I spent about 2 hours at the Trading Post in Red Rocks park in the late afternoon on Tuesday. The Curve-billed Thrasher, Harris' Sparrow, and Golden-crowned Sparrow all made multiple visits to the feeder and surrounding areas. I didn't see the White-throated Sparrow(s) or Rosy Finches.
Yesterday I enjoyed the strong tailwinds while biking out to Teller Farm to search for the Golden-crowned Sparrow, which I finally found just as I was leaving. The flock of White-crowned Sparrows was essentially right where Scott Severs found them a couple of days ago, though many were also on the north side of Valmont in front of the white farm house. The flock moved west to the first fence west of the house. On my return trip (with strong tailwinds becoming relentless headwinds) I happened upon a fairly large flock of Ring-necked Ducks (75) with two Scaup on a very small pond in north Boulder. I'm not aware of any name for the pond, but it is at the intersection of Gibbs and Franklin (just north of Valmont and just east of the Foothills Parkway). I spent twenty minutes or so trying to pull a Tufted Duck out of the flock to no avail. But the Scaup (1 male, 1 female) were interesting--seemed a little on the small side compared to the RN Ducks, but also seemed to exhibit some Greater Scaup characteristics (rounded head, sometimes showing backwards sloping, thicker neck, fat cheeked look from head-on view, largish bill, with nail on the larger side). Traits supporting Lesser--barring partially extending down onto flanks, overall size, some photos reveal a bit of peak towards back of head. The scaup were actively feeding, likely affecting the head shape. Anyway, opinions would be appreciated. Photos are at: http://www.pbase.com/birdercellist/inbox The first Scaup image is geo-tagged Good birding, Thomas -- Thomas Heinrich Boulder, CO [email protected] www.pbase.com/birdercellist -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Colorado Birds" group. To post to this group, send email to [email protected]. To unsubscribe from this group, send email to [email protected]. For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/cobirds?hl=en.
