[cobirds] Ken Caryl Valley - Ladder-backed Woodpecker plus

This morning (9/23) I had an interesting exploration of the vale and slopes between the Lyons and Dakota Formation hogbacks in Ken Caryl Ranch, JeffCo, focusing on the area from Dutch Creek to Massey Draw. The best bird was an unexpected Ladder-backed Woodpecker that gave me great views when I saw it on the Lyons hogback in an area with Gambel oaks, sparse Ponderosa pines, scattered junipers and patches of grassland. I managed to see it for about 2-3 minutes, which ended when it flew right over me moving south along the hogback. The area is not open to general public access. I'd offer to look with others, but I'm working the next few days and can't do it.

It was a morning to remember John Cassin: a Cassin's Kingbird sparred with a Say's Phoebe, a Cassin's Vireo was seen, and two Cassin's Finches were a bit unexpected in that hogback setting. Let's see, Cassin's Sparrow highly unlikely at Ken Caryl and Cassin's Auklet impossible, so I'll settle for a Cassin's trifecta, and perhaps one that is seldom achieved.

 

Thrushes were on the move with flocks of bluebirds and robins pushing overhead. Bluebirds had been generally absent in recent weeks in the Ken Caryl Valley area, so today was different. I had 81 Western Bluebirds and 14 Mountains. A handful of Townsend's Solitaires were passing over with robins, or were in areas with junipers.

In the Warbler Dept, Orange-crowned (28) was nearly as numerous as Yellow-rumped (29), but Wilson's slipped off (10). Also 1 Common Yellowthroat, 2 late-ish Virginia's, 1 adult male MacGillivray's, and 1 Townsend's.

Sparrows included 58 Chipping, 20 Clay-colored, 2 Brewer's, 26 Spizella sp., 25 White-crowned, 24 Lincoln's, 2 Savannah, 5 Vesper, and 2 Song. The highlight was a female Lark Bunting. If Green-tailed Towhees count as sparrows there were quite a few.

Also noted: a tardy Dusky Flycatcher, 4 Sage Thrashers, 18 Rock Wrens (down from nearly 50 here 2 weeks ago) and 3 Canyon Wrens.

Later in the day, a lingering or migrant Swainson's Hawk was at Sledding Hill Park at Ken Caryl Ave x Kipling, and in the evening a straggling Common Nightwawk was in that area, and another was near my home.

David Suddjian

Littleton, CO

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