Lewis's Woodpeckers used to be uncommon but regular in many areas of Larimer
County. Except for local patches of prosperity, it seems like they have
definitely declined, pretty much statewide. This may be due in part to the
loss of orchards to housing areas, with fruit like apples being a major winter
food if available. This may be due in part to West Nile, with many corvids and
corvid-like species taking a hit. Probably other factors. At least they've
had fire areas to exploit in the recent decade.
I found a Lewis's Woodpecker on a power pole at 2820 Storm Mountain Drive about
3 miles north of Drake (Larimer) today. Storm Mountain Drive (which eventually
becomes FR128, a road that is closed currently because of last summer's flood
damage to a gate) is accessed by going a few tenths of a mile west of US34 at
Drake on Devil's Gulch Road (aka 43 Road, the "back way" to Estes Park and
devastated Glenhaven), then north on Storm Mountain Drive for what feels like a
long, tortuous, uphill 3 miles. I believe the Bobcat Gulch Fire of 2006 is
probably the explanation for this bird's presence.
Also seen in the general area were a group of Wild Turkeys that included
several youngsters.
Dave Leatherman
Fort Collins
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