COLORADO 2011: Two Short but Spectacular Sightings

Day 7 / April 13 – At 4:30 am we met the Sisk-a-dee volunteers, Lou and Rebecca at our hotel. They would lead the way to the Waunita Hot Springs lek 20 miles away, where we entered a blind to watch the endangered Gunnison’s Sage Grouse display.

As the light got better, through the scopes we were able, even at a distance of 300 or more metres, to watch a wonderful display that 12 males and 3 females put on. Being smaller than the Greater Sage Grouse, they had more energy and consequently were more active, moving around the lek with ease, in particular when they were after a female. Their filoplumes reminded Carol of a ponytail, and this feature as well as the lighter tail could be seen very well.

All the action was concentration in a rather small area, as opposed to being spread out, which made it special for viewing. We did get to witness one copulation, but by 6:30, which was a little before sunrise, the show was over. First three, four, five, six birds took flight, followed by three more, then another three, leaving three to ponder their fate. It did not take but a minute and the last of the group headed for the sagebrush hills. The culprit that spooked the lek was none other than a Golden Eagle. Apparently, four days early an eagle killed a sage grouse on the lek, and that obviously played on the minds of the chickens!

From Gunnison we drove over Monarch Pass (above) on a crystal clear and warm day. Several short stops along the way produced a single Red Crossbill and three Gray Jays.

Taking advantage of the weather we had a picnic lunch at the Collegiate Peaks Recreational Area in Buena Vista. The spectacular views of the Rockies (above) made up for the lack of birds. Or did they? We had a tough time locating Pinyon Jays and Clark’s Nutcracker.

By the time we reached Royal Gorge just west of Canon City the wind had picked up and the clouds had rolled it. Looking down the thousand foot gorge wall (above) we watched a whitewater raft with five people in it, negotiate the mild rapids and large boulders along this narrow section of Arkansas River. A Peregrine caught our attention as it took advantage of the wind and made lightening fast circuits around the lower gorge walls. It was nice to hear the lovley song of a Canyon Wren echoing off the canyon walls.

Further along the Arkansas River, we walked another scenic area at Tunnel Drive. This was a little more productive with numerous Townsend’s Solitaires, Western Scrub Jay and a Sharp-shinned Hawk seen on the upper part of the canyon, while amongst the shrubs and rocky scree at the base of the canyon there were a few Canyon Towhees and White-crowned Sparrows (above).

The final stop of the day was at Valco Ponds. We encountered a small mixed flock of swallows that included Barn, Tree, Rough-winged and Violet-Green feeding low over the water. The only waterfowl were several American Coots and a female Hooded Merganser. The best sighting was of a breeding plumage Double-crested Cormorant with its white crests.

Following an enjoyable Mexican dinner, Ron, Vicky, Richard and I went looking for a Western Screech Owl (above) at dusk. Our first owl was a Great Horned Owl flying across a field, and this was quickly followed by a pair of very cooperative Western Screech Owls. Calling quietly we were able to locate their silhouettes as they perched in a cottonwood. Our day ended as it started, with a quick and enjoyable sighting of another wonderful species.