Some midday stops along Skyline Blvd between Castle Rock State Park and
Bear Creek Road were interesting. Quite birdy in some spots and quiet in others.
Highlights were a singing OVENBIRD near milemarker 5.57, a couple of miles from
the western junction with Bear Creek Road. It was initially upslope on the SCZ
side of the road and later moved down to the SCL side. I even glimpsed it as it
flew across the road, but otherwise it was heard only. It was singing steadily
despite the time of day, and was last heard well down the slope in SCL. I think
it was going to continue down the hill. The other rarity prize was a singing
male MYRTLE (Yellow-rumped) WARBLER at the junction of Skyline and Las Cumbres
Road. This spot is about 2 miles east of the main lot at Castle Rock State Park.
It was in the trees right over the county line, and I saw it on both
sides of the road. It only sang a few times while I watched it. A
territorial breeding AUDUBON'S WARBLER was singing in adjacent trees but he did
not seem concerned with the Myrtle.
Two RED CROSSBILLS flew from SCZ into SCL at the junction of Skyline and
Black Road.
Among other birds I enjoyed were a 8 other singing AUDUBON'S (noted as far
south along the road as the vicinity of the Thompsen Road junction) and a 3
females, 6 singing GOLDEN-CROWNED KINGLETS (including one carrying food about
0.4 mi. northwest of Gist Road junction), three singing HERMIT WARBLERS,
and 4 RED-BREASTED NUTHATCHES. A pair of PILEATED WOODPECKERS was in SCL near
the junction of Summit Road and Redwood Estates Road.
A description of birding along this park of Skyline Blvd is here: