159 Species on this Custom List
To upload the attached Custom list and Quiz yourself on birds that may be seen on this VENT Tour, right-click HERE and select "Save Target As.." (You may want to rename the file Colorado_Grouse.xml)
Apr. 17 - Apr. 26, 2009
Lesser Prairie-Chicken.
Photo: Barry Zimmer
Centered around the unique and wonderful mating displays of five species of grouse, this tour also takes in the scenic beauty, birds, and wildlife from all four corners of Colorado. Incredible scenery and close looks at incomparable grouse displays.
Five species of grouse inhabit the prairies and inter-mountain valleys of North America: the Greater and Gunnison sage-grouse, Sharp-tailed Grouse, and the Greater and Lesser prairie-chickens. All are noted for their spectacular mating displays, and all can be exceedingly difficult to find away from their leks or display grounds. From the sandhills of southeastern Colorado to the high sagebrush parklands of the north, we will see some of the most fascinating rituals in the bird world: the booming of the prairie-chickens, the wild dance of the Sharp-tails, and the strutting of the huge sage-grouse.
Between Pueblo and Springfield we may be treated to side-by-side views of Clark's and Western grebes, Snowy Plovers, trees full of colorful Yellow-headed Blackbirds, and such southwestern specialties as Scaled Quail and Curve-billed Thrasher.
Farther south and east, beautiful canyons shade streamside cottonwood groves where Lewis's Woodpeckers abound. Nearby towns of Black-tailed Prairie Dogs also support nesting Burrowing Owls, and grasslands are home to Cassin's and Grasshopper sparrows. We will bird the Pawnee Grassland, a vast expanse of shortgrass prairie where Ferruginous Hawk, Prairie Falcon, Mountain Plover, and McCown's and Chestnut-collared longspurs all nest.
Though the high mountains are still under snow, the lower forests are accessible. Here we may find Golden Eagle, Blue Grouse, Williamson's and Red-naped sapsuckers, Mountain Bluebird, Cassin's Finch, and many other mountain species. Mammal viewing should be excellent throughout the trip, and the mountain scenery is breathtaking.
Average to good accommodations and food; easy to moderate terrain, elevation 3,500-11,500 ft; long drives and only one two-night stay; cold to mild climate, with potential for inclement weather.
To Get (upload) a Custom List from this Forum and add it to your computer:
1. Open the Posting of the Custom List you want to upload to your computer.
2. Right-click on the word "Attachment" at the bottom of the post -- it will be a hyperlink and underlined.
3. Select "Save Target As..." and save to your desktop. (You may want to rename the file - but do not change the .xml file extension)
4. Open your Thayer Birding Software birding program version 3.5 or 3.9.
5. Click the Custom List icon
6. In the upper left corner of the Custom List screen, click on the word File.
7. Click Import. Select the file you just uploaded to your desktop. Click Open.
8. The Custom List will now appear on your computer with your other Custom Lists. (You may rename the Custom List if you like.) |