Ok CObirders, it is now official. Yesterday, 21 December, I found a Red-breasted Sapsucker along Mirada Rd in southern Colorado Springs, El Paso County. The bird appears to be very much pure, and of the northern subspecies (ruber) which shows even less white in the face/malar than does the southern ssp.
Mirada is a public road that cuts between a Broadmoor-owned golf course on the west side, residential land on the east side, and is wide enough to have cars parked along the side. However, the bird itself is hanging out in a stand of Austrian Pines that is on someone's property, though viewable from the road. For directions, look for a number 13 marked in white on the curb on the residential side, which is the address of that property. Three large, evenly spaced trees to the south of this, there should be a reddish flag at the base of a few bushes. From here, look straight out, or due east for a stand of 3 large pine trees (Austrian) and a large cottonwood, with smaller conifers (a few small scotts and Austrian). Focus on the 3 large Austrian Pines. The tree in the back appears to be the most heavily used by the sapsucker, and is precisely where the bird has been the majority of the time while I was there to see it, both yesterday around 1:00 pm and today around 9:20 am. Given that the vantage points are west of the sapsucker's tree, better lighting was around 1:00, and I would imagine most of the afternoon should have the sun hitting that part of the tree for nice views/photos (given the bird is on the right side of the tree). It might take a while of scanning and getting various angles, but do focus your attention on the tree in the back of the tri-stand. I suspect this is a wintering individual that has been here since at least November and will likely continue through at least February, given the shear amount of fresh wells that were covering its favored tree. Finally, my last note of caution: Please do not venture onto the property in order to get closer to the sapsucker. The bird is perfectly viewable from the road as long as you know which trees to look in and allow yourself ample time of scanning with binoculars around the trunk. I revealed the location of this new state bird trusting that others would act responsibly and utilize common sense in how they decide to tick this bird, while allowing future birders the same opportunity. Even as it is, the activity of many birders on this otherwise empty road could result in suspicion from neighbors or passers by, as well as the homeowner whom I have not been able to contact yet likely due to my being at the location at midday during the week. Attached below, respectively, are proof of the Red-breasted Sapsucker, then a photo shot while facing east from the vantage point, showing the reddish flag at the base of some bushes, and behind that, the stand of Austrian Pines to the right of a large cottonwood, then a photo of the base of the 3 Austrian Pines, the back tree being the middle one, and lastly, a photo facing west taken through a chain link fence, showing a land mark Scotts Pine on the golf course (you should park on the golf course side right next to this). Good birding, and good luck. David Tønnessen Colorado Springs, CO <https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-MMB_-Iw-HDY/Wj1o6Qx7HsI/AAAAAAAAEjc/iXKcEOY9zuMXV-3qgiT2LmClXnQeA1IcgCLcBGAs/s1600/RBSA%2Bproof.jpg> <https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-eqP8deyIPDo/Wj1pDXyGWGI/AAAAAAAAEjg/6YiS98PN8Okr9JhQma9NZf2q9qnfNqzJwCLcBGAs/s1600/RBSA%2Blocation.jpg> <https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-a_2r-4LvTRk/Wj1pJD2dE8I/AAAAAAAAEjk/iSqJqfUhrfkrycrEmhQp0ypy83V5lsI2gCLcBGAs/s1600/Austrian%2BPines.jpg> <https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-QO3_DBqkCZ0/Wj1pPnM0dGI/AAAAAAAAEjo/W0PEw2KqdkwBtgA3oVKtgd7LK9HPTZHHgCLcBGAs/s1600/Scott%2527s%2BPine%2Bgolf%2Bcourse.jpg> -- 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]. To view this discussion on the web visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/cobirds/88946ea8-a838-40c8-96d2-a92bd618594c%40googlegroups.com. For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/d/optout.
