[cobirds] Grace's Warbler, Eldorado Mountain Open Space, Boulder Co., 6/2/14

Good morning,

While doing point counts at the Eldorado Mountain Open Space (OSMP) this morning, I found a territorial male GRACE'S WARBLER. For years I've been looking at this particular grove of old-growth Ponderosa Pines and thinking about how great it would be to have a GRWA there. His territory is centered around where the dirt road crosses Spring Brook, close to the intersection of the Spring Book Loop and Goshawk Ridge Trails.

For people who are unfamiliar with the area, here are some more specific directions. From Eldorado Springs Drive, turn south (left) onto CR 67. Park at the Open Space gate. Hike up the road, turning south (left) at the fork. As you walk along the base of the hogback ridge, look and listen for the nesting LEWIS'S WOODPECKERS up on the ridge. Off-trail access west of the trail requires a permit, and since the woodpeckers are breeding, keeping a respectful distance is a must. If good will and respect aren't impetus enough to keep you on the trail, then I can vouch for the fact that the place is crawling with Prairie Rattlesnakes. 

Continue on south past the ripple rocks. The road soon enters pine forest. You will soon see a dilapidated old coral on the left and an ugly concrete flume that shunts water from a Denver Water Board canal over the Spring Brook gully. This is the spot. Stand on the road and listen for the distinct two-part song. The distinct part is the last bit, a rapid, rising trill. There are lots of VIRGINIA'S WARBLERS and an AUDUBON'S WARBLER right here to confuse matters, but only a little bit. Tapes are not appropriate nor are they necessary. Patience, knowledge of what birds sound like, and the ability to spot movement in the canopy are the only tools necessary to enjoy this rarity. 

One way hike is 1.2 miles. https://mapsengine.google.com/map/edit?mid=zG5lCtrQ39_0.klJBjQZ7vdQk

Since it's City property, the rules and regs are, naturally, overly complicated yet decidedly PC. Off-trail access east of the road is OK. West of the road requires a free permit that is available online (Eldorado Mountain HCA permit via osmp.org). The Denver Water Board owns the land directly adjacent to their canal, thus the "No Tresspassing" signs. Best bet is to stick to the road since the bird is right there anyway.

Lots of great birds in the area, including standards like HAMMOND'S and CORDILLERAN FLYCATCHERS, PLUMBEOUS VIREOS, etc. I had one other "rare" bird during my point counts today, which was a NORTHERN MOCKINGBIRD. 

A pit-stop at the South Mesa Trail parking lot off Eldorado Springs Drive produced a singing RED-EYED VIREO.

Cheers,

Christian Nunes

Boulder, CO
pajaroboy@hotmail.com
http://www.flickr.com/photos/christian_nunes/