Advice on how to bird the Ward area

[Mike Hensley]

Hey, gang! I've taken a couple of trips to Ward (Boulder County) in hopes of Clark's Nutcracker and Pine Grosbeak. But every time I make the drive up there, the town and surrounding environments are quiet and relatively birdless (beside super common stuff like BBMA and CORA). Maybe I'm having bad luck, but I sort of assume that the birds are there, and I'm just looking in the wrong places. Does anyone have any advice regarding how I could make those trips more productive?

Thanks!
Mike Hensley

Boulder County

[John Malenich]

Hi Mike,

This COBirds post from last winter should help:  https://groups.google.com/g/cobirds/c/h1Jj9nM06zE/m/SNgQj-qWHQAJ 

Click on the link to Todd Deininger's map (Thanks Todd!!!).  Ward can sometimes be hit or miss, but the lower Ward feeders will often have Pine Grosbeaks and some Rosy's.  As is often the case with winter feeders in the mountains, the feeders are often typically productive during and after foul weather (snow).  As always be respectful of both the birds' and the homeowners' rights. Watch from a distance, avoid pointing binoculars toward house windows, keep groups small, don't be loud, park safely and legally, etc. so that birding access continues to be allowed.  Most often in Ward, its better to park where its safe and walk to the feeders.      

John Malenich,

Boulder, CO 

[Mike Hensley]

Thanks, John! This is very much appreicated.

Mike
Boulder County