Lamar area comments: Snowy Owl #1, which was along Prowers CR12 about 1.3 miles north of SR196 from at least 1/28 until it was found dead on 1/31, was deposited at the Denver Museum of Nature and Science today. It was legally collected by me, as a subpermitee under the Museum's DOW-issued salvage permit. This owl, although appearing to be quite healthy, was host to a large population of chewing lice (species to be determined). It might be of interest to readers that the specimen will be properly curated and analyzed. Zoology Department personnel, including Jeff Stevenson, told me that in addition to ultimately being made into a study skin, this bird will be checked for ectoparasites (the lice, primarily), endoparasites, its DNA will be catalogued, and some of its bones may be extracted/preserved. In other words, it will be treated with the respect and skill such a magnificent, valuable specimen deserves. We are lucky to have such a fine Museum (and Zoology Department staff/volunteers) in Colorado. This institution deserves our support!
Snowy Owl #2 (a few miles north of Lamar on Prowers CR SS 3.6 miles e of US287 on 1/31) was apparently a one-day wonder. It was NOT seen on 2/1 or 2/2. I incorrectly stated that this site is very near the location of another Snowy in 1996. The actual year was 1998. I thank Linda Paulsen for this correction. The only other species of note seen since my previous post about Lamar was a Brown Thrasher at the Lamar Community College Woods (roughly ne of the north end of the tennis courts). Total species in the Lamar area (as previously defined): 72 Additional note: Earlier in the week, Stan Oswald told me of finding a Common Redpoll recently at Timpas SWA south of Rocky Ford. Having never been there, and wanting to see a redpoll, I went on 2/1. While not finding a redpoll, I did see a female NORTHERN CARDINAL in some trees along the east side of a milo (aka grain sorghum) planting north of the parking area (and big sign for Timpas SWA) accessed on Otero Road Z w of CR21 (about 6m south of Rocky Ford). Dave Leatherman Fort Collins -- 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.
