Lewis's Woodpeckers used to be uncommon but regular in many areas of Larimer County. Except for local patches of prosperity, it seems like they have definitely declined, pretty much statewide. This may be due in part to the loss of orchards to housing areas, with fruit like apples being a major winter food if available. This may be due in part to West Nile, with many corvids and corvid-like species taking a hit. Probably other factors. At least they've had fire areas to exploit in the recent decade.
I found a Lewis's Woodpecker on a power pole at 2820 Storm Mountain Drive about 3 miles north of Drake (Larimer) today. Storm Mountain Drive (which eventually becomes FR128, a road that is closed currently because of last summer's flood damage to a gate) is accessed by going a few tenths of a mile west of US34 at Drake on Devil's Gulch Road (aka 43 Road, the "back way" to Estes Park and devastated Glenhaven), then north on Storm Mountain Drive for what feels like a long, tortuous, uphill 3 miles. I believe the Bobcat Gulch Fire of 2006 is probably the explanation for this bird's presence.
Also seen in the general area were a group of Wild Turkeys that included several youngsters.
Dave Leatherman
Fort Collins
I found a Lewis's Woodpecker on a power pole at 2820 Storm Mountain Drive about 3 miles north of Drake (Larimer) today. Storm Mountain Drive (which eventually becomes FR128, a road that is closed currently because of last summer's flood damage to a gate) is accessed by going a few tenths of a mile west of US34 at Drake on Devil's Gulch Road (aka 43 Road, the "back way" to Estes Park and devastated Glenhaven), then north on Storm Mountain Drive for what feels like a long, tortuous, uphill 3 miles. I believe the Bobcat Gulch Fire of 2006 is probably the explanation for this bird's presence.
Also seen in the general area were a group of Wild Turkeys that included several youngsters.
Dave Leatherman
Fort Collins
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