Chris Knight and I left Pueblo West at 2am yesterday morning, and drove straight non-stop to Norwood, to George and Kathy's yard to see the Ruddy Ground Dove. We arrived at 7:30am and saw the bird at 7:55am to 8:05am, Vic Zerbi was there too. We also saw the White-throated Sparrow. Since we saw the dove well and other birds in Norwood, we then started birding several places on the way back. We stopped in a few places along the river near Placerville. We saw a Green-tailed Towhee and American Dipper in San Miguel County. In Ouray County, we pulled off to some dirt road, to get a look at a bird on top of a tree, which was an American Crow, though we were lucky to have gone on this road, as there were four Pine Grosbeaks! We headed to Ridgway State Park also in Ouray County, and saw Pacific Loon, Western Grebe, Herring Gull, Eared Grebes, Ruddy Ducks, among other things of course. We then got to Montrose, we tried to find a place to look for Gambel's Quail. A nice park along the river had some, a few weeks ago. It was quite birdy, saw an Orange-crowned Warbler, a Sagebrush Sparrow, two Juniper Titmouse, Brown Creepers, and many other birds, no quail though. We then headed to Gunnison County, checking various spots at Blue Mesa Reservoir, the best spot was the last spot on far eastern part of the Reservoir. We saw a Surf Scoter, first year Lesser Black-backed Gull, 2 Bonaparte's Gulls, Herring Gulls, Eared Grebes, Western Grebe, Ruddy Ducks, among others. After a couple other quick stops in Gunnison, we headed west over Monarch Pass, and made it to Sands Lake SWA, in Salida, Chaffee County for our last birding location before dark. We saw continuing two Common Goldeneyes, American Dipper, and walk around the lake to south side was worth it, when a lovely female Black-throated Blue Warbler showed off next to us. We arrived back in Pueblo West at 8pm, 573 miles driven (not sure I have drove that many miles in one day ever), we avoided any deer, elk and the semi that was parked in our lane (on Monarch Pass) during all our night time driving luckily. It was a fun long day, though I ended with 32 county birds, 3 year birds, and of course the 1 new state bird! Chris was thrilled to see two lifers, and to start his County lists for several counties. Good luck and be safe travelling to see the Ground Dove, it is a long trip, though well worth it. Thanks to George and Kathy for allowing visitors to look for this amazing first state record!
-- Brandon Percival
Pueblo West, CO
Pueblo West, CO
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