Compiler: Joyce Takamine Date: February 18, 2012 e-mail: rba AT cfobirds.org phone: 303-659-8750
This is the Colorado Rare Bird Alert for Saturday, February 18, 2012, sponsored by Denver Field Ornithologists and the Rocky Mountain Bird Observatory. If you are phoning in a message, you can skip the recording by pressing the star key (*) on your phone at any time. Please leave your name, phone number, detailed directions, including county and dates for each sighting. It would be helpful if you would spell your last name. Highlight species include: (* denotes that there is new information on this species in this report) Red-necked Grebe (Boulder) TUNDRA SWAN (Boulder) Barrow's Goldeneye (Adams, Mesa, Summit) Long-tailed Duck (Larimer, Mesa) MEW GULL (Broomfield) Thayer's Gull (Arapahoe, Boulder, Broomfield, Larimer) ICELAND GULL (Broomfield) Lesser Black-backed Gull (Arapahoe, Boulder, Broomfield) GLAUCOUS-WINGED GULL (Larimer) Glaucous Gull (Arapahoe, Boulder, Larimer) SNOWY OWL (Adams, Weld) YELLOW-BELLIED SAPSUCKER (*Larimer) VARIED THRUSH (Larimer) White-throated Sparrow (Jackson) Harris's Sparrow (Adams, El Paso) GOLDEN-CROWNED SPARROW (Jefferson, Boulder) Lapland Longspur (Lake, Larimer) Gray-crowned Rosy-Finch (Jackson, Jefferson, Lake) Black Rosy-Finch ( Jefferson, Lake) Brown-capped Rosy-Finch (Jefferson, Lake) Common Redpoll (Larimer) Please note, detailed directions to most of the following locations can be found on the Colorado County Birding Website: http://www.coloradocountybirding.com/index.php Adams County: --2 imm Harris's Sparrows were reported by Beltz near the parking lot for Lake Ladora at Rocky Mountain Arsenal on February 9. --A pair of Barrow's Goldeneyes was reported by Gilbert about 2 blocks south of the parking lot at 78th and Steele on February 10. They are near a picnic table. --A pair of Barrow's Goldeneyes was reported by Shissler south of 88th on February 10. On February 12, Dunning reported the pair of Barrow's Goldeneyes were 300 yards south of the turquoise and white tank S of 88th. --One SNOWY OWL was reported by Combs on February 12, west of Harvest and north of 138th. The dark SNOWY OWL was reported by Plooster on February 14 between 138th and 144th, left of power pole #30. Directions: Take Bromley Lane (152nd) east from I-76 and go 2 miles past Piccadilly to Harvest Road. Turn right and go south to 138th. Arapahoe Country: --An ad Lesser Black-backed Gull was reported by Hudak at Centennial Park on February 9 and refound on February 15 by Hudak. --At Cherry Creek Reservoir, Walbek reported 1 1-st cyc Glaucous Gull, 2 ad Thayer's Gulls, and 1 2-nd cycle Lesser Black-backed Gull on February 9. Boulder County: --A TUNDRA SWAN was found at Valmont on February 4 by the joint club fieldtrip and was reported by Kilpatrick on February 9. --A GOLDEN-CROWNED SPARROW continues at the North Teller Farm Trailhead off Valmont Rd through February 15 as reported by Nunes. --An adult basic plumage Red-necked Grebe was found at Valmont on February 4 by the joint club fieldtrip and was reported by Kilpatrick on February 9. --Nunes reported the following gulls at the Valmont Reservoir Complex on February 8: 1 1-st cyc Glaucous x Herring; 2 Glaucous Gulls (1 ad, 1 1-st cyc); 2 Thayer's Gulls (2 1-st cyc); 4 Lesser Black-backed Gulls (1 ad, 1 3-rd cyc, 2 1-2 cyc). --An ad TUNDRA SWAN was reported by Nunes at Cottowood Marsh on February 15. --At Erie Reservoir on February 16, Mlodinow reported: 2 Glaucous Gulls (1-st cyc, 2-nd cyc), 8 Thayer's Gulls, and 3 Lesser Black-backed Gulls. Broomfield County: --At Anthem Pond, Walbek reported 1 ad MEW GULL, 2 ad Lesser Black-backed Gulls and several Thayer's Gulls (several ad, 1 1-st cycle) on February 9. Walbek reported that the pale Thayer's Gull seen on February 9 is a possible ICELAND GULL. On February 12, Kibbe reported 2+ Thayer's Gulls and 5 Lesser Black-backed Gulls at Anthem Pond. --At Siena Pond on February 9, Walbek reported 1 ad MEW GULL, 2 Thayer's Gulls (1 ad, 1 1-st cyc), and the Glaucous x Herring Gull (1-st cyc). --An ad Thayer's Gull was reported by Matheus at Glasser Reservoir which is north of Holy Family High School on February 10. El Paso County: --A Harris's Sparrow was reported by Pals at the feeders at Foundtain Creek Nature Center on February 11. Staff reported that it is seen daily at the feeders. Jackson County: --On February 1 Craig Dodson reports 2 tan morph White-throated Sparrows and Gray-crowned Rosy-Finches at the Moose Visitor Center on the west side of Cameron Pass. On February 8, Hopper reported 1 White-throated Sparrow and 200+ Rosy-Finches includes Gray-crowned and Brown-capped. Jefferson County: --The GOLDEN-CROWNED SPARROW at the Red Rocks Trading Post feeders continues to be seen thru February 15 as reported by Henwood. --On February 15, Henwood reported that Gray-crowned and Brown-capped Rosy-Finches continue to be seen at the feeders at Red Rocks Trading Post. There were about 15 - 20 birds. Lake County: --A Lapland Longspur was reported by Kalback on Halfmoon Road S of Leadville on February 12. All 3 species of Rosy-Finches were visiting feeders in the county on February 12. Larimer County: --At Grandview Cemetery in Fort Collins, Mammoser reported the YELLOW-BELLIED SAPSUCKER on February 16. It was near the golf course. --Komar reported the following at Carter Lake on Februrary 9: 4 Glacuous Gulls (1ad, 3 imm), imm Thayer's Gull, 1-2 Lesser Black-backed Gulls, and 1 GLAUCOUS-WINGED GULL (1-st cyc). --A VARIED THRUSH has been visiting the yard of Steve Martin in Wellington on February 11 and 12. Please contact him at falconridge AT cowisp.net for more information. --Lapland Longspurs were reported by Cropper at the feed lot east of I-25 and Owl Canyon Road on February 12. --A Long-tailed Duck was reported by Leatherman at Hamilton Reservoir on February 13. It was by the smokestack when viewed from the observation area on the south shore. --10 Common Redpolls were reported by Mary Ellen Moore in Estes Park along Broad View Road which is the first gravel road after crossing the bridge going south on Mary's Lake Road from the intersection of Hwy 36. Mesa County: --A f Long-tailed Duck was reported by Arnold upstream on the Colorado River from Ela Sanctuary in Grand Junction on February 14. Also in the area were 2 Barrow's Goldeneyes. They were easily viewed from Hunter's Point. Summit County: --6 Barrow's Goldeneyes were reported by Blackburn at the Silverthorne Water Treatment Facility on February 12. Weld County: --A SNOWY OWL was reported by Leatherman 75 yard east of CR 49 and .6 mi north of CR 108 on February 13. On February 14, Hopper reported the SNOWY OWL was .7 mile east of CR 49 and 200 m south of CR 108. Upcoming DFO fieldtrips: The DFO Field Trip for Saturday, February 18 will be to Chatfield State Park led by Ed Holub (303-979-2194). Meet the leader at 0800 at the Swim Beach Parking lot inside west entrance of park of S. Wadsworth, 1.5 miles south of C-470. This will be a half day trip so lunch is optional. The DFO Field Trip for Sunday, February 19 will be to Roxborough State Park led by Doris Cruze (303-798-8072). Meet the leader at 0800 at the Visitor's Center for a 3.5 mile walking tour on an easy trail. Participants should see golden eagles and species common in the foothills. State Parks Pass required. Lunch is optional. There is a beautiful place to sit on the patio and watch birds. Take S. Wadsworth Blvd, past Chatfield SP to Waterton Rd on the left. Take Waterton Rd, 1.6 miles east to North Rampart Range Rd., turn right and go south 2.3 miles to Roxorough Park Rd. Turn left and follow signs to park (2.2 miles). Good Birding, Joyce Takamine -- 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.
