Compiler: Joyce Takamine e-mail: RBA AT cobirds.org Date: December 29, 2015 This is the Rare Bird Alert, Tuesday, December 29, sponsored by Denver Field Ornithologists and the Bird Conservancy of the Rockies.
Highlight species include: (* indicates new information on this species). Trumpeter Swan (Boulder) Tundra Swan (Boulder, Larimer) White-winged Scoter (Arapahoe) Long-tailed Duck (Arapahoe, Douglas, El Paso, Jefferson) Barrow's Goldeneye (Arapahoe, Eagle, Garfield, Moffat) Sharp-tailed Grouse (Logan) Pacific Loon (Bent) Thayer's Gull (Adams, Arapahoe, Boulder, Douglas, Pueblo) Iceland Gull (Arapahoe) Lesser Black-backed Gull (Adams, Arapahoe, Douglas, Pueblo) Glaucous Gull (Arapahoe) Great Black-backed Gull (Arapahoe, Larimer) White-winged Dove (Boulder, El Paso, Pueblo) Greater Roadrunner (Baca, Bent, Otero) SNOWY OWL (Douglas) Burrowing Owl (Denver) White-throated Swift (Otero, Pueblo) ACORN WOODPECKER (*El Paso) Red-bellied Woodpecker (Bent, Pueblo, *Weld) Yellow-bellied Sapsucker (El Paso, Pueblo) Williamson's Sapsucker (El Paso) Eastern Phoebe (Weld) Chihuahuan Raven (Boulder, Otero) Canyon Wren (Pueblo) Winter Wren (Baca) Carolina Wren (Jefferson) Bewick's Wren (Baca, Otero) Varied Thrush (Grand) Gray Catbird (Boulder) Curve-billed Thrasher (Bent) Brown/Long-billed Thrasher (Weld) Lapland Longspur (Yuma) Pine Warbler (Boulder) Yellow-throated Warbler (Larimer) Canyon Towhee (Otero, Bent) Red Fox Sparrow (Denver, Yuma) GOLDEN-CROWNED SPARROW (Boulder, Pueblo) Northern Cardinal (Boulder) Lazuli Bunting (Larimer) Rusty Blackbird (Fremont, Pueblo) Brown-capped Rosy-Finch (Grand, Jefferson) Black Rosy-Finch (Grand, Jefferson) Gray-crowned Rosy-Finch (Grand, Jefferson, *Weld) PURPLE FINCH (Bent) Common Redpoll (Adams, Bent, *Jefferson, Larimer, Routt, Yuma) ADAMS COUNTY: --A Lesser Black-backed Gull was reported by Ira Sanders at Barr Lake SP on November 28. A Lesser Black-backed Gull was reported by Kevin Keirn at Barr Lake SP on Decenber 5. On December 6, Scott Manwaring reported Lesser Black-backed Gull and Thayer's Gull at Barr Lake SP. On December 10, David Dowell reported 4 Lesser Black-backed Gulls and 1 ad Thayer's Gull at Barr Lake SP. On December 12, Candice Johnson reported Lesser Black-backed Gull at Barr Lake. On December 13, Sue Riffe reported 3 Lesser Black-backed Gulls at Barr Lake. --8 Common Redpolls were reported by Brian Berry at Barr Lake SP on December 21. ARAPAHOE COUNTY:. --On December 12, Glenn Walbek reported f Long-tailed Duck, Barrow's Goldeneye, ad Glaucous Gull, and ad Lesser Black-backed Gull at Cherry Creek SP. On December 14, Bob Righter reported f-type Long-tailed Duck at Cherry Creek Reservoir. --A White-winged Scoter was reported by Tim King at South Platte Reservoir on December 14. On December 18, Charles Lawrence reported White-winged Scoter at South Platte Reservoir. A White-winged Scoter was reported by Daniel Horton at South Platte Reservoir on December 24. --On December 18 at Aurora Reservoir, David Dowell reported 1 ad Iceland Gull (Kumlieni), 2 Thayer's Gulls (1 ad, 1 juv), and 2 ad Lesser Black-backed Gulls. --A White-winged Scoter was reported by Scott Somershoe at McLellan Reservoir on December 19. On December 20, Nelson Ford reported White-winged Scoter at McLellan Resedrvoir. --On December 24, Ben Sampson reported 6 Lesser Black-backed Gulls and 1 Great Black-backed Gull at Cherry Creek SP. On December 24, Glenn Walbek reported 8 Lesser Black-backed Gulls and a Glacous Gull at Cherry Creek SP. --On December 24, David Dowell reported 4 Thayer's Gulls, 10 Lesser Black-backed Gulls, and 1 ad Glaucous Gull at Aurora Reservoir. BACA COUNTY: --On December 21, Steve Mlodinow reported Greater Roadrunner, 2 Winter Wren, and 16 Bewick's Wrens in Cottonwood Canyon. BENT COUNTY: --On November 16, Duane Nelson reported that he has had f-type PURPLE FINCH, m Red-bellied Woodpecker, Curve-billed Thrasher, and Canyon Towhees visit his feeders in Las Animas. Birders are welcome if you notify Duane in advance at dnelson1 ATcenturytel.net On November 19, Duane Nelson reported that the f-type PURPLE FINCH returned and the other birds continue. --Duane Nelson reported 3 Canyon Towhees, 1 Curve-billed Thrasher, and 1 Red-bellied Woodpecker at his feeder on December 15 for the John Martin CBC. Also found on the count were 2 Roadrunners, Pacific Loon, and Kathy Mihm Dunning photographed a Common Redpoll. BOULDER COUNTY: --On November 24, Stephen Knox reported Golden-crowned Sparrow at Teller Farm.On November 27, Ted Floyd and Tracy Pheneger reported Golden-crowned Sparrow at Teller Farm. On December 6, Jack B, holdne Maxfield, and Ryan Bushong reported Golden-crowned Sparrow at Teller Farm. On December 19 Steve Frye reported Golden-crowned Sparrow at Teller Farm. On December 21, Todd Deininger reported Golden-crowned Sparrow at Teller Farm. On December 24, Jack Harlan reported Golden-crowned Sparrow at Teller Farm. On December 25, Craig Rasmussen reported Golden-crowned Sparrow at Teller Farm. --On December 19, Ira Sanders reported 3 Trumpeter Swans N of Hwy 66 at 58rd Road which is the road to Rabbit Mountain. --On December 20, Bill Schmoker reported Golden-crowned Sparrow, Gray Catbird, Pine Warbler, Northern Cardinal and White-winged Dove, Lesser Black-backed Gull on the Boulder CBC. --On December 25, Ted Floyd reported Chihuahuan Raven and Tundra Swan at the Valmont Complex. DENVER COUNTY: --A Slate-colored Fox Sparrow was reported by George Mayfield at Bear Creek Park on December 19. DOUGLAS COUNTY: --A juv SNOWY OWL was reported by Steve Stachowiack at the South Entrance of Chatfield SP on December 19. --2 Long-tailed Ducks were reported by Joey Kellner at Chafield SP on the Denver CBC on December 19. On December 20, Scott Somershoe reported one Long-tailed Ducks at Chatfield. On December 21, Bryan Arnold reported 3 Long-tailed Ducks at Chatfield. On December 24 at Chatfield, David Dowell reported 3 Long-tailed Ducks, 1 juv Thayer's Gull and 1 juv Lesser Black-backed Gull. EAGLE COUNTY: --On December 20, Louise Glaser reported 18 Barrow's Goldeneyes (14f, 4m) on the Frying Pan River near Basalt. EL PASO COUNTY: --The f ACORN WOODPECKER has returned to the Willow Circle neighborhood in Colorado Springs. Marty Wolf first discovered her on December 18 and his CBC team observed the woodpecker again on December 19. Please observe from Willow Circle or Cheyenne Blvd and stay off of private property. On December 21, Monday Birders reported ACORN WOODPECKER in Willow Circle Neighborhood. On December 28, Gloria Nikolai reported ACORN WOODPECKER in Willow Circle Neighborhood. --On December 19, Tyler Stuart reported the following on the Colorado Springs CBC: 4 Long-tailed Ducks, Yellow-belllied Sapsucker, and White-winged Dove. --A Williamson's Sapsucker were reported by David Tonnessen at Aiken Canyon Preserve on December 27. FREMONT COUNTY: --A Rusty Blackbird was reported by Dale Adams at Florence River Park on December 20. GARFIELD COUNTY: --On December 24, Vic Zerbi reported 5 Barrow's Goldeneyes on the Colorado River along Devereaux Rd in Glenwood Springs. GRAND COUNTY: --A Varied Thrush has been visiting the yard of Cathy Craig in Granby since late November. Cathy is willing to allow birders to come and try to see the thrush. But she does not want anyone to come closer to the feeders than the block that she will place in the driveway. Please contact her at PioneerCSC at aol.com for information. On December 6, Carol Hunter and Cathy Craig reported that the Varied Thrush continues to come to the feeders. On December 8, Mark Chavez reported Varied Thrush, 100 Gray-crowned Rosy-Finch, and 5 Brown-capped Rosy-Finch in Granby at home of Cathy Craig. On December 12, Scott Manwaring reported Varied Thrush, 4 Hepburn's Gray-crowned Rosy-Finch, 55 Gray-crowned Rosy-Finch and 1 Black Rosy-Finch at yard of Cathy Craig in Granby. On December 15, Cathy Craig reported that the Varied Thrush continues to visit her yard along with Rosy-Finches. On December 17, Cathy Craig reported that the Varied Thrush continues to vist her yard. On December 18 Gwen Moore reported Varied Thrush, Gray-crowned and Black Rosy-Finch at yard of Cathy Craig in Granby. The Varied Thrush was last seen at yard of Cathy Craig on December 26. Cathy reported that the thrush seems to have moved to her neighbors since it did not like the company of all the Rosy-Finches who come to her feeders. JEFFERSON COUNTY: --On December 17, Scott Somershoe reported Gray-crowned, Brown-capped, and Black Rosy-Finch and Common Redpoll at feeders at the home of Ira Sanders at 314 Defrance Ct in Golden. Ira welcomes birders. On December 18, Tom Behnfield and Frank Farrell reported Common Redpoll, Gray-crowned Rosy-Finch, and Hepburn's Gray-crowned Rosy-Finch at feeders of Ira Sanders in Golden. On December 19, Jayne reported Common Redpoll at thistle feeder at Ira Sanders. On December 20, Ira Sanders reported Common Redpoll at his feeders. On December 22, Ira Sanders reported Common Redpoll and Gray-crowned Rosy-Finches at his feeders. On December 23, Ira Sanders reported Common Redpoll, Gray-crowned and Black Rosy Finches at his feeders. On December 24, Ira Sanders reported Common Redpoll and Gray-crowned Rosy-Finches at his feeders. On December 25, Ira Sanders reported Common Redpoll and all three species of Rosy-Finches at his feeders. On December 27, Ira Sanders reported Common Redpoll and Gray-crowned Rosy-Finches. On December 28, Ira Sanders reported Common Redpoll at his feeders. --On December 23, A Carolina Wren was reported by Gwen Moore, Matt Clark, and Susan Bonfiglio near Wadsworth between W 26th and W 29th Ave in Wheat Ridge. On December 24, Matt Clark reported Carolina Wren again on W 29th W of Wadsworth. He saw it briefly and heard it several times. --On December 23, Doug Kibbe reported 3 Long-tailed Ducks near the boat launch at Chatfield Sp. --On December 25,m Eric Albright reported 2 Hepburns Gray-crowned Rosy-Finches and 30 Rosy-Finch species at North Table Mountain Park (mesa top and sides). LARIMER COUNTY: --On December 11, Jeff Birek reported Yellow-throated Warbler in Fort Collins. The warbler is visiting the feeders in the backyard of Luke Caldwell at 1520 W Mountain. Caldwell welcomes birders to enter his yard through the front and proceed along the east side. The bird spends most of the time visitng the feeder in the pine trees along the east fence line near the alley. On December 22 David Wade reported Yellow-throated Warbler at 1520 W. Mountain. On December 24, Dave Leatherman reported Yellow-throated Warbler at 1520 W. Mountain. --An ad m Lazuli Bunting was reported by Rachel Hopper at The Gardens on Spring Creek in Fort Collins on December 19. On December 21, Dave Leatherman reported Lazuli Bunting at Gardens on Spring Creek. --2 Tundra Swan were reported by Casey Setash at Douglas Reservoir on December 19. --8 Common Redpolls were reported by Nick Komar and Ken Pals in Wellington in neighborhood SE of Waverly on December 19 as part of the Fort Collins CBC. --On December 25, Brandon Nooner reported juv Great Black-backed Gull at Horsehoe Reservoir. LOGAN COUNTY: --A Sharp-tailed Grouse was reported by Kathy Mihm Dunning and Austin Hess on the Crook CBC on December 27. OTERO COUNTY: --On December 21, Steve Mlodinow reported Greater Roadrunner, 2 Chihuahuan Ravens, Bewick's Wren, and 4 Canyon Towhees around Higbee Cemetery. --On December 24, Duane Nelson reported White-throated Swift on CR 802. PUEBLO COUNTY: --On December 2, Margie Joy reported seeing White-throated Swifts at Pueblo Reservoir. On December 3, Brandon Percival and Steve Mlodinow reported 17 White-throated Swifts over the Arkansas River and Valco Ponds #2 and #3. This is the first state record of White-throated Swifts in December. On December 5, Bill Kaempfer reported 3 White-throated Swifts at Valco Ponds SWA and Chris Gilbert reported 2 White-throated Swifts at Pueblo Reservoir. On December 7, Margie Joy reported that White-throated Swifts continue to be seen along the Arkansas River below Pueblo Reservoir Dam. On December 11, Stephany McNew reported 4 White-throated Swifts at Valco Ponds SWA. On December 15, Preston Larimer reported about 15 White-throated Swifts over the Arkansas River near Osprey Picnic Area. On December 20, Aaron Driscoll reported 100 White-throated Swifts at Pueblo Reservoir South Shore Marina. --On December 19 on the Pueblo Reservoir CBC, Brandon Percival reported 33 White-throated Swifts (first time on count), GOLDEN-CROWNED SPARROW, and 2 Canyon Wrens. --On December 22 on the Pueblo CBC, Brandon Percival reported Thayer's Gull, Lesser Black-backed Gull, White-winged Dove, Red-bellied Woodpecker, Yellow-bellied Sapsucker, and Rusty Blackbird. ROUTT COUNTY: --A Common Redpoll was reported by Tom Litteral on the Steamboat Springs CBC on December 21. WELD COUNTY: --A Brown/Long-billed Thrasher was reported by Bill Prather at a ditch on the South side of Union Reservoir on December 23. The bird is difficult to see so Bill hopes that someone can get a good photo to make a positive identification. --A Red-bellied Woodpecker was reported by Steve Mlodinow at Crow Valley CG on December 28. --On December 28, Steve Mlodinow reported 25 Gray-crowned (Hepburn's) Rosy-Finch and 90 Gray-crowned Rosy-Finch on CR 125, Carr to US 85. YUMA COUNTY: --On December 17, at Bonny Reservoir SWA below the dam, Loch Kilpatrick reported "Red" Fox Sparrow and Common Redpoll. --On December 18, Glenn Walbek reported "Red" Fox Sparrow, Common Redpoll, and 13 Lapland Longspsur at Hale Ponds. DFO Field Trips: No Field Trips scheduled until Jan 10. Help with a Christmas Bird Count. Good Birding, Joyce Takamine Boulder -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Colorado Birds" group. To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to [email protected]. To post to this group, send email to [email protected]. 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