Greenleaf State Park ("Ankle Express" Hiking Trail) - Braggs, Oklahoma - June 18, 2010

About Greenleaf State Park:

http://www.travelok.com/listings/view.profile/id.3236

About the "Ankle Express" Hiking Trail:

http://www.singletracks.com/bike-trails/oklahoma-ankle-express-hiking-trail-greenleaf-state-park.html

http://www.trimbleoutdoors.com/ViewTrip/622587

Location: Greenleaf State Park (Braggs, OK)

Map:  http://www.google.com/maps?f=q&source=s_q&hl=en&geocode=&q=74120&sll=37.0625,-95.677068&sspn=33.214763,56.337891&ie=UTF8&hq=&hnear=Tulsa,+Oklahoma+74120&ll=35.616802,-95.16778&spn=0.016641,0.043774&t=h&z=15


Observation date: 6/18/10

Number of species: 17

Great Blue Heron - Ardea herodias   5

Great Egret - Ardea alba   2

Turkey Vulture - Cathartes aura   6

Mourning Dove - Zenaida macroura   2

Yellow-billed Cuckoo - Coccyzus americanus   2

Northern Flicker - Colaptes auratus   1

Scissor-tailed Flycatcher - Tyrannus forficatus  3

Blue Jay - Cyanocitta cristata   3

American Crow - Corvus brachyrhynchos   4

Barn Swallow - Hirundo rustica   75

Carolina Chickadee - Poecile carolinensis   3

Carolina Wren - Thryothorus ludovicianus   8

Blue-gray Gnatcatcher - Polioptila caerulea   3

Black-and-white Warbler - Mniotilta varia   1

Northern Cardinal - Cardinalis cardinalis   2

Indigo Bunting - Passerina cyanea   3

Red-winged Blackbird - Agelaius phoeniceus   3

    A friend and I decided to hike the first portion of the Ankle Express trail on June 18th. We started at the trailhead and eventually reached the furthest extent of our hike about a mile north of the hanging bridge on Greenleaf Lake's east shore.

-Great Blue Heron photo courtesy of Terry Foote, via Wikipedia

-Blue-gray Gnatcatcher photo courtesy of Daniel Berganza, via Wikipedia

-SPQ 6/19/2010

Roadside Table - near Fort Supply, Oklahoma - June 11, 2010

Location: Roadside Table - near Fort Supply, Oklahoma


Observation date: 6/11/10

Number of species: 2

Barn Swallow - Hirundo rustica   2

Lark Sparrow - Chondestes grammacus   1
 
     We stopped at a roadside table just west of Fort Supply to rest before pushing on to Tulsa. I noticed that a Barn Swallow was making quite a bit of noise nearby and kepy circling the table we were at. I looked above us, at the aluminium roof covering the table, and noticed a mud-based nest tucked away in the corner of the roof.
 

The Barn Swallows (another one appeared as I found the nest) were worried about our proximity to their nest. As we headed back to the
car I spotted a lone Lark Sparrow sitting on a barbed-wire fence.
 
-Lark Sparrow photo courtesy of naturepicsonline.com, via Wikipedia
 
-Nest photo courtesy of Wikipedia
 
-SPQ 6/19/2010

City Park (HWY-412 & HWY-54) - Guymon, Oklahoma - June 11, 2010

Location: City Park (HWY-412 & HWY-54) - Guymon, Oklahoma

Map:  http://www.google.com/maps?f=q&source=s_q&hl=en&geocode=&q=guymon+Ok&sll=37.145061,-104.565468&sspn=0.032771,0.055017&ie=UTF8&hq=&hnear=Guymon,+Texas,+Oklahoma&ll=36.677816,-101.473922&spn=0.004122,0.006877&t=h&z=17


Observation date: 6/11/10

Number of species: 2

Mississippi Kite - Ictinia mississippiensis   1

Western Kingbird - Tyrannus verticalis   3
 
    We stopped off at a city park in Guymon to rest and stretch our legs - I would end up driving from Trinidad, Colorado back to Tulsa in a straight shot (536 miles). I saw a pair of Western Kingbirds jousting with each other in the air above us. At the same time a single Mississippi Kite was gently floating overhead - no doubt in search of some insects.
 
-Photo courtesy of Wikipedia
 
-SPQ 6/19/2010

Trinidad Lake State Park - Trinidad, Colorado - June 10, 2010

About Trinidad Lake State Park:

http://www.parks.state.co.us/parks/trinidadlake/Pages/TrinidadStateParkHome.aspx

Location: Trinidad Lake State Park - Trinidad, Colorado

Map:  http://www.google.com/maps?f=q&source=s_q&hl=en&geocode=&q=trinidad+co&sll=38.274609,-104.666533&sspn=0.008069,0.013754&ie=UTF8&hq=&hnear=Trinidad,+Las+Animas,+Colorado&ll=37.145061,-104.565468&spn=0.032771,0.055017&t=h&z=14


Observation date: 6/10/10

Number of species: 6

Turkey Vulture - Cathartes aura   2

Eastern Kingbird - Tyrannus tyrannus   2

American Crow - Corvus brachyrhynchos   4

Barn Swallow - Hirundo rustica   4

Mountain Bluebird - Sialia currucoides   2

http://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Mountain_Bluebird/id

Curve-billed Thrasher - Toxostoma curvirostre   1
 
http://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Curve-billed_Thrasher/id
 

    We arrived at Trinidad Lake State Park at around noon on June 10, 2010. After setting up camp I went and hiked around one of the hiking trails near the campgrounds. Due to extremely windy coniditions I didn't see many birds (just a couple of crows).
 
   Later in the afternoon, after the winds had died down, we spent out time lounging about at the campsite and looking for birds. A Mountain Bluebird was using a tree stake as a perch 3 campsites over from ours. He would look about for prey while perched and every 45 seconds we would see him fly from his perch in pursuit of an insect. The Mountain Bluebird sighting boosts my Lifelist total to 183!
 
    Around dusk I spotted a bird foraging for insects several campsites to the north of ours. Using the scope, I was able to idenitufy him as a Curve-billed Thrasher, #184 on my Lifelist!
 
-Top photos courtesy of Shelli.
 
-Mountain Bluebird photo courtesy of Elaine R. Wilson, via Wikipedia
 
-Curve-billed Thrasher photo courtesy of Peter Wallack, via Wikipedia


-SPQ 6/19/2010

Pueblo Nature Center - Pueblo, Colorado - June 9, 2010

About the Raptor Rehabilitation Center & Pueblo Nature Center:

http://natureandraptor.org/raptor.html

Location: Pueblo Nature Center - Pueblo, Colorado

Map:  http://www.google.com/maps?f=q&source=s_q&hl=en&geocode=&q=Pueblo+Colorado&sll=37.0625,-95.677068&sspn=33.214763,56.337891&ie=UTF8&hq=&hnear=Pueblo,+Colorado&ll=38.274626,-104.666533&spn=0.008035,0.013754&t=h&z=16


Observation date: 6/9/10

Number of species: 6


Mallard - Anas platyrhynchos   3

Barn Swallow - Hirundo rustica   20

European Starling - Sturnus vulgaris   4

Western Tanager - Piranga ludoviciana   1

http://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Western_Tanager/id

Common Grackle - Quiscalus quiscula   16

House Sparrow - Passer domesticus   8
 
    We first visited the Raptor Rehabilitation center, located just outside of Pueblo off HWY-45. The center is home to over a dozen injured or maimed birds of prey. We saw 3 Golden Eagles, 3 Mississippi Kites, 2 Swainson's Hawks, 2 Bald Eagles, a Red-tailed Hawk, and a Turkey Vulture.
 
    The 2 Great Horned Owls that are usually housed there were acting as "foster parents" (we were told by an employee of the center). A pair of American Kestrels were absent too - their cage had been invaded by a hungry raccoon.  The male was killed and the female so badly wounded that she had to be euthanized. Sad.
 
   After we left the Raptor Center we followed the road down into a small canyon where both the Nature Center and a small cafe sit beside the Arkansas River. We got some coffee from the cafe and sat by the river for close to an hour. I spied a Western Tanager flying over the river, hoping from perch to perch. The Western Tanager is now 182 on my Lifelist.
 
-Photo courtesy of naturepicsonline.com , via Wikipedia
 
-SPQ 6/19/2010

Swallows State Wildlife Area - Pueblo West, Colorado - June 9, 2010

Location: Swallows State Wildlife Area - near Pueblo West, Colorado

Map:  http://www.google.com/maps?f=q&source=s_q&hl=en&geocode=&q=pueblo+co&sll=38.538717,-105.992242&sspn=0.004112,0.006877&ie=UTF8&hq=&hnear=Pueblo,+Colorado&ll=38.303544,-104.859781&spn=0.033004,0.055017&t=h&z=14


Observation date: 6/9/10

Number of species: 5


Clark's Grebe - Aechmophorus clarkii   1

http://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/clarks_grebe/id 

Bank Swallow - Riparia riparia 10

Barn Swallow - Hirundo rustica 6

Red-winged Blackbird - Agelaius phoeniceus 2

Common Grackle - Quiscalus quiscula 6
 
    On the way to Pueblo we drove down several country roads to the Swallows State Wildlife Area.
 
    I looked for birds along the far-western side of the Pueblo Reservoir. I saw two species of swallows, Barn and Bank, soaring above the surface of the water in search of some insects to eat.
 
   I saw something dart underwater near the shoreline; I was unable to even guess about it's identity. Then, several minutes later, a Clark's Grebe resurfaced, looked around, and then dove back into the water in search of fish. The elusive Clark's Grebe takes his place as #181 on my Lifelist.
 
-Top photos courtesy of Shelli.
 
-Clark's Grebe Photo courtesy of Calibas, via Wikipedia
 
-SPQ 6/19/2010

Arkansas River - Salida, Colorado - June 8, 2010

Location: Arkansas River - W. Front St. & N. I St. - Salida, Colorado


Map:  http://www.google.com/maps?f=q&source=s_q&hl=en&geocode=&q=salida+CO&sll=37.0625,-95.677068&sspn=34.122306,56.337891&ie=UTF8&hq=&hnear=Salida,+Chaffee,+Colorado&ll=38.538717,-105.992242&spn=0.004112,0.006877&t=h&z=17
Observation date: 6/8/10

Number of species: 4


Northern Flicker - Colaptes auratus   1

American Crow - Corvus brachyrhynchos   2

Common Grackle - Quiscalus quiscula   2

House Sparrow - Passer domesticus   1
 
    Before dinner we went down to the Arkansas River to sit and enjoy the fading day. 3 or 4 kayakers were practicing their sport in the river; it was fun to watch them churn around in the rapids.
 
   Not too many birds in the area, but I did hear the familiar call of the Northern Flicker while we sat on the bench. A pair of Common Grackle were patroling the area for food scraps.

-Photo courtesy of Shelli. 

-SPQ 6/19/2010

Roadside Location (On HWY-285) - near Poncha Springs, Colorado - June 8, 2010

Location:  Roadside Location - HWY-285 - near Poncha Springs, Colorado


http://www.google.com/maps?f=q&source=s_q&hl=en&geocode=&q=Poncha+Springs+Colorado&sll=38.244652,-105.493469&sspn=1.0656,1.760559&ie=UTF8&hq=&hnear=Poncha+Springs,+Chaffee,+Colorado&ll=38.477782,-106.094284&spn=0.131697,0.22007&t=h&z=12

Observation date: 6/8/10

Number of species: 1

Steller's Jay - Cyanocitta stelleri   2

http://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/stellers_jay/id

 
    We spotted a pair of Stellar's Jays perched on a guardrail beside HWY-285. This is the first time I have seen them - 180 on my Lifelist.
 
- Top photo courtesy of Shelli.

-Steller's Jay Photo courtesy of Alan D. Wilson, via Wikipedia
 
-SPQ 6/19/2010

Valley View Hot Springs - near Villa Grove, Colorado - June 8, 2010

About Valley View Hot Springs:

http://www.olt.org/

Location: Valley View Hot Springs - near Villa Grove, Colorado

Map: http://www.google.com/maps?f=q&source=s_q&hl=en&geocode=&q=villa+grove+CO&sll=37.0625,-95.677068&sspn=37.598824,56.689453&ie=UTF8&hq=&hnear=Villa+Grove,+Colorado&ll=38.189659,-105.814776&spn=0.018248,0.02768&t=h&z=15


Observation date: 6/8/10

Number of species: 8
Northern Flicker - Colaptes auratus   1

Warbling Vireo (Western) - Vireo gilvus [swainsoni Group]   3

http://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/warbling_vireo/id

Black-billed Magpie - Pica hudsonia   3

American Crow - Corvus brachyrhynchos   1

Blue-gray Gnatcatcher - Polioptila caerulea   1

American Robin - Turdus migratorius   4

Black-headed Grosbeak - Pheucticus melanocephalus   2

http://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Black-headed_Grosbeak/id

Common Grackle - Quiscalus quiscula   15
 
      We truly enjoyed our visit to Valley View Hot Springs. The resort features 4 different mountain soaking pools tucked up in the Sangre de Cristo mountains - all mountain fed and heated geothermally (ranging in temperature from 89-96 degrees. Closer to the cabins and campground is a swimming pool and a hot tub (kept at a scorching 104 degrees). Oh, and the entire resort is clothing optional.
 
    I was able to sit in the mountain pools and watch the nearby trees for any bird activity. One could hear a cacophony of bird calls emintaing from the surrounding forest (the Rio Grande National Forest, in fact) making for a fantastic spot to leisurely bird. While watching from the pool I spotted a Black-headed Grosbeak, a new Lifelist addition (178!), bounding about the branches of a small tree. I was able to see him clearly several times over the afternoon - his plumage an excellent identifier.
 
   I heard the call of a small bird (I figured a warbler) coming from the forest. I heard this call all afternoon, yet I was never able to get a good look at him. After we swam for an hour or so I decided to hike up to the top of one of the hills to take pictures. While in a small grove of trees I heard the warbleresque call again - prompting me to look up into the branches. I tried a trick I learned from a Pete Dunne book, The Art of Pishing, an imitated call that sounds like a Titmouse's scolding call. I pished (yes, that is the word for it) and almost immediately the Warbling Vireo bounded down the branches to get a closer look at what was making the noise. Huzzah for pishing! And Huzzah for 179 on my Lifelist!
 
   After several hours at the springs we decided to head north to Salida where we would stay the night. While driving back along the county road we spotted a single Pronghorn Antelope (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pronghorn_antelope) grazing near the road. Shelli quickly grabbed the camera and took a number of photos as he raced off, then stopped to assess us again. The photos turned out fantastic - several are posted above.
 
-Top photos courtesy of Shelli.

-Warbling Vireo photo courtesy of John Harrison, via Wikipedia

-Black-headed Grosbeak photo courtesy of  Hal Brown, Cornell Lab of Ornithology

-SPQ 6/16/2010

Roadside Location - near Mosca, Colorado - June 8, 2010

Location: Roadside Location - near Mosca, Colorado


Map: http://www.google.com/maps?f=q&source=s_q&hl=en&geocode=&q=blanca+co&sll=36.994413,-104.480281&sspn=0.008398,0.013754&ie=UTF8&hq=&hnear=Blanca,+Costilla,+Colorado&ll=37.663032,-105.799541&spn=0.066586,0.175095&t=h&z=13

Observation date: 6/8/10

Number of species: 2


Red-tailed Hawk (Western) - Buteo jamaicensis calurus   3

Western Meadowlark - Sturnella neglecta   5
 
http://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Western_Meadowlark/id
 
    We decided to head northwest from the Great Sand Dunes to a resort in the Sangre de Cristo mountains. While driving west from GSD NP towards HWY-17 I spotted several Red-tailed Hawks perched atop telephone poles; watching astutely for a meal. Unlike the RTHs I see in Oklahoma, this morph was very dark - I think Ebird may even classify it as a seperate species (Red-tailed Hawk - Western). If so, that would be another addition to my Lifelist. I will investigate the matter.
 
    Within the same small stretch that I saw the RTHs, I saw 5 (or more) Western Meadowlarks. I am used to seeing the eastern version, so the Western form will be added to my Lifelist as number 177!

-Photo courtesy of Kevin Cole, via Wikipedia.
 
-SPQ 6/16/2010

Great Sand Dunes NP - Medano Creek - Alamosa, Colorado - June 7, 2010

About Medano Creek:

http://www.nps.gov/grsa/medano-creek.htm

Location: Great Sand Dunes NP - Medano Creek - Alamosa, Colorado

Map: http://www.google.com/maps?f=q&source=s_q&hl=en&geocode=&q=blanca+co&sll=36.994413,-104.480281&sspn=0.008398,0.013754&ie=UTF8&hq=&hnear=Blanca,+Costilla,+Colorado&ll=37.768883,-105.511022&spn=0.008311,0.021887&t=h&z=16


Observation date: 6/7/10

Number of species: 2

Black-billed Magpie - Pica hudsonia   2

Common Raven - Corvus corax   1
 
     We returned to Great Sand Dunes NP after we spent the afternoon in Alamosa. We decided to take some things and go relax beside Medano Creek. A Common Raven was flying around our area while we lounged, most likely in search of any scraps left behind by other visitors.
 
     As we left, I spotted a Black-billed Magpie flying over the parking lot in search of an easy meal.
 
-Photos courtesy of Shelli.
 
Note: The first 3 pictures are of the sand dunes and Medano Creek. The fourth photo is of the Great Sand Dunes witrh the Sangre de Cristo mountains towering in the background. The fifth photo is a shot of the dunes and Medano Creek from our campsite at dusk.
 
-SPQ 6/16/2010

Zapata Falls - Alamosa, Colorado- June 7, 2010

Location: Zapata Falls - Alamosa, Colorado

Map: http://www.google.com/maps?f=q&source=s_q&hl=en&geocode=&q=blanca+co&sll=36.994413,-104.480281&sspn=0.008398,0.013754&ie=UTF8&hq=&hnear=Blanca,+Costilla,+Colorado&ll=37.626333,-105.593548&spn=0.066619,0.175095&t=h&z=13


Observation date: 6/7/10

Number of species: 2
Broad-tailed Hummingbird - Selasphorus platycercus   1

http://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Broad-tailed_Hummingbird/id

Hermit Thrush - Catharus guttatus   1
 
   We arrived at the parking area for Zapata Falls at around 11:30 am. During the short hike to the top I spotted a single male Broad-tailed Hummingbird perched on a branch about 8 feet from the ground. I watched him for a bit then made the final push to Zapata Falls. I saw the same hummingbirds perched above the trail on the way back down - not quite as skittish as I would have expected. The brave little Broad-tailed Hummingbird found his place as 176 on my Lifelist!
 
   Within 20 feet the temperature dropped 15 degrees. Cold air wafted out from the falls, making for a cool welcome to the seating areas alongside the falls. The sound of the falls was deafening - making finding birds by sound virtually impossible. I did notice one Hermit Thrush furtively bounding around near the bench we were sitting at.
 
   Shelli and I rested, took some photos, and discussed where to venture to next.
 
-Top photo courtesy of Shelli.

-Broad-tailed Hummingbird photo courtesy of Brian E. Small, via Cornell Lab of Ornithology's "All About Birds" site.
 
-SPQ 6/16/2010

Great Sand Dunes National Park ("Pinyon Flats Campground") - San Luis Valley, Colorado - June 6, 2010

About the Great Sand Dunes National Park:

http://www.nps.gov/grsa/index.htm

Map:

http://www.google.com/maps?f=q&source=s_q&hl=en&geocode=&q=Alamosa+CO&sll=37.774446,-105.509777&sspn=0.033243,0.055017&ie=UTF8&hq=&hnear=Alamosa,+Colorado&ll=37.782926,-105.516043&spn=0.033239,0.055017&t=h&z=14

Location: Great Sand Dunes NP - Pinyon Flats Campground- Alamosa, Colorado


Observation date: 6/7/10

Number of species: 4

Pinyon Jay - Gymnorhinus cyanocephalus   2

http://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Pinyon_Jay/id

Common Raven - Corvus corax   2

http://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/common_raven/id

Bank Swallow - Riparia riparia   12

http://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/bank_swallow/id

Chipping Sparrow - Spizella passerina   6

   We arrived at the Great Sand Dunes NP at around noon on Sunday, June 6th. Entry fees for the park were waived ofr the day, so that was a nice welcome. Very few campsites remained, but we were able to secure a walk-up tent site in the Pinyon Flats campground. It was a relatively warm day, not too hot, so after setting up camp we decided to go down to Medano Creek and relax for a bit.

As we left Medano Creek a thunderstorm began rolling in at about 4:00 pm from the west. It was amazing to watch the storm creep over the dunes; the contrast between the storm and the sunny day was remarkable. As the sky began to darken we made the decision to head back to the campsite.

   After the rain passed a small group of Bank Swallows flew around the campgrounds looking for food. Periodically, they would land on a dead tree near our campsite, where they would chatter to one another before they took flight again. This was the first time for me to see Bank Swallows - now 173 on my Liflelist.

    The Pinyon Jays could be seen toward the outskirts of the campground. After a lengthy observation and even lengthier discussion, Shelli and I determined that the blue birds were Pinyon Jays. Huzzah for 174!

    I spotted several large Corvids flying around the campgrounds. They were much larger than the American Crows I see on a regular basis. I determined them to be Common Ravens - a new Lifelist addition! 175!

-Top photos courtesy of Shelli.

-Pinyon Jay photo courtesy of Jay and Kevin McGowan, via Cornell Lab of Ornithology's "All About Birds" site

-Common Raven photo courtesy of United States National Park System, via Wikipedia

-Bank Swallow photo courtesy of Lang Elliot, Cornell Lab of Ornithology
-SPQ 6/16/2010

Roadside Location (HWY-160) - near Blanca, Colorado - June 6, 2010

Location: Roadside Location (HWY-160) - Blanca, Colorado


Map: http://www.google.com/maps?f=q&source=s_q&hl=en&geocode=&q=blanca+co&sll=36.994413,-104.480281&sspn=0.008398,0.013754&ie=UTF8&hq=&hnear=Blanca,+Costilla,+Colorado&ll=37.437793,-105.494156&spn=0.267151,0.44014&t=h&z=11

Observation date: 6/6/10

Number of species: 1

Black-billed Magpie - Pica hudsonia   1

http://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Black-billed_Magpie/id

 
The Black-billed Magpie bumps the Lifelist up one - to 172!
 
-Top photo courtesy of Shelli.
 
-Black-billed Magpie photo courtesy of Allan Cruickshank, Cornell Lab of Ornithology

-SPQ 6/16/2010

Scenic Turnoff (along I-25) - Las Animas County, Colorado - June 6, 2010

Location: Scenic Turnoff (I-25) - Las Animas County, Colorado

Map:  http://www.google.com/maps?f=q&source=s_q&hl=en&geocode=&q=raton+nm&sll=36.455342,-103.180182&sspn=0.008457,0.021887&ie=UTF8&hq=&hnear=Raton,+Colfax,+New+Mexico&ll=36.994413,-104.480281&spn=0.008398,0.013754&t=h&z=16

Observation date: 6/6/10

Number of species: 2

Swainson's Thrush - Catharus ustulatus   1

Spotted Towhee - Pipilo maculatus   1

After entering Colorado, we pulled off the road at a scenic turnoff so we could take some photos and take in the scenery. Not 100 feet from our car I spotted a single Spotted Towhee perched atop a small, scrubby tree. He sat and sang; giving me the oppurtunity to grab my binoculars and confirm his identification. While I was watching the towhee I could hear the ethreal sound of a Swainson's Thrush eminating from the forest to our east. Even if only 2 birds showed up, I was appreciative of the Colorado welcoming committee.

-Photos courtesy of Shelli.

-SPQ 6/16/2010

Gas Station - Clayton, New Mexico - June 6, 2010

Location: Gas Station - Clayton, New Mexico

Map: http://www.google.com/maps?f=q&source=s_q&hl=en&geocode=&q=Clayton+NM&sll=37.0625,-95.677068&sspn=34.122306,56.337891&ie=UTF8&hq=&hnear=Clayton,+Union,+New+Mexico&ll=36.455342,-103.180182&spn=0.008457,0.021887&t=h&z=16
Observation date: 6/6/10

Number of species: 5

Rock Pigeon - Columba livia   2

Western Kingbird - Tyrannus verticalis   2

American Crow - Corvus brachyrhynchos   1

Barn Swallow - Hirundo Rustica   2

Common Grackle - Quiscalus quiscula   6

   We stopped to get gas before pressing on into Colorado. While I was pumping gas I could hear a terrific amount of bird noise. I could hear the coos of the Rock Pigeons, who had built a nest in the aluminium roof over the pumps.

    A pair of Western Kingbirds battled each other in the air above the nearby street. The harsh metallic calls of the Grackle quickly caught my attention and I spotted the group in a pine tree across the street.

   Quite a lively gas station stop.

-SPQ 6/16/2010

Roadside Location - near Bryan's Corner, Oklahoma (along HWY-412, near the HWY-83 intersection) - June 5, 2010

Location: Roadside Location - near Bryan's Corner, OK


Map:  http://www.google.com/maps?f=q&source=s_q&hl=en&geocode=&q=bryan's+corner+OK&sll=37.0625,-95.677068&sspn=33.214763,56.337891&ie=UTF8&hq=&hnear=Bryans+Corner,+Oklahoma&ll=36.617663,-100.832906&spn=0.01643,0.027509&t=h&z=15
Observation date: 6/5/10

Number of species: 2

Ring-necked Pheasant - Phasianus colchicus   1

http://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Ring-necked_Pheasant/id
Dickcissel - Spiza americana   1
 
    Shelli and I stopped to stretch our legs at a small gas station located at the intersection of HWY-412 & HWY-83. As we walked back to the car I could hear the distinctive call of a Dickcissel (it is even more familiar now that I use the call as a ringtone on my phone).
 
   As we drove down HWY-412, not a mile from the gas station, I spotted a Ring-Necked Pheasant poking out of the tall grass along the road. I was thrilled - I have never seen one before. Such a beautiful bird!
 
   The roadside Ring-Necked Pheasant will take his place as #171 on the Lifelist. Huzzah!
 
-Top photo courtesy of Shelli.

-Ring-necked Pheasant photo courtesy of Lukasz Lukasik, via Wikipedia

-SPQ 6/16/2010
 

Salt Plains National Wildlife Refuge ("Eagle Roost Trail") - Jet, Oklahoma - June 5, 2010

About Salt Plains NWR:


http://www.fws.gov/southwest/refuges/oklahoma/saltplains/index.html

Location: Salt Plains NWR ("Eagle Roost Trail") - Jet, OK

Map:
http://www.google.com/maps?f=q&source=s_q&hl=en&geocode=&q=jet+ok&sll=37.0625,-95.677068&sspn=34.122306,56.337891&ie=UTF8&hq=&hnear=Jet,+Alfalfa,+Oklahoma&ll=36.786845,-98.182969&spn=0.016841,0.027509&t=h&z=15
Observation date: 6/5/10Number of species: 7
Great Egret - Ardea alba   3


Pileated Woodpecker - Dryocopus pileatus   1


American Crow - Corvus brachyrhynchos   2


Carolina Wren - Thryothorus ludovicianus   1


Blue-gray Gnatcatcher - Polioptila caerulea   2


Indigo Bunting - Passerina cyanea   3


Red-winged Blackbird - Agelaius phoeniceus   2

    It was a sweltering 101 degrees when we arrived at the Salt Plains NWR; not exaclty ideal birding conditions.


   Shelli and I walked the trail from the parking lot to its terminus at a small pond. We stopped to take some photos and rest at a small clearing found along the trail. A wooden table had been erected in the clearing, most likely for NWR interpretive programs.


  At the end of the trail was a wooden boardwalk and observation deck that overlooks the small pond. We spotted 3 Great Egrets feeding in the area; one feeding on the north side of the pond.

   No new birds for my lifelist were to be found at the Salt Plains NWR - but this is just the first stop (on the first day) of our vacation.

-Photos courtesy of Shelli.
 -SPQ 6/14/2010

Newblock Park - Tulsa, OK - May 30 , 2010

Location: Newblock Park - Tulsa, OK

Map:  http://www.google.com/maps/ms?ie=UTF8&hl=en&msa=0&msid=103228297516276567813.00048911e9c5b4937827a&ll=36.150593,-96.015315&spn=0.004245,0.006877&t=h&z=17



Observation date: 5/30/10

Number of species: 16



Canada Goose - Branta canadensis   9


Turkey Vulture - Cathartes aura   1


Red-tailed Hawk - Buteo jamaicensis   1


Mourning Dove - Zenaida macroura   2


Northern Flicker - Colaptes auratus   1


Western Kingbird - Tyrannus verticalis   2


Scissor-tailed Flycatcher - Tyrannus forficatus   1


Barn Swallow - Hirundo rustica   1


Eastern Bluebird - Sialia sialis   1


American Robin - Turdus migratorius   1


Northern Mockingbird - Mimus polyglottos   1


European Starling - Sturnus vulgaris   3


Northern Cardinal - Cardinalis cardinalis   2


Indigo Bunting - Passerina cyanea   2


Painted Bunting - Passerina ciris   1

Common Grackle - Quiscalus quiscula   3
 
I sat on a small berm that runs along the Arkansas River, which gave me a good vantage point of both the river and the trees alongside it.
 
A family of Canada Geese were foraging nearby, always careful to not get to close to my position. I counted 6 juveniles among the group.
 
-SPQ 6/15/2010