[cobirds] Colorado Rare Bird Alert for Saturday, March 3, 2012
Compiler: Joyce Takamine Date: March 3, 2012 e-mail: rba AT cfobirds.org phone: 303-659-8750 This is the Colorado Rare Bird Alert for Satuday, March 3, 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) TUNDRA SWAN (Boulder, Huerfano) Mexican Duck (Pueblo) Barrow's Goldeneye (Delta, Douglas, Garfield, Summit) Long-tailed Duck (Mesa) Thayer's Gull (Arapahoe) Glaucous Gull (Arapahoe, Crowley) White-winged Dove (Larimer) Greater Roadrunner (Jefferson) SNOWY OWL (Adams, Weld) ACORN WOODPECKER (LaPlata) Red-bellied Woodpecker (Prowers) YELLOW-BELLIED SAPSUCKER (Pueblo) Black Phoebe (Pueblo) Chichuahuan Raven (Otero, Prowers) Winter Wren (Boulder, Pueblo) VARIED THRUSH (LaPlata, Larimer) Rufous-crowned Sparrow (*Otero) White-throated Sparrow (Pueblo) Harris's Sparrow (*Boulder, Jefferson, Prowers) GOLDEN-CROWNED SPARROW (*Jefferson) Lapland Longspur (Prowers) Northern Cardinal (Prowers, Pueblo) Gray-crowned Rosy-Finch (*Boulder, *Jefferson, Pitkin) Black Rosy-Finch (*Jefferson) Brown-capped Rosy-Finch (*Boulder, *Jefferson, Pitkin, San Juan, Summit) 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: --One SNOWY OWL was reported by Combs on February 12, west of Harvest and north of 138th. On February 20, Faulkner reported the immature SNOWY OWL was seen on 138th about .25 mile west of Harvest. On February 21, Niyo reported the immature SNOWY OWL in the same vicinity as it was on February 20. 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 County: --At Cherry Creek SP Walbek reported 1 Glaucous Gull (1-st cyc) and 2 Thayer's Gulls (1-st cyc) on February 28. Boulder County: --An ad TUNDRA SWAN was reported by Nunes at Cottowood Marsh on February 15. Plage reported that the TUNDRA SWAN continues at Cottonwood Marsh through February 25. --At Upper Ward, the BBC field trip led by Kaempfer had 25 Brown-capped Rosy-Finches and 1 Hepburn's Gray-crowned Rosy Finch on February 25. On March 2 Deininger again reported Brown-capped and Gray-crowned Rosy-Finches in Upper Ward. --A Winter Wren was reported by Heinrich on February 24 flitting across Left Hand Creek 1.9 miles up Left Hand Canyon Drive from Buckingham Park. There is a pull-off lot with a sign that says Restrooms 1.9 miles Buckingham Park --A Harris's Sparrow was reported by Floyd on the west shore of McCall Lake on March 2.. Crowley County: --At Lake Henry on February 26, an ad Glaucous Gull was reported by Floyd. Delta County: --A flock of Barrow's Goldeneyes was reported by Robinsong at the bend of the Gunnison River between the Boat Ramp of Confluence Park and the Hwy 50 Bridge on February 20. On February 22, Beason reported 7 Barrow's Goldeneyes on the Gunnison River near the Boat Launch of Confluence Park. On February 25, Garrison reported 6 or 7 Barrow's Goldeneyes off the boat ramp at Confluence Park. Douglas County: --2 pair of Barrow's Goldeneyes were reported by Kingery on Equestrian Pond in Parker on Februrary 25. Directions: From Colo 83 and Parker Main St, go west; at first traffic light turn left on Motsenbacker and continue a mile or so to Parker Water Treatment plant complex on left. Turn right, then follow dirt road towards Cherry Creek until you come to the pond. Please park so cars can get by. Garfield County: --9 Barrow's Goldeneyes were reported by Filby on the Roaring fork below Catherine Store road bridge near Carbondale on February 29 --2 Barrow's Goldeneyes were reported by Filby on private ponds at Ranch at Roaring Fork in Carbondale on February 29. Huerfano County: --4 TUNDRA SWANS were reported by Nelder at Lathrop State Park on February 26. Jefferson County: --The GOLDEN-CROWNED SPARROW at the Red Rocks Trading Post feeders continues to be seen thru March 2 as reported by Henwood. --On March 2, Henwood reported that all 3 species of Rosy-Finches were seen at the Red Rocks Trading Post feeders. There were 25 - 30 birds. --On February 21, Henwood found the 2 Harris's Sparrows (1ad, 1 1-st yr) near the Boat Launch Area at Bear Creek Lake Park. --The Greater Roadrunner has
[cobirds] Spring is Springing in west Centennial, Arapahoe County
A Northern Flicker has been drumming on my chimney cap for the past week. A flock of 10 American Goldfinches hit my feeders as they moved through a few days ago and some of the males had squarish bright yellow spots right at their wrists, looked like of a bunch of second lieutenants. Kevin Corwin west Centennial Arapahoe County -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups Colorado Birds group. To post to this group, send email to cobirds@googlegroups.com. To unsubscribe from this group, send email to cobirds+unsubscr...@googlegroups.com. For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/cobirds?hl=en.
[cobirds] Link for Black Swift article
Here is the Denver Post article http://www.denverpost.com/news/ci_20092428 . Also, check out Nathan.s blog http://earbirding.com/blog/archives/3602. -- Todd Deininger 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 cobirds@googlegroups.com. To unsubscribe from this group, send email to cobirds+unsubscr...@googlegroups.com. For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/cobirds?hl=en.
[cobirds] Re: Say's Phoebe
And I saw my first one also this past week in Colorado Springs at Mesa Fillmore. Diana Beatty Colorado Springs, CO On Mar 2, 9:43 am, Nicolle Martin nicolle.h.mar...@gmail.com wrote: Interesting ... I just saw my first one as well in Lakewood at Wadsworth 285. Nicolle Martin Littleton, CO On Thu, Mar 1, 2012 at 9:15 AM, Greg Pasquariello g...@pasq.net wrote: No idea if this bird overwintered or is a migrant, but I just saw my first Say's Phoebe of the year in Littleton (Douglas) Regards -Greg Pasquariello Littleton, CO Sent from my iPhone -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups Colorado Birds group. To post to this group, send email to cobirds@googlegroups.com. To unsubscribe from this group, send email to cobirds+unsubscr...@googlegroups.com. For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/cobirds?hl=en. -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups Colorado Birds group. To post to this group, send email to cobirds@googlegroups.com. To unsubscribe from this group, send email to cobirds+unsubscr...@googlegroups.com. For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/cobirds?hl=en.
[cobirds] Golden-crowned Sparrow - Red Rocks- Jeffcon
Good Morning, A bit on the breezy side this morning, but lots of birds at the Red Rocks feeders this morning. The Golden-crowned Sparrow showed up right at 6:45 A.M. under the upper apple tree. Did not see any Rosy- Finches. My guess is we won't see any more Rosy-Finches at Red Rocks until the next snow storm. One of the Prairie Falcons (male) was perched on a ledge on Cave Rock. I saw the female yesterday morning so I believe the pair is in and around the Red Rocks area. There were a pair of Ravens cavorting in the air behind Ship Rock. Stopped by Bear Creek Lake Park (BCLP) and saw the adult Harris's Sparrow with the flock of American Tree Sparrows in the Boat Launch area. Chuck Aid told me yesterday he had seen both the adult (once) and the 1st year Harris's (several times) one day this past week. Mike Henwood Morrison Jefferson County -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups Colorado Birds group. To post to this group, send email to cobirds@googlegroups.com. To unsubscribe from this group, send email to cobirds+unsubscr...@googlegroups.com. For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/cobirds?hl=en.
[cobirds] Black Swift Information
Cobirders, I second Todd Deininger's recommendation to check out the Denver Post article at www.denverpost.com and Nathan Pieplow's blog at www.earbirding.com. The Denver Post lead story was great news to us at RMBO. It was extremely well done and accurate. Of the 616 birds that breed in North America, we knew where 615 went for the winter. Nobody knew about the black swift--including people in the country where it goes! You may not know where the Lost City of Atlantis went, but you can now learn where the last bird--the black swift--goes for the winter. Of only 220 known nesting sites in the world, 104 of them are in Colorado. For you mathophiles, that is 47% that are here in your home state. And if you also like remote places with nothing to do in July, hike to a remote waterfall and wait until dusk. You might find #221. Decades of research went into what has been learned recently. Nathan points out some other interesting facts, pointing out that life of a black swift parent is not fun and games: hunt for food all day, then feed the chick all night. (Fortunately, there is always only one chick, and no worries about cowbirds in a dark and dank cave). Learn as much as you can about this most unusual Colorado bird. And there is much we still don't know. Do they sleep on the wing while migrating? We will be doing more research. Keep tuned. Larry Modesitt Chairman, Board of Directors Rocky Mountain Bird Observatory -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups Colorado Birds group. To post to this group, send email to cobirds@googlegroups.com. To unsubscribe from this group, send email to cobirds+unsubscr...@googlegroups.com. For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/cobirds?hl=en.
[cobirds] Boulder Golden-crowed Sparrow; Weld Mallard x Gadwall
Greetings All, First, for the positive data. I had a lovely walk around St Vrain State Park before the wind started up. There are a goodly number and variety of in Pelican Pond, approaching that of Cottonwood Marsh at Walden Ponds. The only rarity was a MALLARD x GADWALL (yes, another), different from last year's bird. This bird seems to be a F2 (that is, the result of a hybrid breeding with either parent species or another hybrid). It looks like a (Mallard x Gadwall) x Mallard as its brown chest is more prominent than other Gadwall x Mallards I've seen, and the head is nearly entirely green. Perhaps this bird is the offspring from the Mallard x Gadwall at St Vrain last March. Secondly, The GOLDEN-CROWNED SPARROW is still at Teller Ponds (the parking lot near the horse stables). The bird seems to hang out in the lines of evergreens and brush on the s. side of the parking lot. Waiting for it to pop in the open to feed seems the best strategy. There was also a LESSER BLACK-BACKED GULL at Baseline Res, Boulder Co -- a 3rd year bird, I believe. Otherwise, Baseline was not very birdy... Which leads to the negative data Anthem Ranch and Sienna Ponds in Broomfield are birdless LUNA Reservoir has only about 10% of the birds it has had all winter. Erie Res has but a modest number of birds and an uninteresting selection. Waneka was almost utterly birdless. 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 cobirds@googlegroups.com. To unsubscribe from this group, send email to cobirds+unsubscr...@googlegroups.com. For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/cobirds?hl=en.
[cobirds] HSR: Dinosaur Ridge (02 Mar 2012) 2 Raptors
Dinosaur Ridge Colorado, USA Daily Raptor Counts: Mar 02, 2012 --- SpeciesDay's CountMonth Total Season Total -- --- -- -- Black Vulture0 0 0 Turkey Vulture 0 0 0 Osprey 0 0 0 Bald Eagle 0 0 0 Northern Harrier 0 0 0 Sharp-shinned Hawk 0 0 0 Cooper's Hawk0 0 0 Northern Goshawk 0 0 0 Red-shouldered Hawk 0 0 0 Broad-winged Hawk0 0 0 Red-tailed Hawk 1 2 2 Rough-legged Hawk0 0 0 Swainson's Hawk 0 0 0 Ferruginous Hawk 0 0 0 Golden Eagle 0 0 0 American Kestrel 0 0 0 Merlin 0 0 0 Peregrine Falcon 0 0 0 Prairie Falcon 0 0 0 Mississippi Kite 0 0 0 Unknown Accipiter1 1 1 Unknown Buteo0 0 0 Unknown Falcon 0 0 0 Unknown Eagle0 0 0 Unknown Raptor 0 0 0 Total: 2 3 3 -- Observation start time: 09:15:00 Observation end time: 15:00:00 Total observation time: 5.75 hours Official Counter:Dave Hill Observers:Cynthia Madsen Visitors: 2 bikers 2 separate hikers with dogs 1 hiker alone 1 male hiker carrying an axe! @ 11:30 AM. Weather: Temperatures ranged from 25° to 31°F. Wind direction was variable (S and E before noon, W and N after noon.) Wind speed was 2-9 mph with gusts from 4-15 mph. Relative Humidity ranged from 37% to 62%. Sky cover remained at 90-95% throughout the observation period. Negligible precipitation with few scattered snow flakes. Raptor Observations: Migrating species: 1 Red-tailed Hawk 1 unidentified accipiter Local species: 3 Golden Eagle 1 Prairie Falcon flying south 2 Red-tailed Hawk Non-raptor Observations: Western Scrub-Jay 2 Black-billed Magpie 3 American Crow 2 Common Raven 4 Mountain Chickadee 1 Bushtit 12 Townsend's Solitaire 4 American Robin 7 Report submitted by Rocky Mountain Bird Observatory (jeff.bi...@rmbo.org) Dinosaur Ridge information may be found at: http://www.rmbo.org/ Site Description: Dinosaur Ridge is the only regularly staffed hawkwatch in Colorado and is the best place in the world to see migrating Ferruginous Hawks. Dinosaur Ridge may be the best place in the country to see the rare dark morph of the Broad-winged Hawk (a few are seen each spring). Hawkwatchers who linger long enough may see resident Golden Eagles, Red-tailed Hawks and Prairie Falcons, in addition to migrating Swainson's, Cooper's and Sharp-shinned Hawks, American Kestrels and Turkey Vultures. Peregrine Falcons and Ferruginous Hawks are uncommon; Northern Goshawk is rare but regular. Non-raptor species include Rock Wren, and sometimes Bushtit, Western Bluebird, Sandhill Crane, White-throated Swift, American White Pelican or Dusky Grouse. Birders are always welcome. The hawkwatch is generally staffed by volunteers from the Rocky Mountain Bird Observatory from about 9 AM to around 4 PM from the first week of March to the first week of May. Directions to site: From exit 259 on I-70 towards Morrison, drive south under freeway and take left into first parking lot, the Stegosaurus lot. Follow small signs from the south side of lot to hawkwatch site. The hike starts heading east on an old two-track and quickly turns south onto a trail on the west side of the ridge. When the trail nears the top of the ridge, turn left, head through the gate, and walk to the clearly-visible, flat area at the crest of the ridge. -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups Colorado Birds group. To post to this group, send email to cobirds@googlegroups.com. To unsubscribe from this group, send email to cobirds+unsubscr...@googlegroups.com. For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/cobirds?hl=en.
[cobirds] Hawkwatch, Colorado Springs
Hi COBirders, Observations from my unofficial, Hawkwatch on Colorado Springs Westside - Mountain Shadows neighborhood, North of Garden of the Gods, against the Dakota Hogback. Wed 2/29/12 - Red-tailed Hawks-3, probably all residents at this point. Also a distant, quick view of what might have been a White-throated Swift - my earliest ever, if correct. Guess it will be at least 4 years before I can match the date again! Thu - 3/1/12- Probable resident Golden Eagle- 1, Red-tailed Hawk- 1 Sat 3/3/12 - one apparently migrating Cooper's Hawk -1 (soaring and catching thermals) More later - I'll begin manning my post on the rocks soon. Steve Brown Colorado Springs -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups Colorado Birds group. To post to this group, send email to cobirds@googlegroups.com. To unsubscribe from this group, send email to cobirds+unsubscr...@googlegroups.com. For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/cobirds?hl=en.
[cobirds] FOY Mourning Dove, Colo Spgs, El Paso Cty
Jeanne just spotted our first Mourning Dove since fall at our home feeder. That gave us the trifecta today - Mourning, Collared, and White-winged. It must be spring! Good birding! Mel Goff -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups Colorado Birds group. To post to this group, send email to cobirds@googlegroups.com. To unsubscribe from this group, send email to cobirds+unsubscr...@googlegroups.com. For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/cobirds?hl=en.
[cobirds] Black Swift paper citation
For those of you interested in the citation for the Black Swift paper see below. I am happy to have been able to contribute to this paper by conducting the analysis and GIS work. Beason, J.P., C. Gunn, K.M. Potter, R.A. Sparks, and J.W. Fox. 2012. The Northern Black Swift: Migration Path and Wintering Area Revealed. Wilson Journal of Ornithology 124:1-8. Fort Collins Old Town Rob Sparks -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups Colorado Birds group. To post to this group, send email to cobirds@googlegroups.com. To unsubscribe from this group, send email to cobirds+unsubscr...@googlegroups.com. For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/cobirds?hl=en.
[cobirds] Northern Colorado birds
Cobirders, Today we decided to go up to Allenspark and see if we could find some Evening Grosbeaks. The day then turned out to a listing day (with a total of 72) when we were stopped by the migrating flocks of ducks at Ryan's Gulch Res. Here are the places and birds we saw today: Ryan's Gulch Res.: 1 Greater White-fronted Goose 1 Ross's Goose (white form) 2 Cinnamon Teal (Male and Female) Allenspark: 12 Evening Grosbeak 4 Hairy Woodpeckers 1 Cassin's Finch 5 Clark's Nutcracker 9 Pygmy Nuthatches Environmental Learning Center: 4 Wood Ducks (3 males and 1 female, all were calling to each other) Timnath Res.: 300 Red-winged Blackbirds (all calling) 1 Snow Goose (East Side) 1 Say's Pheobe (on the road running on the south side of the Res. by the golf corse) Front Range Community College: 1 Peregrine Falcon Spring is definitely in the air Skyler Bol Ft. Collins, CO -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups Colorado Birds group. To post to this group, send email to cobirds@googlegroups.com. To unsubscribe from this group, send email to cobirds+unsubscr...@googlegroups.com. For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/cobirds?hl=en.
[cobirds] HSR: Dinosaur Ridge (03 Mar 2012) 6 Raptors
Dinosaur Ridge Colorado, USA Daily Raptor Counts: Mar 03, 2012 --- SpeciesDay's CountMonth Total Season Total -- --- -- -- Black Vulture0 0 0 Turkey Vulture 0 0 0 Osprey 0 0 0 Bald Eagle 0 0 0 Northern Harrier 0 0 0 Sharp-shinned Hawk 0 0 0 Cooper's Hawk1 1 1 Northern Goshawk 0 0 0 Red-shouldered Hawk 0 0 0 Broad-winged Hawk0 0 0 Red-tailed Hawk 3 5 5 Rough-legged Hawk1 1 1 Swainson's Hawk 0 0 0 Ferruginous Hawk 0 0 0 Golden Eagle 1 1 1 American Kestrel 0 0 0 Merlin 0 0 0 Peregrine Falcon 0 0 0 Prairie Falcon 0 0 0 Mississippi Kite 0 0 0 Unknown Accipiter0 1 1 Unknown Buteo0 0 0 Unknown Falcon 0 0 0 Unknown Eagle0 0 0 Unknown Raptor 0 0 0 Total: 6 9 9 -- Observation start time: 08:30:00 Observation end time: 15:30:00 Total observation time: 7 hours Official Counter:Lee Farrell, Roger Rouch Observers:Chuck Hundertmark, Lee Farrell, Roger Rouch Visitors: Surprisingly there were a large number of hikers and runners today, the very few that stopped by asked for directions to the dinosaur tracks. Weather: Windy and cold, a play day for the Ravens, high winds provided the perfect playground for them. Winds were at a Beaufort 5 when we arrived in the morning, lightened perhaps to a 4 around noon, then heightening to likely an 8 at 3:00 PM. Raptor Observations: Six migrating raptors were counted today, determination of a northerly flight pattern was complicated by the high winds. Highlight of the day was a Rough-legged Hawk at about 12:30 PM, binocular high over the ridge and blown to the east as it passed the station. What was believed to be five local resident Red-tailed hawks were seen off and on during the day. One pair displayed breeding behavior, synchronized soaring, leg dropping, on a couple of occasions, there was some interplay with a third Red-tailed. One resident Golden Eagle was harassed/escorted, by the pair of Red-tailed. The last raptor of the day, a migrating Red-tailed, was observed just shortly after 2:00 PM. No large birds, not even a Raven was seen after that. Lack of birds and very high winds, observations were ceased at 3:30 PM. Non-raptor Observations: Wind and cold were such that observations along the west face of the ridge was impossible. How windy was it, upon arriving at the site, Chuck’s favorite hat was removed from his head and was estimated to have made Nebraska by noon. When a Townsend’s dared to fly above the wind shadow of the ridge to our amazement it was blown back to the east like a leaf in the wind. If it were not for the Juniper at the center of the station blocking the wind, the day would have been lost. Three Townsend’s Solitaires on the east side of the ridge kept us company throughout the day. Ravens, 17 were counted, most of them giving the impression they were headed north as if in migration, 5 were later seen heading south along the east side of the ridge, and were not counted in the 17. At least 4 Magpies were seen, along with 1 Northern Flicker, 1 American Robin, and Chickadees were heard close by. Predictions: High winds are predicted again tomorrow; dress warm enough to stick it out. Considering the conditions, a good and very enjoyable day of birding today, expect tomorrow to be much the same. Rough-legged are usually seen in the early season, tomorrow could produce another. Report submitted by Rocky Mountain Bird Observatory (jeff.bi...@rmbo.org) Dinosaur Ridge information may be found at: http://www.rmbo.org/ Site Description: Dinosaur Ridge is the only regularly staffed hawkwatch in Colorado and is the best place in the world to see migrating Ferruginous Hawks. Dinosaur Ridge may be the best place in the country to see
[cobirds] American Dipper in Adams Co today
Hi Birders After a miss this morning, I found one American Dipper in Clear Creek, just downstream from the Lowell Blvd. bridge (Adams Co) at about 5 p.m. High winds and cold. Yesterday, Mar. 2, I saw two dipper in the same location. Bob Canter Denver CO -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups Colorado Birds group. To post to this group, send email to cobirds@googlegroups.com. To unsubscribe from this group, send email to cobirds+unsubscr...@googlegroups.com. For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/cobirds?hl=en.
