Wray, checked into our hotel, then headed for the local museum to participate in the experience. At the museum, we enjoyed exhibits of local history while waiting for the program to begin. These included clothing, western riding gear, a general store, animal taxidermy from a local hunter of years past, and other accoutrements of an earlier era in Wray. All participants assembled, we were taken by bus past a field of Wild Turkeys, past the typical sandhill landscape that is home to the Greater Prairie Chicken, and on to a former high school building now used for public events.

As we sat in the old gym, we each specified how we wanted our steak grilled! While our dinner was being prepared, we were entertained with song and keyboard renditions of traditional American music. The performer, the local music teacher, also presented a brief humorous ventriloquist routine on the subject of chickens and chicken-watchers. (you had to be there!) Surrounding us on the gym walls were photos of the school’s graduating seniors of the years 1920’s to 1940’s, showing the small classes of 4-5 students!

Next, we filed out to barbecue grills, plate in hand, to receive our ordered steak. We were in cattle country and these were authentic western steaks! We came back in to add homestyle side dishes to our meal. Local community women had prepared everything from salad to homemade pies for dessert. Dinner was followed by our orientation to the blind to which we would go the next morning. From a local wildlife service official we learned some specifics of prairie chicken behavior, heard of some of the recent survey strategies to track prairie chicken leks, and learned what proceedings we could expect in the morning.

We headed back to our hotel, compiled our day’s bird list quickly, and settled in to sleep in preparation for a pre-dawn ride by bus to the viewing blind.

Day 7 – Sunday, April 13, 2008
On this morning, we gathered to wait for the bus with other groups also staying in the hotel. We had been forewarned to expect very cold conditions inside the Greater Prairie Chicken blind. Each person arrived with their individual interpretation of the best hat, warmest gloves, and most effective combination of layered sweaters, scarves and coat. A short ride later and we were settling onto our benches inside the dark blind. We realized the birds were already gathering outside, as their “booming” calls could be heard faintly through the blind’s walls. All flashlights were turned off and the blind window was opened. Pitch black darkness slowly brightened to reveal feint bird-shaped shadows out on an expansive open mound in front of us. As the sun rose, light shone more and more on the bird activity before us. Greater Prairie Chickens performed the ritualistic display that they have been accustomed to for season after season. For many of us, it was a new and entirely delightful experience. We watched as they puffed up air sacs, bowed heads low, fanned tails and bent groups of head feathers forward like horns. We watched males “spar” for dominant postions at center lek, where most of the interested females gathered. Vying for the prize for most entertaining male, was a seemingly determined bird completely outside the lek area. He displayed as the others, flamboyantly hopping, puffing air sacs and scurrying around proudly. In his non-threatening location, he completely avoided conflict with any other male. And we learned from a wildlife official that this bird had actually secured a female last Spring through his unlikely strategy! Maybe he has discovered a new approach. After the general breeding display began to decrease and females roamed away from the area, we left the blind. Our bus delivered us next to the Kitzmiller Grazing Association for a breakfast prepared for us by local cattle ranching families. After scrumptious pancakes and bacon and some enjoyable conversation with these local residents, we were delivered back to our hotel.

Soon we were off in our own vehicle to continue our birding adventure. Before leaving town we stopped at the Wray Fish Hatchery to look for reported Pine Siskins. These birds were concentrated around feeders below the pines there. The Russian Olive in which some Harris’s Sparrows were said to have congregated was virtually non-existent. Posted signs indicated that this plant was now the focus of a local invasive species removal project. We searched for the birds around other likely habitat in the hatchery but did not find them. Discovering Great Horned Owl on nest was a happy consolation prize for us.

Bonny Lake State Park was our next major destination point. Habitats randged from fields to pine woods to grassy picnic areas. We found the park pretty quiet, bird-wise, but drove along a row of pines to check for Long-earred Owls. After climbing a rise parallel to the row of trees and looking from just the right angle we confirmed Long-eared on nest! As we walked the row of trees, more Long-eared could be seen on branches or flying away from the area.

Nee Noshe State Wildlife Area is another recreational area greatly effected by snowmelt from the Arkansas River and rainfall. Though it was still early for snowmelt, we realized htat a huge amount of snowmelt would be needed to fill this lake. It was obvious that inadequate rain had been the case for some time here. The lake must certainly be impressive when full; signs for walleye fishing, camping and picnicking surrounded the expansive shore. But water levels were extremely low, and we drove some distance past former boat docks to get down close to the water’s edge. Among the species that we found in and around the lake were Earred Grebe, Killdeer, Snowy Plover, Baird's Sandpiper, and Avocet, the latter remarkable in their beautiful breeding plumage.

We drove on to Lamar. We settled into our hotel there, held our happy hour, and enjoyed dinner to end another great day of Colorado birding.

Day 8 – Monday, April 14, 2008
Our morning stop today was at the Willow Creek Park, a site for Mississippi Kite nests. Though it was somewhat early in the season for these birds to have arrived, we drove the park road searching the tree line and sky for them. Other birders in the area concurred that the birds did not seem to be around yet.

We continued on to Two Buttes State Wildlife Area. Much of this expansive state recreation area was very dry, and we drove various roads searching for water. Our best spot was the small pond below the dam, where we identified a few songbirds. The best of these was a family of Eastern Phoebes nesting in the openings in the rock wall around the pond. We enjoyed views of the double-peaked butte giving the area its name. Along our exit route we began seeing Prairie dogs, and then Burrowing owls and more Burrowing owls! We got out of the vehicle and enjoyed multiple looks and some photo ops of these enjoyable birds.

Continuing south toward the Kansas border, we arrived in Campo, Colorado; fortunately, it was lunchtime. We ate, of course, at the Campo Café! This is the local place that legendary birders had enjoyed the local food over conversations about birds and birding. Now it was our turn!

There is a former Lesser Prairie Chicken lek in the Campo area. Though closed now, as no birds congregate here, we visited the lek area for history’s sake and to check for other field species such as Cassin’s Sparrow. Though we did not find the latter, a group or White-crowned Sparrows was seen there.

We continued south across the state line and into Kansas. This would be our spot for Lesser Prairie Chicken in the morning. We stopped at the Elkhart sewage ponds before checking in at our hotel. In and around the impoundments here were Wilson’s Phalarope, American Pipit, the western variety of Palm Warbler, and many ducks, including Blue-winged Teal, American Wigeon, and Shoveler.
After happy hour, we met with local residents Ruth and Lawrence Smith. This couple is legendary in Elkhart for their efforts in assisting birders with their quest to see Lesser Prairie Chicken. We enjoyed conversation over dinner with these two charming and hospitable people. We learned from them about life in part of Kansas and felt grateful for having their help in “scouting” the birds ahead of time for us, so we would know the best place to go for good looks.

Day 9 – Tuesday, April 15, 2008
To our delight, Ruth and Lawrence accompanied us in person to the lek in the morning. We decided to remain in our vehicles rather than enter a small blind at the site. The Smiths had taken half of us in their vehicle, optimizing our seating positions at lek-side for the experience. The chickens appeared, danced, ran about and sparred. We smiled at their behaviors which, though performed so seriously by them, seemed at times comical to us humans. Some of us had now had life looks at another very entertaining prairie chicken species.

On the drive out from the lek, we saw Cassin’s and Vesper Sparrows along the road. Loggerhead Shrikes perched in view. We said our goodbyes to the Smiths at our hotel. We were all very grateful for the help and friendship they extended to us.
Before we left Elkhart, we made another visit to the sewage ponds. This enabled us to add Black-crowned Night-herons, Wilson’s Warbler, and Yellow-rumped Warbler to our trip sightings.

We birded the roads of Cottonwood Canyon through the early afternoon – the area seemed quiet, bird-wise, but among the species we saw here were more Eastern phoebes, and a group of Lewis’s Woodpeckers. The desert canyon scenery itself was impressive. We parked amazingly close to some bulls resting by the road, and saw Dahl's Sheep, confined and tagged, but nonetheless an enjoyable natural sighting.

The later afternoon hours brought us into Pueblo State Park. The huge reservoir here is surrounded by multiple use areas. At the marina, we found California Gull. In a picnic spot, Burrowing Owls peeked their heads out of prairie dog holes. At a campground, Scaled Quail roamed the grassy lawns.

In Canon City, we saw swallows along the river as we headed for our hotel. We checked in, had happy hour and dinner and went out for some night birding along the Canon City Riverwalk. Though we listened and searched for quite some time, we were unable to identify a Western Screech Owl reported in the area.

Day 10 - Wednesday, April 16, 2008
For a first morning stop, we briefly visited the Canon City Ecology Park. Finding it too early in the season for the usual species here, we moved on. We parked at the bottom of Tunnel Drive trail and walked up. The rock here has tunnels carved into it, and the walking trail has pleasant views down to the Arkansas River. We were rewarded here with a target species, Rufous-crowned Sparrow. This bird performed wonderfully, giving us great close looks, actually hopping among the hillside vegetation toward us and behaving in a very “friendly” manner!

Driving away from Canon City, we drove Temple Canyon Road, finding ourselves in pinyon pine habitat again. Multiple stops along this winding canyon drive rewarded us with birds. Flocks of Juniper Titmouse flitted about in the vegetation. At one stop where we had gotten out of our vehicle to check for birds, Pinyon Jay flew overhead! The birds landed atop pines, enabling us to get adequate looks. Another lifer for some in our group, and a major trip target bird had been seen!

Now we were headed back up to high elevation. We drove along route #50, seeing the historic stagecoach route parallel to our own route on the other side of the river. In the Coaldale area, we began seeing swifts flying overhead in large numbers. Many were identified as White-throated Swifts. But, among them were also Black Swifts, a fortunate find and another life bird for some in our group!
We drove upward and upward, again enjoying the breathtaking scenery as we ascended Loveland Pass. We would try here again for a sighting of White-tailed Ptarmigan. Our high spirits were soon lowered, though, as weather interfered with our plans. Shortly after arriving at the summit, cloudy grey weather became a windy, blinding snow squall. What daylight was left was now taken away by the storm and we realized there would be no opportunity for our ptarmigan search on this day.

We drove to our hotel in Golden for the night. Happy hour, dinner and completion of our bird list ended our day.

Day 11 – Thursday, April 17, 2008
This was our last day in Colorado. But our flight out was not until later in the afternoon, so we had time for…what else?...birding! The overnight snow had ended and we arrived in Genesee Park to sun rising up over snowcapped pines below a bright blue sky. It was an absolutely gorgeous Colorado scene! We drove up to a parking area and walked about the park seeking Williamson’s Sapsucker as a target here. We found it! After enjoying the bird perched on a bare tree trunk, we started back to our vehicle. A mixed flock of bluebirds, Mountain Chickadees, Pygmy Nuthatches, Pine Siskins caught our attention and provided us with additional birding entertainment before we drove away.

We now decided we had enough time for one last try for ptarmigan up at Loveland Pass. Reinforced with coffee and snacks from a convenience store, we headed up. The weather was in our favor. Though there was the inevitable wind, it was clear. We set up our scopes on tripod and windowsills, and looked among the mountainside vegetation for birdlike mounds. We looked and looked and looked. We traded off scopes and rearranged our seating for changes of perspective. We tried at various road pull-off areas. We strained our eyes trying to make bird-mounds out of snow-mounds. But we did not find the bird. Finally we had to admit defeat and head toward the airport. The ptarmigan would have to wait for another trip.

On the way to the airport, we made one last stop at the Wheat Ridge Greenbelt. This community park with grassy lawns, playing fields and a large pond with a walking trail around its perimeter provided us with one last chance for birding. Numerous birds were on the water here, including Double-crested Cormorant, American Wigeon, Redhead Duck, Bufflehead, and Lesser Scaup. Another Swainson’s Hawk was sighted flying over the park, and as we watched, we knew we may not see this handsome western hawk species for awhile. Tree and Violet-green Swallow flew over the pond.

We completed final packing maneuvers in the quiet parking lot at Wheat Ridge, and drove on to the airport. Our flight left at 4:50pm, and we arrived in Chicago with just 15 minutes to reach our connecting gate. Luckily, it was only a few gates down, and we boarded our connecting flight on time, arriving in Philadelphia by 11:50pm. Ann was picked up at the airport by her husband, while the rest of us caught a quick shuttle to remote parking lot. We retrieved Bert’s van and headed to Jane and Bob’s to drop them off. We headed back to Bert’s home from there. Connie’s husband picked her up there and Karl drove on to Cape May. All of us arrived home late that night, safe, tired and happy. We had had a fantastic, fun and memorable trip. We will never forget some of the unique, exciting bird sightings and the amazing landscapes of the state of Colorado. We travelled well together as friends and we all agreed we will spend more time travelling and birding together in the future.