David
This weekend I engaged in yet another insane short birding trip. I always refer to these trips as mad dashes because the almost always involve insane amounts of driving and punctuated by long monontonous stake outs. The last couple have been short trips to Texas in Spring, tracking down resident birds and strays for Mexico. This trip was a bit different.
This trip originally came about because I had done relatively little birding stateside this summer, largely because of a work schedule that pretty much forbid any sort of trip of a day or more. Also, I hadn't managed any new ABA area birds since May, and I didn't even have the luxury of getting an armchair tick from this years AOU update.
Having a weekend free (unusual for this summer), I decided to hit up the road and correct the above problems. I decided on doing the Gunnison area of Colorado, for several reasons:
1. It was far enough off the beaten track that I felt I wouldn't be swamped with tourists (see Rocky Mountain National Park) on a weekend
2. The area seemed small enough that I could realistically cover it in a couple of days, unlike Yellowstone or the Black Hills. I had at most only 3 days I could afford to take off between work and a advisor meeting on Monday.
3. Despite living in SE Wyoming, one of my greatest weaknesses for the ABA are the grouses. Previously, I have only seen Ruffed, Sharp-tailed, Greater Sage, and Sooty, along with both arctic dwelling Ptarmigan. Colorado is the undisputed Grouse capital of the US, with 8 species total (plus several introduced species gamebirds present or in adjacent states). The Gunnison area seemed like a good option. It is home to one of the most endangered birds in North America, the range-restricted Gunnison Sage Grouse. Most birders see this bird in spring on the lek, but recently CR 38 S has become a reliable spot in late summer for this species. Additionally, Black Canyon of the Gunnison was nearby, which offers perhaps the best and most reliable spot in the states for Dusky Grouse (and remote odds for Chukar and Northern Pygmy Owl). Beyond these species, I would also have a chance at Gunnison Prairie dog, and perhaps a few other mammals. Gunnison thus seemed a good bet.
I'll continue in the next post on day 1 of the trip.
Look forward to reading this. Interesting choice of destination - have Jos and Andrew (and their recent reports) started a whole new birding industry out west?!
David
Well...I LIVE in the mountain west, so it's hardly starting a new birding industry :P
Anyway, on Friday the 12th I headed down to Gunnison. My game plan today was to mostly drive, stopping at Curecanti National Recreation Area for Gunnison Prairie Dog and perhaps some waterbirds, then heading to Black Canyon. This was a long long drive. Worse, Googlemaps had decided that taking 285 south would be the wisest course of action. This necessitated navigating 3 different mountain pass areas in a vehicle which really doesn't like mountains (The condition of the road was fine, it was the 7% or more grade and winding roads my car didn't like)
I eventually drove through Gunnison and was soon at Curecanti, which proved to be huge. You would probably need a whole day to bird this place accurately. The suggested spot good for shorebirds not only was lacking shorebirds, but the high waterlevel also mean it lacked shore!
Driving through the area, I started to worry. Where were all the roadside prairie dog towns. Gunnison P-dogs have smaller and less cohesive towns, but they should be still visible. The habitat was also not the greatest, being dominated by sage, while Gunnison P-dogs prefer more meadow like environments.
I left Curecanti with no Gunnison Prairie Dogs, and a real worry I would miss this species. Thankfully, after crossing into Montrose County, a look to the side while driving almost 60 reveals....GUNNISON PRAIRIE DOGS.
Thankfully a wide shoulder and little traffic enabled me to screech to a halt.
I was able to get a few looks, but the dogs were on a bank overlooking the road, and my stop soon sent all but one down there holes. and the one which didn't immediately bolt only had the top of it's head visible!
a 15 minute wait didn't convince the dogs to venture forth, and I finally headed on my way. I got into Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park at about 4 pm, and never did see any other prairie dogs on my trip.
I had never really been to the park before, and had only a vague idea of the habitat, which was mostly dominated by Gambel oak scrub that was about head height at most. I figured it would be hot, but wasn't expecting an almost complete absence of shade (anywhere).
First stop on visiting the park was the visitor center, to get the latest intell. I asked about Chukar and Dusky Grouse. I was told Dusky grouse were often seen on East portal road as well as the Oak Flats trail. I received blank looks and was asked what a Chukar was, not the best sign for this bird. In all honesty, according to the Colorado birdfinding guide, the best spot for Chukar were the campgrounds down by the river, the campgrounds that required a half day hike and special permit. Something I didn't have time for on brief visit.
Next stop was camp. Bird activity other than the ubiquitous Green-tailed Towhee was pretty slight. I was pleased to see Chipmunks were quite common however, and had good looks at both the widespread Least Chipmunk and the more restricted Colorado, the latter of which I had only seen once and poor views at that. I also had brief looks at a probable Juniper Titmouse.
I was tired and it was hot as hell. My main objective was to find a quiet place to laze the day away and wait for more comfortable birding temperatures. East Portal road, the only car navigable access to the River, seemed a good idea. I head down this very steep and winding road (arrgh...not again!).
Not many birds were moving however. The area by the river had my only Song Sparrows of the trip, as well as the first American Robin. I tried for dipper and largely failed...the water level along this stretch seemed a tad high for this species. I also added Golden-mantled Ground Squirrel and Rock Squirrel to the trip list. Mostly I ate dinner (PB&J...the dinner of kings) and read from the Zombie horror anthology I brought along (I am a man of many nerdy habits).
About 6 I decided I should return to camp. Nothing much new showed up on my long winding drive...but what should appear sitting in the road at the top...