American Three-toed Woodpeckers, Boulder County

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Tom Wilberding Boulder CO

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Oct 4, 2012, 8:15:26 PM10/4/12

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Hello CObirders,

Thanks to Christian Nunes for finding these birds above Boulder’s Settlers’ Park around August 3, and Steve Mlodinow for re-finding them August 16. They’re still there--saw a few this morning. I started at the Settlers’ Park trailhead, up Red Rocks Trail, left on Anemone Trail to the top of the hill, then northwest along the ridge trail in the dead pine areas.

Here are 3 pics I took of the woodpeckers: http://bit.ly/RgHqh6

There are many acres of scorched Ponderosa Pine on top of Anemone Hill, the Dome Fire area of two years ago, and woodpeckers seem to love it--Downy, Hairy, and American Three-toed. Steve mentioned it took him a half hour to find an ATTW up there--it took me over an hour, but persistence pays off. It is a bit of a hike to get there—approx.900 foot elevation gain in 1.5 miles. A hiking pole would help on the steep way down. Other birds: a flock of Dark-eyed Juncos, a couple of Rock Wrens, and Sandhill Cranes croaking overhead.

I also hiked east of Eldorado State Park, the Towhee/Mesa/Homestead loop from the South Mesa Trailhead. Weather very overcast and a wintry 40 degrees, so no warblers to report, just our usual winter birds. Glad to hear that next week will be warmer.