A quick correction: the first documented Type 3 Red Crossbill from CO that I'm aware of was from a flock I recorded in Hinsdale County in 2007. I wrote an article in Colorado Birds about it at the time; also see http://xeno-canto.org/14998. Since then I've had it in Colorado three times, all on the west slope, and all documented by recordings. I suspect it's a rare visitor that periodically erupts into the state.
Andrew Spencer Quito, Ecuador On Wed, Dec 12, 2012 at 1:42 AM, Steven Mlodinow <[email protected]> wrote: > Greetings All, > > Interesting day of birding at various spots in Boulder and Weld > > The highlights: > > Red Crossbill, Type 3: apparently a first report for CO but widely reported > across n. half (s. to CO) across USA. I was in NW Hygiene, when I heard a > call that I initially took for a Common Redpoll. I was rather surprised to > see it was a crossbill (ad male) and one with a rather small bill, > distinctly smaller than any crossbill I've seen in CO. Matched very nicely > with recordings on Xeno-Cantu/Macauley. > > Chihuahuan Raven: Was driving with Cathy Sheeter to Valmont Reservoir, and > along Valmont Rd, not far w. of Teller Farms, we saw 7 ravens on the n. side > of road. The bird nearest road (about 30 feet from road) was standing right > next to a BB Magpie, both birds apparently interested in same food item. I > called out "raven," Cathy called out "crow," stating that it was too small > for a raven, which was exactly what I was thinking: too small for a Common > Raven. Cathy and I independently came to an estimate of raven being about > 10% longer than magpie, which is great for Chihuahuan and wrong for Common. > Also, the culmen of the relatively narrow bill was extensively feathered. > Photos can be found (with others for comparison) at > http://www.flickr.com/photos/36088296@N08/ > Note that ID was cinched when raven flew off calling, "Yo quiero Taco Bell." > Just kidding. None of the ravens called, and all appeared same size. > > Other highlights: > 4 Harris's Sparrows at feeder near Panama Res (1 ad, 3 imm) > 1 Common Redpoll with 2 American Goldfinches at se. corner of Union > Reservoir > 1 Mountain Chickadee in Hygiene > 10 BH Cowbirds around dairy farm n. of Union Reservoir > > Still plenty of Western Grebes, Hooded Mergansers, 5 DC Cormorants at > Valmont Complex. No RT Loons or other "true" rarities. > > Note that Clover Basin Res is nearly frozen, that Terry L and Panama Res are > totally frozen, and that Union has a rim of ice. Firestone Gravel Pits > partly frozen. > > Good Birding > Steven Mlodinow > Longmont, CO > > -- > 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 https://groups.google.com/groups/opt_out. > > -- 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 https://groups.google.com/groups/opt_out.
