On July 10 and July 11 I walked a significant portion (but not all) of the trails at Ken Caryl Ranch (KCR) that provide access to likely Ovenbird habitat. (Note: access to these trails is only open to KCR residents). This included all or parts of Bradford Trail, Lost Canyon Trail, Shaffer Trail, High Meadow Trail and Massey Draw Trail. On these dates I encountered 22-23 singing Ovenbirds, plus 4 other adults not singing, two of which were feeding 3 begging recently-fledged juveniles (two different broods, in different spots). All were in drainages that flow east from the first main ridge of the Front Range (mostly Massey Draw and its tribs), but a female feeding a fledgling was just over the ridge line in the Turkey Creek watershed.
Now a bit of a summary of my Ovenbird observations in this area from May 24 through July 11. During that time span I made an effort to visit most (maybe 85%) of the likely Ovenbird habitat at KCR (some away from trails). I also detected Ovenbirds along roads in the Deer Creek watershed while making opportunistic stops along West Deer Creek Canyon Road, South Deer Creek Road, High Grade Road and Pleasant Park Run. Coverage in the Deer Creek watershed was just spotty roadside stops and was in no way thorough. I found Ovenbirds to be widespread and fairly common in proper settings. My overall totals (trying to account for birds counted on more than one date) were 60-64 singing Ovenbirds, 7-8 other adult ovenbirds, and 3 juvenile Ovenbirds. Breeding evidence observed was carrying nest material (May 31 and June 17), carrying food (July 10 and July 11), and feeding young (July 10 and July 11). I encountered Ovenbirds at KCR at elevations ranging from about 6,500 - 7350 feet. Suitable habitat is lacking at elevations below 6,500 at KCR, and not much of the Ranch is above 7,350. While Ovenbirds in the Deer Creek watershed ranged at least as high as 8,200 feet. The great majority of Ovenbirds were found along drainages or on side slopes within 150 yards of the drainage channel. Deer Creek is perennial, but the drainages in KCR are all seasonal except for a section of Massey Draw. Most are dry by late June. The prime setting seems to be moist forest with a mixture of aspen and Douglas-fir, or aspen stands significantly bordered by Douglas-fir. Some birds were in areas dominated by Gambel oak (occasionally only oak, but more often with some Douglas-fir and Ponderosa pine). One spot had Douglas-fir as the only overstory tree, no aspen, but an understory of some species of maple and some species of hazelnut. Good understory development was characteristic off all spots where I found ovenbirds. Totals by Area: Ken Caryl Ranch - 48-51 singing, 7-8 other adults, 3 juv. Deer Creek - 12-13 singing This has been fun for me, coming from CA where Ovenbird encounters are rare, and I'm excited that I ended up living at KCR where I can enjoy these birds regularly during the nesting season. They are one among many good excuses for a hike in the woods! David Suddjian Littleton, CO -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Colorado Birds" group. To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to [email protected]. To post to this group, send email to [email protected]. To view this discussion on the web visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/cobirds/CAGj6Ror0uWj1HTL56iDrgfRuSiBRKoTp8ak0BnooZ_TaMk%2BxpA%40mail.gmail.com. For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/d/optout.
