Tent birding, western Larimer County
Tom Wilberding
After exploring far south Baca County two weeks ago for two
nights camping and birding, Barb and I ventured out this week for some birding
in the far north, the east side of the Medicine Bow mountains in Larimer County
near Wyoming.
Tunnel Campground on CR 103 has a diligent host and 40 well-spaced
sites next to the roaring Laramie River. The host told us it sells out on
weekends, first come first served, but usually has some open spaces on
weekdays. Nearby is the West Branch Trail leading into the Rahwah
wilderness—lovely wildflowers and butterflies. (Rahwah means “wilderness” in
Arapaho.)
Most birds were nesting and hidden, but we did see a Red-naped Sapsucker hover
over us like a hummingbird, as if to say, “Move along, I have a nest nearby.”
In the willow carr near the Laramie River was a Slate-colored Fox Sparrow
singing up a storm, when not carrying insects to its hidden nest.
At Cameron Pass along state highway 14 we saw four adult moose chomping on
willow twigs like there was no tomorrow. South of Walden in North Park, Jackson
County, we drove the six mile auto route through Arapaho National Wildlife
Refuge We read it was established in 1967 primarily for waterfowl production,
especially Gadwall, Lesser Scaup, and American Wigeon. We saw lots of those,
but also American Coots sitting on floating nests in the open, near very vocal
Yellow-headed Blackbirds tending their hidden nests. We also saw Coot chicks,
so some females may be on clutch number two.
South of the refuge on state highway 125 we strolled the Moose Goose boardwalk
near refuge headquarters on the Illinois River. Saw a Savannah Sparrow and a
Black-crowned Night-Heron at this oasis surrounded by very dry land. We then
drove east on deserted county road 32 for 12 miles through a vast sagebrush
steppe with Brewer’s Sparrows popping up next to the two-track dirt road. No
luck seeing Greater Sage-Grouse.
Back at our campsite we were pretty comfortable until about 3 am, when one
wakes up and thinks, “Hypothermia!”--there is still snow at the top of the
Medicine Bow peaks and cold air falls. Consolation came in the form of two
Boreal Owls softly winnowing back and forth near our campsite, on and off both
nights from 9:30 pm to about 4 am. The dawn chorus came at 4:50 am in the form
of one cheerful American Robin.
23 photos here, mostly scenery: https://www.flickr.com/photos/twilberding/albums/72157715033310456
Good birding!
Tom Wilberding
Littleton, Colorado