Mountain Birds January 2020

Our goal for today was to find as many mountain birds as possible, especially small owls. We birded three locations, saw some great birds and a couple of four legged surprises.

Castlewood Canyon

Our first stop of the the day was Castlewood Canyon State Park. We arrived well before sunrise hoping to hear a Northern Saw-whet Owl. These small owls are extremely hard to find because they only call at night. During the day they roost in pine trees almost always in the densest part of the tree making them almost impossible to see. The best we could hope for with these owls was to hear them.

Castlewood Canyon State Park
Although we didn’t hear any Saw-whets we did get to enjoy a beautiful sunrise.
Red Crossbills
Undoubtedly the bird of the day, the Red Crossbill. This small flock landed in a tree along Castlewood Canyon Road in the predawn light.
Rampart Range Road
Red Crossbills
The first bird we saw upon arriving at Rampart Range Road was this female/juvenile Red Crossbill, just one of the many we saw.
Rampart Range Road
Unfortunately the ornament on this tree is the closest we came to seeing an owl. Although we did hear a Northern Pygmy-owl very close to the road, we could not locate it. The Nuthatches and Crossbills heard the owl as well judging by their continual panicked chatter just off the road.
White-breasted Nuthatch
After the Pygmy-owl stopped calling this White-breasted Nuthatch went back to his normal behavior.
Pygmy Nuthatch
A fearless Pygmy Nuthatch along the road.
South Platte River
The view along the South Platte River as we drove to our next birding location.
Elk
Look at the rack on that Elk!
Elk
He was fearless, standing less then 30 feet away from our car!
Steller's Jay
A Steller’s Jay along the road on our drive to Staunton State Park.
South Platte River
Consulting the map…
Staunton State Park
Staunton State Park
Spectacular view!
Pygmy Nuthatch
A Pygmy Nuthatch enjoying the pine cones.
Clark's Nutcracker
A very vocal Clark’s Nutcracker! We were able to locate him by his unique call.
Clark's Nutcracker
What a treat to have such close views of this Clark’s Nutcracker, by far the closest I have ever seen a Nutcracker. If only it was less obstructed…
Clark's Nutcracker
Ah, that’s better!
Cool Nutcracker call.
Red Crossbill
Great view of this male Red Crossbill. Look at that distinctly shaped bill!
Red Crossbill
Every time I see a Crossbill I marvel at the uniqueness of his bill.
squirrel
A squirrel enjoying a pine cone just like many of the birds we saw today.
Abert's Squirrel
My first Abert’s Squirrel!
Abert's Squirrel
Look at those ear tufts!
Mountain Chickadee
One of the many Mountain Chickadees we saw today.
Red Crossbill
Our last bird of the day was the same as the first, a Red Crossbill.

Although we had an awesome day looking for mountain birds we went one for two on hearing owl species and didn’t manage to see either of them. I know we will be back out soon to try and see those owls.